Efficient things
Efficient things
For solar water heating in your home, there are basically two types of solar collectors: conventional flat-plate collectors and evacuated tube collectors. Evacuated tubes have a number of advantages: the work on overcast days, in colder weather, and the tubes can be installed and replaced individually without special tools.
Solar Evacuated Tubes: Free Hot Water Read More »
Solar water heating works efficiently even in cloudy areas. Home Power Magazine recently ran an article that gives a simple overview of solar water heating systems (well, relatively simple). In the article, they examine various popular systems that have proven themselves reliable.
Solar Water Heating Simplified Read More »
This looks interesting — it’s a solar shower that heats 5 1/2 gallons of water with a built-in solar collector. Created in Europe, the imported shower is able to heat water to 140°F in 1-2 hours in sunny weather. The manufacturer claims that the shower is capable of capturing heat from the ambient temperature in
Solar Heated Outdoor Shower Read More »
Notes from Manufacturer: Recommended for drier climates. Works when humidity < 40% Features: Cut your cooling costs by up to 90% Low wattage cooling: from 20 to 150 watts This is a cooler that can run on 1 or 2 solar panels, or a car battery charger More environmentally friendly – no freon Cabinet is
Solar Chill Evaporative Coolers Read More »
Solar Shingles — yes they do indeed exist and are available now. This new style of solar collector lets homeowners build electrical generation right into the roof itself. They can be added to existing homes or built into new homes. It saves money because the shingles serve a dual purpose — as a roofing
Solar Shingles: Build A Meta-Efficient Roof! Read More »
Home improvement can pay for itself, and even put cash back in your pocket – if you’re putting your money in the right places. Renovations that increase your home’s energy efficiency aren’t just nice for the environment, they can be economical as well. The folks at One Block Off The Grid offer a great guide
Energy Efficient Upgrades That Pay For Themselves Read More »
Bicycle City is a planned community built around bicycles. No cars are allowed. A real world cycling utopia, the project, started by Ohio-based Bicycle City LLC, has been in the design phase since the early 1990s, but in 2010 the town of Gaston, South Carolina near Columbia was chosen as the first location for Bicycle
A Town Without Cars: Bicycle City Read More »
A 600-station bike sharing system is slated to debut during the summer of 2012 in New York City. The network of 10,000 bicycles is being set up in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and future expansion into Queens, Staten Island, and the Bronx is possible. New York City Bike Share is privately sponsored and operated. The NYC
New Yorkers Asked To Suggest Bike Sharing Locations Read More »
When the largest economy in the European Union derives 20% of its energy from renewable sources, it is a milestone worthy of international attention. Germany’s renewable energy consumption jumped 2.5% within the last year, sending the total consumption of green power in that country to 20.8%. Since 2000, Germany’s use of renewable energy has increased
Germany Is Now 20% Powered By Renewable Energy Read More »
The Best Electric Boat Motors: Unlike gasoline-powered boat motors, electric outboard motors provide quieter operation, no exhaust fumes, and zero emissions. Electrics are great as the primary means of propulsion for small boats, a secondary means of propulsion for large boats, or in places where gasoline motors are prohibited or otherwise undesirable. Because electric boat
The Best Electric Boat Motors Read More »