The current issue in today’s society is to keep our planet in the best shape possible and even improve it’s current less-than-stable condition. Clearly, and now more than ever, global warming and climate change is a real and pressing issue and the majority of people are coming to grips with it, especially with all the clear signs and tangible evidence that continues to present itself. And as such, many individuals are now all about living green and acting in an eco-friendly manner to help accomplish all of the outlined earth-saving aspirations.
These Days, The Focus Is On Saving Energy
Mainly, the issue here is to conserve energy and practice energy efficiency. Through such actions not only is energy and money saved in the process, but the earth is saved as well – reductions in the total demand for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas all transpire when energy conservation is taken into account and put into full swing. And with less fossil fuels being utilized and burned, carbon dioxide (or CO2) emissions, which are the primary contributors to global warming, will be released in smaller, less concentrated and more eco-friendly, beneficial amounts.
Energy Conservation Is Spreading Far and Wide
Energy-conservationists are literally everywhere and their green personae are permeating both within national boundaries and, especially, amid international locations. With this in mind, companies with electrical and appliance based products have taken notice. So, it’s not a silly matter of going without using energy all together. It’s more so a matter of seeking energy alternatives.
A you might be thinking that alternatives are more difficult to find or even adjust to, or that they are that much more expensive than what you’re used to using, yet, they really aren’t. In actuality, there are now energy-saving and energy-efficient alternatives for the majority of all appliances and light fixtures. This provides green-conscious consumers with choices and the actual power to alter – but, more so lessen – their energy consumption to a considerable degree.
To Do Your Part Isn’t All That Hard – Saving Energy Is Easy
By going through your day to day routine and analyzing all the ways ways in which you use energy, both through standard home appliances and all electrical components (especially light fixtures and their screwed in light bulbs), you will be able to see how much energy you require and can then fix the ways in which you may be wasting the energy you’re using. Consider doing simple things to your home appliances such as turning your fridge to the energy saver mode, or using only the warm or cold water setting on your washing machine, or even just opting for completely new appliances that embrace green lifestyles. By looking for newer appliances that have the “Energy Star” label on them you’ll both be preventing energy overconsumption and continued pollution. And, especially if you’re home appliances are older, you should without a doubt looking into replacing them with more modern and eco-considerate versions.
By: E.S. Cromwell
Posts Tagged ‘Fossil Fuels’
Energy Conservation and How You Can Do Your Part
April 28th, 2010Electricity Dependence and Energy Conservation
March 27th, 2010
Why are we so dependent on electricity? The answer is simple – electricity allows modern appliances and more convenience in our lives. What would life be like if we went back to the time before electricity? Life was much harder than, and electricity has made modern life possible. The problem with being dependent on electricity is the fact that much of the electricity we use is created in coal powered energy plants. When coal is burned, greenhouse gases and pollution are emitted that cause environmental harm. Going back to no electricity is not a viable option, but we can lower our electricity consumption and find other ways to create electricity using alternative energy sources instead of coal and other fossil fuels. Waste to energy programs are one way that needed electricity can be produced without using fossil fuels, and there are many others.
The basics of electricity production are not as complex as many believe. Electricity can be produced using many other methods besides ones which require fossil fuels. Wind power, solar power, ocean power, and geothermal power are all alternative energy sources which can produce electricity. The basic production is the same though because all electricity starts with electrons, and a conductor which allows these electrons to travel through the material. Without a conductor it is not possible for electricity to travel from one place to another. A generator is used to move the electricity in the desired direction and flow. For electricity to be produced an electrical circuit is needed. Electricity production is possible using alternative energy sources instead of coal or other fossil fuels, and this will give many benefits, including environmental benefits.
Energy conservation efforts must be used to minimize electricity dependence, while using alternative energy sources to create the electricity needed. But exactly what lies behind real energy conservation? Real energy conservation means cutting back on the electricity you use, and making sure that the electricity you do use for necessities is produced from eco friendly alternative energy sources, instead of coal or other fossil fuels. If you have older appliances, replace them with energy efficient models that do not require as much electricity, and make your home as energy efficient as possible. Try to minimize electricity use as much as possible, and use clean sources of electricity.
The benefits of using energy saving light bulbs can help with electricity conservation. These bulbs last ten times longer than the usual light bulbs, and do not cost much more. Energy saving bulbs can help save both money and energy, because they do not have to be replaced as frequently, and they require much less energy to use. In addition less waste goes to the landfill, because energy saving bulbs do not need to be replaced anywhere near as often as traditional light bulbs. These bulbs can be an efficient way to conserve energy and protect the environment from harm, and is just one way out of thousands that you can use conservation efforts to make a difference. Electricity dependence does not mean conservation efforts can not be effective. Protecting the environment, conserving energy, and using alternative energy sources to produce electricity will prevent any energy crisis and keep the environment in good shape.
By: Shelly Wagar
Want Tax Credits? Energy Conservation Efforts for Commercial Properties
March 12th, 2010
The Environmental Protection Agency has reported that commercial buildings account for nearly one-fifth of the entire amount of greenhouse gas released into the atmosphere on an annual basis. There are a few different views on the role of the government in controlling or limiting the impact that commercial buildings have on the environment.
While some believe that the government should have an active role in this issue, setting severe limitations and putting fines and such other measures into effect, others believe that the federal government should take a less active and direct role in the issue and create incentives for those who go through measures to reduce their involvement in potential environmentally violating issues.
What Are Greenhouse Gases?
Greenhouse gases are gases that are released into the atmosphere and cause heat to be trapped toward the surface of the Earth. There is many a study out there that has attributed the use of coal, oil, and other fossil fuels to the increasing temperature of the surface of the earth that is attributed to the excess of greenhouse gases, but the lack of solid proof and assurance in this is what has caused speculation with this issue.
Some Greenhouse Gases are Vital
Of course, a certain level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is important, as that is what keeps the planet insulated from the effects of the sun or the freezing cold of the atmosphere but the increasing temperature of the earth is alarming scientists, and something must be done about it.
For this reason, there have been many tax credits for environmentally friendly projects and businesses both proposed and implemented. As a matter of fact, Congress has made environmental issues like climate change and the ever increasing level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere one of their top priorities, and even the Bush Administration has opted to take a more active role in the issue, opting to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere by 30 percent in the next ten years. There is a great deal of support for those who are opting to use clean energy technologies and options, and one of these many types of support are tax incentives for those who operate environmentally friendly commercial buildings.
Federal Energy Efficiency Programs
EPA’s Green Star Program
Programs like Energy Star and the Green Lights program by the Environmental Protection Agency are two of the more popular and well-known programs of this nature, allowing people to save money by installing more efficient lighting options as well as preventing the release of billions of tons of ecologically damaging greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
The Energy Star Program
The Energy Star program also provides for massive savings for any American consumer or commercial property owner. By making use of Energy Star lighting and other appliances, they are saving money on electricity as well as preserving fossil fuels and reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released into the air. Many people have seen or purchased products with the energy star label on it; these are products that adhere to the Energy Star program standards, and are excellent ways of using electricity more efficiently.
There are many tax incentives in place currently for those who modify their properties to meet certain qualifications. Those who make modifications seeking approval or a certain status from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED may also qualify for awesome tax bonuses and incentives as well, especially those larger buildings that have more to offer by way of making environmentally friendly modifications to their buildings.
The Commercial Building Tax Deduction
There is also a tax credit, commonly called the Commercial Building Tax Deduction, that is limited to $1.80 per square foot for those who own or operate commercial buildings that adhere to certain standards (AHSRAE Standard 90.1) and save at least one half of the total energy required to heat or cool the building. There is an sixty cent per square foot tax credit also in place that rewards those commercial building owners who make improvements to their building or HVAC systems or other cooling or heating implements that improve the efficiency of the building as well.
As of right now, there has been no formal legislation implemented that forces commercial buildings to take the actions necessary to reduce their impact on the ever increasing temperature of the surface of the planet that is often attributed to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the reduction of environmental greenhouse gas emission problems is the single top priority of the United States legislature this year.
By: Anthony Seruga
