IBM Corporation announced the launch of a year to spend one billion U.S. dollars of the business plan to significantly increase the level of IT efficiency. The “Project Big Green” program includes: adoption of new products and services to help IBM and its clients to sharply reduce data center energy consumption, transforming the world of business and public technology infrastructure and make it ” green “data centers. According to I DC The survey shows that for each dollar of computer hardware costs, about 50 cents is spent on electricity use, this number is expected in the next four years will increase 54%. IBM “green innovation” brought considerable savings are on an area of 25,000 square feet of data center, customers can achieve 42% energy saving. According to the U.S. energy mix now, this saving is equivalent to an annual reduction of 7,439 tons of carbon emissions. “Project Big Green” is the IBM enterprise data center for energy demand and energy costs increased sharply launched, the program will be a cross-IBM business units, and by the more than 850 energy efficiency experts, global “green team” to implement and implement. “Data center energy crisis, growth inhibition of the customer’s business.” IBM Global Technology Services Senior Vice President MikeDaniels said, “Many data centers have reached saturation, the growth capacity of enterprises has been limited, therefore, forcing them to for new capital investment. We want to share with our customers IBM’s global resources and action plan to help them make full use of their data center energy, improve energy efficiency, to achieve green innovation. ” IBM currently runs the world’s largest commercial technology infrastructure in the world has more than eight million square feet of data centers. By using the energy efficiency action plan, expected in the next three years without increasing power consumption or carbon dioxide emissions case, IBM can make the data center to double the computing capacity. Meanwhile, prompted by expanding the area of data center data center to double the computing capacity than the way, IBM is expected to “Green Innovation Project” will help IBM to implement an annual savings more than five billion kilowatt hours of energy. Five steps to green innovation IBM to use its technical expertise and enhancing energy efficiency of technological innovation, customer summed up by the five-step, and can greatly improve the energy efficiency of the method: Diagnosis: assessment of existing facilities – energy assessment, virtual three-dimensional power management and thermal analysisConstruction: planning, construction, or update an energy efficient data centerVirtualization: The IT infrastructure and special purpose processors for virtualizationManagement: Power Management Software Control to achieve power consumptionCooling: in the data center liquid cooling solutions inside and outside”Around the Internet and Linux as IBM helped organizations grapple with innovative opportunities, we will again assist clients navigate the new era of energy-efficient computing.” IBM Senior Vice President and General Manager of Systems and Technology Division BillZeitler said, “through incremental improvements can not do this, we need more bold ideas and action plans to address energy efficiency challenges.” 1. Diagnosis: through energy assessment, virtual three-dimensional power management and thermal analysis to assess the existing facilities Customers on data center energy efficiency difficult to obtain accurate and detailed information, and make significant improvements. There is significant data center hot spots, areas of high power density, which is Server Rack layout errors in the engine room design unreasonable and unnecessary hot air and cold air mixing with each other caused. “IBM data center energy efficiency assessment” (IBM Data Center Energy EfficiencyAssessment) – IBM will adopt a new scale on the customer’s data center energy efficiency assessment for clients to develop a program to improve energy efficiency, so that customers reduce energy costs up to 40%; “Mobile measurement technology” (Mobile Measurement Technology) – This is a research division from IBM’s new technology, can measure three-dimensional data center temperature distribution. The new mobile measurement machine includes a position tracking system and a sensor composed of up to 100 large Network, Capable of unprecedented speed and accuracy of thermal data collected. Mobile measurement technology has been used in the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in California, three data centers, and in just a few days found within an area of about 4 million square feet of data center of the existence of hot spots, air leakage and other affect the efficiency of the place. If the use of manual measurement, then take several weeks; “IBM Thermal analysis of high-density computing” (IBM Thermal Analysis for High DensityComputing) – The service products can identify and resolve existing and potential, there is an existing data center power failure could cause heat-related issues with the same time, To save energy and provide options for future expansion; IBM will use virtual worlds to explore virtual three-dimensional data center power management to more efficient use of energy, reduce energy consumption. 2. Development: Plan, build or update an energy efficient data centerBased on IBM clients around the world build 30 million square feet of data center experience, IBM “Data center energy efficiency assessment” service with today’s release of other new products complement the energy efficiency services, including: “Energy Efficiency Self Assessment” (The Energy Efficiency SelfAssessment) – can provide customers with data center energy efficiency of their free online assessment; “IBM layout optimization flow assessment” (IBM Optimized Airflow Assessment forCabling) – can help customers improve data center raised floor air flow under the condition, reducing wiring costs; IBM design and construction of green buildings, “special facilities” (SpecializedFacilities) capabilities – to help clients integrate all building subsystems to a safe, efficient and helpful way to run the ecological environment, so as to achieve significant save energy; In addition, customers can also enjoy some of the IBM Cooperation Related services provided by partners, these partners all from the world’s leading provider of energy and cooling technologies, including Anixter Inc., APC-MGE Company, Eaton Corporation, Emerson Network Power company, General Electric Consumer and Industrial Group, and Schneider Electric

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Something is energy efficient if it uses energy efficiently. It can be used to refer to energy conversion efficiency which refers to the proportion between the amount of input of energy used in the system compared to the useful output. Useful output can mean either heat, mechanical power, or electrical power. Energy efficiency was brought to the attention of the average person on the street mainly because of the 1973 oil crisis. Amory Lovins, a physicist, popularized the concept of boosting energy efficiency rather than promoting heightened energy production at around the same time.

Lovins’ idea has been expanded to apply to whole economies which are attempting to grow yet are hesitant to spur energy production as well. One US state which has managed to integrate energy efficiency policies into the daily activities of the common man, industries and even the government is the state of California. In the over 30 years since the mid-1970s when California started adhering to strict energy usage policies and programs, the state has been able to keep a flat rate of energy consumption while the rest of the country has seen their energy consumption double over that same time period. California also prioritizes energy efficiency above all, with use of renewable electricity supplies as its secondary priority.

Despite the energy savings that can be achieved when systems become energy efficient, there are still enterprises that are reluctant to set energy efficiency measures in place. It is believed that as much as 75% in savings on the current electrical consumption in the US alone can be reaped if efficient systems and measures were to be set in place and religiously observed.

Another side effect of using energy efficient systems is the corresponding decrease in real emissions without jacking up costs in the end, as stated by the Vienna Climate Change Talks 2007 Report.

We can categorize energy conversion efficiency into the subdivisions of electrical efficiency, mechanical efficiency, and thermal or fuel efficiency. The first sub-category of electrical efficiency can be computed by measuring how much useful power output is created when electrical power is used to power the system. Mechanical efficiency, on the other hand, is defined as the use of potential mechanical energy (such as water flowing from a river into a dam) to create mechanical energy. The last category refers to the use of fuel to produce heat.

In modern society, energy efficiency is used to refer to the volume of power supply (such as electricity) used by a certain system (let’s say your radio) to carry out its function (which is to produce music over a certain period of time.) An energy efficient radio would be one that can produce good audio while using as little electricity from your electrical outlet as possible. A more thorough computation of the energy efficiency of your radio would mean factoring in running expenses and its expected lifespan as well.

When you, the average consumer, takes steps to choose items that are more energy efficient over items which are less energy efficient (such as switching to more fuel-efficient cars and selling your gas-guzzler vehicle to the scrap yard), that is called energy conservation. Energy conservation can be said to be successfully applied if you are able to reduce your usage of energy yet are still able to achieve the same level of functionality. In simple terms, if you use a more fuel-efficient car and can still get to work, but are able to use less gas in the process, then you can say that your attempt at energy conservation has been successful.

Fortunately, there’s never been a better time to start making your old, drafty house into an energy efficient home. Prices on Energy Star rated materials such as replacement windows and low flow shower heads are at an all time low. On top of that, many state and local governments are offering incentive refunds on everything from energy efficient refrigerators to new insulation.

Conducting an energy use audit is the first step in making your house more energy efficient.

If you’ve got the funds, there are plenty of independent contractors who will, for a price, evaluate your home and write a report with recommended fixes.

A lower tech audit can be conducted by simply examining your doors and window on a cold night. Can you feel cold air coming in? If cold air is coming in, hot air, and money, is probably flowing out the other way.

Home appliances are one area that is frequently overlooked in an energy audit. Older refrigerators, washers, and televisions can account for more of your energy bill than you might think. In most states, you can check out a meter from your local library that will tell you how much energy your appliances are using each year.

Windows are probably the biggest ticket item you’ll run into when making your home more energy efficient. But windows also offer one of the best places to start saving money as well. Modern double pane windows from companies like amsco windows keep heat in during the winter, they deflect the warming rays of the sun during the summer months. This allows for more efficient use of air conditioning as well. And in most municipalities, rebates of up to 00 are available on energy efficient window purchases.

Upgrading your home to be more energy efficient will save you a great deal of money and to the overall value of your home. The fact is that in most cases, new, efficient appliances will pay for themselves in less time than you might think.

Before hiring a windows specialist or contractor, take a few minutes to sit down and think about the following issues.

1. What type of windows should i consider for my home? Picture, awning, rotating or hopper windows? Single or double pane?

2. How long will these new windows last before they will need to be replaced?

3. What type of warranty is offered on window replacement?

4.

How energy efficient are these windows?

5. Do the windows you are interested in have multiple layers of soft coating?

6. Are these windows ‘Energy Star’ approved? Do they qualify for tax credit?

7. How many windows need to be replaced in my home?

8. Is the space between the panes filled with an insulating gas component?

9. What kind of locking mechanisms do these windows have? Are they secure enough to keep your family safe?

10. Is the window manufacturer trustworthy?

11. Are the window installers knowledgeable and able to provide references?

12. Will the work be finished in a timely manner?

If you need the job done in a specific time frame, and your C windows installer is aware of this, the job should be finished as agreed upon.

Once you have answered all your questions to your satisfaction, you should be ready to start your window replacement project. Good luck!

Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC provides detailed information about shingles, cedar shingles, fiberglass shingles and more. Elite Roofing & Home Improvements, LLC is affiliated with the National Roofing Contractors Association

It is an American dream to have a house you can call as your own. And a wonderful innovation has just happened to building your dream house in the Dallas-Forth Worth area. Now you can have a house built for energy efficiency. In addition, an energy efficient home rating program was developed by a US government based organization dedicated to helping consumers save money and protect the environment by educating consumers about energy efficient products and practices.

An energy efficient home rating system measures the overall efficiency of a home and rank it based on how well it falls within the energy guidelines.

Energy efficient building practices are now being recognized by custom home builders too as a way of helping save the planet and at the same time a way to provide a cost effective housing to the people. Cost effective and non-obtrusive approach to building energy efficient, sustainable homes are now available where home shoppers are able to make an educated decision regarding the return of their energy efficient investment based on an initial study of the options available to them.

The cost or return model of the home upfront is created during the design and budget stage. A zero energy green standard house is a practical solution for home energy saving efforts.

In fact, homeowners can also now have documentation of their home energy savings with testing and government based certificates. This way the homeowners in the Dallas Forth Worth area with the house that has higher energy efficiency not only save money on their energy bill, but also give their home a higher value.

We all feel safer and better able to move about after dark if good outdoor lighting is provided along streets, sidewalks and bike paths, as well as in parking lots, parks, shopping centers, campuses, community facilities and even our own back yards. And though such outdoor lighting is estimated to cost no more than about 2% of our total annual electric bill as a nation, it still consumes trillions of dollars each year. The use of energy-efficient outdoor lighting holds the promise of paring away at our collective energy bills, leaving a few of those trillions of dollars in our pockets. And everything we save in electricity not used, we also likely save in diminished impact on our natural resource reserves and our environment.

The most common types of energy-efficient outdoor light fixtures seen throughout the U.S. today are either solar fixtures, or LED (light-emitting diode) fixtures, or sometimes a combination of both. Over the past several decades, LEDs have undergone explosive growth in supplying the sign-making industry, and in use in traffic signals. Driving this growth are LEDs’ low energy consumption (and thus low operating cost) and low heat generation (and thus longer service life and lower maintenance cost). As the color range and color quality of LEDs improve, and their costs continue to drop, they become stronger competitors to more traditional light sources, such as incandescent bulbs, fluorescent and neon tubes, and high-intensity discharge (HID) mercury or sodium lamps.

As a result, LED lighting has garnered many fans — not only LED manufacturers, but also light fixture makers, sign makers, building owners, municipalities, lighting maintenance workers, utility companies and the U. S. Department of Energy. But no matter what particular lamp technology, power source, fixture type or lighting hardware is used in outdoor lighting, its overall energy-efficiency will result from a precise match of the lighting design to the lighting needs.

Outdoor lighting must meet a variety of needs. First, it must enable users to effectively function in outdoor spaces. Thus, drivers must be able to clearly see roadways, surrounding traffic, pedestrians and hazards. Players on a rec department tennis court must be able to see the ball. Shoppers must be able to find their car, while knowing no one is lurking nearby. Second, outdoor lighting must assist other elements of the built environment — buildings, walkways, landscaping, signs — in inviting or directing people. Brightly-lit plazas will invite pedestrians, while service alleys with subdued and workmanlike lighting will not. Third, through such features as the color and intensity of light, fixture type, orientation, spacing, and placement, outdoor lighting must add to our aesthetic perception of and reaction to our environment. Lighting that plays across the water of a civic fountain will therefore be inherently different from lighting that sets the mood at an outdoor restaurant patio.

However, too much lighting is clearly not a good thing. Many portions of the country are now plagued by light pollution. Not just mere backyard stargazers, but also research scientists at major observatories, often have difficulty seeing anything worthwhile among the stars because of the ever-present fog of nightlighting glow from developed areas. Birds and insects and nocturnal wildlife can all be severely affected by excess light and continually rising light levels. The darkened back yards of our youth are ever more giving way to the spillover glare of the nearby shopping center, auto dealer or fast-food franchise. Thus came about the formation of the International Dark-Sky Initiative, an advocacy espousing smarter and more parsimonious use of light throughout our cities and towns. In recent decades, many municipalities have enacted ordinances and building code provisions that call for precisely aimed and calibrated lighting schemes, often using ‘cut-off’ fixtures that shield neighbors from light spillover and glare.

Good lighting design is therefore a choreography of light, with each lighting element playing its role, and each lighting feature adding to the overall composition. Lighting designers have developed a kit of tools to assist them in this dance:

• Lamps and light sources range from incandescent to fluorescent to HID to neon to LED, each offering its own particular mix of color, intensity and quality of light, coupled with variables of cost and applicability. The lighting designer can precisely match lamp and light source to optimum use for the situation at hand.

• Light fixture designs and mounting locations vary from point-source to single lamp to multi-fixture to array, and from within pavement to step to bollard to wall to canopy to pole to wire. The designer can place light wherever it is needed and can aim it wherever is desired, with whatever final effect is intended.

• Lighting power sources that include new fuels, co-generation, off-peak power consumption and solar technologies, enable the designer to drive down operating costs while optimizing reliability.

• Computer-controlled and feedback lighting control systems allow lighting to be continually adjusted to suit such ever-changing factors as daylighting, room or building occupancy, energy cost fluctuations, etc.

• Sophisticated engineering software enables the designer to orchestrate the lighting design for desired light levels, intensity, uniformity, spread, modulation or rhythm, color and light quality, and resulting ambience, all the while monitoring eventual installation and operating costs.

Energy Efficiency or Conservation?

You can be energy efficient everyday. The energy efficiency definition does not say you have to change anything about yourself, but rather what you change are the products, appliances and other things that use energy. So, to be energy efficient everyday you should do things like replace your appliances with energy star appliances and replace your vehicle with a more fuel efficient model.

Many people get confused and think things like walking to the store instead of driving or taking the stairs instead of the elevator are examples of energy efficiency, but that is not true. Those things fit the definition of energy conservation, not energy efficiency. To be energy efficient you would drive a fuel efficient car to the store instead of your SUV. You would ride in the energy efficient elevator instead of the one that is not.

Fitting Energy Efficiency into your Life

While not everything is within your control there are ways you can bring more energy efficiency into your life. You can not make your company install energy efficient air conditioning in your office building, but you can do so at home. You have to take the little steps and do what you can. It is about leading by example.

The government and energy efficiency groups are working hard to get companies and businesses to become more energy efficient, so you should not worry. If you can try to do business with energy efficiency compliant companies over those who are not and send your message that way.

The Point of Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is a long term idea. Conservation may be a nice thought but it is not a good solution. Not many people are going to want to give up using air conditioning in the summer or start walking to get places they need to go. More people, though, would be willing to install energy efficient appliances and drive more efficient vehicles.

Part of the reason why energy efficiency works is that it saves you money in the long run. When you start being energy efficient you will see the savings in your energy costs. Conservation will give you rewards, but you will also have to sacrifice. That is why energy efficiency works better.

When you think of the energy efficiency definition you just have to remember that energy efficiency is about using technology to reduce energy use and conservation is about changing behavior. That is the easiest way to keep the two ideas separate.

• Before considering the architecture of the house, it’s important to choose a location. The direction the house faces is significant. A home with the majority of the windows facing the southeast is extremely beneficial. The natural sun rays streaming in create natural heating and lighting. Appropriate sunshades can lessen the harsher sun rays.

With heavier walling and fewer openings on the opposite side of the house, colder weather can be blocked.

• With the house facing the southeast, the angle of the roof should face towards the southwest, which will be an ideal location for solar panels. Solar panels can significantly lower the impact on the environment and your pocketbook, reducing electric bills from 75%-100% annually. It is also possible to be off-grid, which makes the home completely self-sufficient. Solar panels create completely renewable energy which gives off no pollutants.

• Along with photovoltaic panels it is also possible to install radiant solar collectors. These collectors accumulate energy that can be used for heating water, running an air conditioner, as well as heating floor coils. Heated floor coils are an efficient source of heating throughout a house as they surround the home in warmth using less energy.

• It is also possible to install water collectors on the roof, which, paired with radiant heating, can keep your home completely in warm water. The collection of rain water and gray water reuse can help put the house completely or even partially off-grid, as well as increase your self-sufficiency.

• In terms of energy efficiency, the interior of the house ranks just after location and architecture. An open and spacious interior allows for easy airflow, which helps minimize the energy needed for heating and cooling. You can also reduce the amount of energy needed for lighting by installing a wide array of windows facing southeast. The southeast orientation allows maximum light to enter the house, and a spacious interior lets the light to easily pass through.

Once the house is built, energy efficient appliances are part of the ongoing plan to reduce energy consumption. These products are becoming increasingly popular as consumers realize the ecological and economical benefits of living green. Using biodegradable and recycled products can further reduce your house’s carbon footprint. To help the environment even further, plant ornamental grasses that require minimal mowing and pruning, and use natural landscaping that requires less toxic chemicals to maintain.

Using a , wind turbine or other renewable energy system to produce electricity and reduce your electric bill can be a sound long-term investment. Depending on the type of technology, you can expect a full return on your investment within 3 to 18 years. With financial or tax rebates from your utility company or state and national government, the payback period on your investment can be cut in half.

However, the very first step to considering any renewable energy system must be how to make your home or business more energy efficient. Generally, the basic rule is that for every you spend on making your location more energy efficient, you save to on the cost of the or energy system. Let’s go over some basic ways you can make your home more energy efficient.

One of the easiest things that you can do to reduce your electrical consumption is change out your regular incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs use 65 to 75% less energy than a normal light bulb that produces the same amount of light. By replacing a normal 100 watt incandescent light bulb with a 32 watt CFL, you will save to in electricity costs over the lifetime of that bulb (10,000 hours). Now imagine how much you would save if you changed out all of your light bulbs to CFLs!

The technology for these bulbs has quickly evolved and improved in the last few years, while the cost has come down dramatically. You’ll find that there are CFLs that will now fit most light fixtures and lighting needs-there are even dimmable CFLs!. Head out to your local department or hardware store and buy CFLs for as many of your light fixtures as possible. The investment is well worth it.

Another alternative to traditional lights are tubular skylights . Tubular skylights look a little like shiny stove pipes that start with a transparent dome on top of the roof and come down into some room for day lighting. We frequently see customers using tubular skylights to bring daylight into hallways and closets. The light is, of course, entirely natural and in some installations can provide as much illumination as a 100-Watt incandescent light bulb.

One of the biggest consumers of electricity in most households is the refrigerator. In most households, refrigeration is the number one electricity consumer after any electricity-based heating or cooling systems. If your refrigerator is over 10 years old, chances are it’s electrically very inefficient. Consider replacing your current refrigerator with one that has a high Energy Star rating. Remember that just because a refrigerator may have earned the Energy Star label doesn’t mean it’s the most efficient model available-it only means that its efficiency exceeds the federally mandated efficiency standard by at least 15%. You can even do much of your investigation online at the Energy Star website. There you can search for the brand, type and size of refrigerator you want and sort by energy efficiency. When you shop in stores, consult the yellow EnergyGuide tags that are attached to all new refrigerators (and many other appliances). EnergyGuide is a different government program from Energy Star that offers information about annual energy consumption and shows you where each model lands in a comparison with similar models. For maximum energy savings, select the model that’s a leader in efficiency in its class.

Also known as “phantom loads”, ghost loads are the sneaky devices that constantly consume small amounts of electricity 24 hours a day-even when they’re not actually doing anything useful. While each device by itself may not consume much electricity, the combination of all of them within your household may easily consume the equivalent of two or three 60-Watt incandescent light bulbs left on all day and all night. Over the course of a single year this adds up to over 1 Megawatt-hour-in other words, enough electricity to power an entire energy-efficient house for 2 to 3 months!

What are these mysterious ghost loads? The most common examples are the “power brick” adapters, or power supplies, that charge or operate cell phones, laptop computers, cordless drills, answering machines, radios, inkjet printers, and many other household devices. They’re actually small transformers, turning AC electricity from the wall outlet into DC electricity for use by the device. While any one of these devices may only consume a small amount of power (e.g., 3-20 watts), a dozen or so of them, running simultaneously and continuously, consume a significant amount of electricity. What’s worse is that even when you’re not charging your cell phone or the battery for your cordless drill, that AC adapter may continue to consume power just because it’s plugged into the wall. Other well-disguised ghost loads are those devices which have the “instant on” feature, such as most modern television sets, VCRs, DVD players, many radios and even many computers. While all of these devices are supposedly turned off, they are actually consuming anywhere from 3 to 20 watts continuously-just to stay ready for you to use them.

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How can you decrease the consumption of energy by these parasitic loads? One of the simplest solutions is to simply plug these devices into a power strip which has an off/on switch. When you are done using the devices and shut them off normally, then just hit the off switch on the power strip. Many people make it part of their nightly routine to shut off these power strips just before they go to bed. For AC power adapters that you use at night, like for charging a cell phone, put those on a separate power strip that you turn off during the day when you take your phone with you. Simple solutions like these could reduce your ghost electric loads by as much as 80%. In real-dollars terms, this means saving upwards of 0 per year in electricity costs, depending on your local electric utility rates and how dedicated you are to reducing your ghost loads.

If you’re planning to use an off-grid solar panel, wind turbine or hydro electric system and plan to have a 12 or 24 volt battery bank, you will often be able to find devices and appliances that work directly with these DC voltages. The benefit to using the devices is that they will not need an AC power adapter which needlessly consumes electricity whether or not the device in use. After all, what an AC adapter plug does is convert normal AC household electricity to DC type of electricity to power the device, and it rarely does that conversion efficiently.

During the summer (and in warmer climates) air conditioning is frequently the largest consumer of electricity. An inexpensive way to reduce the demand on your air conditioner is to keep your attic cooler with a solar attic fan. Powered by a built-in solar panel, solar attic fans turn on when your attic warms up during the day. By venting the hot air out of your attic all day long, the floors below stay cooler and as a result your air conditioner runs significantly less.

Solar attic fans can be installed by good do-it-yourselfers or carpenters. They require no wiring. A hole needs to be cut in the roof, the attic fan is slipped in and the edges are sealed up well with roof caulking. The solar panel built into the fan unit is designed to last at least 25 years. A is another wise investment that pays for itself very quickly.

For people who live in zones that are relatively dry but hot, evaporative coolers (also known as swamp coolers) are a cost effective and energy efficient alternative to traditional air conditioners. Evaporative coolers use about 25% the energy an air conditioner would need. Unfortunately, most people live in climates that when it’s hot it is also relatively humid. In these conditions evaporative coolers won’t work effectively.

Another simple and green method for reducing your home’s air conditioning costs is to plant deciduous trees whose leaves will shade your home in the summer time and shed its leaves for more sunlight in the winter time. By shading your home it heats up less, and therefore requires less cooling by an air conditioner. Planting a tree in this scenario has double the environmental impact, you’re reducing greenhouse gases by both using less electricity and because the tree itself absorbs carbon dioxide.

Many other appliances throughout your household will have a newer and significantly more energy efficient version available. Here is a short list of other appliances you should consider replacing with higher efficiency versions: water heating tanks, air conditioners, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, telephones, VCRs and DVDs, ceiling fans, fax machines, computers and copiers. To see which brands and models have Energy Star certification and to figure which ones of those are the most efficient, visit Energy Star’s website: www.EnergyStar.gov. To find out how much power your appliances are really consuming, invest in an inexpensive power meter like the Kill-A-Watt meter.

For many households the biggest bill is the heating bill. Probably the quickest, least expensive and easiest way to reduce your heating bill is to buy a programmable thermostat. You can set these thermostats to turn off the heat automatically when you’re not home and turn it on just before you arrive. You will easily recoup your small investment in the new thermostat within one winter by running your heating system less. See your local hardware store or HVAC company for pricing and availability of different models.

Another basic step to reducing your home heating bill is sealing air leaks and adding insulation. According to Energy Star sealing air leaks and adding insulation can reduce your heating bill by as much as 10%. For homes with attics, one of the easiest and most effective places to put down insulation is in the attic. Visit your local home improvement store to find out how much insulation in different areas of the home is recommended for your region.

In the last few years, the use of solar air heating systems has become more popular. Mounted on an exterior, southern-facing wall or on the roof, solar air heating collectors can reduce a home’s or business’ annual heating costs by as much as 30%. Costing far less than a new conventional heating system, solar air heating systems usually pay for themselves in 3-6 years. They’ll typically last for 18 to 35 years and require minimal maintenance. Working in conjunction with your existing heating system, the solar air heating system simply reduces your heating demand whenever you have even partial sunlight.

There are two basic flavors of solar air heating systems. There are ones that heat up fresh outdoor air and blow it into your home or business. The there are ones that take the air from inside your building boosts up the temperature by another 50 to 90 degrees fahrenheit and blows it back in (known as recirculating air solar heating systems). Newer homes and buildings which tend to be tightly sealed and have stale winter air will benefit doubly from the fresh air solar heaters. Older homes tend to be inherently draftier and experience full air exchanges with the outdoors a few times a day. These homes will benefit more from the solar air heating systems that recirculate the indoor air and boost it up in temperature. Typically, one 4×8 foot solar air collector is recommended per 750 to 1000 square feet of home space.

More efficient models of domestic hot water heaters have also become available in the last several years. If you have an old hot water heater, chances are that it was not designed with efficiency in mind. Again, check out Energy Star’s website  to find out which boilers are the most efficient.

Another good alternative to the traditional hot water heating tanks are instantaneous hot water heaters. These systems heat the water only when its being used. Normal water heating systems used in much of North America maintain a large tank of hot water to be used only a few times a day. To keep the water hot and ready at a moment’s notice these traditional hot water heating tanks consume energy throughout the entire day, whether you need it or not. Instantaneous water heaters only consume energy the moment you need the hot water, saving the typical household 30 to 50% of the cost of hot water heating. You can find instantaneous water heaters that use natural gas, propane and electricity from a variety of manufacturers.

The energy (natural gas, propane, electricity, etc) needed for hot water heating can be reduced by 60 to 90% by using a to pre-heat water before it enters your existing traditional water heater. Remarkably effective and efficient, even in northern climates, solar water heating technologies have matured significantly in the past 30 years. Designed to easily last 30 years or more with minimum maintenance, typically solar water heating system will pay for itself in its first 3-7 years of use. Solar water heating systems heat your home’s water with collectors that are usually placed on the roof of the home. The hot water produced is stored in an insulated tank until your home is ready to use it. Your traditional hot water will only kick on to heat up the water when the water temperature is not quite high enough. Solar water heating systems can be installed by advanced do-it-yourselfers, but it is recommended that a licensed plumber or installer review or do the more complicated plumbing.

The first step before purchasing a solar electric or wind power system to meet your electricity needs is to intelligently reduce those needs. Most homes can inexpensively reduce their electricity demands by 20 to 30% without ever having to make any adjustments in the lifestyles of the occupants. We provided you with many energy saving tips in this article, such as:

Replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones.
Upgrading your older appliances with EnergyStar star ones that have a very low annual energy consumption rating.
Minimize the many hidden phantom (ghost) loads in your house.
Insulate your home well for colder seasons.
Creatively use vegetation to keep your home cool in the summer and maximize sunshine entering the house in the winter.
Use solar heating technologies (not to be confused with solar electric technologies) to cost effectively reduce how much your traditional air or water heating systems have to work.

There are literally hundreds of other little tricks and smart tweaks you can make to your home that will further reduce your electrical demands. Consider picking up a copy of the book ’10-Minute Energy-Saving Secrets – 250 Easy Ways to Save Big Bucks Year Round’ by Jerri Farris to learn of many of the other quick and easy ways to reduce your home’s consumption of energy.

The United States is the largest consumer of energy in the world, using 94.9 quadrillion BTUs in 2009 and heavy industry in the United States accounts for about 31% of all energy consumption, significantly more than any other sector of the economy. Seven energy-intensive industries use three-fourths of this power; these are aluminum, chemicals, forest products, glass, metal casting, mining, and steel. All these heavy industries are also under tremendous pressure to reduce their huge dependence on expensive non
renewable energy.

A recent study by the European Commission thinks not. The study estimates that the United States has the potential to save about 45 TWh energy per year, through use of energy efficient transformers. Even a 0.01 percent gain in the average efficiency of utility transformers installed in the U.S. in a single year, can save as much as 2.9 Twh energy.

The environmental benefits of energy-efficient transformers are also significant and the study by the European Commission believes transformers could well emerge as a major focus for energy efficient initiatives in the industry.

Energy Guzzling Industries
Chemical Industry,
Paper and Pulp Industry
Iron and Steel Industry
Mining Industry

Is the Answer Energy-Efficiency

Energy efficiency is already playing a significant role in the Heavy Industry, but with growing concerns of greenhouse gas emissions and skyrocketing cost of energy, it obviously needs to do more.Before the 1970s, the U.S. energy consumption grew in parallel to gross domestic product (GDP). Had that trend continued, current U.S. energy demand would have more than doubled, currently, the energy consumption is 1.5 times that of 1970. Reduction in energy consumption has resulted from a combination of energy efficient methods and a shift from energy-intensive manufacturing toward a service and information-based economy.

Do Energy Efficient Transformers Hold the Key?

As energy costs rise and availability becomes uncertain, the necessity of utilizing energy-efficient products becomes imperative. Additionally, a globally competitive business environment is causing businesses to cut costs in order to remain competitive. Of particular interest are distribution transformers
that are the largest loss-making components in electrical networks.

In a typical grid, electric transformer loss contributes to about 40-50% of the total transmission and distribution loss. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that on a conservative estimate 61 billion kWh annually can be attributed to transformer losses. These losses cost end-users to billion annually. An energy-efficient transformer is therefore an important means to reduce transmission
and distribution loss. Energy saving transformers can additionally save the equivalent of more than 70 million tons of CO2 emissions.

The answer to energy efficiency is in making distribution transformers efficient; and thankfully, manufacturers have the technical know-how to offer better, cost effective, low loss, energy efficient transformers.

Energy Efficient Distribution Transformers

Distribution transformers distribute power from power generating facilities to end-users and while energy loss during transmission is inevitable, measures are taken to reduce it considerably.However, for energy to be consumed voltage needs to be reduced and it is at this point of stepping down electricity that distribution transformers lose energy. Even though only a small portion of energy is lost it is in a permanent manner and standby power losses account for 2% of total electricity production.

Despite high average efficiencies of 95 to 99.75%, transformers have a significant environmental impact because they continuously consume power.

The energy losses in electricity transformers fall into two components, namely, no-load losses resulting from the energized iron core, which is a permanent phenomenon, and load losses, arising when providing power to users. Load losses also result from the resistance of the coil when the transformer is in use, and from eddy currents due to stray flux.

Technical solutions exist to reduce transformer losses by 75% at minimum when replaced by modern transformers or even by 90% when replacing transformers over 30 years old. Energy-efficiency can be improved with better transformer design, like selecting better, lower-core-loss steels; reducing flux density in a specific core by increasing the core size; increasing conductor cross-section to reduce current density; good balancing between the relative quantities of iron and copper in the core and coils.

An energy efficient transformer is an important means to reduce Transmission & Distribution loss and can save up to 120 TWh / year. Energy efficient transformers can provide considerable environmental benefits too. For example, a typical urban distribution transformer rated at 400 kW has lifetime losses equivalent to 125 –184 tons of CO2 emissions; a more energy-efficient design can reduce these
emissions to 56 tons.