Welcome back to our Blog. New information is added weekly. Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
A Few Biodiesel Caveats
For those of us who want to combine conservation with the power and convenience of the internal combustion engine, biodiesel is the way to go. This eco-friendly fuel (which is essentially a form of processed vegetable oil), works only in diesel engines, as it requires compression to ignite. Various varieties of biodiesel mixes are available, from almost pure diesel to pure biodiesel. The percentage of biodiesel in the mix is indicated by a number prefixed with the letter B.
For example, 100% biodiesel fuel is classified as B100, while the most common mix is B20. However, you have to be cautious about putting anything with a rating of higher than B20 into your fuel tank in cold weather, simply because it may congeal (it´s made with vegetable oil, after all). Until the car manufacturers get the kinks out (say, by providing a fuel tank that keeps the temperature of the fuel above the congealing point), it´s best not to take any chances…
Welcome back to our Blog. New information is added weekly. Your comments and suggestions would be appreciated.
If you need a new home, it is well worth your time to consider looking for or building one that can be considered Energy Star certified.
What are they? Energy Star homes are homes that have met specific guidelines as per the US Environmental Protection Agency and through the US Department of Energy. These homes are actually about 15 percent more energy efficient than those that have been built by the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code which is generally used.
There are plenty of benefits that can come from an Energy Star home. Each home has to abide by the guidelines set forth, but the type of benefits that they offer can still differ from one home to the next.
* The construction has been done in such a way as to make it tighter and neatly fitting.
* The duct work is tight and better for energy benefit.
* The windows on Energy Star homes are usually a large plus as they are generally quite high performance in that they allow little to get in or out in the way of energy.
* The heating and air conditioning units are highly Energy Star approved for energy efficiency.
* The lighting in the home as well outdoors is more energy beneficial.
* The appliances in the home are all Energy Star approved appliances.
* Even the home's landscaping can help it to qualify for this certification.
When you purchase an Energy Star home, you are getting a home that has been designed to meet specific guidelines. What's more is that you are sure to get the most out of this type of investment. There is no doubt that these high quality, high performance appliances and design features may cost more, but they are designed in such a way as to pay off in the long run.
Of course, purchasing a new home or building a new home that is energy efficient is good for your wallet and the environment. Yet, many people shy away from this as they think that it is too complex, too strange or something that is too much work.
Yet, this can not be farther from the truth. Energy Star products are designed to be both energy efficient and user friendly. In fact, there is really no reason not to take full advantage of products like this.
How can homeowners save money just by sitting on their couch? It’s simple, by conserving heating and cooling energy just before you sit down. There are a number of easy and inexpensive things that can be done as do-it-yourself projects that will save hundreds of dollars per year.
Every year, interest rates are increasing and the cost of heating is definitely going up. And whether we admit it or not, we sometimes find our selves running out of money. However, if you compare an average house to an energy efficient residence, you’ll find out that it is very possible to lessen your annual energy consumption to almost 40 percent. There are lots of ways to conserve home energy which consequently lower your energy bills. And most of the changes that you can do for your home are also helpful to the environment.
Whether you admit it or not, with all the expenses you have in mind, no matter how big your salary is, you still want to save some extra bucks in one way or another. And the best place to start saving is right at your very home; on your power bills. Yes, your power bills.
March 4th, 2011 
dan50 
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