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Geothermal | Anyone can Save 40% on Their Electric Bill

admin — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:15:40 +0000

It is true, with a geothermal heat pump you can save between 30% and 40% on your electric bill according to the US Environmental Protection Agency. Geothermal Heat Exchangers as they are referred to, rely on the simple fact that the temperature under the earth stays at a consistent temperature of 45 – 70 degrees (typically about 50 degrees) depending on geographic location. By using this consistent temperature to heat and cool a house or business one avoids the expensive (and energy consuming) process of heating cold air and cooling hot air. The greatest thing about a geothermal heat exchange system is that it can be installed virtually anywhere.

This system work by first installing piping in the ground deep enough to get below the frost line or about 2 feet or more down. This piping is filled with fluid which circulates the consistent temperature up to a unit called a heat exchanger located within the house or building. The heat exchanger then does one of two things. One, it cools the building by removing the heat from the air and sending it into the ground. Two, by heating the already consistent temperature from the ground to the few degrees needed to heat the building.

The cost for purchasing and installing this system is considerably more than a typical HVAC system but carries some perks that typical systems do not. Depending on the size of your house and the earth it is resting on (stone, soil or near a pond) the system can typically cost from $15,000 to $40,000. Many systems come with as much as a 50 year guarantee. There are frequently tax savings which reduces the time involved in recouping the costs. Furthermore, beyond the long term savings of a geothermal heat pump, is the short and long term benefits of global energy conservation.

Many federal and state incentives are being given to those who install the a geothermal heat pump system, to read more see http://www.geoexchange.org/

Up to 20% Higher MPG’s | Routine Engine Maintenance

admin — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:21:21 +0000

Under Hood or a Toyota Prius

In October of 2005 consumer reports did a study on the EPA rated MPG’s and the actual received. In most cases the actual was well below the EPA, in some cases as much as 50%. In this same study Consumer Reports posted what they believed were big contributors to fuel economy loss. Here is what they mentioned about maintenance

Keep your vehicle in top shape. A poorly maintained engine can cut gas mileage by 10 to 20 percent. A clogged air filter can cause up to a 10 percent increase in fuel consumption. Underinflated tires require more energy to roll and can reduce fuel economy by 5 percent. Follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual, and keep the tires properly inflated.

Many components can decrease your fuel economy, but the major threats are the, air filter, tire pressure, spark plugs and fuel filter. These components should be checked and replaced according to your vehicles maintenance schedule, but here is what a typical schedule looks like for your key MPG components, and links on how to check and change them.

Air Filter – 12,000 Miles inspect, clean and if needed replace. Replacing typically cost between $7-$15 and takes about 10 minutes.

Tire Pressure – Check at least every time you change your oil.

Fuel Filter – In vehicles older than six years, it is recommended that you inspect and if needed change annually. (The how to shown is very specific to a Lincoln, each car has its own particular procedures for changing the fuel pump. Please refer to Haynes (or equivalent) manual before attempting this procedure.)

Spark Plugs – It is recommended that you check and if needed change every six months to a year.

If you have lost your owner’s manual you can still find the proper maintenance schedule for your particular vehicle here http://www.edmunds.com/maintenance/select.html.

Overview of How to Improve Your Fuel Economy

admin — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:43:37 +0000

While both nationally and globally we wait for a renewable energy explosion to finally offer relief at the pump, we find there are small efforts we can make to keep our consumption of gas down. Everything from not topping off your tank when you fill up to making sure your air filter is clean, can help keep a little more “green” in your wallet. A vast number of resources cite lists of tips and tricks to improve your fuel economy. Depending on the model, year and condition of your vehicle, you could see improvement of up to %30 or more with healthy fuel economy habits.

Renergycafe.com will be running a series of blog posts on how you can improve your fuel economy. We will be stating tips and tricks and their respective results in a wide variety of vehicles. To give a brief overview of these posts, below we have chosen a few broad tips your can start practicing to improve your own MPG’s.

The top rated 3 tips by renergycafe.com

1. Maintenance, change it if it is old, clean it if it is dirty, fill it if it’s low.
a. Air filter, spark plugs, tire pressure, etc

2. Driving style, this may offer the biggest increase on your over-all improvement.

a. No sudden starts or stops, stay near posted speed limits

3. Aerodynamics, often overlooked.

a. Keep windows up when above 30mph, avoid car-top carriers, keep your car clean

You can continue to follow our blog post on our Cafe Discussion page by selecting our Improving Your Fuel Economy drop down box.