Other Green Energy
Traditional Energy Sources vs. Green Power Sources
Most energy in the U.S. comes from traditional energy sources like coal and gas (see References 1, page 5). Green energy technologies include solar, wind and other power-generation methods that do not require burning fuels to produce. As a result, green energy sources generate little or no greenhouse gases or other pollutants. (See References 2)
Shea Butter Benefits
The fat of the nut of the African Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) is the source of Shea butter. The traditional use of the butter is to reduce the appearance of fine lines, scars and stretch marks, and to ease a variety of skin irritations, such as psoriasis, eczema and sunburn. Makers of cosmetics also mix this natural substance with other botanical ingredients. Shea butter is ideal for the topical application of ...
What Are the Health Benefits of Free-Range Hens' Eggs?
The old adage "you are what you eat" certainly holds true when considering the nutritional value of eggs. Since the 1970s, studies have indicated that eggs from hens with access to pasture are better for you than eggs from birds kept in cages (see References 2, page 4). Free-range hens that eat a healthy, natural diet pass on that benefit to you in the form of more nutritious eggs.
How to Calculate the Payoff Period for a High Efficiency Furnace
One of the steps recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency to help reduce climate change is to lower your energy consumption. Within your home, you can do this by replacing an older furnace with a high-efficiency model. Newer, high-efficiency furnaces can produce heat using 90 percent of the incoming energy, while older model furnaces may waste up to 50 percent. The downside of installing a new furnace is ...
More Articles on Other Green Energy
How to Repurpose a Crib
Finding creative ways to repurpose baby cribs is important considering that the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says it has recalled 11 million since 2007, many of them drop-side cribs that are no longer legal for sale and cannot be donated or easily recycled (see References 1 and 5). Clever reuses include transforming crib parts into bench seating and armchairs, kids' work stations, storage centers and racks for displaying plates and magazines or drying laundry. One particularly green idea is to use slatted crib sides to build a hinged, portable, A-frame trellis that is inexpensive and increases garden production.
How to Increase Efficiency of a Central Air Conditioner
According the U.S. Department of Energy, 56 percent of your energy bill goes toward heating and cooling your home. (See Reference 1) Unless your home runs entirely on solar or wind power, the energy you use causes greenhouse gas emissions. (See Reference 5) In the summer, reduce your energy use by keeping your windows shaded and opening windows during the cooler parts of the day. If you use a central air conditioning system, make it more efficient by performing a few chores.
Does Shaving Cream Affect the Environment?
The use of razors in some form dates back to Egyptian and Roman times. Before shaving cream, men used shaving soap and a brush to clean skin and whiskers, making hair removal easier. The cream also helps soften and protect skin. Today, shaving products are a hot industry, with proprietary formulas closely guarded secrets. If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint, scrutiny of the shaving cream you use can be a good starting point.
Green Energy Needs & Tax Subsidies
Most green energy innovations are the result of new technology that is initially expensive to research and develop. Many cutting-edge products, such as solar panels, are introduced to the market at premium prices, which gradually drop as economies of mass production kick in. Due to global warming and shrinking resources, however, federal and state governments may have a pressing interest in promoting faster adoption of green energy. For now, suppliers of green energy products and services need tax subsidies to help make going green as affordable as conventional energy choices.
What Is the Relationship That Exists Between Chemical Energy & a Nonrenewable Resource?
Chemical energy drives most life processes on the planet. It involves the energy transformation of sunlight into plant food, as well as energy created in the cells of your body. Chemical energy is also a vital aspect of your everyday life in terms of its role with nonrenewable resources. About 70 percent of U.S. energy needs depend upon chemical energy and its relationship with coal, natural gas and petroleum. (See Reference 1)
Selling Green Energy to the Grid
In 2010, nearly half of the 3.9 billion kilowatt hours of electricity used in the United States was produced by burning coal (see Reference 4). As with other fossil fuels, burning coal releases greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to reduce these emissions, some homeowners choose to power their homes with solar panels, wind turbines, biogas or other forms of renewable energy. In some states, if the homeowner uses less energy than she produces, it can be sold back to the grid through net metering.
Will Buying Wind Energy Lower My Bills?
Like the wind itself, the cost of wind energy is variable. Your costs will vary depending on where you live, the currently available tax and loan subsidies and whom the supplier is -- yourself or a grid-connected electric utility. Ultimately, as the costs for fossil fuels continue to rise and wind energy implementation costs continue to drop, wind energy will play a large role in reducing your overall energy bills.
