The term Green Power encompasses many fields and as our planet’s natural resources are slowly running out, we must find alternatives to replace them. We must take into consideration the serious problem of greenhouse gases and global warming.There are many alternative sources of renewable energy and these are the future technologies that must be developed if we are to provide future generations with a healthy environment in which to live.

Solar power generation is one of the first to spring to mind, it is a totally clean and renewable source of free energy from the sun. It is used to generate electricity to power our homes, offices and factories and to heat water. New technology means wind power generation is gaining in popularity and besides the large scale wind farms, it can also be used for domestic purposes to power our homes as well. 

Our Fuel resources are one of the main concerns that have to be dealt with in the future.One of the largest consumers of fuel is the automobile, the ordinary family car, and the trucks that ply our highways, plus a multitude of internal combustion engines used for many different purposes. Alternative fuel sources are constantly being developed, and the most promising seems to be biofuels, which are produced mainly from biomass products such as plant and vegetation matter. Some of these include corn and sugar cane among  others. They are relatively pollution free and extremely environmentally friendly. 

Energy conservation also plays a large part, and means reducing the amount of energy used, either by actually using less energy or by reducing the consumption of energy services. Reducing the energy demand can offset the increased amounts of energy needed by a growing population. Energy conservation is often the most economical way to counteract energy shortages. It also enables replacing non-renewable energy resources with renewable ones, such as solar, wind, or hydro power. Further, it can help lessen climate change by lessening the amount of emissions in the atmosphere. It can help keep rising energy costs in check, and facilitate flexibility in the choice of which renewable resources to use instead of non-renewable ones. About half the energy usage in the US is by individual consumers specifically for transportation and residential use. Significant gains are being made in the reesidential area by consumers buying energy efficient vehicles and appliances. 

There is a lot of talk these days about hybrid cars. Simply put, hybrid cars combine two-types of power, usuallly gasoline and electricity, in an attempt to increase vehicle efficiency and reduce the amount of gasoline used. Such a car is usually built as an electric car (electric motor and batteries), with a small (usually 10 – 20 horsepower) gas engine that powers a generator to basically serve as a charger for the car’s batteries. There are hybrid cars in almost any category of car you could want: Sedans, SUV’s, coupes, vans, and luxury cars all have hybrid models. With the advances in technology plus the fact that fuel prices are ever increasing has ensured more than ever, the savings that hybrid cars can offer are looking extremely attractive. If hybrid cars are compared to their petrol counterparts, hybrid cars generally attract a higher purchase price, but the whole of life cost of the hybrid technology car may mean you save significant dollars and also help the environment. At this stage nearly every major automobile manufacturer in the world has serious plans to release new models of hybrid cars. Read More

It’s not just you and your eco-conscious neighbors who are looking for ways to conserve energy and preserve the environment. The term “carbon footprint” is the new catchword of the day, and businesses are learning that it applies to their own big “shoe” as well.

Saving energy makes sense all around. Businesses that put energy conservation measures in place help preserve the environment, make use of renewable resources, AND save money.

There are plenty of simple ways that businesses can encourage energy conservation, recycling, and environmental awareness, both on an individual and corporate level.

For instance, research shows that recycling an aluminum can save 95 percent of the energy required to make the same amount of aluminum from virgin materials. Producing glass from virgin materials requires 30 percent more energy than producing it from crushed, used glass; recycled paper requires about 60 percent of the energy used to make paper from virgin wood pulp.

If your company has an application or production need for Nitrogen, PSA and Membrane Nitrogen Gas Generators cut down on energy use considerably by completely eliminating the necessity of converting nitrogen into liquid form for transportation and delivery. Making liquid Nitrogen requires that Nitrogen gas be pressurized and cooled to very low temperatures, a process that involves a large amount of energy.

Nitrogen generators cut out that process entirely, since all you need is a source of compressed air – an infinitely renewable resource – to make Nitrogen gas. As the air is fed into the generator, oxygen and other molecules are trapped, then vented out while the Nitrogen is pushed into a storage tank.

Nitrogen Gas Generators are a simpler, “greener”, and far more cost-effective way to meet your Nitrogen needs.

A Nitrogen Generator “borrows” Nitrogen from the air for your application. It then goes right back out to the air where it belongs, without dragging along dirt or contaminants with it, or creating any other particulate or nasty substance to alter the world around us. Nitrogen Generators also cut down on huge tankers hauling liquid down our nation’s highways. Plus, Nitrogen comprises more than 78% of the air, so it is an infinitely renewable resource.

And what will you do with the money you save when you end your gas contract and make your own Nitrogen with a Nitrogen Generator? You might look into even more opportunities to be greener with your business. Corporate tax incentives for energy efficient lighting, building insulation, renewable energy resources and many more energy and cost saving technologies have been in place for several years, and some have been extended this year. Considering some “green” modifications with the money you no longer pay the gas company might make those savings go even farther with energy conscious tax breaks.

Investing in a Nitrogen Generator will result in a positive return on investment for both your business and the world around you. Consider making this change today.

Energy conservation has emerged as one of the major issues in recent years as demand continues to increase at a very rapid rate. North America is the largest consumer of energy and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the people of the United States, which represent less than five percent of the world’s population, consume about one quarter of the world’s energy resources.

In total, industrialized nations, which represent sixteen percent of the world’s population, consume eighty percent of the earth’s natural resources. To ensure that these energy resources continue to be available, businesses and individuals need to work together to address current energy needs without compromising the energy future of generations to come.

The choices businesses and individuals make about how they use energy will have an increasing impact on the quality of the environment and people’s daily lives. Energy conservation and energy efficiency measures both help drive environmental sustainability.

CPower is an energy management company that delivers market leading solutions for energy end-users to conserve energy and earn revenue for their efforts. CPower solutions include demand response capacity, reserves and regulation services; energy efficiency programs and credits (white certificates); peak load management; demand side management; advanced metering; and other energy reduction initiatives.

CPower works with over 2,300 sites across California, Texas, the Mid-Atlantic Region, New England and New York managing their participation in demand response and other energy management programs and is one of the largest non-utility providers of demand response services in North American.

With energy costs constantly rising, the programs offered by CPower not only help clients offset their energy costs, but the revenue earned can also help fund much needed energy efficiency projects and upgrades.

With high gas prices and global warming on many people’s minds, consumers are looking for ways they can participate in energy conservation and reduce their carbon footprint. And while you may not be ready to buy a Toyota Prius or install solar panels in your home, there a number of everyday things you can do to adopt a green living lifestyle and contribute to energy conservation.

Learn how to be eco friendly and protect the environment without breaking the bank with these 10 Energy Saving Tips..

• Think green and plant trees [link to: NW Am. Forests page]. If you’re wondering how to be eco-friendly, one of the best – and greenest – ways is to plant trees around your yard or office. Trees are inexpensive, require little maintenance and act as filters by constantly removing air pollution from the atmosphere.

• Recycle. Recycling is still one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and lessen demand for the use of new natural resources. A growing number of communities now offer the service for free or little charge and have recycling drop-off centers that are easy to access.

• Compost your fruit/vegetable scraps. Scraps like melon rinds, banana peels, carrot scrapings, apple cores and tea bags are wonderful for composting. The average kitchen produces over 200 pounds of waste annually, and by composting, you’ll reduce waste and create wonderfully nitrogen-rich soil for your garden

• Shop at a farmers market instead of a chain grocery store. Buying locally helps energy conservation because it uses less fuel to get food to market. Added green living benefits include fewer pesticides used due to shorter time from farm to table, all while supporting the local economy.

• Fly less. Airline flights account for an estimated 10 percent of all greenhouse gases. Encourage energy saving methods at your work by taking advantage of videoconferencing or telecommuting if the business situation permits.

• Take advantage of public transportation or carpooling. The fuel you’ll conserve will add less CO2 to the environment and keep more dollars in your wallet.

• Become an energy efficient home. Install energy saving light bulbs and low flow shower heads in your home. You’ll save energy and your energy conservation efforts will results will be reflected in your bill.

• Learn how to be eco-friendly in your home. Use eco-friendly cleaning products around the house and yard. The price difference is minimal and many of the eco-friendly products have been shown to clean just as well as their less-green counterparts. Instead of cleaning with paper towels, get into the routine of using old towels, t-shirts or rags to save on additional waste.

• Buy reusable shopping bags. Considering your energy saving efforts, you should no longer ask yourself the question of “paper or plastic.” Canvas totes are now widely available at most grocery stores and are cheap, sturdy alternatives to traditional shopping bags.

• Green living and green entertaining. When the next opportunity to entertain presents itself, whether it be a family function, backyard BBQ or dinner party, use real plates, cups and silverware. You’ll reduce waste and create a more hospitable environment for your guests.

Regardless of your current green living status, these helpful tips on how to be eco friendly can help protect the environment without breaking the bank and can be easily applied to your daily routine. Start slow and try adopting a new energy saving method each month and the results will be gratifying.

We all know that we should be conserving water for a wide variety of reasons.  In some areas there are droughts occurring, in some areas water is just scarce to begin with.  Demand type hot water systems are an excellent way to save water.

Saving energy, conserving water, and reducing green house gases

One reason; for every gallon of water you use, you are using energy as well.  Water typically has to be pumped from the source to your home, and often it needs to be treated as well using even more energy.  The energy used to pump the water and treat the water needs to be generated, and that typically releases green house gases into the atmosphere.

Most of us are familiar with the common water conservation methods, low-flow toilets, low flow shower heads, low flow fixtures and strategies such as using landscaping that doesn’t require much water.  All of these methods require some sort of sacrifice by the user.

Add convenience without spending a fortune

Now there is a way to conserve large amounts of water, and it does not require sacrifice on the part of the user.  It’s actually a convenience for the user.  The concept behind this new conservation method is actually not new, but in recent years it’s been through some revolutionary changes that make it inexpensive and easy to implement.

The method as you may have surmised is the circulation of the hot water.  The old hot water circulating systems of the past were expensive, and very wasteful of energy.  The advantages were nearly instant hot water.  With instant hot water you don’t have to run gallons of water down the drain while you wait for the hot water to arrive.  This can save a typical family of four over 10,000 gallons per year.

Hot water demand (d\’mand) systems are energy efficient

Not only do you conserve water, but you are provided the convenience of fast hot water. The good news is that the old hot water circulating systems have evolved into today’s hot water demand systems.  Hot water demand systems are much less expensive than their older counter parts, and are easy to install.  They are also extremely energy efficient. Hot water demand systems use less than $2.00 a year in electricity, and can actually save water heating energy as well.

There are several brands of hot water demand systems, including the Chilipepper CP6000, the Metlund D’MAND system, and Taco pump that markets a D’MAND system nearly identical to the Metlund system. These systems consist of an electronically controlled pump that connects to the hot and cold water lines under the fixture.  When you desire hot water at your fixture, you press a button that turns on the pump. When hot water reaches the pump, it shuts off, and hot water is only 2 or 3 seconds away.

Fast hot water for more than one fixture

Depending on your plumbing layout these units can often supply quick hot water to more than one sink, and sometimes all of your sinks.  You can easily find out how a demand system will work for your plumbing layout. When your pipes are all cold, like the first thing in the morning, just pick the location you think is the furthest from the water heater and turn on the hot water until it gets hot.

Now the hot water line is full of hot water just as though a demand system had been activated.  Go to the next closest sink and see if you get hot water a lot faster.  By letting the pipes cool off, you can try different locations for the demand system and determine the best place for it.  If need be you can use more than one pump in a house.

Metlund and Chilipepper Sales

Metlund offers 3 models that range in price from less than $300 to about $800.  The larger Metlund models can be used with tankless water heaters. Chilipepper CP6000 has a suggested retail price of $179.99, and is much more powerful than the Metlund and Taco systems and will therefore work with any kind of water heater including any tankless model.

Both systems are easy to install and both have code approvals.  Both systems save you the same amount of water, both have a life expectancy of about 15 years, and both systems have warranties.  The Chilipepper CP6000 also offers a 30 day unconditional money back guarantee.

Get a rebate

In some areas the local water companies offer rebates for the installation of these systems, some reaching $200.00.  In those areas it’s inexcusable not to install one of these water saving devices.

So now you know… for less than $200 you can get your hot water faster, stop running water down the drain, save a ton of water each year, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.  If you have a septic system you substantially reduce the amount of waste water your system has to handle each day.

Be green, practice water conservation, save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by installing one of these water conservation systems right away.

Apparently the news of a global economic crisis hasn’t reached Scandinavia.  Although some economists are apprehensive of their traditionally policies, business is still thriving in Scandinavia.  Even during the current recession, Scandinavian countries remain strong and relatively prosperous due to their valuable natural resources and their tourism industry.  Low corporate taxes and safe cities make Scandinavia a popular place to start a business in.

Dow Jones director of research, Jessica Canning, has stated, “The energy industry is so massive that any slice of it can produce substantial returns to the investor, regardless of if they’re targeting the consumer or enterprise”.  Just recently the Swedish forestry and timber product company Södra and the Norwegian energy company Statkraft have come to an agreement on renewable energy valued at up to SEK 10 billion (Euro 1 billion). The agreement initiates a range of investment projects and cooperative agreements in the energy sector and is expected to be definitively signed in the autumn of 2009.

Countries like Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark are producing some of the most innovative companies in the world in not only renewable energy but also fuel-efficient vehicles, telecommunications, petroleum production and pharmaceuticals.  Scandinavian students are among the world leaders in science and math skills and have vast technological backgrounds in many different fields.  Many are looking to present their ideas in a time when investors are looking for the next big innovation.

The Scandinavian branch of the Angel Investment Network has set up a network looking to bring together entrepreneurs from cities like Helsinki and Reykjavík with business angels in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo with hopes of raising venture capital through prospective investors worldwide.  Angel investors not only provide young entrepreneurs with capital, but also priceless information attained from their experiences as upstart entrepreneurs themselves.  They provide vital contacts and guidance to talented but inexperienced entrepreneurs as they learn the ways of the business world.

Events like the Stockholm Venture Day also help get the word out about local entrepreneurs.  The main theme of this year’s conference is “From Seed to Star” – a guide for new clean-tech start-ups towards becoming a successful company.  Internationally renowned clean-tech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, public financiers and policy makers from across the world will share their views during presentations and networking side events.

Find out more about how to connect with business angels and entrepreneurs in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden via the Angel Investment Network at http://www.scandinavianinvestmentnetwork.com

The world has been facing a number of environmental issues, such as pollution, deforestation or global warming. Even though it is fairly difficult to cope with these problems, there are some things we can perform to protect the environment.

 Environmental pollution is caused due to excessive utilization of natural resources, presence of a large number of people and livestock in congested areas, use of agro-chemicals, setting up of factories, running of automobiles, burning of fuel, etc.

 A change in the environment is due to pollution and also affects the ecological balance. Environmental pollution is caused both in rural and urban areas. Pollution can cause sickness and discomfort. It also affects the productivity of natural resources, such as land, water, forests and livestock.

Global warming refers to the augment in regular temperature near the earth’s surface and in its oceans

. Climate change is another term used interchangeably with global warming. On the other hand, climate revolutionize may include other changes in typical weather besides increase in temperature.

 Air Pollution:

The tall buildings soak up heat during the day and release it during the night. Thus, the weather remains hot and unpleasant. Automobiles and industries emit smoke containing carbon dust, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and other poisonous gases, which are unhealthy. Chemical factories release harmful gases, which can travel long distances. Gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide come in contact with cloud or rain water and turn into acid and result in acid rain. Release of harmful gases like fluorine and nitrous oxide by factories into the atmosphere would destroy the ozone layer and allow the harmful rays of the sun to reach the earth. Gases like carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide, when released from automobiles and industries, absorb heat from sunlight and raise the temperature of our surroundings. Due to deforestation and increasing industrial growth, the average temperature of the atmosphere may rise by 20 C – 50 C during the next fifty years. This is known as global warming.

 Protecting the environment is something everyone needs to consider. We can prevent environmental pollution if we understand its causes and take following measures:

Recycle Conserving the energy Pressure government Write letters Educating the people Waste natural resources

 First of all, we can save the environment by recycling things such as cans, glass bottles or newspapers as much as possible.

For example, if we recycle newspapers or magazines to reproduce recycle paper, we can save the consumption of paper, and consequently it will help stop deforestation in tropical forests. We should also try to buy things that are made from recycled materials.

 Secondly, conserving energy will also help protect our environment. Nowadays, we overly consume precious energy or natural resources. Moreover, burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas, produces a large amount of carbon dioxide, which leads to the global warming.

Planting trees to offset the effects of the carbon dioxide emissions created in the production of the energy and other products one consumes is another alternative. It isn’t necessary to do this oneself. Around the world there are organizations that are gearing up to do this on behalf of the many millions of concerned consumers. So for instance a power company could estimate the greenhouse gases emitted to produce a kilowatt-hour of electricity and then allow its customers an opportunity to pay to offset these emissions and become “carbon neutral”.  Other ways of conserving energy would include cutting back on waste thereby saving on the energy that would be spent on replacement of the wasted item – Recycle and reuse whenever possible. In order to reduce energy consumption, each of us is required to make many efforts like turning off lights, adjusting thermostat or walking instead of driving as often as possible. If only we could educate people so that they realize their small contribution will collectively create great benefits for the environment. Saving on water consumption – A huge amount of energy is spent on purifying water for consumption so cutting back on water waste will help considerably. Ensuring you have efficient insulation and that cooling and heating appliances are cleaned and primed to work efficiently.

  Having discussed above, it is felt that,  in order to improve the environment, it is very essential for the government to educate people. In fact, we tend to be ignorant of the environment problems these days. Unless we know how serious the problems are and what we have to do to protect the environment, the improvement will never been achieved.

Of course, protecting the environment is also a responsibility of government and business houses. In order to influence government, we could write letters to newspapers or politicians expressing our desires for the government to do more to protect the environment. We could also write directly to business houses with suggestions on how they could reduce pollution or waste. We might also write letters thanking those who are making efforts to protect the environment.

 ROLE OF CHILDREN IN PROTECTING ENVIRONMENT:

 Children in rural and urban areas can play an important role in preventing environment pollution very effectively. There is great satisfaction in doing it ourselves.

Children in villages can persuade their parents to :

  Use smokeless stoves or install biogas plants;   Provide smoke outlets and ventilation in the kitchen;  Tie livestock outside the house and reduce their number     Feed livestock in their sheds without letting them out for grazing;   Plant trees around the house, on field bunds and along roadsides;   Develop field bunds across the slope to retain more water and prevent     the soil being washed away. Plough the field across the slope;  Keep tanks, canals and other water sources clean;  Use the sewage water for growing trees;  Keep the surroundings of the house and well clean;  Prepare compost by using garbage, dung and other wastes;

 Select a suitable site for the toilet, away from water sources and houses. It can also be connected to the biogas plant;

 Use agro-chemicals carefully and try to avoid them. Plant products may be preferred wherever effective to protect crops;

Protect wildlife like frogs, snakes, mongoose, birds, etc. which

Urban children can do a lot to reduce environment pollution.    Plant tress in school and home premises. Even if you are staying in a flat,    plants and creepers can be raises in pots and wooden boxes, in the balcony;    Protect the trees planted along roadsides;     Keep public areas clean and avoid littering;     Plant trees along roadsides, near bus stops, around playgrounds, and in parks to provide shade;     Avoid dumping garbage on the street. Dispose them in a garbage dump; you can also make a compost pit to convert garbage into manure;    Waste paper, plastic, glass and metal pieces can be recycled this would reduce the pollution and conserve our resources;     Avoid using plastic materials such as plates and carry bags which cannot be used again. Moreover, when plastic is thrown away, it does not degrade but remains in the soil, polluting the surroundings;  Do not make noise in public places; every likes quiet surroundings;     Request your family members to use automobiles only when necessary; walking or cycling can be a pleasure when the distance is short;     If someone is causing pollution in your area, inform the authorities through your teachers or parents.  

            Finally, there are many ways for us to protect the environment, not only on a global level but on a personal level. Saving the environment for future generations is something we must all be trying to do. We belong to earth; the earth does not belong to us. Let us act now and persuade others to join us. This will ensure safety for our future generations.

Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) have proven to be a hit seller in the UK in recent years and as such become an important part in fighting global warming. All central heating radiators must be fitted with a TRV, following the amendment to the Building Regulations introduced in 2002. The amendment to the Building Regulations requires TRVs to be fitted on all newly installed domestic radiators. Such new requirement has clearly help the TRV market more than double in volume (from around 3.7 million units sold in 1995 to more than 7.5 million in 2003).

With the high profile of global warming in the news, the UK government has set a stretching target for reducing carbon emissions. Along with the Kyoto protocol, the government intends to lead the way within the developed world in terms of reducing the UK’s impact on the environment. The protocol signed by the UK in 1997 sets a target of reducing the baseline emissions of six key greenhouse gases by 12.5% compared to 1990 levels. The UK government has gone further and set a more challenging target of 20% compared to the 1990 baseline, with a long term goal of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050.

According to Building regulations Part L, central heating engineers must install only A- or B-rated central heating components (such as condensing boilers) that are environmentally friendly and deliver high energy efficiency performance. At current levels, around 400 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions are released into the atmosphere every year purely as a result of heating our homes. The total emissions level of the domestic sector is even higher and stands on 535 million tonnes per year.

TRVs help reduce wasted heat by allowing the user to set the desired temperature in each room separately. This way the user doesn’t need to heat unused rooms just to get the right temperature in rooms that are used. TRV manufacturers have made the kits not only technically effective but also visually pleasing. Most new units now have polished stainless steel finish which looks nice and is easy to clean.

Modern TRVs use a system of liquid filled controls. Unlike the wax-filled valves that were used in the past, the liquid is more sensitive and as such much quicker to react to changes in ambient temperature. This feature makes the liquid filled Thermostatic Radiator Valve better at adjusting the room temperature when there are changes (such as opening the front door).

Installing a TRV is a major step in reducing wasted heating energy. Nevertheless, it would be a wasted effort if the homeowner (or tenant) is not properly educated on how to use the TRVs effectively to save them money and reduce their carbon footprint. It is estimated that by installing TRVs and using them effectively a home owner can reduce their heating costs by up to 17%.

Another industry that has grown under the TRV umbrella has been the towel warmer. Closely linked to the TRV technology, towel rails have grown to be a 33 million industry last year, with an estimated volume for this year of around 1 million units.

Electric Temperature Controls

If you have an electric heater, you can install a device that allows the water heater to shut down operation while no one is home or everyone is asleep. This will reduce heat loss. Your utility company or a plumber can help you install this device.

Heat Traps

Several heat traps may be installed on the water lines in the house. Ball valves may be installed on the cold and hot lines directly above the water heater. These valves will physically block heat inside the pipes and tank from escaping up and out of the water heater. The ball valves do cause some slight flow restriction though that may be noticable during high volumes of water use. Another way to create a heat trap is to take your flex connectors at the top of the water heater and bend them into an inverted U shape if at all possible. Heat cannot travel past the top of the U.

Low-Flow Showerheads

Attaching these to your showerhead simply uses less water and in turn less heat. It’s as simple as that. Low-flow aerators can be attached to sink faucets as well. A very effective way to save energy and money.

Pipe Insulation

Insulating the hot lines will save heat as well. Closed-cell foam can be wrapped around the pipes and makes the job go very quickly. Insulation blankets can be used also. Get thicker blankets rather than thinner ones. Different types of pipe require different size insulation too. Copper and galvanized pipes have different thicknesses even though they both say 1 inch. Don’t forget to wrap the cold pipes three inches away from the water heater too. Do not, however, cover unions or fittings and ends of pipes with insulation. Any leaks will be more severe if insulation is covering these spots. Never cover the draft diverter directly above gas water heaters. This could cause the insulation to catch on fire. Different insulations come with different self-adhesives. It does not matter much which type you use. If you need to tape the insulation though, use gas wrap tape, which looks like electrical tape with writing on it. Avoid using duct tape since it will wear out faster. Use scissors to cut the tape and insulation if necessary. Finally, plastic ties are another way of holding insulation to pipes as well.

Recirculating Systems

Recirculating loops can be installed by any water heater manufacturer. These are very efficient but expensive to install.

Vent Dampers

For gas heaters only, a vent damper is a metal flap just above the heater. Either a motor or actual heat is used to open the vent flap. The vent will never be all the way shut at any time just in case of unexpected heat going up the draft diverter. It is unknown how effective these devices are, but they seem to work better for indoor water heaters.

Water Heater Blankets

This idea is best used for water heaters that are outdoors or in naturally warm rooms. Purchase insulation that has a ranking of at least R-11. The energy saved will be substantial compared with lighter insulation such as R-6. Wrap the entire water heater around and cut holes for all the fittings such as the T&P valve, cold lines if any gas burner housing on gas water heaters or electrical elements on electrical water heaters. Note that leaks on the water heater will be difficult to see if the water heater is covered in a blanket and rusting is more of a problem. However, the energy savings from this idea make it worth the risk. Periodically check for wetness underneath the blanket after installing it.

The prices of energy are gradually increasing and creating solar panels will not be an immediate solution to this economic crisis. Thus, the government made a way to resolve this in a less-effort way, through the Sustainable Development Fund program.

What is the SDF fund? Most people are not familiar with this kind of aid. It might seem complex but the acronym simply stands for Sustainable Development Fund. SDF offers inventive funding to renewal and clean energy resources. The SDF Grant is presented as a first-come, first-serve basis program. SDF has able to cut the price of energy bill up to almost half of its conventional price.

One of the major objectives of the SDF program is to encourage the society to use energy efficiently and conserve it as well. SDF has evidently shown its effect to significantly reducing the harmful health and environmental effects caused by fuel sources.

Qualified Proposals

Companies who aim to buy renewable energy and advance clean energy become more eligible to SDF. Financiers of equipment like manufacturers, retailers and service firms or those who aims to improve energy savings status may be considered for SDF grant as well.

SDF Categories

This kind of funding presents a limited number of sustainable energy grants. The SDF is divided into two major categories.

The first category is the Sustainable Energy Business Planning Grants. These grants are accessible to business institutions located in the energy service territories that manufacture, designs and produce renewable energy. The Sustainable Energy Business Planning Grants are intended for the business planning process.

Green Building design grants, on the other hand, are intended to infrastructure developers, building owners, and architecture and engineering offices. The Green Building Design Grants are designed to provide aid for energy production and simulation modelling.

SDF Grant Products

One of the advantages of the SDF Grant program is its low-interest policy and its flexible financial aid for renewable and clean energy. The SDF Grand program extends to commercial loans, debt subordination and equity investments.

SDF Grant Application

For the Sustainable Development fund grant application, initially, you have to fill up and submit the SDF Core Grant Program Application form. Information regarding this form is available in the Core Grant Program Application Form Instructions.

Quarterly application reviews are considered by the SDF Board, staring form the 15th day of January.

Applications that did not meet the deadline will be considered to the succeeding calendar quarter.

Applications are done electronically through the TRF online site. The Grant application form is available in a Microsoft Word format.

Application Evaluation and Approval

SDF grant applications are evaluated and reviewed by the SDF Staff and Grant Commission of the SDF Board. The result of the assessment will mainly depend on how well the proposed work suits the SDF objective and SDF grant categories. Moreover, the grant approval will depend on to the level of importance of the proposed work.

The applicant will be informed directly of the proposal results by the SDF Grant staff. The SDF Board will be the one to confirm and ratify the decision of the SDF Grant Committee.

The judgement of the SDF board is final, however, the applicant may ask for a meeting with the SDF body to review the proposal and the applicant may ask for a request for reconsideration as well.