Gel Labs

Anyone who owns a home or rents an apartment comes to the realization that no matter how good the windows are the R-value is not enough to prevent energy loss. Even double paned windows allow significant amounts of heat and air conduction. Glass is just not a good insulator, which is why they invented double paned windows. They operate on the theory that if you can't keep the heat or cold out, maybe it can be trapped! But the truth is you can significantly raise the R-value of your windows by installing window insulation coverings. Window insulation coverings serve several purposes:o Increases the R-value of the window often by 5 points (R-1 to R-6)o Enables control of room lighto[..]

Electric fan heaters are not only an economical way to heat a room in your home that is not used frequently, but there are models of these heaters that can be wall-mounted or portable and some of them are an attractive addition to almost any space. Many of the newest designs of these heaters are modern, panel construction that blends into any kind of interior design scheme. They are much more attractive than traditional radiator-style heaters and they have ceramic elements that dissipate the heat, so they stay cool to the touch. When it comes to options that are available to heat smaller spaces, or an individual room in your home that might not be used frequently, electric fan heaters[..]

One of the biggest sources of heat loss from your home is the garage because this is an area that is generally not insulated even if it is attached to the house. The exterior wall adjoining the house and garage is a prime area for heat to escape and if there is a room placed above the garage, heat will be lost through the room's floor into area below. For most of us this is just where we park our cars and store the things we don't want to get rid of but don't want to trip over in our living spaces either. We don't spend much time out there and we certainly don't think twice about the efficiency of the area as we hurry to escape the cold. This is a forgotten aspect by many consumers when[..]

As North American households face heating bills averaging at least 30 % higher than last year; the connection between household energy use and energy prices is evident to everyone. Energy efficiency remains the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to help you lower your home energy bills, extend the nations energy supplies, bring down energy costs and fatten your wallet. Energy efficiency shouldn't be a headache - in fact, it can be very rewarding. Not only is increasing the energy efficiency of your home a step toward better use of fuel and less pollution, it also offers you greater security and independence, lower energy bills and makes your home a more comfortable place to live.[..]

We all want to feel as calm and comfortable as possible when we are home. It's our castle, our inner sanctum. That level of comfort is not always possible. Little projects keep cropping up or long neglected issues rear their ugly head at the worst possible time. The best thing that you can do is to try and head these issues off. Solar attic fans can help you by preventing one of the most insidious of home invaders: mold. Solar attic fans play an important role in the long term maintenance and and healthy environment of your home by eliminating the things that promote the growth of mold. Mold can only grow if you allow it. There are three important ingredients for mold growth: heat,[..]

Lowering our carbon footprint is becoming very important to the house owner these days. There are a couple of reason for this, one is because the Kyoto Agreement is pushing the reduction of the global carbon footprint worldwide, also each government are producing new grants to speed up the introduction of new building methods that will reduce energy costs and ultimately save money for the consumer in the long run as lower energy cost means lower energy bills. It may take a long time to get a return on investment but this is getting better as time goes on because energy cost while temporarily low are on an upward trend and building cost are cheaper than they have been for years due to the[..]

-- End Ad Box ---> Although the concept of “Going Green” has become almost cliché in our culture, at its core there is tremendous value for a restaurant to adopt eco-friendly best practices. By going green, a restaurant can save the environment, save customers, and save customers. Save the Environment By their very nature, restaurants produce a high volume of waster and harsh chemicals, from trash to grease. Not to mention that they require an immense amount of energy in order to sustain the various pieces of kitchen equipment, lighting, music, and dishwashers. Combine that with the fact that most restaurants operate for long periods of time each day and the impact upon the[..]

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It's a number (between 8-23) that describes how efficient an air-conditioning system works. A higher SEER means higher efficiency and lower energy bills. SEER is calculated by dividing the amount of cooling supplied by the air conditioner or heat pump (Btu's per hour) by the power (watts) used by the cooling equipment under a specific set of seasonal conditions. These ratings are determined in a laboratory where the exact set of indoor and outdoor conditions-specified by the US Department of Energy-are guaranteed to exist. Because each piece of cooling equipment is evaluated using the exact same conditions, the rating can be used in[..]

Poorly insulated attics are like throwing money in the trash: your energy bills are higher due to the extra work your home's HVAC unit has to perform in order to regulate the temperature inside your home. In the summer, with heat beating down on your home, it's received through the roof, passed down into the attic, and then onto the home. In the winter, as you are warming your home's air, the hot air continually rises up, up, and out from the attic. What can you do to stop this leakage and lower your energy costs? Consider using the latest in radiant barrier insulating systems for your home. What is a radiant barrier insulating system? To answer this first we'll need to discover what[..]

With the increase in interest in green energy products has come a desire to find remodeling projects that can be easily and quickly completed. Solar attic cooling is one of the easiest and quickest of these projects. The installation costs are very low and the savings begin immediately. Solar attic cooling may be a small step, but the benefits to you can last a lifetime. Solar power projects, like solar attic cooling, all have an impact on the future of the Earth and generations to come. The benefits to the environment are many-fold. They all begin when you do not have to use as much electricity. Ninety-five percent of all of the electricity produced relies on fossil fuels for its[..]

There are several important factors which should be taken into consideration with any commercial HVAC design. A commercial HVAC system has many duties other than air conditioning and heating a building. The system needs to properly ventilate and filter air, reduce humidity to prevent the growth of mold and airborne bacteria, and monitor the building for carbon monoxide as well. Because of the multitudinous uses of a commerical HVAC system, it needs to be designed to suit the specific building in order to perform each duty well. One of the most vital aspects of commercial HVAC design is determining how much energy will need to be consumed each time the system is heating or air[..]

Paying too much for electricity or energy in general is very common. It really comes down to if your provider or supplier is the absolute cheapest in your area. Now remember that energy bills in Seattle will differ from those in Sausalito. Also, company availability is different throughout the country. If you don't think you have the absolute cheapest, look around for more options. There are bound to be cheaper. Try asking your local technician. They probably have dealt with a wide variety of different providers and have experience with those different providers. One of the largest and most renowned providers for energy is PG&E. While they might not provide the absolute cheapest[..]

There is a widespread impression that clean energy is expensive. Well, it is, but there are ways of financing it to reduce or eliminate upfront costs. Property owners need to be proactive in looking for these options. PACE financing, or property assessed clean energy financing, gives property owners the chance to make renewable energy and/or energy efficiency retrofits without any upfront costs. That's right, if you live in a participating municipality, you may qualify for a PACE bond which will allow you to pay off the costs of retrofits through your property taxes over a 15 or 20 year period. PACE bonds are an idea that originated from a Berkeley, CA finance company, Renewable Funding.[..]

  Are you trying to debate whether or not you should install underfloor heating in your home or new home building? Many more homes are starting to put underfloor heating in their properties, making it one of the more popular home additions in home construction lately. Why are so many people installing home underfloor heating? For most builders, they have compared underfloor heating versus traditional heating methods. Just a quick comparison will show any home construction builder or renovator that installing underfloor heating is the smarter choice. Underfloor heating is a smarter choice for any homeowner that wants to have lower energy bills. Often called a “green-friendly” home[..]

You may have heard of combi heating boilers and you might like what they have to offer; unlimited hot water, lower heating bills, and a good source of effective green energy applications. However, if you want to turn your lower energy bills and efficiency in heating up a notch then you will want to look into a Condensing combi boiler as a viable option.The reality is that a Condensing combi boiler works very much the same as a standard combi heater boiler. It will still provide you with an almost limitless supply of hot water, but what a condensing boiler does that differs from a normal combi heater is not so much its inner working as much as it is a direct result of improved[..]

Making your home more energy efficient is not only good for you and your future energy bills, but it's also good for the environment. In this day and age of increasing danger from the accumulation of greenhouse gases caused by emissions from fossil fuels and the rapidly decreasing supply of fossil fuels, it's important for everybody to be aware of how much energy they're using, particularly in the home. If you're aware of how much energy you're using, that should translate into improved behaviour as far as what you use and when you use it. And that's even more important if you're thinking about purchasing a solar electric system, since the less electricity you use, the smaller and[..]

The main points to consider when you think about buying a washer-dryer, is how much space you have for the washer, how much laundry you will be putting into it and which functions are most suitable for you. Naturally, you want the best washing machine that money can buy. Stackable Washer Dryers These types of washer dryers take minimal space and they are as good as the regular full-sized washers like the Maytag stackable washer dryers. Some options for Stackable washer dryers are: - A laundry center with controls at the eye level for the dryer mounted on top and a front/top load washer at the bottom. This needs to be vented like the normal dryers and requires a 240-volt power supply. - A[..]

Several residences across the globe have accepted the electrical underfloor heating system. Largely responsible for their global recognition is the wide bracket of advantages that accompany this contemporary heater. If you are debating whether to install under floor heaters in your home or new home building, it's time you acquaint yourself with the expanding popularity of under floor heaters that constitute one of the most popular home additions these days. Underfloor heating is a smarter choice for any homeowner who wants to have lower energy bills. Often called a "green-friendly" home addition, under floor heaters are capable of lowering your energy bills by as much as 40%. Since the[..]

> You can save on fuel bills by using energy more efficiently throughout your home. Below are some of the useful tips which can help you save money. You can save on fuel bills by using energy more efficiently throughout your home. Below are some of the useful tips which can help you save money. Most of us do not think about the energy that powers our homes but simple changes to our daily habits can have a huge effect on gas and electricity bills. The first and the most important tip is to see our home differently in the way that we use energy. The key to making big savings on home energy bills is to view houses as a living energy system with individual parts that affect each other.[..]

There have been discussions and proposals for some time to introduce mandatory energy ratings of homes. This is now being applied across all European Union countries pursuant to the European Directive for the Energy Performance of Buildings, designed to improve property efficiency. In England and Wales, Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) were initially introduced as part of the Home Information Packs required when selling properties. With effect from 1 October 2008, this was extended to rented properties. Landlords will now need to provide an EPC free of charge to all prospective tenants at the earliest opportunity and no later than: - when any written information about the building[..]

The end of the month is coming, and you have the dreaded payment.  No, not the rent payment, though that's bad, too, and never fun to pay.  However, I'm talking about the heating bill.  You know, that bill that seems to be higher than all of your neighbor's heating bills—put together? You might want to check into the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).   Introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is not an emergency heating service.  It is a federally funded, low-income energy conservation program. In short, it is a program to modify homes where a low-income person is living.  The entire focus is to reduce the energy[..]

Now a days we are experiencing a fast growing awareness that our natural energy resources, because they have been used in recent years, probably will not last long and that energy markets are exposed to more rapid development, some for political reasons and others, because of climate changing. Solar energy is a renewable source of sustainable energy, as inexhaustible, unlike fossil fuels which are very limited. This is also a non-polluting sources of energy and emits no greenhouse gases in the production of electricity. The electricity produced by the sun can complete all or part of energy consumption. Using solar energy means lower energy bills and save money. Also has a photovoltaic[..]

Energy efficiency is an integral part of living a green lifestyle. We all have appliances that break down or stop working efficiently. The key question is the following: What should I do when that happens consistent with living green? Here some suggestions in line with the idea of energy conservation, recycling, and following a green lifestyle. There are home appliances and products for the office that have earned the ENERGY STAR rating, which means that they are within the efficiency guidelines of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) as being cost effective and/or producing less waste. These agencies have deemed these products to be energy[..]

Radiant barriers are materials used for the purpose of home insulation. They are effective at stopping the transfer of radiant energy from the outside of the home to the inside during the summer months. The barriers are typically installed in the attics of homes in order to reduce heat gain during the summer months, with the result being lower energy bills. 3 Ways for Heat to Transfer From a physics perspective, heat transfer takes three forms: conduction, radiation and convection. Most types of insulation used in homes and office buildings - such as fiberglass blankets - are effective vis-a-vis conduction and convection types of heat transfer. However, they are ineffective at preventing[..]

The Renewable Heat Incentive is part of the Governments Clean Energy Cashback initiative which aims to increase the amount renewable energy produced. Currently only 2 % of all the energy the UK is produced from renewable sources and the Government want this to increase to 15% by 2020. This is because the EU Renewable Energy Directive have a legally binding contract with the Government to ensure these targets are met. On April the 1st 2010 the first of these initiatives go live in the form of 'Feed-In Tariffs' which aims to pay homeowners and businesses a set price for producing their own energy through renewable sources and pays to buy excess energy from them to feed back into the Nation[..]

If you are desperate to go miles to conserve comfort and coziness for your dear ones in your home, don’t, just install cavity wall insulation. At the same time, ways to lower energy bills must be capturing your concern as every month you come across ever increasing energy bills. In such cases, wouldn’t it be feasible for you if you could find a common technique to address both these concern of yours. This is why; notion and use of cavity wall insulation have been brought up. Cavity wall home insulation indicates to process of insulating walls through which your house is losing heat in winter as well as gaining heat in summer months. When you lose required amount of heat in winter or[..]

As dealers of composting toilet systems, we are accustomed to getting a lot of questions about how our units work and how they're able to operate without odor. To that end, we've compiled a list of some of our most frequently asked questions, which may be helpful to consumers who are considering purchasing a composting toilet or who just want to better educate themselves on this eco friendly waste management solution. Please be sure to note that all the information in this article pertains specifically to Sun-Mar composting toilet systems. 1. What is composting and how does a composting toilet work? Composting is the basic process of breaking down organic matter. For example, in a garden[..]

Composting What is composting? Composting is two things. First it is a way to create your own beneficial natural soil amendment. Second it is a simple, efficient method to reduce solid waste materials at home. By including compost in gardening beds and planting holes you're improving nutrients and enhancing soil texture. In addition, compost loosens heavy clay earth and boosts the water-holding capability of sandy soils. A compost pile is basically a way to promote speedy decomposition of collections of plant and occasionally animal materials combined by combining them in a heap. Bacteria and fungi break down this organic and organic material into a soil-like consistency. These organisms[..]

Why not brand your online communications to the world? Greetings, do you own a blog and do you often comment on world events, industry analysis, or politics; perhaps, you have a blog that talks about alternative energy issues, non-profit endeavors, or issues concerning you community? If so, why not develop your own brand using your own name? Did you know that many business executives do this? It's true, did you know Michael Dell of Dell Computers had "Messages from Mike" that he sent out to all his employees? Indeed, over the years, I'd done something similar, I called them "Letters from Lance" and I sent them out to our Franchisee Teams every other week. Not long ago, I noted someone[..]

They are saying that solar power for homes is the way of the future. This hottest of all alternative energy sources is not only for the rich. Look around you and the chances are that you will soon see that solar power for homes is everywhere and it's growing everyday. As it is rising in popularity annually, solar power for homes is now becoming not only attainable for the common household, but it's proving to be highly desirable. This may very well be described as a major wave of the future, especially for individuals who live the green lifestyle. Solar power for homes is one of the most reliable renewable energy sources and is a wonderful means of saving money. As putting in solar[..]

When it comes to free and alternative energy generation systems, the Magniwork system is probably the most talked about today. I guess people now know that this system really works, and that it actually provides free electricity for your home. There are documented proves all over the place for everyone to see. However, there are still so many questions about the Magniwork Electricity Generator. The most asked question about this free energy generation system is if the parts needed to build your own Magniwork Generator are easy to find, and if they are, Is it easy to build up and install the generator so it starts generating free energy for you? This question has been asked a million[..]

With the push for environmentalists to take better care of the planet many people are turning to natural replenishable sources of energy such a solar and wind power. Both can be adapted to home use as long as an individual has the space in or around his or her home. Wind power in particular will require ample space to place it. Wind turbines for homes are still pretty expensive, ranging from $3000 to $5000 on average. But do not fret, if you are dedicated to helping out the environment and saving some money also, making a wind turbine of your own is not impossible. It will however require ingenuity and knowledge of electronics. If you possess those skills then you should have no problems[..]