Most renewable energy devices
– equipment that generates electricity from the wind, waves or sun, or which heats water directly using energy from the sun – have been around for decades, in some cases for centuries. But they have not caught on till now, and they are still seen as mostly peripheral ways of contributing energy to the total required.” I argue that three facts will very soon result in everybody clamouring for whatever renewable energy they can get, peripheral or not, the alternative being that they either won’t be able to get enough of it, or to afford it, as conventional fuels, (gas and oil), run out and prices continue to soar. After all, whatever the cost of renewable energy sources, after what is already an acceptable payback period they produce free energy for the life of the system used – normally at least 25 years. People don’t have to think about climate change to justify them – they do that on energy cost savings alone. The three facts are: Oil and gas are running out, whilst the world demand for them is increasing. And we are at the end of the pipeline. The amount of energy from the sun falling on each square metre of the earth’s surface is equivalent to 1,000kWh annually – so that alone is enough to meet the entire global demand for energy many times over. Even without wind, water and nuclear power we can manage easily without oil and gas. If we get our act together in time. In real terms fuel prices have at least doubled in the last year, and they are likely to double again every couple of years or even faster than that. As a result, a system with a payback period of 10 years now will, in practice, pay for itself in less than half that time.
We must proceed with renewable energy.
Jay Draiman
Northridge, CA. 91325
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10 tips to reduce heating costs
Winterize your home!
With the rising cost of heating oil, propane and kerosene, you could be paying twice as much to heat your house this winter than you did a few years ago. Here is 10 quick money-saving tips that you could do this weekend to prepare your house for winter.
1. Replace your furnace's air filter
Dirty units use more fuel. Replace filters every three months.
2. Drain a quart of water from your water heater tank
Doing this once every three months will remove sediment that slows down heat transfer.
3. Buy a programmable thermostat
Then set it to automatically turn down heat at night. For each lowered degree, you'll save 1 to 3 percent off your heating bill. And if you go away for a weekend, lower your thermostat to 55 degrees.
4. Check for energy tax breaks
If you buy a new energy efficient furnace, boiler or water heater you'll save on your energy bills and your taxes. Shop for products with an "Energystar" logo. They use 10-50 percent less energy than standard models. Here's how much you'll save with Uncle Sam: Furnace/boiler: $150; water heater: $300; storm windows: up to $200; storm doors: up to $500; new insulation: up to $500 (source: www.energystar.gov).
5. Use an electric blanket
It's much less expensive than heating your bedroom to a toasty temperature.
6. Lower the setting on your water heater
If you have a dishwasher it needs only be set at 120 degrees and if you don't it can be set even lower.
7. Check your house for heat leaks
Check around your doors, windows, air conditioners, attic hatches, switch plates, electrical outlets, fireplaces and foundations. Holding a candle works best. Use caulking, weather stripping and door sweeps to close off the leaks. It can save 5 to 30 percent of your heating bill.
8. Give your heating system an annual check-up
Most service contracts provide for a check-up, but many homeowners don't know they must call to make the appointment.
9. Seal your clothes dryer vent
Heated air pours out all winter. Unlike a typical sheet metal flapper, a dryer vent seal stays closed unless the dryer is in use.
10. Wash your clothes in cold water
Dialing down from a hot setting can cut your energy load by more than 50 percent.
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