Archive for the ‘Environment’ Category
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
We all know the famous adage “Necessity is the mother of inventions”. Human beings have always proactively equipped themselves to fight against the forthcoming challenges like global warming and energy crisis. To combat the impact of global warming and energy crisis, more and more people have started building steel houses as an environmental friendly housing solution.
Environmental friendly houses are those which are designed and built with an environmentally friendly attitude. While building these houses complete focus is laid on considerations like place of housing, energy aspects, the design, and the materials used.
Pre-Engineered steel buildings help you in building your structures easily and conveniently – be it houses, buildings, offices, aircraft hangars, retail outlets, warehouses, halls, showrooms and so on. You can choose from a wide variety of pre-engineered steel structures like doors, windows, roof extensions, parapet walls, walk-in door, skylights, vents, downspouts, and attractive colors, reflective or thermal insulation.
These prefabricated steel buildings are delivered and assembled at your site. Thus, they offer a unique advantage of lesser construction time. These steel buildings can be matched to your local environment requirements and can be customized with unique colors and finishes of your choice. The prefabricated steel structures can be manufactured in 4 – 6 weeks of time.
Stainless steel houses tend to be less expensive than the average houses. The steel houses can have teak floors which are insulated. In addition, you can carpet the floors, add drywall to the walls, install bathrooms, and create additional rooms as well. Steel houses provide strength, security, and durability that other construction structures lack.
Also, these structures can be erected even in remote locations without electricity, as welding is not required. The components are bolted or riveted. They also provide an added advantage of ease in dismantling the structures and shifting to other locations. Metal used for such construction is recyclable and also offers a resale value. No use of wooden material supports environmentally friendly construction due to conservation of forests.
While constructing the steel buildings, you need to ensure that the steel is properly insulated. Proper insulation prevents condensation, which helps better climate control and maximum energy efficiency. Thus the properly insulated building may help save 20-40% on your energy bills and the cost of insulating can be recovered quickly.
You can further increase you lighting efficiency, reduce your electric bills and your need for additional lighting fixtures by using the insulation to provide bright and reflective wall and ceiling treatments.
So while constructing your houses, always choose a steel building option, because:
• Steel houses are incredibly durable
• Usage of steel save forests and help conserve our environment
• They are economical
• They are cheaper to maintain
• As steel can be molded into artistic shapes and designs, they provide an aesthetic look
• They are free from rot or termites
• There is a reduced risk of fire with steel buildings. This in turn will lower your insurance premiums
• They are energy efficient
• Lesser residuals (scrapped material)
• Earthquake proof
Gajanan Pandit advocates construction of steel houses for environmental conservation. For more information about security cabins, steel cabins and pre engineered steel buildings visit www.mpil.in
Steel houses, steel buildings, steel cabins, pre engineered steel buildings, security cabins, prefabricated steel houses, go green, global warming, multicolor steel
Related posts
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
Most of the electricity produced in the world today is produced by dirty, polluting coal-fired power plants, for the simple reason that this remains the cheapest way of producing electricity on a large scale. There are, however, other ways in which it can be produced:
Of all the fossil fuels used for electricity production, natural gas is the one that is the least harmful to the environment, although the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, is still produced during its combustion. One of the reasons it is one of the most efficient methods is that the products of combustion can be used to provide additional propulsion for the steam turbine.
Although petroleum power stations do exist, they do not run on the type of fuel that you might put in your car. Instead, they use residual fuel oil, which is a cheap by-product of the crude oil refining process. Although this is cleaner than coal, petroleum fired power stations are still amongst the worst polluters.
Currently, the only large-scale alternative to fossil fuel fired power stations is nuclear energy, which works by splitting the atoms of a nuclear fuel such as uranium, releasing a massive amount of heat which is used to vaporise the water that drives the steam turbines. Although this process does not produce carbon dioxide, other than indirectly through the energy required to split the atoms in the first place, it does produce quite a significant volume of dangerous nuclear waste.
The kinetic energy in a flowing river or the outlet from a dam is what spins the turbines in Hydro Power stations. Although they are completely non-polluting and totally renewable, they have quite a detrimental effect on river ecosystems, and often run into planning difficulties as a result.
If you have ever seen a volcano erupt, you will be aware that beneath the earths crust there is a lot of heat waiting to get out. In some regions, this heat energy is so close to the surface that underground water is turned into steam and shot through holes in the surface known as hot springs. This can be harnessed to power steam turbines in the usual way, and this is known as Geothermal Power.
Photovoltaic cells, also known as solar panels, can trap the energy in the suns solar rays and turn it into electricity. The heat from the sun can also be focussed using special lenses to heat water for steam turbines in a process known as solar thermal generation.
Many people believe that the future of electricity generation, certainly in the UK, could lie with Wind Power, which uses the motion of a windmill to drive an electricity-producing dynamo. They are, unfortunately, rather intermittent, due to their dependence on weather conditions for their output.
British Gas are one of the most eco friendly electricity companies in the United Kingdom. Save up to 40% on your electric bills by switching today!
Related posts
Friday, August 14th, 2009
Knowing how to read your meter is important so that you can make sure that your energy bill is correct. Additionally, if you are finding your energy bills are too expensive, it might be possible to change your meter to make monitoring your energy use more easy.
What type of meter do you have?
There are three different types of meters in the UK.
Standard meters
A standard meter is a basic electromechanical induction meter, and usually measures your electricity consumption in terms of kilowatt-hours – the amount of energy used by a load of one kilowatt over the period of one hour. When this meter is installed, all electricity units are charged at the same rate, 24 hours a day.
Variable rate meters
Variable rate meters, or “economy 7 meters” as they are sometimes called, give two readings: one for daytime usage and one for night-time electricity usage. You might have one of these meters is your energy supplier offers variable rates (for example, you may pay less for your electricity at night).
Prepayment meters
Prepayment meters usually accept tokens or cards that can be bought or topped up, respectively. If the customer stops paying for electricity, the electricity supply will be cut off by a relay fitted into the meter. The advantage of this kind of meter is that you can budget for how much electricity you use by paying for it before you use it.
How to read meters
Numeric Display
Reading your meter is simple. If it is off the standard type, the first five figures, read from left to right, give you your energy reading.
For a variable rate meter, you will have to read off both sets of numbers, but ignore the last number from each row.
Meter Disputes
Energy suppliers are subject to strict regulations. All meters in the UK have to be approved by Ofgem to make sure that they are accurate for billing. It is important that you check the accuracy of any meter reading that is made by your supplier and if there are any problems you should make sure that you contact them. Ofgem provides a service to test meters in the case of any irresolvable disputes
Ensure you get the cheapest energy around with British Gas, on average the cheapest energy suppliers in Britain. Find great prices on energy, boiler insurance and homecare insurance online now.
Related posts
Friday, August 14th, 2009
If you want to get an accurate reading of how much energy an appliance is using, then you can do this with your electricity meter and a stopwatch, although you will have to turn everything else in your house off first.
This is not an option most people would be willing to go for, as it is a lot of hassle, and it is usually a good idea to leave appliances such as freezers and fridges on all the time.
A far easier method is to check out the power rating label on your appliance, usually near where the power cable goes in or on the body of an external transformer.
This label sometimes only gives you a figure for the current demands of the appliance, measured in amps, but you can easily use this to work out the power rating of the appliance simply by multiplying this figure by the supply voltage, which in the UK can be assumed to be 240v.
If you are using a DC powered device that requires an external transformer, then you need to multiply the number of amps by the stated DC voltage, rather than the mains voltage, so if it says INPUT 10V, 2A for instance, then the power rating will be ten volts multiplied by two amps, which works out as being twenty watts.
Mains voltages can vary based on a number of factors including the standard of wiring in your house and the state of repair of the local sub station. Although the UK mains voltage is supposed to be 240v, this is really a maximum rating rather than an everyday reality. Appliances that are stated as being set up to work with a 240v supply can actually usually work with a range of voltages between 220 and 240 volts.
Even if you suspect that your mains voltage is somewhat less than the maximum of 240v, it is still a good idea to use this figure in any energy calculations that you are doing, as a voltage drop can be a temporary state of affairs.
You may see a switch on the back of your device to allow it to be run using mains voltages of between 100 and 240 volts. This is so that the device can be used in countries such as the US who have a different mains supply voltage to the UK. In the UK, you should always leave this switch set to 240v for safety reasons.
Make sure you get the right electricity supply with British Gas, the UK’s cheapest electricity supplier on average.
Related posts
Friday, August 14th, 2009
Electricity is a wonderfully reliable and versatile energy source, but it can also be dangerous, especially if you have children around. This need not be the case, however, if you take some simple precautions to guard children from the dangers posed to them by electricity. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Cover up any exposed sockets with face plates, and if there are any that are frequently used, attach sliding plates rather than fixed ones so that you do not have to keep plugging and unplugging the safety plate.
Educate your children about the dangers posed by electricity. Discourage them from putting objects such as their fingers or crayons into outlets, and from touching anything that has a cable attached. If they are very young, then you might want to put signs near any objects or outlets that could be dangerous that give a clear visual signal to them not to touch it.
Lock any wire or electrical boxes in your home, and put the keys in a location only you have access to.
Keep your children away from power lines and service towers wherever possible, especially if they are climbing trees or flying kites.
Teach your kids about the correct way to handle plugs and cables when they are old enough, making sure they know to handle them by the plastic body of the plug only, and never to plug something in when an outlet is switched on.
Tie up any loose cables, and do not have any running across thoroughfares in the home, so that nobody can trip on them.
Damaged plugs and frayed cables can be dangerous, so make sure and throw them out as soon as you notice them.
You should wait until your children are in their teens before you teach them how to change a lightbulb, making sure to tell them to make sure that the power is off and that the light has cooled down before they even consider changing it.
Place space heaters against the wall, and keep the cables out of the way so that they cannot be tripped on or pulled out.
Keep any lights in the bedrooms of your children as far from any material, such as curtains, clothes, and bed sheets, as possible.
Teach your children never to use electrical devices with wet hands, and never use electrical devices such as hair dryers and curling irons in the bathroom.
When you are finished using an appliance, unplug it and tidy it away immediately, especially if it is a hot appliance such as a hair dryer or clothes iron.
Save up to 40% with British Gas, the cheapest electricity supplier on average in the UK. View energy prices and other products such as radiators and corgi approved boilers.
Related posts
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
Although humans have been aware of electricity in one form or another for thousands of years, it has only been in the last two hundred that we have been able to harness it safely and generate a steady current of it for use in electrical appliances.
Instead, this type of electricity has to be generated using a primary energy source such as fossil fuels, nuclear fission, or wind power to provide sufficient kinetic energy to drive an electricity generator. Thus, electricity is usually referred to as being a secondary energy source.
Before the advent of electricity generation in the late 1800s, the lighting, heating, and refrigeration needs of the typical household were met by using gas lamps, coal or wood-burning stoves, and ice-boxes. Although humans had been aware of the existence of electricity for thousands of years, it was not until the 1800s that practical ways were found to generate it and use it.
These were not nearly as controllable or convenient as their electrical equivalents and soon died a death once these came on the scene. However, these required a constant supply of energy, which necessitated the construction of several large power plants.
The principle behind the modern electric generator is still the same as that pioneered by Michael Faraday in the 1830s, when he discovered that turning a magnet inside a coil of wire induced a current in the wire.
Although a traditional magnet can be used for this purpose, they are not normally powerful enough to generate a useful amount of electricity. Due to the fact that electromagnets can be made a great deal stronger than traditional magnets, it is this type that is used in power plant generators.
A modern electric generator typically consists of a large rotating electromagnet inside a tower made out of several distinct pieces of insulated wire. A current is induced in each separate coil of wire by the rotation of the electromagnet, which then comes together at the end of the circuit to form a much bigger current which is fed into the electricity network.
The moving part of an electric generator is usually turned by a device that runs on a primary energy source, such as a steam or wind turbine, an internal combustion engine, or a water wheel. The majority of electricity plants are around 35 percent efficient, in that the electrical energy produced by the plant is only just over a third of the total energy required to produce it.
By far the most common type of power plant in operation at the moment uses a steam turbine to produce electricity. A turbine is a device which turns the kinetic energy in a moving fluid such as liquid or gas into mechanical energy, which can then be used to turn the electromagnet in a generator. In a steam turbine powered by coal, oil, gas, or wood, the fuel is burned in order to boil water, producing steam that pushes the blades of the turbine.
Switch to British Gas today, on average than all other electricitcheaper y companies. In fact, they are the cheapest electricity supplier on average in the United Kingdom.
Related posts
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
1) Electricity is the flow if electrical power or charge.
2) It is produced from coal, oil, nuclear power and other sources of natural energy.
3) The energy from electricity can never be destroyed; it is simply converted into other forms such as heat, light or power.
4) It’s hard to believe, but the generation of electricity began only just over 100 years ago.
5) The word electricity comes from the New Latin electricus, “amber-like” from the classical Latin electrum from the Greek word elektron meaning amber.
6) Although knowledge of electricity seems to have existed even in Ancient Egypt, it wasn’t until the 18th century that major leaps forward in our understanding of its power and use were made.
7) In 1872 Benjamin Franklin conducted an experiment in Philadelphia in which he, reputedly, attached a metal key to the bottom of a dampened kite string and flown it in a stormy sky. He observed a succession of sparks from the key to the back of his hand, showing that lightening was electrical in nature. From this incident, the first principals of electricity were developed.
The invention of the light bulb, by Thomas Edison in the late 19th century helped change everyone’s lives; today lighting is one of the biggest uses of domestic energy in the UK.
9) However, it was Nikola Tesla who really revolutionised our world in pioneering the use of alternating current (AC) electricity, rather than direct current (DC) electricity, which can be transmitted over much greater distances and enabled electricity to be brought into our homes.
10) The Department of Transport and Industry reported that, in 2001, the UK consumed electricity equivalent to over 240 million tonnes of oil, more than it had in the last thirty years!
Switch to British Gas today, Britains cheapest electricity supplier on average. Take a look at their electricity prices online now.
Related posts
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009
Until a few years ago, energy was a good deal cheaper and few people thought of their light bulbs as being a major drain on their finances. Furthermore, there was only one kind available for most light fittings, the incandescent bulb, so you did not have much of a choice in the matter.
The issue is more complex these days, as there are several competing lighting technologies that can be fitted into a standard light socket. The three main contenders are incandescents, LEDs, and CFLs, and each one has their own set of advantages and disadvantages, which we shall weigh up here.
The oldest, and perhaps the most familiar type of bulb currently available is the incandescent bulb, which was invented way back in the 19th century. These work by passing an electrical current through a filament, heating it up until it produces light, inside a glass bulb which prevents oxygen from getting anywhere near the white hot filament, and thus prevents it from burning up.
These bulbs are still the cheapest to buy, but the fact that they dissipate much of the energy required for the bulb as heat rather than light makes them very inefficient, and costly to run when compared to their modern rivals. Also, they do not last nearly as long, due to the extremes of temperature that the filament is exposed to over time.
The energy saving bulb, also known as the compact fluorescent lamp or CFL, used to be a premium product aimed exclusively at well-heeled eco enthusiasts, but mass production has brought their unit price down to a point where they are now little more expensive than incandescents, and work out far, far cheaper in the long term, due to their energy efficiency and long life.
Although these are a lot better for the environment than incandescents from an energy usage and global warming perspective, the chemicals used in their manufacture are highly toxic to the environment, and even more so when they disposed of in landfill. Therefore, you should ensure that these are disposed of correctly when they stop working if you want a clearer conscience.
By far the most environmentally friendly type of light bulb currently available is the Light Emitting Diode, or LED. Although LEDs have been used as indicators in small electric circuits since the 1960s, it is only recently that this technology has advanced to the stage they have been made powerful enough to light a room with.
These are far more energy efficient, longer lasting, and kind to the environment than either of the other two types, and without a doubt represent the next logical step in lighting technology. However, due to the fact that they are a relatively new technology, they are a lot more expensive to buy than either CFLs or incandescents, although they are expected to come down in price over the next few years.
An incandescent can still be an option in some circumstances, and if you are more worried about toxic waste than global warming, then you might see them as being more environmentally friendly than CFLs. However, their running costs are far higher, so if cost is your main consideration then CFLs remain the best option. However, if you can afford them, LED light bulbs have the lowest running costs of them all, and the soundest environmental credentials, so if you are really determined to save the planet, you had better save your pennies for these – or wait until they become a bit cheaper!
British Gas is the nation’s favourite cheap gas and electricity supplier, boiler service provider, and energy efficiency advisor. Reduce your electricity bills by switching to British Gas’ cheap energy online!
Related posts
Sunday, August 9th, 2009
Carbon offsetting offers people a means to compensate for the carbon emissions they produce through energy consumption. Around 40% of the UK’s carbon dioxide emissions are produced through electricity consumption in home. This means that every individual has a carbon footprint to offset.
Businesses and individuals can pay a company to invest in renewable energy schemes – projects that will reduce carbon emissions by an amount equal to those created by activities such as air travel, driving or heating a building.
Of course, the most effective way to help fight climate change is cut down on the amount of energy each person produces, for example, by turning of the lights when you leave a room, never leaving electrical appliances on standby and ensuring that your house is insulated. However, offsetting is still a useful exercise which could help slow down global warming.
There are many schemes which advertise offsetting programs, but ones which invest in renewable energy or energy efficient projects, which can prove what they say they are doing are generally more recommended by environmental watch-dogs.
Many companies advertise tree-planting schemes or development of bio-energy or gas capture initiatives, but energy watchdogs suggest these are not the best organisations in which to invest since they do not aid the development of the infrastructure we need for a low carbon future.
Carbon offset companies are not currently subject to any tailored regulations, but there a number of accreditation bodies. These include:
DEFRA’s Code of Best Practice (launched in June 2008) which gives a Quality Mark to show that a company has met the Government United Nations standards for being a reliable offset scheme.
And, The Gold Standard, which is a type of certification introduced by environmental groups. It identifies offset projects that meet good sustainability standards, deliver benefits to local communities and are based on energy efficiency or renewable energy.
Improve your carbon footprint today by switching to British Gas, the UK’s greenest energy supplier. Get your new worcester boiler or baxi boilers online today.
Related posts
Sunday, August 9th, 2009
The production of greenhouse gases is one of the greatest contributors to the phenomenon of global warming, which threatens to destroy our planet. These gases, and most notably carbon dioxide, have enveloped our Earth in a blanket, which prevents heat effectively escaping into the atmosphere.
The effects of global warming are dramatic: with temperature rise, our weather systems may change, animals and plants may die and our health may be affected.
40% of carbon dioxide emissions in the UK are caused by our use of energy in the home. We can all, therefore, play roles in trying to limit emissions by changing our household habits.
Cutting energy use in the home is easy and it can also save you money.
1) Home Insulation
Home insulation will keep you warmer in winter without you needing to spend more on energy bills. To prevent heat from escaping you can try cavity insulation, loft insulation, floor insulation, draft proofing, pipe and tank insulation, solid wall insulation as well as double glazing.
2) Green gadgets
Everybody has heard of low-energy light-bulbs and they remain a great way to lower your electricity use in the home; however, they are not the only green-gadgets on the market. A quick scan of energy supplier websites and it is clear to see that there are many ways you can reduce your energy consumption. One planet saver favourite is a standby saver, which works as a multi-socket, but the difference is that it detects when you switch off your TV with the remote control and cuts the power to all of the appliances. Solar shed lights are also pretty nifty; they use the sun rays to power your garden and do not require leads running from the house. Check out the website of your energy supplier for more ideas.
3) Energy saving boilers
Old boilers are generally energy inefficient: using and losing vast amounts of energy which should be heating your water. Many energy providers now offer to upgrade your boilers to ones which are more energy efficient. Time to make a change?
4) Solar panels
Solar water heating systems help save the environment reduce your energy bills. Since they use the suns energy to heat your water, you don’t need to pay any bills; they even work when it’s cloudy! Solar water heating systems can supply you with 50-70% of your hot water.
Switch to British Gas today, the UK’s leading green electricity supplier. Take a look at their energy prices online now at britishgas.
Related posts
