Composting Toilet - Environmental Benefits

There are many pros to installing a composting toilet: money savings for the owner, improved facilities when you're replacing an old outhouse, and particularly environmental benefits. In this article, we're going to discuss a few of the ways that composting toilets make a very big and very positive impact on the world around us.

Environmental Benefit 1-Less Pollution
The disposal of human waste is one of the largest sources of pollution, water contamination, and disease on earth. In many third world countries, basic sanitation systems are not present, meaning that people are simultaneously drinking from and eliminating in the same streams and rivers. The health implications of this are obvious. The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of all disease and death in developing countries is cause by polluted water, with fecal matter being one of the major contaminants of freshwater around the world.

Even in developed countries like the United States, 20% of people are getting their tap water from private wells, which are easily contaminated by old, failing septic systems that owners don't want to spend the money to repair or replace. Septic systems should be inspected every 2 years and pumped every 3-5 years to ensure proper functioning and to prevent possible contamination of nearby wells and other groundwater. Failure to do so can lead to fecal contamination causing dysentery and even hepatitis.

Environmental Benefit 2-Use Less Water
Since many compost toilet systems are waterless, and since about 25% of the average American home's water consumption is used to flush toilets, the potential water savings from composting toilets are huge. As much as 80 to 90 gallons of water per day, or approximately 32,000 gallons per year, can be saved in a U.S. household simply by installing composting toilets. When freshwater is saved, this also means that energy is saved-the energy that would otherwise go into waste water treatment plants where waste water is made clean again.

Environmental Benefit 3-Nutrients are Recycled, Not Wasted
Did you know that over 90% of the waste we produce is actually water? When the water is removed, and salts are oxidized, only about 3% of the original waste is left. When this small 3% is properly decomposed, valuable nutrients are leftover, creating a fertilizer that is ideal for plants, trees, and shrubs. By flushing our waste down the drain, we waste an enormous amount of water simply to transport the waste to another location where those valuable nutrients will be disposed of, instead of recycled back to nature. A composting toilet, on the other hand is a completely self-sufficient system that does not waste water and uses very little energy.

The primary function of any composting toilet is to first evaporate all the water, leaving behind the very small amount of solid matter. In a properly functioning composting toilet, this solid matter need not be seen or dealt with directly by the homeowner until it is completely processed (decomposed), at which point it will look like nothing more than inoffensive garden soil. This compost can then be added to your flower garden, trees, or shrubs, where it will provide excellent growth benefits for those plants.

As anyone can see, composting toilets make a lot of sense when compared to their traditional, water-wasting counterparts. So if you are someone who is concerned about the environment, or who simply wants to save money on your water bill, and if you need to replace a toilet in the near future, it might be time to give composting toilets a little further consideration and research. Today's modern systems are clean and sleek, completely odorless, and very easy to install and maintain. By installing a composting toilet, you'll save money in the long run, and you can rest easy knowing that you're doing something really great for the environment, too.

Autor: Ellen Bell

Ellen Bell works for the Composting Toilet Store. For more information about waterless composting toilets or to request a free catalog, visit us at http://www.composting-toilet-store.com/Compost_Toilets_s/34.htm.

Added: February 13, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Process of Setting Up Solar Panels

The process of setting up solar panels is becoming a accepted method for many householders, given the truth that this fantastic system deals with the electricity and heat demands of homeowners. Additionally, individuals with extremely effective photo- voltaic panels definitely get to put up for sale the energy they yield towards the utility organizations, subsequently contributing to the decrease of the fuel combustion for energy generation.

Dependent upon the home specificity, setting up solar panels can be considered a lot more or much less problematic. It is usually positive to take into account the belief that during construction is really the perfect time to put in the solar panels on the roof.

Mounted or tilted up versions are usually an equal substitute whenever setting up solar panels, but when the mounts are hooked up during the roofing operation, you will surely to do away with the possibility of a leaking roof. When the roof is off, the panel structure is incredibly easier to attach onto the rafters, which makes it more durable even more resistant to leakage.

Shingle roofs are a lot less demanding to manage than tile roofs. When you realize that transporting, along with the very means of setting up solar panels can be quite fragile. It is best to use some licensed company to manage the entire job cycle, and thus, you ensure that there is no room left for amateurish flaws.

Although prices needed for setting up solar panels are significant, you have to consider the fact that you will be saving a lot of income on electricity bills for the rest of your life and in time the initial cost will likely be entirely covered. Additionally, setting up solar panels may well bring a tax reduction of up to thirty percent and tax credits are granted for those of you that elect to go green when it comes to electricity production.

Regrettably, the usage of alternative energy remains low in a lot of locations around the globe because setting up is reasonably pricey. On the other hand, environment consciousness is made with the great offer of merchandise that rely on the use of alternative energy. Thus, setting up solar panels can first complement the regular energy system, but in time, more panels can be acquired until an entire residence is supported by such systems.

Do not dismiss the evolution capability of these type of systems, as you could always add a different structure to increase the electricity and heat generation in accordance with the changing needs to increased challenging living standards.

Autor: Frank Allison

Frank Allison is a solar garden lights professional and owner of Wave Light Solar. Our goals are to promote solar lighting technologies that offers low maintenance, that is ECO- Friendly, which help contribute to a sustainable future everyone can enjoy. Please visit us at http://www.wavelightsolar.com

Added: February 11, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

How to Calculate Energy Savings From Energy Efficient Window Treatments

With so many window treatment options, it can be hard to choose which blinds you want to buy. Then you hear about energy efficient blinds and wonder how much you could actually save. There is an easy way to find out. If you go to some online blinds store, you can use an energy calculator to give you an idea of how much you would save based on the square footage of your home.

Here are some other ways to figure out savings.

Honeycomb Cellular Shades and Fusion Shades are the Most Energy Efficient
The double cell honeycomb shade along with the fusion roman shade is the most efficient design available today. What you may not realize is that the color makes a difference in the energy efficiency of the blinds.

- Choose a light color or a shiny surface to reflect light and heat.
- Choose dark colors to absorb heat.

How Sunlight Effects Your Energy Bill
During the summer, windows can cause your energy consumption to increase a whopping 20 to 50 percent of the total energy used in a home. To give you a more concrete example a tiny one by one foot window lets in more heat than your entire wall! This can make your air conditioner work as much as 50 percent harder than it has to. The right window treatment means the energy used goes down, electric bill goes down, and the sun can't fade your carpet or furniture.

Window Blinds and Coefficient
The coefficient measures the shades ability to insulate the home and how well it blocks out solar energy. In this case, you want a low number. The lower the number the better a job it will do keeping your house warm during the winter and cool during the summer.

You can find a coefficient rating on both honeycomb shades and fusion roman shades.

Using the Energy Calculator to Determine How Much You Will Save
Of course, the energy calculator is only an estimate. However, you can get a good idea about how much you can save with the right blinds.

All you do is enter the square footage of your home. Then you choose from a variety of styles and then estimate energy savings. You will notice that honeycomb cellular shades, blackout shades, and even double cell translucent shades top the list.

An average size home can expect to save between $200 and $400 dollars from installing window treatments. In addition, when you choose qualifying blinds, you can get a Federal Tax Cut as well.

Autor: Chris R. Stanley

Order free samples and see for yourself the quality Window Treatments offered at Blinds Chalet. Visit http://www.blindschalet.com/ today and see how you can get no payments for 90 days with Paypal Pay Later.

Added: February 9, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

The Unauthorized Blueprint For Generating Free Electricity at Home

Wouldn't it be great to be able to make free electricity at home. I mean the rising costs of electrical utility bills is outrageous. I try to conserve electricity as much as possible, turning off lights, using compact fluorescents, unplugging appliances, etc., but it doesn't seem to make a huge difference. I was frustrated over my efforts to save money, until one day when I discovered a solution.

I found that there are plans available that show you how to make free electricity at home. I am not talking about making solar panels or a wind turbine at home. The sound great at first until you look into them a little closer and you see just how dangerous and risky they can be. No, I am talking about a system that is easy to make, install, and use at home.

Here is the little known secret: magnetic power generation.

You have heard little about this technology because the large power brokers don't want the general public to know about it. They realize that if folks knew just how easy it is to make all the electricity they want at home then they would soon be out of business.

I learned the unauthorized blue print for making a magnetic power generator for home electrical use. I can make a system that will either supplement or replace my electricity requirements, and I can say good bye to the power man. A home magnetic power generator can be made at home I an afternoon with parts found at a local hardware store. You will still need components that wind and solar need like a charge controller, batteries, and a power inverter. But these devices are safer, more reliable, and take up less space than the other systems.

Take a look at magnetic power generation for home use, and I think you will be impressed and amazed at their potential. It's much easier than you think to get into this technology.

Autor: Elijiah Rampart

Wouldn't it be great to make all the free electricity that you want, at home?
There is a simple and safe solution: magnetic energy.

Now you can generate free electricity with a simple and easy to use guide for making a magnetic power generator at home.

To learn more watch this video by following this link == > http://generating-electricity-at-home.canemanim.com

Added: February 8, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Magnets 4 Energy Review

Magnetic energy technology has been accessible for decades, if not centuries. Magnets 4 Energy will share the secrets behind this technology with you so that you can end your reliance on fossil fuels and greedy energy companies. You will learn how to create your very own magnetic energy device and begin to generate enough energy to operate your entire house every day. This magnetic energy device does not rely on sunlight, wind, or any other outside source to create the electricity you need.

1. What The Government Doesn't Want You To Know?

The government has been taking advantage of this magnetic energy technology for several years. The Magnets 4 Energy author has worked for the Pentagon, so he has seen this technology used by the military and by civilian government agencies. He wants to share that knowledge through Magnets 4 Energy so that everyone can begin to generate their own power and eliminate dependence on dwindling supplies of non-renewable energy sources.

2. Free Renewable Energy.

The Magnets 4 Energy guide will teach you all of the steps you need to create your own magnetic energy source. Once you have built it, you will have harnessed all of the energy you need to keep your entire house running without paying anyone for the privilege of using the power. The author explains why the power companies and the federal government have worked to keep this technology from the general public for so long, and why it is important that everyone have access to this free energy source.

3. Saves The Planet And Saves Money.

Magnetic energy benefits everyone. The Magnets 4 Energy plan will allow you to save hundreds of dollars per year while you also reduce the world's dependence on fossil fuels. Through building and using this simple device you can have a direct impact on the health of our planet. The guide is put together in a way that anyone can build the magnetic energy device without prior technological training, which means that this technology could begin to spread throughout the country pretty quickly as more and more people discover how easy it is to build and use.

Autor: Thomas K

Is Magnets 4 Energy a scam? Visit http://www.millionsreview.com/magnets-4-energy-review.html to read a FREE report and find out the truth about this Magnetic Generator before you order!

Added: February 7, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Solar Water Heating in Conjunction With a Tankless Water Heater

How does a Solar Water Heating system work with a Tankless Water Heater? First let us a take a look at how solar heating works. In general there are solar collectors that capture the sun's heat and transfer it to some liquid medium. That liquid medium can be the hot water used later or a special liquid that transfers the heat through a heat exchanger.

The solar collectors can be made from different materials. Copper and Glass are common. If you look at your car's radiator you'll see fins attached to a series of pipes. Here the engine's heat is transferred through antifreeze or other liquid to the radiator. The radiator will then RADIATE the heat to the surroundings and therefore cooling the engine's cooling fluid. The fins provide added physical radiation area for faster cooling and smaller radiator.

Now, Solar Water Heating works just like that, only the process is reversed. The fins or other surface expanding area is used to capture the sun's heat and heat the water or some other fluid inside it. All solar water heating systems have a storage tank and circulation system. The water is heated in the solar panels and then stored in a storage tank that looks like the regular storage water heater tank. The solar tank is much better insulated and retains the heat better since it doesn't have a venting flue like the traditional tank.

In a direct solar system the water in the storage tank is then circulated through the panels to be heated when exposed to the sun and return to the tank again. This system can work without a pump or with a pump, depending on the system's design.

A temperature controlled mixing valve will then mix the water from the tank with fresh cold water to get the desired temperature that is set to. There are various safety components to control the pressure and temperature in the panels and the tank and prevent over heating of the components.

Combined with Tankless Water Heater

The tankless water heater's computer always measures the incoming fresh cold water temperature and adjusts its gas burner so the set hot water temperature can be achieved. The measurement of the outgoing heated water and the incoming water happens many hundred times a minute. The computer then regulates the gas supply to the burner and measures the burner's efficiency and regulates the oxygen for optimum combustion.

The incoming water to the tankless water heater can be of any temperature, almost. The computer can normally vary the combustion from approx. 5% to 100%. A simple example without consideration of water volume is if the hot water temperature is set to 120 deg. F and the incoming water temperature is at 60 deg. F the combustion would be set for 100%. If the incoming water temperature is 120 deg. F then the combustion is set to 0% and the burner would not be fired up. The tankless water heater is able to "pass through" the incoming water if it is approx. equal to its set hot water temperature but it CANNOT cool the water.

A solar water heating system can easily be used with a tankless water heater. It is one of the most economical ways of heating water. The outgoing heated water supply of a solar heating system can be the incoming water supply to the tankless water heater. Anytime the water is below the desired hot water temperature the tankless water heater would heat it to the set temperature and if already at that temperature it would simply "pass through" the hot water.

If such a system is designed and sized properly it can be run with a small tankless water heater that will act only as an auxiliary heater to the solar system provinding hot water in cloudy days and be very cost effective and energy saving.

Autor: Al A Sagafi

Al Sagafi is involved in Energy conservation and renewable energy production at companies at Just Tankless and Allied Solar for Photovoltaic Solar.

Added: February 5, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Build Windmill Power - Can I Get Off the Grid?

There is a lot of talk about "going green" lately, especially windmill power. This has raised a lot of questions about how to build wind power, such as, is it even really possible? The short answer is yes but getting off the power grid is not a walk in the park.

• Why Is Windmill Power So Great?

Windmill power is such a great energy source for the simple fact that wind is free. Notice that I said wind is free, not the creation of wind power. Creating windmill power will take some expense and some upkeep but can be quite lucrative eventually.

• What Don't They Tell Me About Windmill Power?

Nobody talks about the downside of harnessing the wind. The reality is that you can only harness so much of the power from the wind and it isn't very efficient. No windmill, no matter how well built can capture more than about 60% of the energy created from the wind. This is a physical law of nature that can't be broken. The speed and consistency of wind also cannot be controlled and thus will tremendously affect the production of energy. Last but not least, windmill power can be quite noisy and obtrusive looking in a residential neighborhood.

• Does That Mean I Shouldn't Consider A Residential Wind Turbine?

A single residential wind turbine or even a couple wind turbines will not necessarily get you off the power grid. It will likely cut your electricity bill down significantly but unless you live in an area that has high winds year round, you better stay plugged in. You will save money and do something great for the environment but completely disconnecting from the power grid is not likely for most people. Some advocates push a combination of solar panels and wind harnessing to get off the grid but that is a more in depth process. If you are new to the idea of wind power, be satisfied by lowering your bill and helping the planet.

Autor: Tanner Eisley

If you are tired of your local power bill, want to do something good for the environment and are looking to eventually get completely off the grid - Get accurate, up to date information on how to build wind power, residential wind turbines, homemade windmill power and all other aspects of wind power generators at http://www.buildwindmillpowergenerators.com

Added: February 3, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Magnets 4 Energy Review - Simple Energy Production Technologies

Have you ever looked at the soaring costs of energy and wondered if there was something you could do about it? Magnets 4 Energy puts the future of energy generation directly in your hands. This comprehensive kit will teach you how to build your own magnet powered generator that is powerful enough to run your whole house, yet doesn't cost a dime to operate. You can free yourself from the powerful energy companies and use your money on the things you want and need instead.

1. The Truth Behind Magnet Technology.

Magnets 4 Energy will show you that magnet technology is real, and it has been around for several years. The creator of this energy information kit was once employed by the Pentagon and he has seen government agencies and the military put magnetic energy creating technology to use several times. His guide explains why the government wants to keep this powerful technology out of the hands of consumers, even though it could have a substantial impact on the depletion of the Earth's natural resources.

2. You Can Create Your Own Power.

You will learn through the Magnets 4 Energy guide exactly how to build your own magnet powered generator. The guide includes details that teach you how to adjust your generator to get more power when you need it and less when you don't. It also explains how you can make sure that the power company reimburses you for the excess power that you generate. This guide really does put energy production directly into the hands of the consumer.

3. Plans Are Easy To Follow.

Even if you've never held a hammer, you will be able to build your generator using the simple instructions in Magnets 4 Energy. It includes lists of supplies and suggestions for places to buy them. It has diagrams and drawings that show you what your device should look like through all stages of building. The guide's easy to read, step by step details will give you the confidence to build your generator quickly and put it to use right away. Magnet power is the energy of the future, and Magnets 4 Energy is how you can achieve it.

Autor: Thomas K

Is Magnets 4 Energy a scam? Visit http://www.millionsreview.com/magnets-4-energy-review.html to read a FREE report and find out the truth about this Magnetic Generator before you order!

Added: February 2, 2010
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/