Handmade energy may get slapped in the face, or so it seems of some Energy Star appliances may.

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:03:00 +0000

Handmade energy may get slapped in the face, or so it seems of some Energy Star appliances may. Amongst a stagnant economy, sluggish sales, and rising energy costs, green-oriented solutions have been marketed as a win-win scenario: manufacturers will see increased sales of their money saving, energy efficient products that consumers will purchase because the costs of purchase are dulled by the promise of savings using the appliance, plus the added government funded stimulus credit to offset the price. If all this is true, as the federal government prepares to allocate funding to states to enact this program, why then the backlash now? The truth, it seems, may not be all that true.

The auditing arm of the Energy Department is concerned that several “green” manufacturers may be cashing in on this incentive laden opportune time by falsely applying Energy Star ratings upon non-compliant appliances. The Energy Star label lends two vital selling points to the consumer: trust and savings. Unlike the light bulb and window manufacturing industries – who must receive approval of an independent auditor before placing the Energy Star emblem on their product – who will guard these guardsmen when manufacturers of major appliances (washing machines, refrigerators, dishwashers) police themselves to ensure compliance while permitted to self-endorse themselves? It is this similar type of setting that led to scandal and financial ruin when greedy Wall Street corporations sold empty promises to an unsuspecting public. The outcry for 3rd party, independent auditing and accountability has been a battle cry since. The government can not afford to lose the faith of its citizens by not taking a stronger stance on installing legitimacy of the Energy Star that it blindly endorses.

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Handmade Energy: Can it Work for You?

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:03:00 +0000

With the cost of energy rapidly on the rise, many people are wondering if it’s possible to find an alternative, homemade source of electrical power. The answer is yes. With a few simple household items and a single trip to your local hardware store, it is indeed possible to save money on your electrical bills by constructing your own solar powered cells. The most important item is the sheets that will be used for the panels themselves. For this, you’ll need to purchase large sheets of copper, so if you can find a local source for these, you can start your project. There are a variety of guides available online that detail the process to convert a standard piece of copper into a solar receptor using a household stove. While these panels won’t be capable of powering your entire house, they can be a fun project to construct in order to power outdoor lighting, or even illuminate that old pitch black shed in the backyard.

It is possible to use either a conventional rechargeable battery cell, but some innovative folks have designed and built their own cells as well, using nothing more than household items, such as a table salt, tap water, and a plastic jug. Don’t expect to power your A/C in the middle of summer from these homemade devices, but you can help do your part by moving towards alternative energy sources with a fun weekend project.

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Technorati Tags: alternative energy, build your own energy, handmade energy, handmade solar energy, save money on your electric bills, solar energy

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Handmade energy may get slapped in the face, or so it seems of some Energy Star appliances may.

Handmade Energy: Can it Work for You?