Unless you utilize the benefits of a swimming pool cover, chances are that your water bill is sky high from efforts to keep it filled.  Using environmentally friendly swimming pool covers and pumps can help you keep the water inside the pool and the chemicals out.  Here are just a few effective ways to keep the water in your pool, while keeping it warm and clean at the same time.

KEEPING IT UNDER WRAPS

Solar covers for your swimming pool are one of the most economical and environmentally friendly ways to keep the water inside the swimming pool from evaporating. These covers usually look like giant sheets of bubble wrap that essentially trap heat from the sun in their individual bubbles.  In addition to keeping the water warm and clean during the day, these covers also prevent dramatic water loss.
A solar swimming pool cover is a very time-saving way to preserve everything about the water in your pool.  They do not need to be tied down or held down with weights; they can be neatly rolled or folded up when the pool is in use; and they reduce cleaning time involved with the pool, too, by reducing the dirt and debris that gets into the water.

A BIG GREEN THUMBS UP

These covers conserve the environment beautifully, as well.  They can help reduce chemical additions to the pool water by as much as sixty percent; in addition, they reduce the amount of water needed to keep a pool constantly ready for use.  A solar swimming pool cover is an excellent option for individuals seeking for an earth-friendly way to preserve their swimming pool water.
Another eco-conscious option for keeping your swimming pool warm and clean is to use a solar powered pump.  These pumps, while a little more expensive than their cover counterparts, can dramatically increase the utility of your pool as well.  There are several benefits to using a solar pool pump over a solar cover.

PUMPS HAVE THEIR PLACE

First, a solar pump in your pool will automatically heat your pool while providing a host of other benefits.  This translates to less cost for you in the long run.  Instead of running a pump constantly or wondering whether the pool is warm enough to use or not, you can simply run the pump for a short period before you need to use the pool.  In addition to warming the pool, a pump will also help you by filtering the pool water whenever the pump is used.  Generally, the filter on the pump will take out the dirt, debris, leaves, and such before sending the water into the heater to be heated.  This means that you will have clean, warm water whenever you need it.  If you do decide to go with a pump, get a small pump with a high efficiency rating (that you will therefore need to run less often) for better energy conservation.  This tip will also help with money conservation, as well as environmental.

TO RECAP…

Swimming pools can be a challenge to maintain.  With solar covers and solar-powered pumps, however, you can be confident that by harnessing the sun’s power, you are helping conserve energy and conserve money at the same time.  These swimming pool covers are ideal for anyone wishing to maintain a healthy, warm, and clean pool for use during the swimming season, while at the same time minimalising the negative impact that your pool has on the environment.

This is a guest post from Poolstore – providers of swimming pools, swimming pool covers and pool accessories. For more information on swimming pool covers, maintenance or accessories, you can visit the Poolstore Swimming Pool Covers page.

Solar energy has been taking off and gaining a momentum across every one of Australia’s states recently as the wet season draws to a close and the winter approaches. The reason for the monumental growth is partly down to new technology in solar panelling that has in turn led to a lowering in cost for its implementation. Some of Australia’s biggest housing development teams have even started to build homes with installation of solar panelling in mind. The new technology surrounding the solar panelling involves German inventiveness and Australian marketing and is said to revolutionise the concept of how Australian households are to be built and improved upon.

One Melbourne-based company has already patented the idea of the solar window glass. Solar 3000 say the panels are made of extremely high strength materials and come in the form of intensely durable matter. The solar panels come in the form of several different colours and numerous styles. It can be fixed onto existing windows and as part of your roofing too.

Australian Government Rebates for Solar
Australia has for several years been slow to take up photovoltaic power. This comes despite the nation’s warm and sunny climate. It is this very combination of dry, arid air and a global position that gives around 300 days of sunshine per year that makes Australia such a potential target for solar panelling and solar energy production. Up until the winter of 2009 the Australian government had issued rebates for householders to install solar power windows in the household but this was phased out by the government and now a series of solar program credits has taken its place.

One of the key reasons for the sudden uptake in solar panelling in Australia is the cost to the householder has come down. Australians may think that the new technology comes at an exorbitant price but it is actually cheaper than fitting double glazing throughout your home. The uptake on solar panelling is spreading beyond the Australian home improvement sector and into factories, offices, hospitals and schools. Schools are eligible to make an appeal for a grant totalling $50,000 in a voucher scheme.

Julia Gillard
The Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard ahs promised to continue the program called Solar Flagships. This drive from the government has already set aside $1.6 billion dollars just for solar power alone. Starting this winter the government funds will go towards the building of four solar plants which will be producing coal-plant scale energy.

This Author owns a home improvement company in Brisbane Australia. As well as offering roofing and solar installation they do gutters, carports, decks, patios and renovations. If you are looking for a quality Builder in Brisbane you can ask qhi.net.au for a free quote

When it comes to considering the use of solar power, either domestically, commercially or industrially, there are many advantages which come with it over using other non-renewable energy sources like oil and gas. Solar energy is not harmful to the environment and is unlimited (as far as our lifetimes and many generations to follow are concerned). However there are two sides to every story and we are going to take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of putting solar power into your premises.

Disadvantage – The cost of installing solar panels is quite high.

Advantage – Many governments now offer schemes which mean you can get your solar panels for free or even at reduced rates. You can also benefit from schemes which allow you to sell the power you generate back to the electricity board.

Advantage – Installing solar panels on top of your home or commercial property will increase the actual value of the property.

Disadvantage – Being solar powered solar panels won’t be able to harness power during non-daylight hours, and the amount of energy they can harness on cloudy days or during storms will be reduced, meaning you will still have to rely on other sources of power in any normal home or office.

Advantage – Solar panels make no noise at all whereas the factories and machines used to generate electricity for your home are big, noisy and very environmentally unfriendly.

Advantage – Solar panels require very little maintenance and will last for many years before they need repairing or replacing. This is because there are no moving parts inside a solar cell and they therefore only really require a clean once a year.

Advantage – The carbon emissions which come from solar panels is zero, absolutely nothing. The only pollution created as a result of solar would be the manufacturing of the panels and transportation of them to your home; which is more than offset by their lifetime value.

Advantage – The solar industry is innovating all the time. As non-renewable energy sources decline our understanding of solar will and solar panel efficiency will increase at the same time as the price of solar coming down to accommodate these changes.

It’s obviously clear that solar panels offer far more advantages than disadvantages over utilising only oil or gas power. If you have the cash to pay with upfront, and are prepared to see out the long term benefits of them then they will be sure to be a very wise purchase.

Evergreen PV supply wholesale solar panels, specialising in Samil Power Inverters, regarded as one of the best inverters in the solar industry!

When it comes to the decision of whether or not you should outfit your home with solar power, there are several things you’ll need to think about before getting started. Questions like how many panels will it take to power my home? How much will it cost? What will I need to do before I can get panels up on my roof? How will my climate affect my decision to install solar panels on my home?

First things first, go through your home and evaluate your energy usage. What is the size of your house? How much energy do you consume? Think of energy as water, electricity and gas. Look at your monthly bills to calculate a total number, than deduct things that don’t use power to operate. When you’ve tallied this number, look to see if there are any ways you can decrease it.

Can you switch to Energy Star appliances? Use less wattage lightbulbs? Turn down your thermostat? Or maybe, caulk your windows and doors to seal the temperature of your home.

Once you’ve evaluated your energy consumption, meet with your local solar power contractor. Many homes need upwards of 65 solar panels to power the amount of energy that they use in a single year. While that may not be cost effective on the onset, over time it can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in energy bills.

Still, your house may not be big enough for 65 solar panels. And if it is you’ll need to make sure your roof is strong enough to hold the heavy panels. Since most homes are not large enough for 65 individual panels, you’ll have to decide what is the best combination of solar and electrical power. But don’t forget, depending on your climate you may get even less electricity through solar power just because of cloud cover.

Factor in how many sunny days you will need to reach your optimal power goal, and then look at the Farmer’s Almanac for the past 10 years. Will you get enough power back from your solar panels to make it a worthwhile investment? Chances are if you live in sunny California, this is a great decision, but eastern Washington? Maybe not.

Meet with a professional certified solar-panel expert to determine which side of the roof to place the panels, where they will best fit and what any additional steps you made need to make before they can install your panels will be.

Remember, solar technology has come a long ways in the past 20 years. You don’t have to worry that they will break down or rust. And more importantly, it’s a great way to reduce your footprint while making your home more valuable later on, if you decide to sell.

Avery Lane is a freelance writer from Portland, Oregon. She writes about a wide variety of home improvement topics, including in areas like roofing prices and split air conditioner prices.

Image by: Chris Waits

When you think about it, it’s not hard to see why there have been so many Sun Gods throughout history.

The sun is probably the single most important thing in existence.

We need Vitamin D to be healthy and we need oxygen to breathe, but without sunlight we wouldn’t get either of these things.

In physics, there are countless different variables but the speed of light is the one constant.  Without light to measure all else against, we wouldn’t have modern physics.

And time seems like a pretty constant, concrete thing, right? But if we didn’t understand light travel in physics and if we didn’t have the natural rhythms of sunrise and sunset, there wouldn’t be time either.

Time itself was created through our relation to natural light.

Light waves also create colours in the world, and light gives us sight.

At times it seems like deifying the sun it is the only sensible way to understand such a natural force in the world.

These are some of my favourite Sun gods and myths:

1. Horus: Eyes as suns?

Horus is one of the oldest deities of Ancient Egypt and was said to be God of the sky; the sun and the moon were his eyes, the sun his right and the moon his left.

Horus was imagined as an almighty celestial falcon – not only were the sun and the moon his eyes, his speckled feathers were the stars and his wings created wind.

But why should one of his eyes (the sun) be so much brighter than the other (the moon)?

Legend has it that Horus had endured a fierce battle and had his left eye gouged out – so this is why the moon gives out much weaker light than the sun.

The Eye of Horus subsequently stood as an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection and a symbol of it can be found in all kinds of artwork there.

2. RA: How many times can one God die?

Ra became a major deity in ancient Egypt around the time of the 5th Dynasty.

Ra travelled on two solar boats called the Mandjet meaning ‘the Boat of Millions of Years’ and the Mesektet, ‘evening boat’. On these boats, he travelled through the sky and the underworld accompanied by other deities like Sia, the God of perception, and Hu, the God of command.

Every night during these journeys, a massive serpent named Apophis would prevent Ra’s sunboat from its journey by eating it up or preventing its movement by hypnotically staring at it.

So at the end of each day, Ra would die.

But then his voyage on the Night boat would begin, carrying him through the underworld through the night until he was born again the next dawn.

Sounds exhausting.

3. The Jade Emperor and the family of suns

In Chinese mythology, there were in fact originally ten suns in the sky and they were all brothers.

The brothers were supposed to come out simultaneously as instructed by the Jade emperor but these little suns were mischievous and liked to mess around; they all decided to play out in the sky together at once.

It got too hot for anything to live and nothing could grow.

But then along came hero boy Hou Yi who shot down nine of them with a bow and arrow to save all on earth.

But he was only asked to frighten the naughty little sons by their father Dijun, God of the Eastern Heaven; had he got carried away and killed them all, the world would have been left in complete darkness.

Thank God (literally) Emperor Yao stopped him in time.

4. The dog who caused the solar eclipse

In another Chinese myth, there was a magical dog who took a bite out of the sun in around 2,160 BCE.

When he was busy munching away on the sun, (or sometimes the moon during the Lunar eclipse, greedy dog, people would have to shout and cause a racket to chase him away.

Do you imagine a dog biting away at our sun each time there’s an eclipse? Or maybe you’ve heard some other great myths to rival these ones.

Please share!

Amalia Dempsey writes for Luma Lighting, UK supplier of all things lighting: Wall lights, interior lights and outdoor floodlights, the list goes on. She also likes summer and the sun: What better way to celebrate the arrival of Spring than to explore the various Sun myths through time?

Investing in solar panels is a big decision. The time, money and energy it takes to research, buy and install a solar power system can be a daunting task. However, the payoff from this investment include lower energy bills and a reduced ecological footprint. In the long run, the money saved on power bills is well worth the initial start up fees. The first step in getting solar power hooked up to your home is to decide what solar modules you want to use.

Installing solar panels on the roof of your home is an easy way to plug into the alternative energy grid, generate your own power and have less of an impact on the environment. If you are the handy type, you may have luck installing solar panels on your own. You’ll need to know a certain amount about electricity, solar power and installing expensive equipment on your roof. If you want solar power but don’t have the time, desire or know how to put the panels in yourself, a local contractor will be able to help you.

Solar panels are technically referred to as photovoltaic modules, where “photo” means “light” and “voltaic” refers to voltage or generated power. Most consumer level solar panels are, to be specific, crystalline photovoltaic modules but each brand of this type solar panel has pros and cons. The choice that is right for you depends on your budget, your location and your level on interest in the technology itself.
Before we take a look at solar panel brands, know that the average solar panel efficiency rate is between 12 and 14%. To get the most bang for your buck, look for solar panels that have an efficiency rating above this average.

For the hands down best solar panel, look through the options SunPower has to offer. This brand offers the best efficiency rates (up to 17%!) for solar panels. This efficiency rating means you get the most volts out of the sunlight each panel absorbs. SunPower also offers products that blend seamlessly with your roof so your alternative energy source doesn’t become an eyesore. To get a SunPower system installed, however, you have to work with a local dealer that has been qualified by SunPower. This makes it impossible for you to do the work yourself, but the efficiency of the product may well be worth the cost of professional installation.

Another solar panel option with notably high efficiency levels comes from the brand Kyocera, a Japanese company that has grown to be a multinational company over the past 60 years. The KD Series from Kyocera offers both high quality and high efficiency solar panels (not far behind SunPower at 16%) at an affordable price. In fact, the regular prices on Kyocera products end up being 10% cheaper than other types of solar panels. Plus, they offer a 20 year warranty so your investment is safe for two decades.

These are just two of the many solar panel brands out there to choose from. Keep in my efficiency levels when considering products and don’t forget to compare the time and effort to do the job yourself against the price of hiring a contractor.

With the rising electricity prices, thousands of Australians are making the switch to solar power. Solar Market gives you straightforward, honest advice to help educate you on the benefits of taking up solar energy. They’ll even send you 3 free quotes from solar installers today!

We all love the sun, but now there’s a reason to love it even more, it’s called solar energy and it’s a quiet revolution which is slowly taking the UK by storm. With every sunrise and sunset more and more people are becoming turned on to the economic and financial benefits of clean and green energy. The Government wants us to go solar, the earth wants us to go solar, and if you haven’t yet made the switch but are seriously considering it, allow us to convince you by explaining exactly how solar energy, in particular, how photovoltaic solar panels work.

What are Photovoltaic Solar Panels?

In a nutshell photovoltaic solar panels convert sunlight into electricity. How does it happen? Simple! A photovoltaic solar panel consists of a number of Photovoltaic (PV) cells (usually 40 in number) which together form solar modules. These cells are made from layers of semi-conducting material such as silicon.

Light is absorbed greedily by these cells before it is converted into the electricity needed to make your washing machines spin, your televisions tick, your kettles boil and power a thousand and one other things the modern household relies on electricity for.
The amount of electricity generated by photovoltaic panels is dependent on the size of your solar system and the strength of the sunshine. With this in mind, it is always wise to have your solar panels installed in a strategic position to fully take advantage and capitalise on the power of the sun’s rays.

What Happens When The Sun Doesn’t Shine?

It is a common misapprehension that solar power only works when the sun is shining. It doesn’t. PV solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work. Even on cloudy days they are capable of generating electricity. And what is more, solar panels can provide electricity around the clock because any surplus energy they generate, can be collected and stored in batteries.

Do Photovoltaic Solar Panels Need Regular Maintenance?

Quite simply, no! Little maintenance is required when it comes to solar PV panels. You just need to keep your panels relatively clean and make sure they are not overshadowed by any trees. The panels themselves should last at least 25 years.

How Much will it Cost?

UK Prime Minister David Cameron has called his Government the most environmentally aware in history. He’s backed this up with a wide range of grants and incentives, such as the Feed-in-Tarrif scheme which take the sting out of any upfront installation costs people wishing to go solar have to make. Such incentives offer real relief from energy prices, and as an extra bonus,
solar installation adds to the overall price of your house. So it really is a win, win situation.

How Popular are Photovoltaic Solar Panels?

Solar photovoltaic systems have become hugely popular in recent years and it is an ongoing trend. Both residential and businesses are beginning to see light and make the switch to solar.

It is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and the only viable solution to any potential energy crisis. There’s never been a better time than right now! So make the switch and go solar today.

Solar Contact provide up-to-date information on solar energy including solar panel technology, solar panel suppliers and installers based in the UK.

With the depletion of the Earth’s natural gas and oil reserves and the growing concern over air pollution, more and more homeowners are searching for an eco friendly way to heat their homes and help reduce their individual carbon footprints. Air Source Heat Pumps offer a way for homeowners in milder climates to heat and cool their homes without relying on natural gas and the pollution it causes.

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps, or ASHPs, is a pump that uses outdoor air as a source for heating and cooling the inside of a building. ASHPs can even be used to heat water up to about 175 degrees Fahrenheit, or 80 degrees Celsius.

Clean Energy

One advantage of using an air source heat pump is the clean energy it provides. This type of heating uses less electricity than typical electric home heaters, using the electric power source to pull in heat from outdoors. Homeowners living in areas where utility companies offer wind powered electricity can benefit from using eco friendly energy for their electricity as well.

Home Temperatures

ASHP units are generally used in homes where winters are milder because this type of heating becomes less efficient at temperatures below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, and can even frost up at temperatures between 32 and 41 degrees. There are air source heat pumps that are designed for colder climates which can provide heat up to -20 degrees Fahrenheit for individuals looking for a more eco friendly option where winters are more severe.

Another solution for homeowners living areas with more severe winters is to have a supplemental heating source and turn off the ASHP when the temperature outside drops too low for the air source heat pump to work efficiently.

Minimal Maintenaince

ASHP units are fairly simple to maintain, and require homeowners essentially to keep the outdoor heat exchanger and fan clean, brushing away leaves and other outdoor debris that can accumulate. It is also a good idea to have a heating technician inspect air source heat pumps on a routine basis to make sure the unit is working efficiently.

In a world where natural gas and oil resources are being depleted and home heating costs are becoming more and more expensive, finding alternative energy resources is more important than ever. Air source heat pumps are one way for individual homeowners to help reduce pollution and energy consumption without sacrificing the comfort of a warm home, while keeping utility bills lower.

Written in association with Geothermal International

Buying solar panels can help the environment and help your pocket book because you get cheap electricity and can resell the electricity back to your grid. Also, the initial investment for buying solar panels might not be very high if your local government helps you pay for it.

However, solar panels are not just something you go out and buy. Though almost anybody can have them and save money, there are three things you need to do before you install solar panels.

Make sure your roof is suitable

Whoever installs your solar panels for you will know their way around a roof (many solar panel installers are also roofers) but you should still make sure your roof is in good shape. Consider asking a roofing company to audit your roof, or at the very least if you know that your installers are also roofers, ask them to check it out to make sure it is safe and can handle the extra weight.

Make sure your climate is good for solar panels

You don’t need to live in Arizona or California to buy solar panels. In fact, Germany is roughly as cloudy as Seattle, but they are successfully utilizing solar. Last year alone, they installed 7,400 MW of new solar PV. Right now, it accounts for around 2% of their electricity. However, though someone living in Seattle can probably put solar panels on their roof, it’s not ideal for people living above the Arctic Circle where the Sun does not rise for months. If you are still unsure, you can get a light survey meter and see if your area is suitable for solar power.

Check your credit score so that you can get a good deal

Go online to get a free credit check so that you can see your credit report. A credit report shows your credit score, which lenders will consider if you take out a loan to buy solar panels, which you may or may not have to do depending on how big your roof is. This is actually good advice for before any significant loan, such as a car loan.

About the author: Murray Newlands and his company Influence People do blogger outreach for a variety of clients.

For the most part, you probably figure that as long as there is a roof over your head, it does not matter what kind of roof it is. This tends to be a sentiment for most. However, it isn’t so much the construction of the roof that is a worry. After all, most roofs are still built with wood beam frames and plywood sheets. What matters is the exterior surface that comes in contact with the sun and its damaging ultraviolet rays. What this exterior surface is made of can determine your roofs energy efficiency, lifespan and safety.

Out with the Old

Traditional roofing has either been tarring, shingles or combination of these materials. History has shown that tarring and shingles do not represent the most cost effective and energy efficient solution.

Tar

Tar is black, absorbs the sun’s rays and converts the energy into heat. Add to this that tar needs to be constantly resurfaced and doesn’t provide very good insulation.

Shingles

They provide exceptional aesthetic value, and they are durable; however, they conduct heat and can be heavy for roofs.

In with the New

New technologies have been introduced to the roofing market: single ply roofing systems. They are proving to be a durable, energy efficient and cost effective alternative. Companies that offer these single ply systems have formulated proprietary manufacturing techniques that produce an exceptionally durable single ply membrane. These manufacturing techniques use a combination of plastics and PVC construction, creating an ultra durable and impenetrable PVC roofing membrane.  In fact, the durability is so great that they provide the same impenetrable surface years after the competing technologies need reapplication. In terms of energy savings and efficiency, the single ply roofs are huge cost savers, because manufactures of these systems understand the benefit of a high solar reflectance index (SRI).

“What is solar reflectance index?” you may ask. Well, it’s a term used to measure the reflectivity and ability of your roof to reject solar radiation. This is important because, when solar energy (light) hits an object, it quickly converts into heat energy. However, energy efficient single ply roofs are designed to have SRI levels approaching 90 percent, even after several years of use.

What’s Best for You

So, next time you see yourself spending too much money in the summer to cool down the space under your roof, consider the energy efficiency of single ply roofing solutions and how they can benefit you.

Amanda is an avid writer. She highly enjoys writing about energy. If you’d like more information regarding what is solar reflectance index, please visit duro-last.com