Smart Energy Tips

It has become a very common reality for the majority of household owners to spend huge amounts of money on monthly utilities. Most of the time, the most expensive things we all have to pay for are related to heating and cooling the house, but, however, the use of home appliances can also make a difference in the overall cost of living for a common family.

In order to prevent spending unnecessary amounts of money, for a quality of life that we can obtain cheaper, it is always good to keep in mind a series of simple energy saving techniques, which eventually are going to make a consistent difference in the overall utility cost. These techniques or tips can be easily put into practice and moreover, they can be adapted to the necessities of each household, in order to maximize the percentage of energy saved.

Thus, the living room, for example, can be heated during the warm season by simply keeping the shades on the south-facing windows open during the day and closed during the night, instead of using artificial form of heating. In addition, to avoid undesired chilling of the room, make sure the fireplace damper is closed, when the fire is not burning. Moreover, if you never use your fireplace, it is recommended to plug and seal the chimney flue.

As far as the kitchen energy tips go, it is advisable to keep the preheating time of the oven to a minimum and try to open the oven door as few times as possible, because you actually loose heat with every single opening. When cooking, make sure you cover the pots and pans with lids, so that you keep the temperature high and reduce cooking time.

Thinking about minor details, such as switching off the light when you go out of a room and saving water when you brush your teeth, will eventually result into an important difference, as far as the amount of money you have to spend on your utilities bills.

Making Biodiesel at Home

By : Joseph Then

It is easy to make your own fuel at home. You need a few simple supplies, all of which are readily available at your hardware stores. Gather up 1 liter of vegetable oil, antifreeze, and lye. The equipment you need to make this clean burning fuel is a blender, scales, a few plastic containers, funnels, and empty water bottles, duct tape, and a thermometer.
Make sure that all of the equipment you plan to use if cleaned and thoroughly dried.

All equipment should be clean and dry and you should make sure that you are careful as you handle the ingredients. Start by measuring out 200 ml of antifreeze and placing it in a half liter plastic container through a funnel. Quickly mix in the lye. Lye absorbs water rapidly, so when you mix it with the antifreeze, work fast. If you work too slowly, it will absorb water from the air and that can interfere with the biodiesel reaction. You can mix the two ingredients by covering the container and shaking the contents rapidly until it starts to react by getting warm. The lye will rapidly dissolve into the antifreeze, foaming up as sodium methoxide. As soon as the sodium methoxide is clear with no particles floating in it, it is ready for the next step.

Using a blender, (one you don't plan to use for food preparation) mix the vegetable oil that has been heated to 130 degrees Fahrenheit with the sodium methoxide. Make sure that the cover is on tightly and blend the mixture on a low speed for twenty minutes.

As soon as you are done processing the mixture, remove it from the blender. Using a funnel, pour it into an empty, 2 liter water or soda bottle and cap tightly. Allow the contents to settle for at least 8 hours.

As the product settles, a dark colored layer will form at the bottom of the bottle with a distinct line of separation from the pale liquid at the top of the bottle. The dark layer is glycerin, and the top layer is biodiesel. Carefully remove the biodiesel to a glass jar or clean water bottle.

Prepare two wash bottles by piercing a small hole in the corner of two cleaned water bottles and covering the holes with duct tape. Pour the biodiesel into one of the wash bottles and add a half liter of fresh water. Screw the cap on tightly. Turn the bottle on its side and roll it about with your hands until oil and water are well mixed and homogenous. Drain the water from the biodiesel by removing the duct tape and letting it drain out. Make sure that when the water has drained out, you block the hole so that the biodiesel remains.

Once the biodiesel is clear, the process is complete and it is ready to use. It can take up tot a week for the biodiesel to clear and ready to use.

What is Biodiesel?

By : Joseph Then
Biodiesel is the fuel of the future, available today. This clean burning fuel alternative is produced from domestic resources, such as soybeans, that are entirely renewable. While biodiesel contains no petroleum, it can be mixed with petroleum to create a powerful biodiesel blend. However, biodiesel can be used in diesel engines without any modifications, making it the best biodegradable, nontoxic form of fuel available. In fact it is so safe, that common table salt has been found to be more toxic that biodiesel.

Unlike the usual vegetable oil based fuels that can only be used in modified, specially made combustion- ignition engines, biodiesel can be used in its simplest form to power the everyday diesel engines on the market today. Imagine companies shipping their products in big rigs run on boidiesel and farmers running their equipment on this biodegradable product.

Biodiesel is made through the simple chemical process of transesterification. During this process, the glycerin is removed from fat or vegetable oil. The process naturally leaves behind byproducts, including methyl esters, which is the chemical name for biodiesel, and glycerin, commonly used in soap production. The best part about biodiesel is that it is free of sulfur and aromatics, something that can't be said about traditional fuels.

Biodiesel isn't even like the other alternative fuels that are available today. It is the only alternative fuel that has completely passed all of the health effects testing requirements of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. That means that Biodiesel is legally registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a legal fuel for sale and distribution. The companies that produce other vegetable oil fuel alternatives can't sell their products as legal motor fuel, because they can't meet the fuel specifications that are necessary for registration with the EPA.

Biodiesel is much better for the environment than traditional fossil fuels. Biodiesel is made from renewable resources making it a wise fuel choice, ensuring the protection of our environment for future generations. It also has significantly lower emissions compared to the petroleum diesel most people put in their vehicles.

Biodiesel is also better for the economy because it is made in the USA from resources readily available within the countries own borders. When biodiesel is produced from USA grown products, such as soy beans, it lessons the countries dependence on foreign oil and reinvests American money back into the American economy.

This innovative fuel is becoming more widely available. It can be found nationwide at a few select places or purchased directly from producers and marketers. It is a bit more expensive than traditional fuels, but as the demand for safe, biodegradable fuel alternatives increases, the price of biodiesel should rapidly fall. The cheapest way to acquire biodiesel is to make it yourself at home.

Author Resource:- Get more information about BioDiesel and learn how you can make your very own BioDiesel fuel at Making BioDiesel www.biodieselathome.net

Beating the High Price of Gasoline with Biodiesel

By : Joseph Then

With the price of traditional fuel rising faster everyday, people everywhere are looking for alternatives. Electric cars were once touted as the way to save the environment and beat the cost of gasoline, but they are so expensive that very few people can afford to save money by purchasing one.

Alternative fuels have long been discussed as a way to cut fuel prices and help the environment, but with the specialized engines they require, and their inability to pass the regulation tests required by the EPA, they have been a disappointment. The more solutions that are offered to the problem of high fuel costs and dangerous emissions, the further it seems we are from a solution...until now.

There is a fuel alternative that is all that it has promised to be and more. Biodiesel is not only cost effective it is environmentally friendly, as well. Biodiesel is completely biodegradable and made from renewable resources. That means that when you use biodiesel to power the engine of your car you aren't robbing the earth of the riches meant for your grandchildren to enjoy.

Unlike the previous vegetable oil based fuels that can only be used in modified, specially made combustion- ignition engines, biodiesel can be used in its basic form to power the everyday diesel engines on the market today. That means that a simple to make batch of biodiesel could be used to power the family car on its daily errands.

Biodiesel is registered with the EPA as a legal motor fuel meaning that it can be sold and distributed just like the gasoline you pump into your car at the gas station. Unlike traditional gasoline, biodiesel isn't as widely available for the average consumer. It can be purchased directly from distributors and manufactures and it is sold a few select stations around the country. If you are interested in trying biodiesel in your car, your best chance of finding it is to make it yourself.

The process is surprisingly easy and the ingredients are readily available. By simply mixing lye, alcohol, and vegetable oil in the right amounts, you can great biodiesel. This economical alternative fuel is made through the simple chemical process of transesterification. During this process, the glycerin is removed from fat or vegetable oil. The process naturally leaves behind byproducts, including methyl esters, which is the chemical name for biodiesel, and glycerin, commonly used in soap production. Biodiesel is completely free of sulfur and aromatics, something that can't be said about traditional fuels.

Batches of biodiesel can be mixed up in small or large sizes and if done effectively will end up costing about seventy cents a gallon.

Making Bio Diesel

By : Daniel Roshard

Bio diesel is not a new concept it has been around for quite some time, it is largely the idea of using oils such as vegetable oil and canola to power a diesel vehicle. This is not really a strange concept since the first diesel engine was not made to run on our modern day fossil fuels, but instead was run on peanut oil.

Diesel motors do not require the same refined process that is used with modern cars, this in mind diesel engines are not designed for smooth high powered running either, they are more like the draft horse of engines, and will generally last a lot longer than a normal car motor.

Many people who make bio diesel themselves use either used cooking oils or grow crops of canola, and crush it to get oil. Ideally if you have the acreage to grow a crop of canola this is the best method as you are getting clean oil to begin making bio diesel so no time will be wanted in the process of cleaning it. Although used oil from fish and chip shops is just as effective provided that you clean and drain it properly the end result is just as good.

There are many different methods available for making Bio Diesel, A simple one that I have found uses the following ingredients: used cooking oil, Methanol, Sodium Hydroxide. Please note that this procedure is risky and I do not recommend making biodiesel without further research of the process, these are just general guidelines of the making process, if you wish to actually make your own bio diesel please consult expert companies or professionals.

Note that the oil must be heated and drained twice to ensure that you have got all of the muck out of it, if you don't take the time to do this you will block up your fuel filters. It is advisable to begin with a test batch of bio diesel, this is easily done by using kitchen scales and a blender, with a ratio of 6 grams of sodium Methoxide to 1 liter of cooking oil. This measurement is only a guide that is why you do a test batch, to find out the exact calculation that will be required to make a larger batch.

Heat the oil, add the Methoxide solution and mix this in the blender, and let the mixture stand to settle. If the test batch is successful you will see that the glycerin has sunk to the bottom of the mix once settled, Glycerine looks black, and sinks to the bottom of the blender, but the bio diesel will be an amberish color and will float to the top. This means you have separated the mixture and changed the molecular structure of the oil, it can never revert back to its original status again.

Once you have your calculations correct you can start mixing bigger batches, You will then need to make up a plant for handling larger amounts of oil. There are blue prints of designs all over the internet, they vary in design, just as much as the recipe for bio diesel does! Find one that you feel is easy to make and understand.

On a final note, be sure that you always test the oil first as once you have began the process you cant change your formula. So take care to make sure that all of your calculations are correct before trying to make larger batches. When working with Methanol and Sodium Hydroxide be very careful to take safety precautions to protect yourself from burns, or injury.

The Future of Alternative Energy for Cars

By : Mike Batta

During the old hot rodding days,oil was king. It was also only about 25 cents a gallon, and everyone thought there was an endless supply. Then we were hit with the oil shock of the seventies, and we realized that there was not an endless supply of oil (only of lines at the gas tanks) and we had to change our ways. Big, gas guzzling cars had to give way to economy models,and many of the traditional car companies suffered. But continued hish oil usage still threatens the supply.

This fact has forced the world to look at alternative sources of energy to fuel our vehicles. What knd of alternatives are suitable to running cars? Let's have a look at the facts.

There are many forms of alternative energy, primarily from the forces of the earth: water (tidal or hydroelectric), air,waste (biomass), the sun and the earth itself. But currently, we only meet 10% of our energy needs through these alternative natural sources. Coal, gas and nuclear fuel supplies 88% of our needs, and oil 2% For vehicles, however, oil is by far the biggest source of power. Diesel and gas oils powers most of the cars, trucks and SuVs on the roads today. Biodiesel fuel such as vegetable oil, methanol and ethanol are starting to be used in some buses. Using the same logic, we should be able to make our cars into mini-windmills or mini solar panels. But this use is limited and we nee to find a longer-range solution.

What does the future hold?

Using alternative energy directly in cars is not practical. What' the solution, if not windmills and solar panels? Hydogen as a source of fuel for vehicles has proven to be the most viable. Many hydrogen powerd vehicles exist today, and more are being developed.

How do we involve alternative energy more in our lives? Hydrogen as a source of power is extracted form a number of different natural resources, such as water, biomass, coal and methane. The best source is water and many cars today are being run on fuel cells that extract hydrogen from water.

There are many processes to extract hydrogen molecules. But, in general, all of these processes require electricity tofunction. As the world's population grows, the demand for power and energy grows with it. That will help the popularity of hydrogen power, but this type of alternative power will eventually be replaced by other, more efficient types of alternative energy.

So the quest for other, better energy sources for our vehicles will continue. We may see the day when an extremely powerful solar cell or roof mounted turbine will power a car for miles.

For now, the present problem of finding alternative energy solutions to power our vehicles continues. The task is large, but it is certainly is achievable.

Types of Vehicle Fuels

By : Mitch Johnson

Are you aware of the different types of alternate fuels, which can run your car? Check the names of the different fuels for your car.

With the high demands for gas, the prices of gas are rising very week. So to keep a good track of the current price you can use a software to keep you updated about the latest market prices in the country. These are the advice, tips and information that we provides to help you save your gas money. It all depend now on you how you use them for your benefits and starts saving your money.

Here is a listing of the types of alternate fuels that are available depending on what type of vehicle that you drive. Researching these different fuel types might give you the incentive to drive a vehicle that uses a lower priced fuel so that you can save money on your transportation costs.

- Biodiesel
- Ethanol
- Battery-electric and hybrid vehicles
- Fuel cells and hydrogen
- Natural gas
- Propane

Current gas prices at time of December 8th, 2004. You can purchase software that will give you a daily reading of what the price of gas is in the area in which you live.

Much emphasis has been placed on finding the lowest prices of gas in your local area. When you pay attention to how much you are paying for your gasoline instead of just stopping at the first convenient gas station you can be assured that you are taking some control for saving money at the gas pump.

Keep a log of gas prices for a few weeks and you may find that you see a pattern emerging. Many gas stations raise the cost of gas on weekends when people are traveling or when they are home with their families and making more trips on a per day basis.

If you see this pattern emerging in the cost of gas prices you will be able to take advantage of the lower prices that gas stations have during the week. Make sure that you purchase your gas before the weekend so that you can avoid those high costs.

Make sure that you check out the website for current information of daily gas prices . Prices are in US dollars per gallon.

After reading through this article you should have all the advice, tips, and information that you need to start saving money at the gas pumps today.

Start by slowly implementing one or two of the money saving tips and before long you will start to see a sizeable difference in the amount of money that you spend each week buying gas for your vehicle. By the end of one year you will have saved yourself from USD 100 to USD 500 just by following the suggestions in this article.

Keep track of all your auto expenses in safe place so that you can have access to any information that you need in a single moment. This will come in handy if you are trying to determine how much you are spending in fuel costs or when the last time it was that you had your car serviced.

Saving money at the gas pumps is as easy as making a few simple changes in your life and your driving habits. All this money is yours after reading this article.

You don't need to make big changes all at once but if you try to adopt as many of the tips and suggestions listed in this article you will be able to spend your saved money elsewhere next year.

You can always have an alternative fuel when you run out of gas. This depends on what kinds fuel can be alternatively used in your car.

Keep yourself updated about the current prices and make your bulk gas purchase accordingly. This will help you cut your fuel cost drastically.