The Value Of Earth 4 Energy

Alternative energy, Green Living, Solar Energy on July 2nd, 2010 No Comments

Today, the number of people interested in saving money and supporting a healthier planet is staggering.  With the new Earth 4 Energy method, people can accomplish both.  Michael Harvey has created the most comprehensive manual ever written, providing information to everyday people on ways of living off renewable energy while also being involved with the “green” movement.

This manual is unlike anything else on the market.  Earth 4 Energy provides people with a complete illustrated manual, along with easy to follow videos and systematic instructions.  It might sound as if something like this would cost a fortune but the truth is, the price extremely low.  With the information implemented, people find they can save up to 80% off the monthly electric bill.

After your own power generator system is in place, chances are that you will make solar power that you would be able to use in which case your local electric company will pay for any excess.  That means in addition to cutting down on costs and in some cases eliminating electric costs altogether, you can also get paid simply by producing your own energy!

Every person to some degree has been hit by the economic downturn.  As a result, interest in saving money has skyrocketed.  Using the information offered in the Earth 4 Energy manual, you no longer have to spend your hard-earned income on the necessities of life but actually reduce and even eliminate some of the financial stress.  To build your own alternate forms of energy is inexpensive, costing less than $200 and for the benefits enjoyed, well worth every cent invested.

What people do not always understand is that once the information in the Earth 4 Energy manual has been put to use, every appliance in the home will run off the generated power.  This means the washing machine and dryer, the stove and refrigerator, and even lights and computer are all off a free, renewable power source.  Interestingly, with the built system being 100% portable it can also be taken on a backpacking or camping trip to create power.

With the Earth 4 Energy information, you will finally lower your high priced energy bill and help battle global warming and the greenhouse effect.  The many benefits are simply incredible, some of the most popular that include:

1. Saving significant money on the monthly electric bill and in some cases, eliminating the bill altogether
2. Being involved with the “green” effort
3. Having a renewable power source for a low cost
4. Having the opportunity to save money for sending the kids to college, taking a vacation, etc

Full of videos, illustrations, and a wealth of valuable information, the Earth 4 Energy manual is something that every person should own.  Just a few of the things covered include learning about renewable power sources and how
solar energy and wind power works.  In addition to the information-packed manual, the Earth 4 Energy package also includes four bonus chapters with even more helpful tips and techniques for making and using nature for power.

Harvey backs his Earth 4 Energy manual, confident that every person that follows the provided information will soon have a working power source to save significant money.  In fact, consumers are given a full eight-week, ironclad money back guarantee that states if energy is not produced with the home system, the buyer will get every dime back without any questions asked.

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How To Heat Your Pool With Solar Panels

Alternative energy, Solar Energy on July 2nd, 2010 No Comments

Fuel costs are concerning us all. Gas prices are set to increase to 60% over the next 5 years. This is component of general trend as the demand for fuel increases whereas the resource becomes more of a problem.  This creates a big issue for heating your residence, yet heating a none essential such as your swimming pool becomes even less affordable.  Alternatives are accessible to warmth your swimming pool, such as pool solar panels.  Installing pool solar panels can eliminate or really lessen your requirement to provide any additional form of heating for your swimming pool, as well as saving thousand in fuel costs.

Learn more about Pool Solar Panels

Clearly, pool solar panels are not free, yet they do manufacture free energy once they are installed.  They do not even necessitate blazing sunshine to generate ample warmth for the pool.  They provides warmth steadily during the day, keeps the pool at a nice ambient heat, as the pool acts like a solar water storage tank.  For outside pools, using a solar cover along with solar panels can produce a pool at the prefect temperature when ever you want to use it.  Again, pool solar panels are not free, on the other hand they can worked out fairly cheaply even in the house.

The design of solar water heater is referred to as a passive solar heater.  Passive solar heaters are the cheapest solar heaters to make, on the other hand they are also the most reliable.  Unlike supplementary solar panels, passive solar heaters are generally placed on the ground. Therefore a passive solar heater such as the one in the video could easily be manufactured next to your swimming pool in addition to generate all the warmth you require for a minimal fee.

Read more about Pool Solar Panels Help

To heat your pool by means of a passive solar heater, it requires only a few parts, some of which might be obtained for free or second hand.  Firstly a black water storage tank is required, the size of the tank will be dictated by the size of the pool you wish to heat.  Any tank can capture solar energy, yet a black water storage vessel will capture as well as hold much more energy.  The tank along by means of flow in addition to return pipes, is then placed within a solar warmth collector.  It works in a similar principle to a greenhouse,  though it is built from insulated materials to retain more warmth in the tank.

Making your own solar water heater for your swimming pool maybe easier than you think.  It can save a lot of money in installation, as well as purchasing separate parts.

More information on Pool Solar Panels DIY

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Hydroponics Truths

Green Living on June 20th, 2010 No Comments

What is  hydroponics? It is as elementary as growing plants without needing soil, instead it makes use of liquid nutrient solution. “Space 1999″ was a Sci-fi series that talked about “hydroponics lab” and which as a kid, I by no means really comprehended exactly what it is. In truth, I viewed this as science fiction gobbledygook. However, it didn’t turn out as I expected to be, it was like several things in science fiction.  Hydroponics is out there.

So without the need for soil, how can you grow plants?

You will need plenty of things for the plant to grow. Light, water, soil (as a general rule) and some kind of nutrients. However, there is so much more essential elements for a plant to grow aside from the basics which was simply mentioned.

Hydroponics seems to grow healthy plants without soil. There are two primary forms of hydroponics, solution, and medium.
Solution Culture
There is a nutrient solution in a container where plants are grown. The container used ranges, but in larger operations, a tank system is utilized. You will be able to grow plants this in a pot as small as a Mason jar. Static solution culture, continuous flow solution culture and aeroponics are the 3 sorts the solution culture is broken into.

Static Solution Culture

Roots are actually hanging in the solution and is gently oxygenated sometimes in this form of solution culture. If the solution is not aerated, the solution should be low enough to reveal an integral part of the roots to ensure that them to receive oxygenation.

Continuous Flow Solution Culture

Much like what the title suggests, there is a steady flow of nutrient solution past the roots using this kind of hydroponics. It is possible to automate this form less difficult than the static solution, and regulate the amount of nutrients being brought to the root system.

Aeroponics

This kind of hydroponic will involve the roots suspended in an air chamber where it is presented with nutrient solution in fine mist. The benefit here could be the superb oygenation the plant will get by not having its roots hanging in the solution.

Medium Culture

In medium culture, the plants are grown in several medium instead of soil. Mediums varies from gravel to peat moss to wool also to vermiculite.
And for this specific type of hydroponics, rock wool is probably the greatest mediums. The medium does rather effectively hold water, and allow water drainage at the same time. It is made by melting rock, and spinning it down to a fiber matting.

And just like a greenhouse, hydroponics is a manipulated scenario often found in this sort of surroundings to make plants grow.

Some drawbacks to hydroponics are that the method lends itself to the development of salmonella and some other bacterias. On the other hand, the yield advantaged be greater than these problems, and a diligent hydroponics farmer is definitely on the lookout for this.

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What You Should Know Regarding The American Wind Energy Organisation

Alternative energy, Green Living on June 16th, 2010 No Comments

The carbon emission of the United State had raised 0.8% year by year for the last  quarter century. As a portion this might not seem very much.  However this would total to millions of tons of carbon discharges and it is  due to this reason that American wind energy was presented with the trust of  cutting pollution made by power generation in the nation.

In the United States in 2008 the total of wind energy installed exceeded 8500 MW. Thus american wind  energy has gone from strength to strength. Yet most  green groups  claim that this  rate of growth in american wind energy is  unsatisfactory and lobbies for  bigger use of sustainable green energy.

In the road to gain wind energy, the government had to face many obstacles. First of  course is the issue regarding the expenses. Installing wind energy is  relatively expensive. So american wind energy tends  to be quite costly and this has been one of the largest obstructions. The  fact that birds tend to fly into the rotor blades has made another problem. Carrying the necessary  equipment has also been an issue as the suitable areas tends to be quite far. The  equipment also takes up a substantial area. If american wind energy is to  expand further solutions would have to be found to these problems.  At least  for some of these problems, technological developments and advancements can offer answers.

One of the added rewards of american wind energy is that it has lead to growth in  work opportunities in rural far areas where work is hard to find.  Farmers can increase their incomes leasing the land and crops could be raised around the  turbine, up to its very base. Hence, wind energy can be considered as a God send gift for developing rural  America.

Use of wind energy does not needfully have to be at the national or state level. You can now enjoy the  benefits of american wind energy through the use of a small wind machine which could supply  adequate electricity to meet the needs of a family. Since use of wind energy has increased  within the country many firms are now involved in the industry. The potential for american wind energy does look quite  great.

Inexhaustible, sustainable sorts of energy is a primary factor in creating a better  potential for our planet. Everyone engaged should support  initiatives like american wind energy and play their part in paving the way for a greener America.

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Garden Tips – Lawn Care Advice

Gardening on June 15th, 2010 No Comments

There is no doubt the key to your own beautiful lawn is the soil underneath it. The secret is to ensure that the pH balance of your lawn is correct . For best results your lawn’s pH needs to be between 6.5 and 7. This is slightly acidic. If your lawn is too acidic, it needs a slight coating of lime  and if you need more acidity to balance a lawns pH then you should use sulphur.  All these solutions are natural so you are not causing any environmental impact by using them. To test your lawn to see what pH balance it is you can either buy a pH tester from your local gardening centre or you can have it done professionally.

Aerate your lawn before you add any fertilizer . Using an ordinary garden fork and ensuring that the holes are around ten centimetres deep will help prevent compacting and also with the drainage, helping to maintain your lawn’s pH level.
Ensure your grass is suitable for your area. Locally adapted grass will be much more able to withstand the type of climate you live in . Using different types of grass, regardless of how much greener they are or thicker, will not benefit your lawn or the environment.

Mow your lawn as frequently as possible. Around once a week should be right throughout the summer. For natural lawn care however, don’t mow too short. If you do mow too close to the ground, the soil can become dried out and the roots exposed, damaging all the hard work you have put into your lawn. The majority of grass is healthiest when it’s between 2.5 and 3 inches tall.  When you are choosing the best lawn mower make sure it has the facility to modify the cutting length.  Now if you are used to cutting shorter and this is the first time that you are trying to look after your lawn naturally, it may be a shock to have it quite so long, but remember, you are doing your lawn and your environment a favour.

Watering is best done infrequently, but deeply. If you drench your lawn in this manner, you will be encouraging the development of much stronger roots which are able to withstand periods of drought better.

When wondering if it is time to re-water, look at the grass. If it is duller and footprints stay compressed for a short while, then you can water once more. You should also aim to give your grass around one inch of water each time you are re-hydrating the grass.
As with any lawn care, the best time to water is first thing in the morning or last thing at night. This helps prevent evaporation.If you follow these tips, you will have no need to add pesticides to your lawn that can kill many beautiful insects that actually help your garden to thrive, and to top it off your lawn will be lush, green and the envy of your neighbours.

If you’re looking for a good value, electric lawnmower which is perfect for most average sized gardens – can I suggest the Bosch Rotak 40, it is a great little mower.

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How Lay Lawn Turf

Gardening on June 14th, 2010 No Comments

How to start

Before you lay your new lawn you will need to prepare the soil, spend some time here and laying your turf will be fast and simple.

Getting Rid Of The Rubbish

Your first step will probably be to cut out any kind of long grass and weeds, a strimmer is best for this, always put on goggles and also gloves when working with any equipment. Don’t use a weed killer unless it is vital, using them will generally hold off being able to lay your turf for a while.

If you are renewing a pre-existing lawn you might wish to clear away the old lawn, but this is a lot of work and provided the ground is dug or rotovated well you could take out any clods from the existing lawn while you are levelling.

Digging or Rotovating

Next you will need to dig or rotovate the ground, for very large areas it is going to be best to hire a rotavator or cultivator, it is easy to hire these online. Regarding smaller sized areas should you be feeling fit you may dig the area by hand.

While rotovating run the machine along the longest length up and down, when this is done go across the ends, normally it is good to go over the spot not less than twice, till you have a fine tilth.

When digging the area, dig to a depth of about 6-8 inches, you will want to turn the earth over, trampling the ground will usually break up any substantial clods, plus remove any big stones or rubbish as you proceed.

If you can, allow the soil to settle for a few days.

Levelling

The next step is to level the ground, for this purpose you will need a rake and some string for your lines, start by running a string line for the edges, put this line at the level you want your lawn to be, conversely use the bottom of fencing panels as a guide for your level.  Should you be joining up to an existing lawn begin the process at the joining point otherwise start from a corner of the area, with your rake work your way through the area leaving behind a smooth level finish with no humps or bumps, make sure you remove any large stones, weeds and any lumps of grass belonging to the existing lawn.

Rolling

You can roll the ground if you wish, but you will have to re-level it afterwards, it is not critical however as you will firm the ground when laying your turf.

Buying Turf

All turf suppliers are not created equal. Most are good but a few are brilliant, these people take a lot of care to produce a quality product.  Lawn turf suppliers online can be found using Google, search for suppliers that present a full range of turf types. It is no use picking a fine grass that would grace a bowling green when you have youngsters and/or dogs tearing around all day.  Lawn suppliers online understand what they are doing, can generally deliver swiftly as well as give you the best advice if you can contact them by telephone.

Laying the Turf

Once all this is finished you are ready to begin laying your lawn, for this you will need several boards (scaffolding planks would be best) and a sharp knife.

Start off by laying your first line of turf, (a small suggestion is to place the turf during the same direction as you will look at it from a window etc, certainly not across it, this decreases the number of joints you have to look at for a few days).

As soon as your first line is set lay down your boards on top of it. Walk on the boards when you lay your next line, this helps level and firm the ground, remember to stagger the joints on every line (like brickwork), and to butt the turf up tight together with no gap but not overlapping all of them. Use your knife to cut your turf to the ideal length. Work across the ground constantly turning over your boards and walking on all of them to lay the following line.  Another suggestion is to lay one line up along the line and the next line down this can provide your new lawn a striped effect, nevertheless this will only last a couple of days).

Do not walk on the turf you have laid unless you use a board, as this can cause hollows inside the lawn. When you get towards the end you will likely end with a smallish strip to cut, in dry weather conditions it is best not to place tiny strips on the edge of a lawn, they dry out quicker on the outside, set an entire turf on the edge and the cut in from that.

Aftercare

The first weeks

When your lawn is laid it is very important to keep off of it for 2-3 weeks to allow it to settle. If it is dry you will have to water the lawn daily, it will require a good soaking, as the grass starts to root you can give it less water.  It is very easy to underwater  and this can be a widespread concern, pick up the corner of a turf and make sure that the turf and soil are soaked, purchase yourself a good quality lanscape sprinkler.  You can tell when it is short of water the grass will quickly shed its glossy appearance.

The First Mow

When you can step on the lawn without leaving behind any impression and you can grab hold of a corner of turf and it will not easily come up you may give your grass its first cut, if possible raise the mower for the first few cuts, regular mowing and trimming is the answer to a great lawn.

Upkeep

Once your lawn is established, to maintain it looking good you should feed it, do this at least once a year ideally twice, if you are going to feed once the best time period is in the Spring, if feeding twice it should be Spring and Autumn, your neighborhood garden centres should stock these, ensure you apply them at the suppliers given application rate.

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Choosing Locally Made Wood Pellets Over Imports

Alternative energy, Green Living on June 13th, 2010 No Comments

Alternative energy along with alternative ways to generate warmth and electricity are increasing in demand. Environmental, fee in addition to economic factors are driving the success of renewable fuel such as wind, solar as well as wood, specifically here biomass pellets. The sale of biomass pellet energy is now a global industry, wood pellets are shipped all over the world, however a more local reserve of wood pellets has more benefits for the consumer.

Wood pellets on sale on the internet particularly which quote the lowest prices are shaped in developing countries. There are quite a few reasons not to acquire these pellet imports. Firstly, the quality of the energy is often not exactly what is claimed. To reach the widest market, pellet imports state the pellets meet all of the quality guidelines for premium grade pellet energy. On the other hand, many of the pellets on sale are only standard grade pellets. Now, in the right burner standard grade pellets will burn fine. Though, this is not the point, the consumer paid for premium grade, along with received a pellet that could have purchased cheaper locally. Also, many pellet burners still cannot use standard grade energy as the burner is designed so specifically for premium grade fuel. There are cases of consumers buying several tons of biomass pellets with not been able to use them. Securing a refund from most of the importers is basically not going to happen.

Learn more about Alternative Energy Solutions

As discussed, premium grade wood pellet fuel is where the majority of the pellet fuel market is at the moment. Though there are consumers willing to use lower grade, along with cheaper biomass pellet and with other grades of biomass pellets. Practically all biomass pellet fuels as well as wood pellet fuels generate the same heat value. The differences are in ash content, ash melting points and corrosion factors. Ahs content of premium energy is around 0.5%, with lower grade wood pellet fuel on sale generating between 2-3% ash. Additional wood fuel pellets can selection in the amount of ash they generate under burning. For example straws and grasses will generate normally between 5-7% ash, yet they also generate clinker formations. A clinker forms due the ash melting in the incineration zone. The clinker forms a glass like nest structure, which cools in addition to solidifies hard. However, extra biomass energy pellets have very similar burning characteristics to standard biomass pellets. For example hemp pellets, manufacture around 2% ash, no clinker formations and are no more corrosive than wood pellets. Hemp has the fastest mounting cycle plus the finest yields of almost any biomass fuel source. Hemp energy pellets are a future leader.

Read more about Biomass Gasification

To be able to burn a wide variety of fuel pellets, the biomass pellet boiler or biomass pellet stove needs to be able to remove ample ash, this is mainly dependant on the type of burn pot design. Also a thick grade steel production to withstand potential corrosion attack. Making wood pellets for sale on a local scale has many more payback, along with can be carried out on even a home scale. Firstly a hammer mill is required to lessen the matter to dust, before the biomass pellet mill.

More information on Biomass Fuel

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Modern Wood Pellet Stove Heating To Replace Oil and Gas

Alternative energy, Green Living on June 9th, 2010 No Comments

Energy experts now expect the price of oil and gas to continue to rise year on year, with conservative estimates at an increase of 60% in 6 years.  The cost savings on biomass energy pellets can pay for the Breckwell stove within a few years.  The supply of oil and gas which we use for cars along with heating is mainly sourced from Russia plus the Middle East.  As the global population continues to increase, as well as gas in addition to oil supplies diminish, these means higher energy prices in addition to more money sent out of the country.  Using energy pellets in pellet stoves such as the Breckwell pellet stove can decrease our dependence on oil in addition to gas.  Through purchasing a Breckwell pellet stove, you are pro-actively supporting the local economy as well as at the same time reducing your own carbon emissions.

Learn more about Pellet Stoves Pros and Cons

Many different wood raw materials can be processed into energy pellets.  Many different local biomass resources can be processed into energy pellets as well as then sold back into the local community.  This generates more local jobs, keeps money within the local economy plus also helps to decrease climate change, while also keep fuel prices competitive in addition to low.  Many different forms of local wood resources, which are even regarded as waste, can be processed into efficient fuel pellets.  Some of these fuel pellets may have a higher ash content than premium wood pellets.  Some Breckwell pellet stoves have burn pot and other component designs, which limit their ability to burn other types of wood fuel pellets.  These differences in burn pot designs are not well known or disclosed by Breckwell.  We have therefore developed this guide to help consumers purchase a more fuel flexible pellet stove or Breckwell pellet stove, so a wider range of biomass energy pellets can be used efficiently without complication, helping to further lower pellet energy prices.

Read more about Pellets Stoves

At PelHeat we produce as well as burn a wide assortment of wood energy pellets.  We have used that experience to compile this guide to help save hundreds if not thousands on the fee of stove energy pellets.  The last few years since oil and gas prices have started to increase substantially have seen a rapid growth of pellet stoves, such as Harman pellet stoves.  Wood fuel pellets are a much cheaper alternative to heating your house with fossil fuels such as oil plus gas, in some cases fee savings year on year can be as much as a heating bill cut in half.  Wood pellets are also a green energy, as well as do not contribute to climate change plus global warming.  Therefore there are now many monetary incentives to install pellet stoves such as Harman units.

More information on Quadrafire Pellet Stoves

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Earth Day – 22 April

Pollution on April 22nd, 2010 No Comments

Forty years ago, on 22 April 1970, saw the birth of EARTH DAY.

This special event was organised by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson and activist Denis Hayes in order to draw attention to the pressing environmental issues of air and water pollution on human health.  More than 20 million people joined in demonstrations across the U.S including thousands of schools and local communities.

Earth Day is now observed in virtually every country on the planet.

Today, Earth Day followers are more likely to carry reusable shopping bags than protest banners.  They are more likely to pledge their commitment online than march through the streets.  However about 1 billion people worldwide still take part in this international day of environmental awareness.

What better day to start browsing through the Wikaniko green store.

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how to protect plants against slugs and snails

Slugs and snails – gardeners’ worse nightmare

ECO Friendly Products, Gardening on April 13th, 2010 No Comments

Did you know?

  • Slugs can cause huge damage to vegetation and are capable of consuming several times their bodyweight in a very short period of time.
  • Most eat decaying vegetation, but their favourite plants include Hostas, Marigolds, Dahlias, Tulips, Lavenders and Snapdragons, and of course tender young salad crops.
  • Although active throughout the year, slugs are particularly troublesome in Spring and Autumn when warmer weather combined with damp conditions encourages them out
  • Slugs dislike rain, but they need to keep moist as they require water for reproduction and movement so are more active when it is wet and emerge as soon as rain stops
  • Slugs prefer to live in cool, damp, shady places among plants and like to crawl into crevices or beneath stones, pots, plastic etc
  • The best time to hunt for slugs is 2 – 3 hours after sunset as they tend to feed at night
  • Mature slugs are hermaphrodites and are able to breed throughout the year, laying anything between 20 – 100 eggs

Did you also know that you can protect your plants against the slugs/snails without any danger to you and your family, the wildlife and your garden habitat?

HOW? – Wikaniko offers two eco friendly systems:

1  -    Slug and snail traps (3).  For a complete piece of mind, please use safe poison-free baits such as beer or yeast.

This is what you do:

  • Dig a hole the size of the trap base in the area to be treated.
  • Each trap will attract slugs and snails from a distance of up to two metres.
  • Put the trap base into the hole so that the rim is level with the ground.
  • For Poison-Free baits such as beer, yeast dissolved in water, ripe fruit or vegetables in soapy or salty water. Fill trap within 2cm of trap rim
  • For traditional slug pellets, pour a thin layer of pellets into the base.
  • Supplemental fruit and vegetable attractants can also be added.
  • Carefully place the lid on to the trap base.
  • Check the trap regularly and dispose of contents by removing the lid and carefully lifting the trap out of the hole.
  • Rinse and refill the trap every few days.

2   -     Slug and Snail Copper barrier tape

When slugs or snails attempt to cross the tape the slime trail they produce causes a tiny electrical charge which repels them. This keeps your prize patio pot plants safe from the slimy little things without hurting them!

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