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How to Turn Your House into a Green Home

Green Home

Increasing the usage of solar panels in the Philippines is well and good, but that’s only the beginning. There are even more adjustments you can make in your home that could decrease excessive use of energy and decrease the rate of global warming. Join the green movement and start building a green home by following the practical tips below.

For the Living Room

Big Windows in your living room and other parts of the house will increase the insulation and optimize sunlight throughout the room. It will also lessen the use of light and electric fans or air-conditioning.
Replace Bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs and light-emitting diode (LED) to save up to 66% more energy. Switching to such types of bulbs will reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of your house by 400 pounds.
Unplug home appliances, such as TV and computer when they are not in use.
Power Strips are great for plugging groups of home appliances and gadgets. It reduces power usage AND makes it easy for you to unplug several electronics at once.

In the Bedroom

Grow houseplants to improve the quality of air in your bedroom. In some cases this can also lessen your usage of electric fans or air conditioner.
Don’t overcharge your mobile phones, tablets, and other gadgets. You should particularly avoid charging your gadgets before going to sleep as this will uses up more energy. You may want to start using solar-powered gadgets as well.
Use a ceiling fan instead of the regular electric fan. A ceiling fan uses only 2% of the energy compared to its standing counterpart.

In the Bathroom

Turn off the tap when you are brushing your teeth or applying facial wash, et c.
Inspect for possible leaks, as leakage in your tap can waste up to 182 liters of water every year. Regularly inspect your faucet and all other plumbing to ensure that it is free from any leakage.

In the Kitchen

Switch to non-toxic cleaning products and ditch your regular cleaning products. Kitchen ingredients, such as baking soda and lemon are some of the natural cleaners you can use.
Compost kitchen scraps as this could serve as your instant organic fertilizer. You will also reduce the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill.
Avoid Plastic Containers when buying your toiletries or kitchen condiments. Instead, opt for glass containers, as you can reuse the glass containers afterwards.

In the Laundry Area

Hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer, which could produce 2 to 3 kilograms of carbon emissions. Hang your clothes on a clothesline instead to reduce the carbon emissions and save energy at the same time.
Use cold water for washing clothes (unless hot water is necessary) as heating water can use up as much 85% to 90% of energy.

These are practical tips and sustainable habits you and your family can apply in your own home. Start doing the simple tips mentioned above and you’ll know you’re doing your part in making our environment a better place to live in. After all, the environment is everyone’s responsibility.

The Many Ways Climate Change Affects You

The-Many-Ways-Climate-Change-Affects-You

Climate change has constantly been affecting every part of the world, slowly but surely. There has been increase in the average global temperature, extreme rising sea levels, contaminated water, floods, droughts, and increase in the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Such changes are not only harmful to the environment but also for the health of all living things in it.

Fortunately, the availability of affordable prices of solar panels in the Philippines is an evident that the country is doing its best to fight the climate change. To convince you to join the green movement, note these negative effects of climate change to the health of your loved ones.

On the Air We Breathe

The extreme changes in our environment directly affect the quality of air that we breathe—both indoors and outdoors. The rapid changes in temperature may worsen the condition of the air quality and bring about various diseases. For example, frequent rain can increase the presence of fungi, mold, and other indoor air pollutants. The chemical air pollutants from various power plants and from burning fossil fuel could cause several respiratory conditions, such as asthma, lung cancer, pulmonary disease, and emphysema, among others.

On the other hand, air pollution can also be obtained through various household chores, such as cooking and heating using solid fuels. Hence, it is a more sensible choice to opt for sustainable alternative of solid fuels.

On the Water We Drink

Contaminated water is definitely harmful to humans for obvious reasons. The changes in climate could increase the temperature and will lead to frequent rainfalls that cause the water level in oceans and seas to rise. The rising sea levels could lead to saltwater intrusion into groundwater drinking supplies, resulting in contaminated water

On the Food We Eat

The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can directly affect the food safety and its distribution to the people. For example, the exposure of the ocean to various chemicals can affect the contamination of seafood, such as fishes and shrimps. Frequent droughts and floods also affect the agricultural and yield production that may compromise the food supply.

Changes in Temperature

Did you know that for every degree centigrade that the temperature raises, the death rate can increase by 2% to 5%? Either extreme heat or cold is harmful to humans. Whether there is higher humidity or hotter temperature, both conditions could encourage the reproduction of more ticks, a bloodsucking insect, which spreads infections.

Climate change is definitely changing the way we live in this world. Various negative effects are evident with the continually increasing of air and ocean temperature around the world. Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the 21^st century.

Fortunately, several preventive measures are being promoted by various environmental organizations to inform and persuade people to join the movement in saving and protecting our environment. How well we survive will only depend on how well we adapt on these changes and how well we are doing our part to stop such destructive changes. Get involved now and start living a sustainable life.

What are the Benefits of Saving Electricity?

What-are-the-Benefits-of-Saving-Electricity

Environmental organizations are urging everyone to play their part in conserving and protecting our Mother Earth. One of the easiest ways to contribute to this is by consuming less energy daily. Contrary to the popular notion that solar panels are costly, many affordable prices of solar panels in the Philippines are available to urge the Filipino people in switching into an energy-efficient living.

Choosing to consume less energy will provide many positive impacts to both people and environment. Now is the perfect time to join the conservation movement and start opting for energy-efficient appliances. To convince you to make the switch to the sustainable lifestyle, here are the top beneficial reasons to make your humble abode an energy efficient one.

Saving Electricity Saves You Money

One of the most appealing benefits of consuming less energy is the opportunity to save money. For example, opt for light-emitting diode (LED) bulb because it only uses 2 to 17 watts of electricity. It can also last longer than the other types of bulbs, so you don’t have to constantly replace your bulbs. Making various energy-efficient home improvements will enable you to do your part in reducing energy consumption and lessen your monthly expenditure as well.

Reduce

Fossil fuels are burned in order to produce energy, but it also has negative side effects to the environment. The burning of fossil fuel produces heat-trapping gases, which is the primary cause of global warming. When you consume less energy or install solar panels at home, you can reduce the need to burn several fossil fuels. You may argue that it’s just one home against millions of others, but it’s a start.

Reduces your Carbon Footprint

Carbon footprint refers to the environmental impact of a certain individual to the environment. Carbon footprint has two types—primary and secondary. The primary footprint refers to all the carbon dioxide emissions created when fossil fuels are burned. The secondary carbon foot print refers to the indirect carbon dioxide emissions formed through manufacturing or breaking various products. Opting for energy-efficient appliances, such as LED or CFL bulbs or simply unplugging home appliances when not in use are simple steps in reducing your carbon footprint.

Conserve our Mother Earth

All the benefits mentioned above just boil down to one of the most important benefits of saving electricity— the conservation of the environment. Consuming less energy or cutting back on the electricity use will lessen the need for the production of energy. Then, there will be a lesser carbon dioxide emissions that will contribute to the climate change. Thus, it will create a cleaner and healthier air.

Doing more with less energy is definitely beneficial for people and environment. Starting to save energy does not have to be complicated nor expensive. There are several easy ways to reduce your carbon footprint without having to bend over backwards. Simple energy-saving habits, such as turning off the lights when not in use and turning down a water heater are already big help in the environment and for you as well.

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Three Major Benefits of Going Green

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The availability of affordable solar panels in the Philippines is an indication that Filipinos are slowly embracing what we call the ‘sustainable lifestyle’. Sustainable living refers to a healthy living that uses fewer natural resources and reduces an individual’s carbon footprint to the environment. Sustainable living may include consuming less energy, saving water, eliminating toxic products at home, practicing the 3 R’s (reducing, reusing, and recycling), eating and growing organic food, and practicing minimalism, among others. Such sustainable habits can give a quality life not only to us but for the future generation as well.

If you haven’t considered joining this movement already, here are a few of the many benefits of going green to help you decide. Read on and learn the advantages of living a sustainable life.

Financial Benefits

One of the obvious benefits of going green is that it will actually help you save money. It’s really not that costly, as most people may think! Practice the green habits enumerated below to that help save the environment and your financial assets as well.

Switch to solar panels. These will benefit you in the long run.
If solar panels are not your choice, opt for compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulb. These types of bulb consume less energy compared to their counterparts.
Replace some of your household items with energy-efficient appliances and solar-powered gadgets.
Unplug home appliances, such as TV, computer, and air conditioner when not in use. This green habit will definitely reduce your utility bills.
Start composting. This will prevent you from spending money when buying commercial fertilizer. This will also reduce the trash you send in the landfill.

A Healthier Life

Switching to sustainable lifestyle will definitely provide you a healthier life. Here are some green habits that promote a healthier and sustainable life.

Opt for organic food. Organically grown food does not have any toxic chemicals in it, making it a healthier choice compared to conventionally grown food. Grow them yourself if the ones in grocery stores are too expensive.
Ditch toxic products and start using natural cleaners and beauty products. Doing this will lessen your exposure to various toxic chemicals found in commercial products that are harmful to your health.
When buying a certain home supplies, choose product that packaged in glass or bottle containers rather than the plastic ones. Many types of plastic have been shown to have toxic chemicals that are risky to human’s health.
Opt for walking or biking to lessen the use of your vehicle. Such practice will reduce the air pollution and will give you a clean and clear air to breathe.

A Sustainable World

All the mentioned sustainable habits will definitely result to the most important benefit of going green—having a sustainable world. A sustainable world will have improved quality of air and water, less solid waste, decrease in carbon footprint, reduced fossil fuel dependency, the right amount of food supply for everyone, well-maintained natural resources, a balanced ecosystem, and a rich biodiversity, among others.

These are only a few of the many benefits of going green. As a citizen, it is important that we do our part in conserving and protecting our Mother Earth every day. After all, we are the ones who will ultimately benefit from it.

4 Energy-efficient Alternatives to Your Home Appliances and Gadgets

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One way to play a part in conserving and protecting our environment is by consuming less energy daily. In relation to this, using a solar panel is highly encouraged. It is common misunderstanding that purchasing a solar panel is costly – what they fail to realize is that there are various affordable prices of solar panels. In the Philippines, various environmental organizations are consistently placing effort to convince citizens to switch into the sustainable lifestyle. Another way to do this is by investing in energy-efficient appliances.

Join the movement and make your humble abode a more environment-friendly one. Ditch the energy-guzzling appliances you may currently have for these highly energy-efficient appliances that only use energy up to two to ten times less.

Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Light Emitting Diode (LED) Bulbs

Did you know that electric lighting makes up 25% of your household’s monthly energy consumption? Cut this down by replacing your incandescent bulb with CFL and LED bulbs.

Compact Fluorescent Light or CFL is a small version of the standard fluorescent. This kind of bulb was designed to replace incandescent bulb and save more energy. Switching to CFLs will save up to 409 terawatt-hours per year and will minimize your carbon footprint.

On the other hand, Light Emitting Diode or LED is another type of an energy-efficient bulb. LED bulbs can last up to 10 times longer compare to CFLs, making it a far more practical choice. This bulb only uses 2 to 17 watts of electricity. Before buying your LED light, estimate your desired brightness and choose between cool or warm light.

Ceiling Fan

A ceiling fan is a great choice as it has a wattage of 65 to 175. In comparison, the average electric fan has wattage of about 2000 to 3000, so it definitely consumes a lot more energy!

Laptop

Instead of a desktop, opt instead to use a laptop. It consumes 85% less electricity than desktop, making it the most energy-efficient choice. To save even more energy, turn off your laptop when not in use. You could also use one large power strip with individual switches, so you can plug the laptop and other appliances in there and turn it off as needed. This tip could save you up to 200 kWh per year.

Single Door Refrigerator

The refrigerator is essential in every household. Storing your food in a cold place will slow down the growth of microorganisms and prolong the life of your food. However, refrigerator takes up a huge portion in your monthly energy consumption. Consume less energy by opting for a single door refrigerator.

Since it has a smaller freezer compared to a double door refrigerator, single door refrigerator consumes around 30% to 40% less energy than its two-door counterpart. Moreover, a single door refrigerator is much cheaper than the double door refrigerator. Hence, choosing a single door fridge will not only you save energy but money as well.

The electricity consumption in every household is quite different from each other. Be aware of how much energy each appliance and gadget in your home consumes, and consider replacing them.

Solar Energy vs. Fossil Fuels

Solar energy through the use of solar panels is being used not only in the Philippines but also across the entire world. People are now turning to renewable energy in an effort to save the environment from global warming.

However, there are still some individuals and industries that prefer to use fossil fuels to produce the energy they need for their daily activities. If you are unsure about which one to turn to, then you may want to continue reading below as this article will compare and contrast solar energy from fossil fuels.

What is Solar Energy?

Solar energy is an important source of renewable energy. Basically, it comes from the heat and the radiant light the sun produces. A wide range of technologies including but not limited to artificial photosynthesis, solar architecture, solar thermal energy, photovoltaic, and solar heating are able to harness the sun’s energy and turn it into solar power.

The International Energy Agency supports the use of solar energy for it can aid the efforts to decrease the causes of a worsening global warming.

What are Fossil Fuels?

These fuels are made through natural means; anaerobic decomposition of dead organisms is one of them. Anthracite coal, petroleum, and methane can be classified as fossil fuels. These materials can be both volatile and non-volatile.

They are not considered as a form of renewable energy because they take at least a mega-annum to be formed and created. Fossil fuel reserves are also being exhausted much faster than new reserves are being created.

Fossil fuels have high percentages of natural gas, coal, petroleum, and carbon contained in them. Burning them results in a huge amount of carbon dioxide being produced in the environment. This chemical compound heightens climate forcing which then leads to global warming.

Why Should You Use Solar Energy rather than Fossil Fuels?

By now, you have enough information to support renewable energy like solar power than fossil fuels. You could truly save the Earth from global warming and climate change. But if you need more convincing, then here are more reasons why you should make this effort.

Investment – There is a high possibility that you will see an economic shift from fossil fuels to clean or renewable energy. HSBC is predicting that stricter regulations regarding the climate can be put in place. This would mean that companies producing fossil fuels can be restricted from getting unused fuels that can be found underground. Ultimately, this may result into their fall.
Cost and Capacity – Solar panel installations are slowly escalating at a thrilling rate due to its cost drastically dropping. It is expected that this development will continue in the future. On the other hand, the cost of coal and other fossil fuels are rising because of the implementation of sterner environmental regulations.
Jobs – In the United States, the solar energy industry is able to hire more and more people. A total of 20,000 new jobs were handed out in 2013 by the various solar companies across America whereas the industry for fossil fuels is slowly but surely cutting jobs since 2012. This could be another result of stricter regulations being put in place.

All the reasons discussed above should really be enough for everyone to at least consider using solar energy (and other forms of renewable energy). Each and every individual has a responsibility towards this Earth. All of us can work together to produce a cleaner and brighter future not only for the next generation but also for the current one.

Edmond Becquerel: The Father of Solar Panels

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With the growing abundance of solar energy in the Philippines, it is not hard to hope that the country will soon become a leader in utilizing clean energy. All of the equipment, like the solar panels, would not be made possible if it weren’t for the man who discovered the photovoltaic effect: Edmond Becquerel.

Edmond Becquerel is a French physicist who studied solar spectrum, magnetism, electricity, and optics. He discovered the photovoltaic effect in 1839, which is the main operating principle of a solar cell. Contrary to popular belief, solar power technology is not a modern development. People have been utilizing this energy during the mid-1800s, during the industrial revolution. Solar energy was primarily used to heat water to produce steam and drive machinery.

The Personal Life of Edmond Becquerel

Becquerel was a pupil turned successor of his father at the Museum National D’Histoire Naturelle. He was appointed professor at the Agronomic Institute, a short-lived school in Versailles. He also became a department chairperson of the Physics department at the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers in 1853. His son, Antoine Henri Becquerel, was one of the people who discovered radioactivity, earning him a Nobel Prize for Physics.

In addition to that, Becquerel also studied the properties of light. He paid special attention to the photochemical effects and spectroscopic characters of solar radiation and electric light. He also devised a phosphoroscope, an instrument that allowed the intervals between the exposures to the source of light and observing the effects to be varied at will and must be measured accurately.

He also explored the diamagnetic and paramagnetic properties of substances. Becquerel also showed interest in the phenomena of electromechanical decomposition, which added to the evidence of Faraday’s law of electrolysis, which are relationships based on electrochemical researches.

The Discovery of the Photovoltaic Effect

Becquerel discovered the photovoltaic effect, which showed how electricity can be produced from sunlight. According to Becquerel, “Shining light on an electrode submerged in a conductive solution would create an electric current” but, despite the amount of research and development poured onto the discovery, photovoltaic power continued to be not so efficient. This lead to solar cells having no function at all but to measure light.

While experimenting in his father’s laboratory as a teenager, Becquerel created the world’s first photovoltaic cell. He placed silver chloride in an acidic solution and illuminated it while it was connected to platinum electrodes. The result generated voltage and current, making the photovoltaic effect known as the “Becquerel effect.”

A century later, an American engineer named Russell Ohl patented the world’s first modern solar cell, after the invention of the transistor.

People might have stuck to oil and fossil fuels as energy sources if it wasn’t for Edmond Becquerel’s discovery. The sun, aside from helping all life forms grow and generating light for the benefit of all, became one of mankind’s most powerful energy source—probably one that will last until the end of mankind’s lifetime.

Solar Energy Plants Around The World

Saving the earth is a will literally take a worldwide effort, meaning more and more countries are urging their people to do their part. One way ordinary people can contribute is through solar panel installation. In the Philippines, the sun never fails to shine, so maybe it’s time for our countrymen to also invest in clean energy. To show you just how much the people of earth are trying to save it, here are some solar energy plants around the world.

Solar Star Projects, California, USA

This is the biggest solar plant in the world and it’s in California. It produces an amazing 579 megawatts of power and it supplies that power to a staggering 255,000 homes and over 13 square kilometers big. The plant uses Oasis Power Plant Technology which means that the panels follow the sun to maximize the sunlight. It’s estimated that the plant displaces 570,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions, which is equivalent to removing roughly around 108,000 cars from the road every year.

Cestas Solar Farm, Bordeaux, France

This solar farm located in Bordeaux, France, is the biggest solar plant in Europe and is producing 300 megawatts of power to supply about 300,000 homes. Chinese manufacturers supplied the plant with its solar panels. It was put up by Krinner, Schneider Electric, and Eiffage and was opened in October 2015, and is connected to the grid that provides electricity to the whole of France, Réseau de transport d’électricité.

Charanka Solar Park, Gujurat, India

21 companies worked hard to make this 345 megawatt solar plant a reality. It’s part of another solar plant that as a whole, they make an amazing 600 megawatts of electricity. It’s on a 20.2 square kilometer piece of land in the North of India in Gujurat. A solar park at Charanka which is on 5000 acres of land can produce up to 500 megawatts of electricity from solar and wind power.

Agua Caliente Solar, Arizona, USA

This solar plant sits in Arizona in the city of Yuma. It produces 290 megawatts of electricity that powers a 100,000 homes. The plant is owned by NRG Energy and MidAmerican solar, and is remotely operated by First Solar. The features of First Solar’s grid allow this to happen. The technology involved in the solar panels used and the operation of the plant led to the USA’s Department of Energy to grant them a loan of $967 million.

Golmud Solar Park, Qinghai, China

This Chinese solar plant which was built in 2009, produces 500 megawatts of power. It is still under construction and when finished, another 60 megawatts of power will be added to its capacity.

These huge solar plants all around the world proves that countries are serious about their oath to reduce greenhouse gasses, postpone climate change, and are well into the movement of saving the earth. The plants are scattered over huge patches of land, using technology we’ve never seen before, using the most of the most abundant and infinite thing on earth: sunlight. The amount of carbon dioxide that these plants displace might not be much yet, but if every country invests in clean energy, imagine the clean air available to every person, reducing not only the destruction of earth, but also the risk of diseases.

The Biggest Energy Consumers in Your Home

Each modern house is different, but what makes them similar is that they are considered home by its residents and they need electricity. Some people opt to save money when it comes to electric consumption and are happier with solar panel prices in the Philippines and using renewable source energy for their home.

That aside, have you ever looked at your electric bill and wondered which appliances consume the most energy? Listed below are every home’s biggest energy consumers.

Lighting

The house lights are diverse and distributed to each room. An estimated range lights consume per month is 100-150 kWh per hour. There are energy-saving bulbs and are even environmentally friendly to use, such as LEDs and CLFs. Remember to turn off the lights when a room is empty, except when it’s only going to be empty for a couple of minutes to save energy.

Refrigerator/Freezer

It is fairly unavoidable to unplug freezers or refrigerators because if you do, the food inside will spoil! The average energy range of this appliance is from 200-400 kWh per month. Refrigerators that are already more than 10 years old tend to consume more energy, so in the long run it’s better to buy a new one. New refrigerators nowadays have a power saving option recommended to be used during the nighttime.

Water heater

Water heaters are used in the showers, cleaning or ironing clothes, and washing the dishes. Studies in the U.S. show that they consumes about 12% of the overall energy used in a home. The average consumption per month is estimated around 400-600 kWh, which is even higher than the refrigerator!

Air-conditioning

Air-conditioning units are notorious for being consuming the most energy, with an average consumption of 400-800 kWh per month. An AC with inverter are the best electricity-saving AC units in the market, as the power they consume depends on the temperature of the incoming air as well as the level set in the thermostat. Setting the thermostat to 25 degree Celsius is highly recommended to save energy. Each degree you adjust will increase the cost!

The items on this list probably didn’t come as a shock, but it’s still a good reminder. Unplug appliances when they’re not in use (with the exception of the refrigerator of course). When an appliance is nearing replacement, do your research in advance and find out which units consume the least energy. You may even find alternatives that are solar-powered!

The Many Benefits of Utilizing Solar Energy

Soaring solar panel prices in the Philippines are not stopping companies from trying to harness the power of the sun. Solar energy is abundant in the Philippines, and it would be a waste not to take advantage of it. If you’re still not convinced that using solar energy is good for you, the people around you, and the environment, here are a few more arguments that will hopefully budge you.

Solar energy is a renewable source of energy.

This means it will never run out. It is available all around the world every single day. It is impossible to run out of solar energy, and as long as the sun shines, it is available for us to harness. We still have about 5 billion years before our sun dies, according to scientists, so that’s a lot of time!

Solar energy will reduce your electricity bills

Because you’re going to use the power generated by your installed solar power system during the day, you won’t be using the electricity from the grid and your bill will likely drop. However, how much you save will depend on how much power and heat you consume. If you’re connected to the grid and you’re consuming more than you’re generating, you’ll still be getting power from the grid. However, if you’re consuming less than you’re generating, the excess power is fed into the grid and you might receive payment for the amount of electricity. You might even receive more if you sell more of your excess electricity.

Solar panels have diverse applications

Solar panels, or photovoltaics, are what’s used to harvest the power of the sun to generate electricity, while solar thermal is what’s used to heat water. Other uses are to generate electricity for people who have no access to the national grid, or to treat and distill water in places where there isn’t much clean water, and even power the satellites that are in space. Recently, they’ve been integrating solar panels into the materials used to put up buildings. Some time ago, a company unveiled a kind of solar panel that is transparent that can be used for windows.

Solar panels do not emit pollution

Since you’re not burning anything while generating electricity from the sunlight that hits the solar panels, there is no pollution. This is very much unlike the other modes of electricity generation, such as gas and coal plants which release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, and nuclear plants which release waste into the environment.

Solar has low maintenance costs

These systems don’t necessarily need that much maintenance since there aren’t many moving parts. All you have to do is to clean them a few times once a year and make sure that they’re taking in as much sunlight as they can and no dust is reflecting the sunlight.

If we rely more on renewable energy sources, we can reduce the harmful gases that we’re releasing into the atmosphere and maybe even stop global warming. It’s time to go to the right direction and save mother earth!