Fossil Fuel Use in the United States

The United States is the country that leads all others in the use of fossil fuels.  Fossil fuels are those that are formed in the ground over a period of millions of years from dead plants and animals.  Oil, natural gas, and coal are fossil fuels and we use a lot of them!

Fossil fuel use by humans is the largest source of emissions of carbon dioxide which is one of the greenhouse gases that allows radiative forcing and contributes to global warming.  When you burn fossil fuels, they let out a large amount of carbon dioxide.  The atmospheric concentration of CO2, a greenhouse gas, is increasing.  This raises concerns that solar heat will be trapped and the average surface temperature of the Earth will rise in response.

We use fossil fuels to power our vehicles, heat and cool our houses, and generate electricity.  As we said, it takes millions of years to form certain fossil fuels and over-use of them has resulted in a concern that we will soon deplete our supply.  Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of energy, so once they are used up, they are gone.

In the United States, we use about twelve barrels of oil – the most valuable fossil fuel -   per person per year.  That is why we are so dependent on foreign oil to meet our energy needs.  While the United States does have its own supply of oil, it doesn’t compare to what the Middle East has to offer.  So in order to meet the demand, we have to increase the supply.  Pretty much the only way to do that is to buy it from other countries – usually places like Venezuela or Saudi Arabia.

The increased levels of fossil fuel use in this country has given birth to the green movement urging people to start exploring alternative forms of energy to avoid depleting our fossil fuel supplies completely.  But a bigger reason is because the greenhouse gas emissions are causing global warming that can have a huge effect on the lives of people all over the world – not just in the United States.

If we can reduce our use of fossil fuels and start looking at alternate sources of energy, we not only improve the quality of the environment, but we also reduce our dependence on other countries for our energy resources.  The phrase “American Made” has always meant something in the U.S., but when it comes to decreasing our fossil fuel use and becoming self-sufficient with alternative fuels, it can mean so much more!

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Electric Car Facts

When it comes to one of the newest developments in the vehicle industry – electric cars – the facts about them are plentiful and easy to come by.  This new alternative to regular gasoline powered cars has many people very excited about being able to have reliable transportation without damaging the environment.  So what are the facts about electric cars?

First, there are many types of electric cars you can choose from, but all of them use an electric motor that runs on batteries that you recharge.  The more batteries you have, the longer you can drive your car.  Electric cars come in all different sizes and performances.  They are aerodynamically more efficient than gasoline powered cars because electricity stored chemically is lighter than electricity stored electrically.

Another very advantageous fact about electric cars is that they emit virtually no greenhouse gases into the air and thus run much, much cleaner than many other vehicles.  Greenhouse gases contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer that has led to global warming.  Electric cars that run on batteries alone produce no pollution at all and thus are very environmentally friendly.

How far can you drive on an electric car’s charge?  The amazing fact is that electric cars can usually travel for about one to three hundred miles, depending on the model, before needing a charge.  The batteries generally need charged overnight and there is a gauge that can tell you how much power you have left.  They are perfectly fine for city driving and those who don’t have to go long distances on a regular basis.

This next fact about electric cars may amaze you – I know it did me!  Some people believe that an electric car can’t go very fast.  But the fact is that electric cars have been clocked at over one hundred miles per hour and can go from zero to that in less than nine seconds!  This is because electric motors have a very high torque which allows them to accelerate quickly and travel faster.

There are many more facts to be found out about electric cars such as their price, their range, their availability, and their benefits.  Finding out these facts is easy.  If you are thinking about buying an electric car, do your research and find one that fits your lifestyle.  Most car companies produce at least a hybrid type of electric car that runs on both gasoline and electricity, but you can also find total electric cars if you know where to look.  Just get the facts and then get on the electric car bandwagon.  You may just find out you like it there!

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Making Your Home Energy Conservation Successful

Every year, interest rates are increasing and the cost of heating is definitely going up. And whether we admit it or not, we sometimes find our selves running out of money. However, if you compare an average house to an energy efficient residence, you’ll find out that it is very possible to lessen your annual energy consumption to almost 40 percent. There are lots of ways to conserve home energy which consequently lower your energy bills. And most of the changes that you can do for your home are also helpful to the environment.

Here are some ways to conserve energy in your home:

·  Heating and Air Conditioning

1.  If you’re going out of an air conditioned room for a long time, be sure to turn off the A/C unit.
2.  Rooms that are not used often should have sealed vent.
3.  You can also install ceiling fans that are remote controlled than have a built-in heater.
4.  When the room is occupied, put the thermostat in a comfortable setting.
5.  When the fireplace isn’t used, close the damper in the fireplace

·  Laundry Appliances

1.  Avoid using your washing machine in partial loads. It is better if you meet the capacity of the machine.
2.  Dirty clothes must be pre-soaked for hours. This will prevent you from running your machine twice.
3.  For the garments that aren’t very dirty, put small quantity of detergent and put your machine to a lighter wash setting.
4.  Electric drier consumes more energy in drying clothes so better apply the conventional way of drying your garments by hanging them on a clothes line.
5.  Ironing clothes should be done at one time and during off-peak hours

·  Refrigerators and Freezers

1.  Refrigerators and freezers must be defrosted regularly.  Frost build-up can increase the load of the compressor motor.
2.  Inspect your refrigerator and look for a leaking gasket.
3.  Avoid constant opening and closing of the refrigerator’s door because it can contribute to ice or frost build-up.

·  Kitchen Appliances

1.  Don’t boil water in an open pan. A pan that’s covered will boil the water faster.
2.  Keep the burners, range top and reflectors clean. It can help generate more heat and consume less energy.
3.  When the food you’re cooking starts to boil, turn the electric stove to low mode.
4.  Don’t put smaller pans or pots in small burners or heating elements.

·  Lighting

1.  Switch off unused lights as well as other appliance that use electricity.
2.  Utilize low wattage yet efficient lamps.
3.  Replace your incandescent bulb with fluorescent lamp.

Those are just handful of tips to lower your energy bills.  There are many other factors which can also guide you in conserving your home energy.

Remember that the two great factors which you can change in order to enhance your quality of life are your lifestyle and your home. If you want to modernize your home, you have to make significant decisions regarding your household appliances. In today’s world, we are faced with a wide range of appliance styles, sizes, configurations and technologies.  Evaluating your household appliances can help a lot in your aim to save home energy.  The following are the factors that can help you compare and assess your home appliances:

Energy Efficiency.  It is always good to carefully weigh up the energy efficiency of the appliances in your home. In some household devices, you are left with a choice between electricity and natural gas as the source of power. The energy efficiency can also be based on the materials the machine or appliance is made of. Various materials can be cooled and heated at different rates.

Size.  Having an appliance with the right size is significant. Speed also comes into play. Generally, the faster an appliance finishes its task, the less time it uses energy.

Features.  Assess first the features of an appliance before purchasing it and think carefully how these features can improve your lifestyle.

Another advisable tip is to come up with a home energy conservation plan.  There are various approaches which you can use in developing such plan and these include:

·  Identification of the places where home energy is used inefficiently or lost

·  Prioritizing the said areas and finding out how much energy is being wasted

·  Correcting the said problems systematically depending on your home energy improvement budget

As you come up with your home energy conservation preparation, you should first identify the problem vicinities. It is good to start in the area where higher amount of energy is used because that area can also be the best place to gain potential savings. With the above mentioned home energy conservation tips, you can free up more bucks without increasing your income.

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Fuel Cell Testing

When it comes to cars that use alternative fuels, you will have to have a fuel cell to convert the fuel into energy to run the car.  It’s important to conduct full testing of your fuel cells at various times to make sure that the fuel cells are operating at their full capacity so that your car will run efficiently.

What does a fuel cell do?  Well, it converts the chemical energy of a fuel, such as hydrogen, and an oxidant, such as oxygen, directly to electricity. The principal components of a fuel cell are catalytically activated electrodes for the fuel (anode) and the oxidant (cathode) and an electrolyte to conduct ions between the two electrodes.

Fuel cells are the lifeblood of alternative energy cars and testing them can mean the difference between an efficient engine and a less efficient engine.  When you conduct regular testing of your fuel cells, you can be sure that the alternative fuel you have chosen to power your car is giving you the maximum performance of your alternative car.

In the same vein of emission testing, testing of fuel cells can help make sure that your alternative fuel is powering your vehicle the way it was meant to be.  Fuel cell testing stations can be found online or in your local car supply store.  When you look for an effective fuel cell testing station, you need to consider the brand, the power, and the reputation of the company who has manufactured it.

Taking a fuel cell and putting it into your alternative fuel vehicle during a conversion is only the first step.  You also need to make sure that your fuel cells are effectively able to process the hydrogen, propane, or ethanol that you are putting into your car to power it.  When you conduct extensive testing of your fuel cells, you can be sure that you have a “green” vehicle that won’t harm the environment while giving you the power and performance that you desire.

Many fuel cell testing stations come with computer readouts so that there’s no doubt that your fuel cells are operating at their full capacity.  The advantage to these fuel cell testing stations is that you will be able to identify any problems and then fix them before they become a problem.

Technology has come a long way in recent years.  Fuel cell testing is brought down to almost an exact science just as tuning a car engine that isn’t working with alternative fuels.  This is the best thing you can do for your alternative fuel vehicle.  Testing the fuel cells will insure that you have a car that is operating to do what it is supposed to do – reduce harmful emissions and provide transportation without harming the environment.

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