For today’s lifestyles, the most important attribute to consider is mobility. Advanced electronic devices such as portable computers and cell phones allow people to perform much more effectively than ever before. With mobility comes the increased need for portable power sources. Fortunately, this advancement in electronics is matched with improvements in batteries that power these devices. Ni-MH batteries provide much more power than the Ni-Cd batteries and also eliminate any concerns on the usage of heavy metals in the making of these cells. The exciting new technology used in the sealed Ni-MH rechargeable batteries provides optimum results for battery-powered devices, in terms of performance and environmental friendliness. Introduced to the commercial market in 1988, the Ni-MH battery is still at an early stage of maturity, but has already proven to be an attractive power source for today’s devices. There are several benefits of Ni-MH batteries, such as a higher energy density, which is almost 40% more than the nickel-cadmium batteries. This increase in energy density helps with providing longer run times, which means longer service life than ordinary batteries of the same size. They also charge much faster, in approximately one hour. They are safe to use and designed to withstand a variety of abusive conditions in consumer devices. Unlike the Ni-Cd batteries and other battery systems, they are environmental friendly, as there is no fear of cadmium, mercury or lead toxicity. Today, the Ni-MH battery is hugely popular with high-end portable electronic devices where the performance of the battery translates into run-time, which is a major consideration for a consumer and influences their decision in the purchase of product. The reduced weight and volume also play an important role. Ni-MH batteries are similar to Ni-Cd batteries as they use the same technology. The only difference is that they use hydrogen-absorbing negative electrode instead of the cadmium-based electrode used in Ni-Cd. This small change increases the electrical capacity of the battery as well as eliminates the toxicity problem. The problem of “memory” does not exist in the Ni-MH batteries, as there is no cadmium used. These batteries are designed to ensure maximum safety with a safety vent, to avoid build up of pressure in case of being exposed to high temperature, charged excessively or abused in other ways. They can also be used in any position and the only maintenance that is needed is to keep them dry and clean while in use as well as in storage. Whether stored when charged or discharged, nothing happens to these batteries. To learn about how to recondition batteries and how to start your own business, we recommend The Recondition Battery guide consists of 21 chapters that will show you step-by-step how to recondition your battery. Order now and get our “Battery Business” report. This quick report will show you various ways to profit from your battery reconditioning skills. By reading the information in this report you will learn exactly how you can potentially earn a 6 figure income just by reconditioning batteries.

Author: Scott Salter

Nurturing our environment, achieving a sustainable future and reducing global warming have been growing topics of concern for all of us. The need to protect the environment is in all of our hands and this responsibility needs to be exercised in almost everything we do and in the choices we make every hour of our lives. Actions we take now can lead to benefits later. When we all choose well and change our behavior to nurture, conserve and sustain, the effect can be enormous. The home in which we live is one such area where we have the ability to make a range of nurturing choices. In this article we will look at some of the more desirable elements that need to be included in green home plans.

Durability is a key tenet of a good green home plan. A green home plan will strive to use eco-friendly building materials and furnishings and will incorporate leftovers wherever possible. A green home design will make use of materials that are renewable and long lasting. The less often you have to replace materials, then the less material and effort that needs to go into maintaining them, resulting in a diminished cost of upkeep and less frequent replacement. Cork, bamboo and eucalyptus are examples of earth friendly and renewable materials that feature prominently in environmental building designs. Recycled materials should also be used wherever possible. This is relatively easily achieved when it comes to flooring as you can sand and refinish or even paint and stencil what is already there. Recycled glass (vertrazzo) looks attractive and comes in a range of colors. It can be used for both kitchen countertops and as a backsplash.

Efficient energy use is another key component of a green home plan. Using energy efficient appliances is a must and most manufactures these days will label their products with an energy star rating. But the biggest difference we can make is by leveraging that great bundle of natural energy called the sun. A solar power system can deliver most of an average household’s daytime energy needs and any excess energy that is created can be fed back into the electricity grid. Rebates for the installation of solar panels and also their improved efficiency are seeing the cost of installing residential solar power systems come rapidly down. The energy savings we can achieve by installing a solar panel array will be complemented by installing energy saving windows and ensuring that our homes are properly insulated. Both measures are designed to trap heat inside the house during cold weather and reflect heat when it is hot, leading to a reduction in heating and cooling costs respectively.

The third pillar of a good greenhouse plan should be the efficient use of water: something that is particularly pertinent for those living in drier climates. An enormous amount of perfectly good drinking water is wasted each day on activities like clothes washing and flushing toilets. These activities could just as soon be done using grey water (recycled water). Home water treatment systems such as a wet compost system or a sand filtration system will achieve the aim of using water efficiently.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/green-home-plans-what-they-need-to-include-550825.html

About the Author:

For detailed information on
green home plans go to
http://www.green-home-plan.com

By Robert Trigaux, Times Staff Writer

Published Friday, October 16, 2009

Florida regulators gave their blessing Friday to higher electricity rates to cover advance costs for building a nuclear power plant in Levy County.

With a 3-1 vote, the Florida Public Service Commission okayed Progress Energy Florida’s request to recover some $207 million in up-front costs. According to the Associated Press, Progress can charge residential customers $5.86 a month — an increase of about $1.55 — per 1,000 kilowatt hours to go toward the up-front costs. Residential customers now pay $127.31 for 1,000 kilowatt hours, enough electricity to power a smaller Florida home for about a month.

The PSC also agreed to allow Florida Power & Light Co. to charge 67 cents per month — a $1.59 decrease, AP reports, in what customers are paying — for the first 1,000 kilowatt hours to cover costs for a new nuclear power plant in South Florida.

Both companies were given slightly less than they had requested, AP said. The rate changes take effect Jan. 1.

Florida is one of a few states whose legislature authorized power companies to charge customers in advance to pay for new, expensive power plants. Critics complain state lawmakers merely dumped the expensive burden of financing high-cost plants on to utility customers, and off the power company that normally would borrow money to build a new plant. Shareholders who typically take on such risks as investors in the company are now spared that exposure.

In a statement, PSC chairman Matthew M. Carter II said nuclear power helps diversify the types of fuels utilities use to generate electricity and will save Florida residents money on future utility bills.

“Utilities have to begin spending now to meet future power needs that will keep the lights on for us, our children and our grandchildren at prices we can afford,” Carter stated.

PSC Commissioner Nancy Argenziano was the lone vote against the early cost recovery. The Levy nuclear plant is not scheduled to open until after 2017.

---

Q: My roof gets direct sun from noon through late afternoon, and I imagine this is making the house hotter. I have some attic ventilation, but I thought about installing a solar attic vent fan. Will it do much?

A: It is not just your imagination. The hot roof/attic is making your house warmer. It can also increase your electric bills and reduce the life of the roofing materials. Touch the ceiling under the attic floor and I’ll bet it feels quite warm. Standard insulation on the attic floor is not particularly effective at blocking radiant heat from a very hot roof.

You have two basic ventilation options to keep the attic cooler. One is increasing the amount of natural ventilation area. This involves installing cool air inlet vents in the soffits and hot air outlet vents along or near the ridge (peak) of the roof. With no fan to create air flow, a lot of vent area is needed. Ridge vents are often installed when re roofing is done.

The other option is a power ventilator for the attic. Since your primary concern is for summer cooling, installing solar-powered attic fans can be effective. What is nice about these is that, on the sunniest days when the most ventilation is needed, these fans, powered by the sun, run very fast. On cool, cloudy days, less electricity is produced and they run slower.

As with any outlet vent, a solar attic fan should be located near the peak of the roof. The diameter of most solar attic fans is 12 or 16 inches, so you should not have a problem finding a location near the roof peak. It still is important to install the cool air inlet vents in the soffits to allow for maximum ventilation through the solar attic fan.

Most solar attic fans include a built-in solar panel that produces 10 to 12 watts of electric power providing a maximum of about 850 cfm (cubic feet per minute) of air flow. A typical 10-watt solar panel is slightly smaller than the top area of the fan. Some of the larger 16-inch fans can handle a larger 20-watt solar panel and produce up to 1,200 cfm of ventilation.

It is not difficult to install a solar attic vent fan. Saw a hole in the roof 12 or 16 inches in diameter. All solar attic fans have built-in flashing. Weave the flashing under the existing shingles and nail or screw the fan in place. Since it is solar-powered, it requires no 120-volt electric wiring.

If you want to mount the vent fan on a shady side of the roof for aesthetic reasons, select a model with a remote solar panel. The small solar panel can be mounted on the sunny side of the roof with a small wire leading to the fan. This remote design is also effective if a side of your roof does not face south or southwest. Another fan design has a hinged  Solar Panel Attic Fan that can be tilted up to face the sun more directly.

By Mary Ellen Klas, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau

Published Friday, October 2, 2009

---

TALLAHASSEE — Signaling his displeasure with the Public Service Commission’s handling of two rate cases, Gov. Charlie Crist asked the commission Friday to postpone a final decision on the proposed increases by Progress Energy and Florida Power & Light until his two new hires to the panel take office.

“Given the potential impact that the outcome of these cases will have on Florida consumers, I believe it is important that these commissioners have the opportunity to fully participate in the process,” Crist wrote in a letter to commissioners.

He also blasted critics of his choice of Benjamin “Steve” Stevens for the PSC, saying it was time to clean house and adding that the critics are frustrated because Stevens is not beholden to the utilities the panel regulates.

Progress Energy and FPL are each seeking about a 30 percent rate increase, and they have been preparing for a final decision since March. A final ruling on the Progress Energy request to raise rates $500 million a year is scheduled for November.

FPL’s request for a $1.3 billion rate hike will be decided in December. A final decision on how to divide the rates between residential and commercial customers won’t be made until January, after Crist’s appointees are scheduled to take office.

Commission Chairman Matthew Carter made no comment on the governor’s request.

As chairman, Carter can ignore or accept the governor’s recommendation. After the appointments, Carter said the governor had allowed the politicization of the PSC.

Carter and fellow Commissioner Katrina McMurrian each lost bids for another four years on the commission when Crist bypassed them Thursday, choosing former Bradenton Herald editorial page editor David Klement and Stevens, former finance director of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Now Stevens has come under fire for part ownership of Rick’s Cabana Lounge, a bar in Cantonment, near Pensacola. Crist’s critics have circulated ads from the lounge that promote “Lingerie Fantasy Fests” and “Dominatrix Night.”

The governor called the campaign to discredit Stevens really despicable.

“They’re doing it because they’re frustrated, because they can’t raise rates,” he said, adding that he choose Stevens because “he’s an honest man, and he’s trying to earn a living.”

The PSC has been besieged by allegations that commissioners and staff members are too close to the utilities they regulate.

After the appointments, Crist said, “The entire utility establishment is not happy with your governor today. That’s okay. I don’t work for them.”

Stevens did not respond to requests for comment, but state Rep. Dave Murzin, a Pensacola Republican and chairman of the PSC nominating council, defended him.

“If anybody in the political process thinks owning a bar is a really bad thing and they wouldn’t support a candidate because of that, then we’ve got problems,” he said.

Murzin — who said he has never been in Rick’s Cabana Lounge — said he has accepted campaign contributions from the Florida Institute of CPAs. Stevens was president of the organization from June 2008 to June 2009.

Since 2002, Murzin has accepted $7,000 in contributions from the group’s political committees. The committees gave a total of about $309,000 to candidates during that time.

Murzin agreed with the governor that the PSC should refrain from deciding the rate cases until the new commissioners take their seats, suggesting that the outgoing commissioners resign early.

“A lame duck is a lame duck,” he said. “If they agree with the governor, people will say, ‘It’s the governor who forced them to do it.’ If the rates go up, they’ll say, ‘It’s done under a cloud.’ What they need to do is go ahead and clear out.”

The PSC has a year to make a final ruling in the FPL and Progress Energy cases filed in March.

If the PSC doesn’t rule within eight months, the companies are allowed to raise their rates temporarily.

FPL has said it will go ahead with a $900 million rate increase in January if the PSC does not rule, and it has agreed to refund any difference if the PSC sets a lower rate.

Neither Progress Energy nor FPL would comment on the governor’s call to postpone their rate cases.

Mary Ellen Klas can be reached at meklas@MiamiHerald.com.

© 2009 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

By Dong-Phuong Nguyen, Times Staff Writer

Published Wednesday, September 30, 2009

---

Ever wanted to step inside an energy-efficient home to see how it really is to live there? Here’s your chance. A national solar tour today will highlight a dozen sites in the Tampa Bay area, including a home with solar panels in Seminole Heights, a restaurant with a solar thermal cooling system in Brandon and an energy-efficient home in Temple Terrace. • The local event is part of the American Solar Energy Society’s national solar tour. Billed as the world’s largest grass roots solar event, more than 150,000 people are expected to visit 5,000 buildings in 3,000 communities across the country. • “The tour gives locals a glimpse at how an increasing number of families are going solar,” says Jamie Trahan, who is with the University of South Florida’s Clean Energy Research Center and is working with USF students to coordinate the local tour. • It’s about reducing monthly energy bills and harmful carbon emissions. It’s about getting federal tax credits and cash incentives. Going solar can even boost property values, Trahan said. We talked to a couple of solar advocates on the tour to get their stories on going green.

Jon and Debbie Butts

Jon and Debbie Butts live on 54 acres in Plant City. They have always had an interest in the environment and first made news nearly a decade ago when they began to form a unique intentional community. The Buttses and a couple of other families live on the farm and contribute toward a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle.

They first dabbled in solar power by buying a solar panel to charge a golf cart. Another panel powered a 12-volt refrigerator.

At their sprawling home today, 21 panels also provide power to their stove, and a solar water system heats their water.

Many months, they say, their electric bill is zero.

The couple, whose grown son also lives on the property, also have an advanced composting toilet that turns human waste into manure. They make cane syrup, grow vegetables, hang their clothes on a line to dry and live without air-conditioning.

“There were a lot of things in the world that we felt weren’t right,” Jon Butts, 60, said. “We are interested in any way that we can to be a part of a world that cycles things around instead of a linear world where everything goes to the dump.”

Edward and P.J. Rosenhttp

When Ed and P.J. Rosen moved to Tampa from Atlanta to be closer to family, they wanted to build a house to last through their retirement years. They invested in solar energy. The Rosens’ four-bedroom, 3 1/2-bath property, which they moved into about two months ago, is the featured home on the tour. Among the energy-saving features in their 3,800-square-foot house in the Northdale area of Tampa:

• A roof with 22 solar panels. As the sun comes up, the panels start to generate electricity to augment the electricity from TECO. Ed Rosen estimates that the solar panels generate more than half of the electricity that the family uses.

• A solar water heating system. Water from the tank travels up to a large panel on the roof, where it is heated by the sun. The water then funnels down and is stored in the tank.

• Special gray paint that seals attic duct work and prevents cool air from escaping.

• Compact fluorescent lightbulbs.

• Self-contained solar-powered attic fans to suck the hot air out of the attic.

• A bank of batteries in the garage powered by the solar panels. In a power outage, the batteries provide electricity to critical items in the house, including the refrigerator, one of two air-conditioning units, the microwave and telecommunications equipment.

Rosen, a 37-year-old product manager for Cisco Systems, said he would rather spend money on the family than on electricity. And he hopes that down the road, his children will mimic his efforts.

“If we do this, we teach our kids to do this,” Rosen said. “In the end, to me, it’s just about being a good person.”

Dong-Phuong Nguyen can be reached at nguyen@sptimes.com.

By Trevor Stokes