Archives 'Home Improvement'

4 October

Use caution when reading this article because you may start reaping the benefits of going solar, such as saving time, the environment and money. Solar blankets are like the perfect storm when you need to cut heating costs, get more use from your pool and keep debris from getting in your pool. We can help you choose the perfect solar pool cover and not pay too much.

You can find solar pool covers in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as many different materials. Online stores have everything from custom fit, high end covers to generic one-size-fits-all covers. When deciding on a solar pool blanket, make sure you choose a dark cover. This may go against your natural instinct – after all, you think you would want more of the sun’s rays to get in, but really you want the sun to heat the cover and keep the water from evaporating.

There’s also debate over whether you need a custom-fit cover or if you’re able to purchase a generic cover provided that it fits your pool. The only reason you would have to spend a lot of money on a custom-fit cover is if you are going after the aesthetic appeal of having a perfect looking solar pool cover. Otherwise, you can simply go for one which completely covers your pool. As long as you find a cover that’s a good, durable material, you’ll be fine. In The Swim makes a great solar pool blanket for the price. You should expect to pay about $100-$150 for a quality cover that will last you quite a while. A solar pool cover is really a long term investment. Yes, you will need to fork out some cash up front, but you’re going to spend less each month on your energy bills and this will really accumulate with time. If you already use a pool heater but you do not have a cover, you are wasting even more money. Would you heat the house but leave the windows open? Well, doing that with your pool is the same thing.

Another must-have is a solar pool reel. It is really an inexpensive item that will help you load and unload your cover onto the pool. Imagine trying to take off a large vinyl or plastic cover that’s covered in water for your large pool alone. It would be near impossible! Put money into the reel and you will be thanking me. A solar pool cover reel will lengthen the existence of your solar blanket keeping it in great condition whenever it’s not being used. You are looking to boost the length of time you get in your pool, right? Well then buy a solar pool cover reel which means you are not wasting time managing a cumbersome solar pool cover.

Going solar is also easy way capitalize on government programs. See what opportunities there are in your area as each state and province have different rules. You might want to research before you buy and will ikely have to apply for the rebates on your own, but this is another small step that can make your solar pool cover well worth it.

Listening to these few pointers could save you lots of money on your power bill over the life of your pool. Think of all of the bonus time and cash you can expect if you invest in a solar pool blanket!


20 September

One of the main advantages of solar energy is that it’s one of the most abundant sources of energy on this planet. While there is a lot of talk about tapping into this energy source, individually there are many benefits for adopting this technology. The best thing about solar energy is that it can be used for small solutions as well as major ones. So you can start with small and simple solar solutions and then grow to something more robust. You would be surprised to know that the total sunlight that falls on earth is more than enough to satisfy the total energy needs on this planet 35000 times over. Now that is, truly an abundant source of energy.

There are many terms commonly associated with solar energy like renewable source and sustainable energy production. Renewable source of energy, as the name suggests, is one which can replenish itself automatically without human intervention. Solar energy is an abundant source of energy which will last as long as earth lasts, so it is considered renewable.

A sustainable energy resource is one which can be used to fuel present needs without compromising the future generations. Solar energy is a clean and abundant energy source which will never exhaust. Besides it is a very clean energy source – so tapping it today does not jeopardise the future of this planet in any way. It is a sustainable source of energy in every sense of the term.

Despite having such a great energy resource, most Americans still rely on fossil fuels. Three decades ago US imported around a third of its total fuel requirements. Today though, this number sits at nearly 50% and it is predicted that this will increase to 66% in a short time. There are new sources of fossil fuels being discovered in US, but the demand growth for these fuels outpaces the rate at which fuel is being produced locally. As a result fossils fuels will keep getting more expensive. Adopting solar energy will help you stabilize your power bills. The use of solar equipment in your home increases its value in the market. With more and more people looking for self-sustaining houses, if your house runs on solar energy, there will be a premium attached to it.

A stable power bill is something that everyone loves. Unfortunately, you cannot rely on your local utility to give you fixed rates for years on end. With a solar powered house you are practically out of the grid which means your expenses will not be affected by the prices the utility companies set – who wouldn’t love such freedom. Along with this freedom comes the opportunity to reduce your carbon footprint on this planet as well.

The use of solar energy is not just talk. In fact, on a clear, sunny day the total sunlight falling on a square meter area is sufficient to generate 1kWh of electric power. Realistically you’ll get about 6 kWh on a good sunny day. Given that an average home requires around 30 kWh, a five square meter solar unit is your answer to all your power needs. With this solution, you know that your energy source will never get exhausted and that your power bills will never fluctuate.

Typically, in warmer seasons and warmer regions, the mid days are the peak times for energy usage and fortunately, solar panels are most efficient during that time. Solar energy becomes a nice fit to successfully solves the electric energy problem. Since electric power is the most widely used form of energy it’s clear that solar power, which easily converts to electric power, becomes the logical choice to sort out the peak power problems in most nations. Solar power directly supplants the need to produce electrical power – the majority of which comes from coal-burning power plants

It’s clear that there are many advantages of solar energy. There are monetary benefits as well as moral ones where we can help the planet. To top it all, our government is keen on promoting the use of renewable energy and is supporting people who opt out for solar energy.