Zero-Energy Homes

Zero-energy homes are structures built with the eventual goal of producing as much energy as they consume. They incorporate the most advanced energy efficient features for heating and cooling, lighting, siding and insulation, roofing, and solar power. The attainment of zero energy involves not only the selection of the right high-efficiency components, but also the prudent use of electricity throughout the home.

From 2002 to 2005, TVA and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory built five such homes in Lenoir City, Tennessee, through the Habitat for Humanity program. As each new home was built, the lessons learned from the earlier homes were incorporated into the design to produce even greater energy savings. The goal of a fully sustainable zero-energy home has not yet been reached but should be attainable for new homes within a few years.

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Just found this neat article over at chelseagreen.com. If you are into green energy, check this out.

Weekend Project: How to Build Your Own Cheap, Simple Solar Oven :
Source: http://www.chelseagreen.com
We got a great response to our post “Cheap “Sun in a Box” Solar Cooker Wins Climate Change Prize” from earlier today. It seems a lot of people are into solar oven cooking!

Cindy

Frying eggs from 93 million miles away—now that’s power

The sun is an incredibly powerful source of energy. That’s why TVA is using photovoltaic panels to transform solar energy into usable electricity.

When rays of sunshine strike a solar panel, they give some of the electrons inside it more energy, a process that creates an electrical current.

How much power are we generating? Check the data on daily power output at TVA’s solar generating sites. (If you don’t see yesterday’s data, reload the page while holding down the Shift key.)

Learn more here.

Properly placed wind turbines can generate electric power anywhere the wind blows steady and strong.

Wind turbines use the momentum of moving air to quietly turn large blades that are attached to the shaft of an efficient electric generator.

TVA’s wind power site is on Buffalo Mountain near Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In 2004, TVA greatly expanded its wind generating capacity when it added 15 very large turbines to the three original, smaller turbines at the site. Wind energy is now a major contributor to Green Power Switch. Learn more about the wind turbines here.

Of the fossil fuels, natural gas is the cleanest source of energy to use for many of our every day needs and activities. It plays an important part in reducing pollution so that a clean and healthy environment can be maintained.

Oil is one of three fossil fuels found in the earth’s surface formed about 300 millions of years ago before the time of the dinosaurs during the Carboniferous Period.

Consider some of the good reasons why you should choose natural gas appliances and amenities for your home. Certainly, you want your home to be a safe environment where your family can relax and feel comfortable.

Of course, everyone realizes petroleum products are used in the gasoline we fuel our vehicles and in the heating oil we use to keep our homes warm.

Because it can be stored indefinitely, natural gas is the most readily available of the fossil fuels. The exploration, production, and transportation of natural gas takes time.

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Harnessing the power of the sun’s ray to create energy to power our house is very appealing. But the question is, “Is everything about solar energy good?”

Looking at the current price of fossil fuel-based electricity, it is quite impractical to convert into solar energy system. However, with the growing concern on the state of the earth, there is really a need to find other means of energy aside from what power plants are using right now. Where do you place yourself?

Whether you are an advocate of clean energy or simply care about where your finances go, looking at the pros and cons of residential solar energy system will help you decide on whether to convert or not.
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