Heat Pumps and Solar Hot Water

Well, Crude Oil costs have declined, in fact they've dropped significantly over the past month. We're now hovering near $113. For an exact figure look to the right >>>>

Honestly I wouldn't go jumping for joy...America has moved into a conservative mode in terms of gasoline usage. Rising gas and food prices have shifted us into a different mind set. Do we really need to make that extra trip? Can we car pool to work? This way of thinking has translated into a strong decline in gasoline usage. In fact if we keep it up this will be the first year since 1999 that our yearly gas usage has declined.

So, the question arrises...should we stop worrying? Should we go out and splurge on that F150 truck? You know..the one with the 0% financing, 6K in rebates and 12 MPGS?

The answer is NO! Don't take this move downward as a sign post of things to come. Yes, gas prices might stay flat for the rest of the year but as demand continues upward and China's factories come back on line in September (they have been shut down due to the Olympics), demand will surge again.

So, take the opportunity now to wean yourself off of the black gold...and, here are two products you can take a look at for your home.

Evacuated Tube Solar Hot Water from Apricus
These folks make their product in Mass and it looks like a great option for Hot Water...

Each evacuated tube consists of two glass tubes made from extremely strong borosilicate glass. The outer tube is transparent allowing light rays to pass through with minimal reflection. The inner tube is coated with a special selective coating (Al-N/Al) which features excellent solar radiation absorption and minimal reflection properties. The top of the two tubes are fused together and the air contained in the space between the two layers of glass is pumped out while exposing the tube to high temperatures. This "evacuation" of the gasses forms a vacuum, which is an important factor in the performance of the evacuated tubes.


Another is the Hallowell Acadia Heat Pump manufactured right in Bangor Maine!



The concept behind Acadia™ is relatively simple. A traditional air source heat pump is primarily designed as an air conditioner with a secondary function of heating. This means that below freezing conditions these systems require supplemental heat, which is typically inefficient electric elements or a secondary fossil fuel system, to make up the loss of capacity. These back up systems have given heat pumps a bad name.

This is not the case with the Acadia™ system. The system uses the patented boosted compression process, known as Opti-Cycle™, which employs a unique two-stage primary compressor, a series booster compressor and a liquid economizer for maximum heat absorption during any condition.

Above 30°, the system uses only the primary compressor. We use the Bristol Twin Single™ compressor which gives us two stages of output from the primary compressor. The Twin Single compressor has the ability to provide 50% or 100% capacity. For example, a 3 ton compressor could provide either 1.5 or 3 tons depending on the mode of operation.

Reasons to choose the Acadia™: Savings: Using efficient technology has never been so cost effective. Electricity is the most price stable form of energy available today and, with the volatile fossil fuel market, homeowners are looking to electricity to provide reliable and predictable heating and cooling costs. Efficiency is the key to saving money and the Acadia™ operates at efficiencies from 200%-400% throughout its operating range. So, there ya go, two options to invest in for home heating...please let us know what your thoughts are on these products.

Climate Change Skeptics

This morning while listening to the Voice of Maine I heard Ric Tyler tell his audience that Al Gore is a fraud and that he has scammed the American people with his global warming propaganda.

It's frustrating how easy it can be for skeptics to shun the issue of climate change.

The truth is that there has been countless research done by the world's top scientists, it's been peer reviewed and revised back and forth for the past 25 years. And, even though the majority of this research shows YES, humans are affecting Earth's climate negatively, almost nothing has been done on a global level to combat the problem.

Why do you think this is? Are people afraid of change? Of course we are! As a species we've become accustomed to our way of life. We've been fed the idea that we can have whatever we want, whenever we want it. Our society promotes consumption through the idea that resources are limitless. Wall Street and the Government demands consumption for the growth of our economy. And, in the case of anything changing, the whole understanding of who we are comes into question.

Does Ric Tyler has the right to say that he doesn't believe in global warming? Sure he does, but who is going to take the lead for change in this country?

Who is going to finally recognize the problem as real and then lead us into changing it? Well...the answer is YOU! You and me, and everyone else who sees this problem emerging has the opportunity to change and shift into a more sustainable lifestyle.

Think about the things you do, the things you eat, the electricity you use. It all matters, and if you think it doesn't than you might as well believe that you're a worthless cog in the machine. Every one of us is an important part of the whole and we can make a difference. Start with your mind, expand your knowledge of the world and climate change, shake up the "status quo." Demand that your radio talk show host explain why he/she believes that global warming is a hoax! I did.... (see below)


On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 2:58 PM, Joe wrote:

Hey Ric - well, since the majority of evidence clearly points toward climate change due to human actions over the past 100 years (primarily due to the industrial revolution and increased CO2 emissions), maybe you should try to explain to me and your listeners why YOU are a skeptic....you do realize that you're in the minority, right?

Check this out for a look at some data in a form you'll understand.
http://climate.jpl.nasa.gov/ClimateTimeMachine/climateTimeMachine.cfm

Joe


On Tue, Aug 12, 2008 at 9:43 AM, Tyler, Ric wrote:

Joe --

Good to hear from you!

As to Global Warming NOT being a scam -- um -- can you prove global warming to me?

Home Heating Oil Program

The Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program has delivered millions of gallons of discount home heating oil to poor and elderly households in Massachusetts and other cold weather states since 1979. This unique program helps protect needy families from volatile heating oil prices, which often leave households having to choose between heating Link to Citizens Energy Oil Heat Program

Obama's Speech In Berlin

live at 1pm EST from Berlin

www.c-span.com

our National Debt...terrifying

National Debt as % of GDP. see also: (Source)

In 1981 the gross national debt, compared to the nation's annual income, reached its lowest point since 1931. Despite his claim to hate the debt, Reagan instituted unprecedented peacetime deficit spending. This is not partisan politics, this is straight off the White House web site. As the graph shows, Bush II repeated Reagan's performance and turned the debt upward again. Bush II's own Office of Management and Budget provides all the data. [from Zfacts.com]

MaineRenewables.com

Since I have strong readership within the state of Maine (my home state) I decided to work on a new online community for the state - MaineRenewables.com

It's an online marketplace and forum for Mainers to purchase and sell renewable energy sources. Wood, Pellets, Solar and Wind. I also intend to include info on Geo-Thermal energy in the future.

From the classifieds you can search for or sell cord wood, pellets, solar equipment or services and wind equipment or services.

In the discussions there are a range of topics focused on important issues within the state.

If you have feedback I would love to hear it and please feel free to post a classifieds listing if you have something for sale.

Peak Oil - how will you ride the slide?

Don't let this past week's slide in crude oil prices fool you....we still have the basic economics of supply and demand staring us right in the face.

This is from the EIA and it's not a list we should be happy about being on top of....