Green @ Home

The Integrated Hot Water Domestic and Heating System is completed!

Old water heater for domestic use was gas-powered 50-gallon tank rented from Direct Energy for $14 a month. Not really efficient and, at a long-term, money burner. Partially driven by inability of Direct Energy to provide acceptable exchange options for loyal customers and future considerations of utilizing solar energy, we decided to go ahead with green replacement option.

The new, 79-gallon, indirect Wiesseman Vitocell-300 model with second radiator coil for using with optional solar power collector, was installed. This tank is connected to high efficiency boiler and has no gas consumption. Yes, this is the point – high efficiency boiler is only the source for hot water, both for heating or domestic use. Note, that new tank don’t need all those safety labels and warnings, as it designed to provide 100% quiet, safe and efficient operation.
The future is friendly – connect solar power water collectors to the second contour and you will have high efficient system that use boiler only as secondary source to heat the domestic water.

The diagram shows how the solar energy may be utilized for heating water for domestic use.

High Efficiency Upgrade – Part One : Boiler

No doubt, there is no pleasure to get into ice-cold car during the winter. That is why we can see many people are idling their engines, even regardless if they are inside the car or not. However, cost of that “warming up” is significant, idling for ten seconds uses more fuel than restart your engine ! This going to be more than 100 litres of gasoline a year for idling ten minutes a day.

Get the electric seat warmer looks like great idea. You car battery will be easily handling the load and you don’t need run you engine when your vehicle is parked.

Why can’t we try to breathe easier, without the unhealthy exhaust fumes from a car that is going nowhere ? We will spare the air by reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to problems such as smog and climate change.

Chevrolet and OnStar announced that new Volt will be available to be controlled remotely though smartphone application. However, the 007 practice to drive remotely will be not an option. The application will only allow to control vehicle functions and OnStar features. The software will communicate with car from either iPhone, Blackberry or Motorola Droid.

The application will propose new interactive experience for Volt owners that has never ever been offered to any electric vehicle.

Among features the application will display :

• Charge status and voltage
• Battery capacity and available mileage range
• Messages and alerts from the car concerning charge interruption on completion
• Real-time odometer and other readings

It also will provide flexibility to setup charge schedule regarding off-peak hours when electricity rates are lowest, unlocking the doors and some other OnStar features and remotely start pre-condition the interior temperature.

The application will be available for owners at launch of the model that is scheduled for late 2010. Pricing has not been announced.