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Burning oil and gas is expensive, but it is what the majority of Americans use each year for their energy requirements. There are many ways, though, in which people can reduce their carbon footprint and save money; by far the best option is to invest in solar panels. These panels give people complete control over their energy. However, as well as this, they can also change the way they live to enhance the positive effects offered by these renewable energy devices. Solar Energy Paneling Solar energy panels are the main medium by which a household can generate energy by themselves. In a sunny location, an average American household can cover 70% of their energy needs by simply installing a few panels on their roofs. Furthermore, it is independent so this energy never leaves. Even if one of the power grids is hit by a natural disaster, it does not mean the family must live without electricity for any length of time. All they need is the panel and the sun. When these panels absorb sunlight, the energy is transferred through a heat-conducting material. Most of the time this is water, but some of the higher-end panels utilize propylene glycol instead. This heat is turned into a steam at a heat exchanger, which powers a turbine that turns to create electricity. It is that simple. It leaves no pollution and continues to create massive savings for users. Other Methods As already established, solar panels can only cover about 70% of a house’s total energy requirements. Nevertheless, people can retain heat in their homes by simply changing the way they live and by making some small changes. Most of it is about becoming more aware of the things an individual does in their daily life. What follows is a breakdown of some of the ways in which people can retain heat in their homes. Winter Blinding Blinds and drapes are a major part of any household. In the summer, most individuals prefer to keep them open. The material tends to remain thin and the windows stay open. In the winter, this should change, but many citizens do not bother and remain with the same material throughout the year. Dark, thick materials retain heat better. If someone switches on a heater within their house, the heat leaves through any crack available; this includes penetrating the blinds or curtains to get out of the window. Slow its progress down with darker and thicker materials. Place them all around the house. Anything from dark red to black is suitable, although it does depend on one’s personal taste. Liberal Heating Leading on from the above point, liberal heating does not help. Be frugal with the amount of time the heater is kept on. Contrary to what many people think, it does not cost more energy to turn the heating off for half an hour and then turn it back on again. It uses up more energy to leave it how it is. If the house is properly insulated, householders can save far more if they simply turn the heating on for a while and let the heat float around the room. Gardening Planting evergreen trees is not a great way to lock in heat, as some people believe. Plant trees in the garden that lose their leaves in the winter. This is because any sunlight that does break through during the winter months will not hit the solar panels and warm the place up. If there are no leaves, even the weakest rays of sun will shine through. It is a great way to keep the temperature up all year round. For more information about Solar Energy and Solar Thermal products please visit Solar America Solutions - Solar America Solutions manufactures the SunQuest 250 solar thermal tubes, the most efficient product of its kind.
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