tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174537464110662657.comments2010-08-31T19:13:30.622-04:00Time2TimeKristin L. Allenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15255944036375103837noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174537464110662657.post-7073426431481220052010-08-31T19:13:30.622-04:002010-08-31T19:13:30.622-04:00I will let others determine if my analysis is stup...I will let others determine if my analysis is stupid, based upon facts ... which your argument lacks. As for emotional, I think your statement speaks for itself.Kristin L. Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15255944036375103837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174537464110662657.post-47062181916209729472009-01-27T22:07:00.000-05:002009-01-27T22:07:00.000-05:00Great post! It's too bad Geithner got through so e...Great post! It's too bad Geithner got through so easy. Republicans in Congress need to step up and stand up for themselves (and for us). Sadly, they seem to be our only hope for the next couple of years at least.<BR/><BR/>I’ve just started a new blog that will be highlighting the dangerous advances of the secular progressive movement (pro-gay “rights”, pro-abortion, anti-religious freedoms, etc). Unfortunately, most Christians still don’t know what’s going on out there and the mainstream media certainly isn’t covering it.<BR/><BR/>We’re looking to build a solid group of social conservatives (especially Mike Huckabee supporters) who’ll frequent the site regularly and contribute to some good discussions. The site gets updated daily with breaking news, so you’ll want to check back often, or you can just sign up for our <A HREF="http://religionandmorality.wordpress.com/feed/" REL="nofollow">News Feed</A>. I hope you’ll check it out!<BR/><BR/>If you’ll add us to your blogroll we’ll gladly add you to ours. Just <A HREF="http://religionandmorality.wordpress.com/add-your-blog-to-our-blogroll/" REL="nofollow">drop us a comment over at our blog</A> so that we’ll know to add you. Our blog is called <A HREF="http://religionandmorality.wordpress.com/" REL="nofollow">Religion and Morality</A>.<BR/><BR/>Thanks!schandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17215501317256004905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174537464110662657.post-4875572590946789732008-08-15T11:11:00.000-04:002008-08-15T11:11:00.000-04:00If you look at each time the taxes were raised it ...If you look at each time the taxes were raised it was after the republican party had it's reigns at office. IMHO every time the demecrats get this country in the black (ink that it) the republicans turns that back into the red, by trillions of dollars. How hard would it be if you had to survive on a budget that stayed in the red? The rich does not know. It would take a rich person to concoct a spin on taxing the rich. <BR/>Furthermore these last 8 years have been hell on my family, I can't afford to go anywhere (gas Prices), I can't afford to buy any luxuries...you know Milk, eggs, meat. The rich know nothing about how hard it is to be middle class.Ladylibrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09772148859114222555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174537464110662657.post-11415188087052597292008-07-15T03:03:00.000-04:002008-07-15T03:03:00.000-04:00Conserve Energy and Water ResourcesWays to immedia...Conserve Energy and Water Resources<BR/>Ways to immediately help you save on your electric, natural gas and water usage<BR/><BR/>Install a Whole House Fan <BR/>Adding a whole house fan to your home can give you "cool" savings by reducing your central air conditioning use. Warm air will be drawn out through your attic and be replaced with cooler outdoor air, decreasing the need for air conditioning. If you install a whole house fan, it is important to have enough attic ventilation to allow a large flow of air to move through the attic. Also, in the winter, be sure to seal the fan opening to the attic with either an insulated cover or polyethylene sheet. (Attic fan, ERV)<BR/>Raise Your Air Conditoner Thermostat Setting <BR/>Raise the thermostat setting of your central air conditioner and save on cooling costs. We suggest that you keep your cooling thermostat set at 78 degrees to achieve the above savings.<BR/>Replace Your Water Heater <BR/>If your water heater is over ten years old, it may soon need replacing. When looking for a new water heater, be sure to check the EnergyGuide label to help you select the most efficient water heater for your money. Look for a high "Energy Factor" (EF) rating of .62 or greater. It may cost a little more up front, but it costs less to use, so you'll save in the long run. The Gas Company is offering a rebate<BR/>Install Low Flow Showerheads <BR/>Installing low flow showerheads can save you 7 458 gallons of water every year as well as the energy required to heat the water. (low flow aerators, low flow toilets, sloan valve)<BR/>Seal Air Leaks and Caulk Cracks and Gaps Around the House <BR/>Caulking and weatherstripping is not limited to windows and doors. As much as 80 percent of outside air infiltration enters through places where two different outside materials meet. Examples of such places include where the wooden sill of the house meets the foundation, where dryer vents and fan covers pass through the wall, where plumbing pipes and telephone wires enter the house, and around electric outlets on outside walls. Look for these cracks on the interior and exterior of your house and fill them with caulk. For electrical outlets, either caulk around the electrical box or install a rubber gasket behind the cover plate. Use only caulking compounds which are flexible over large temperature ranges and that will last for many years. Check the manufacturer's label for the best type of caulk.<BR/>A Tip on Cooling <BR/>Cleaning your air conditioner filter monthly helps your unit run better, as does an annual tune up. Shading windows with eastern, southern, and especially western exposures can help reduce unwanted heat gain. It is also good to keep your drapes or blinds closed on these windows during the day. Appliances such as dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers give off heat, so try to avoid their use during the hottest times of the day. If you decide it is time to replace your existing air conditioning unit, choose the most energy-efficient model you can. (multi stage furnace and condenser)<BR/>A Tip About Improving Your Lighting Usage <BR/>Consider using ENERGY STARR labeled compact fluorescent bulbs. An 18-watt compact fluorescent bulb will give you the same amount of light as a 75-watt incandescent at 25% of the operating cost. ENERGY STARR labeled compact fluorescent bulbs also last ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also reduce your lighting usage with automatic timers that switch interior lights on and off at preset times. Timers will discourage intruders while using less energy than leaving lights on all night. (LED, Photo cell, occupancy sensors)<BR/>A Comment About Security Lighting... <BR/>Your security lighting does not need to be on continually to be effective. There are three good options for reducing costs while maintaining security. Motion sensors turn the security lights on when motion is detected and turn them off again after no motion has been detected for a preset period of time, usually about 15 minutes. An automatic photoelectric cell or "electric eye" is another option for your security lighting; it will automatically turn your lights on at dusk and off at dawn. A simple timer is also effective in reducing security lighting hours by automatically switching lights on and off at preset times. (motion sensor)<BR/>Replace Your Pool Pump Motor <BR/>You may want to replace it with an energy efficient pool pump motor system, either two-speed or variable-speed. Energy efficient pool pump and motors are usually interchangeable with standard motors. New motor design improvements and construction materials have made them more energy efficient - manufacturers use more copper to reduce electrical losses and better magnetic materials to lessen mechanical losses. These upgrades often result in longer life as well as increased efficiency. (cover pool when not in use)<BR/>Turn Your Air Conditioner Into A Cash Machine <BR/>Act now and save cash while saving energy. By enrolling in our free program, you could reduce your electric bill by up to $200* this summer. Simply pick one of our three plans for controlling your air conditioning usage during peak periods and lock in savings. Visit the Summer Discount Plan<BR/>Some Tips About Clothes Drying <BR/>Dry full loads, but don't overload. Separate lightweight and heavy clothes for more energy-efficient drying. Clean the lint filter before every load to ensure reduced airflow does not increase drying time. Take advantage of warm, dry days by line-drying clothes instead of using your dryer.<BR/>A Tip About Air Duct Systems <BR/>Sealing leaky ducts can save 5% to 20% of your heating costs. If you suspect an air duct problem have a contractor check for crushed, disconnected, or leaky ducts. Ducts should be repaired with mastic-type sealant, not duct tape. Consider getting your ducts cleaned. This will increase the air flow and minimize contaminants released by your duct system. (insulate the ducts and hot water pipes)<BR/>Tips on Space Heating <BR/>Keep your heating system tuned up, just like you would a car. For peak operating efficiency, clean and change furnace filters according to manufacturer recommendations. Turn your furnace off when no one is home. Loose-fitting windows and doors will lose hot or cool air through cracks around the edges. Sealing these edges with caulk and weather-stripping will keep heat and cold air where they belong. These easy practices can save $$$ and energy.<BR/>Use an Insulated Pool Cover <BR/>If you don't already use a pool cover, consider the following benefits: pool covers help keep your pool temperature warm and constant by trapping the sun's rays to heat the water; covers also reduce the amount of water and chemicals that you will use in your pool a three-fold benefit of reduced energy, water, and chemical costs. And lastly, a well-fitted pool cover helps prevent heat loss resulting in pool heating energy savings of up to 50%.<BR/>A Tip About Your Range <BR/>By replacing your range with a new pilotless gas range, you can reduce the gas needed for cooking. This also keeps your kitchen cooler and prevents pilot light outages caused by drafts and other disturbances. Cooking Tip: Adjusting top burner flames to fit your pan size can also help reduce your energy needs. (use outdoor grill during the summer)<BR/>Use an Insulated Spa or Hot Tub Cover <BR/>Consider using an insulated spa cover. It will keep the heat in when the spa is not in use and can help lower your energy bill.YJay Draimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02379758854590131726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3174537464110662657.post-73950372093130391952008-07-15T02:48:00.000-04:002008-07-15T02:48:00.000-04:00A more efficient and cost effective renewable ener...A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed. R2<BR/>A more efficient and cost effective renewable energy system is needed. <BR/>To accelerate the implementation of renewable electric generation with added incentives and a FASTER PAYBACK - ROI. (A method of storing energy, would accelerate the use of renewable energy) A greater tax credit, accelerated depreciation, funding scientific research and pay as you save utility billing. (Reduce and or eliminates the tax on implementing energy efficiency, eliminate increase in Real estate Taxes for energy efficiency improvement). Tax incentive and rebates have to be tripled.<BR/>In California, you also have the impediment, that when there are an interruption of power supply by the Utility you the consumer cannot use your renewable energy system to provide power. <BR/>In today's technology there is automatic switching equipment that would disconnect the consumer from the grid, which would permit renewable generation for the consumer even during power interruption. Energy storage technology must advance substantially. “Energy conservation through energy storage”.<BR/>New competition for the world's limited oil and natural gas supplies is increasing global demand like never before. Reserves are dwindling. These and other factors are forcing energy prices to skyrocket here at home. It's affecting not just the fuel for our cars and homes, it is affecting food prices and it's driving up electricity costs, too. A new world is emerging. The energy decisions our nation makes today will have huge implications into the next century. We must expedite the implementation of renewable energy.<BR/>A synchronous system with batteries allows the blending of a PV with grid power, but also offers the advantage of “islanding” in case of a power failure. A synchronous system automatically disconnects the utility power from the house and operates like an off-grid home during power failures. This system, however, is more costly and loses some of the efficiency advantages of a battery-less system.<BR/>We’re surrounded by energy — sun, wind, water. The problem is harnessing it in an economical way. <BR/>Jay Draiman, Northridge, CA<BR/>June 30, 2008<BR/><BR/>Jay Draiman Energy Development Specialist provides expertise in all sectors of the energy and utility industry.<BR/>Over 20 years experience. Specializing in: Energy Audit, Telecom audit, Utility bills audit and review for refunds or better rates, Demand Management, Energy Efficiency review and implementation, Renewable Energy, Lighting Retrofit, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Fuel-Cell, Thermal imaging, Rainwater harvesting, Energy conservation, Ice Storage, Water conservation methods, Energy and telecom audit and procurement<BR/>Much is at stake when policy makers, regulators, and corporate executives face the challenges of evolving energy markets and efficiency.<BR/><BR/>www.energysavers2.comYJay Draimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02379758854590131726noreply@blogger.com