Solar Powered Keyboard

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Normal keyboards, as everyone knows, rely on rechargeable batteries and they have to have a wall charger to make them work. Now all you have to do to keep it going is place your keyboard in a sunny place so you don't have to change the batteries frequently. This is another smart invention.

Electric Plane

By: Rachel Skilicorn

This plane is a major gas and money saver. By having a lot of things rely on a combination of rechargable properties that connect to the motor and that connecting to a generator, this machine provides an endless amount of energy to either the propeller or a compressor for the thrust. This also has the same things as normal planes, but this way you are saving money and helping the environment be a better place.

http://www.smithengine.com/Electric%20Plane%20Cover%20Art_pictureframe.html

Flat Tower

By: Rachel Skillicorn

When looking at most big buildings and skyscrapers they are growing vertically, which leaves a big footprint on many cities. By having a flat building, it leaves a smaller footprint in the earth's soil in these cities. Not only does the cool design look better than the normal ones, it helps save the earth's natural growing things from being destroyed.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/inventions/

Solar Stereo Speakers

By: Rachel Skillicorn

These stereo speakers are already a great way to listen to your music, but what if you could charge that without spending a thing. When you're relaxing outside, soaking up the sun, listening to your music, you are actually saving money. The speakers get their power from sunlight. Also it's not any different than the usual speakers, basically any ipod or MP3 player can be used in it. This is a great way to save money and energy.

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/inventions/

Weird Energy Conservation Tips

Rachel Skillicorn 1. A 6 -inch pan on an 8-inch burner will waste more than 40% of the stoves energy 2. Some water heater thermostats come at 140 degrees, which can cost you more money 3. About 90% of the electricity used by everyday incandescent is lost as heat 4. As much as half the energy used by heating and cooling 5. Electric devices draw in even more electricity when they are plugged in

Japan's Nuclear Crisis

By: Rachel Skillicorn

In Japan, the recent tsunami and earthquake, affected some of the nuclear plants. That means that radioactive material is now in their air and can be deadly. Officials released other chemicals into the atmosphere trying to counteract the nuclear particulate in the air. People (some 19 miles away) were warned not to drink tap water because the radioactive iodine, which is a element that only comes out in extreme temperatures, is currently 3 times above the normal level. Luckily, Japan is now recovering.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/8393805/Japan-nuclear-crisis-Fukushima-50-face-new-setback.html

Solar Panels

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Solar panels are a great energy saving tool. After you install it you don't have to pay anything else, because it's all up to the sun. Although that saves you a ton of money, when the sun isn't shining you have to rely on the battery pack; like at night or in winter. It also takes a lot of expensive materials to make one. On the other hand, solar energy is renewable and it is much cleaner than gas or coal. It helps the environment by not releasing harmful gases to pollute the air. Those are the pros and cons to solar panels.

http://www.facts-about-solar-energy.com/solar-energy-advantages-disadvantages.html

Efficient Washing Machines

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Energy efficient washing machines from ENERGY STAR are a great way to save money and water. An average American does 400 loads of laundry a year and with this specific one you can cut one third of the energy by switching to the energy efficient washer. It also uses 50% less water than any other washers. Switching to one of these is going to save you energy and water which in return can save you a ton of money.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product.showProductGroup&pgw_code=CW

Water Efficient Sprinklers

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Energy saving sprinklers help you save money. They have made them mostly for farmers and their crops. People who have researched irrigation, they said that the new water efficient sprinklers will cut down about $55 or 77 kWh per acre, annually. We would save a lot of money if every farmer switched to the energy efficient sprinklers to water their crops, they would get the same healthy crops but with less water which in return is helping the environment.

http://www.extension.org/pages/Introduction_to_Energy_Efficient_Irrigation

Saving Energy With Air Conditioning

By: Rachel Skillicorn

1. Get rid of un-used or old appliances because they use heat and that can make you use more of the air conditioning

2. Insulate your house, so that the cool air can stay in and not be wasted

3. Instead of using up all the air conditioning and running up your bill, use fans; they don't use a lot of energy and they still give you the same cooling effect

4. Shade your windows, put up curtains so the sun can't come straight through the window

5. If you put in a light colored roof that could decrease the amount of cooling you need by 10-15%

http://www.aceee.org/consumer/cooling

Dishwashing Energy Saving Tips

By:Rachel Skillicorn

1. Only start washing your dishes when the dishwasher is completly full

2. Don't pre-rinse

3. Turn your water heater down

4. Don't use a lot of soap

5. Use the delayed start feature (if you have one)

http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-efficient-dishwashers.html

Energy Saving Refridgerator

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Energy saving refrigerators are very helpful in saving money, they are the biggest power consumer in most households so if you have an energy saving one you will save tos of money. These are some cool tips to use when you want to save money with refridgerator

1. During the winter freezer space isn't occupied as much so what you could do is take some empty milk/water jugs and freeze them from outside, then put them in your freezer so there is less empty space that needs froze

2. Defrost good by putting it in your fridge the night before you use it so it will cool the fridge down which will reduce the power intake.

3. Vacumn the coils in the back of your refridgerator twice a year.

http://eartheasy.com/live_energyeffic_appl.htm

Water Saving Shower heads

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Energy efficient shower heads save 25% of water compared to the normal shower heads. The Spoiler-P Shower head has an average flow rate of 2.0GPM and it pasts the "efficiency standards". It also has a a pause feature that when you push it, it slows the water flow that lets you save more money. The biggest thing that makes the shower head energy efficient is that it has an internal pressure compensator that has a consistent water pressure.

Energy Sources

By:Rachel Skillicorn

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_development

Renewable Energy are natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, and (geothermal) heat. They are an alternative from fossil fuels and nuclear power.

Wind: The turbines that are created from wind cause rotation of magnets which makes electricity

Geothermal: When the heat turns into steam it pushes the water back up which is used to turn turbines into electrical energy.

Tidal: When the tides come and connect with the water turbine they turn and that can turn an electrical turbine or gas compressor.

Tips to Save Money with Energy

Energy Tips (For Weatherization)

1. Insulating your house

2. Replace your windows with single-glazed windows

3. Install "storm doors" (cuts down the cold air coming in and warm air going out)

4. Humidifiers and small heaters will help you with your cost with warming the air in your house when you actually need it.

5. Add weater strips under doors to let no cold air in or warm air out

http://www.pnm.com/customers/99_ways.htm

Energy Efficent Outlet

By: Rachel Skillicorn

The energy efficient outlet can reduce your utility bill immensely. It has a timer that can be set at 30 minutes, 3 hours, or 6 hours and after that time it will shut down the power so that you won't be paying any unnecessary energy bills, when you're not using anything. It is perfect for charging cellphones or shutting of heaters or toasters or any other small appliances off. This is a great energy saver.

http://www.metaefficient.com/gifts-2/energy-efficient-gadget-gifts.html

Universal Remote

By:Rachel Skillicorn

One of the greatest energy saving gadgets is the universal remote. Sometimes you need to buy 2-4 remotes for just one TV. When you buy a universal remote you don't have to worry about spending more money than you have to. When you get a universal remote, it will save you a lot of time and money. It also has an energy efficent rechargeable battery so you don't have to buy anymore batteries. Set up is easy and some of the brands of these remotes can give you things like touch screen and up to 15 controls. The only down side is the price. The average price for these remotes is $160.99.

http://www.metaefficient.com/gifts-2/energy-efficient-gadget-gifts.html

Energy Saving Heaters

By: Rachel Skillicorn

Energy Saving Fans will really help with your heating bills. When you want an easier way to save money, just get an energy efficient fan. Instead of having all these bills, these types of fans heat a bathroom in 5 minutes and a normal bedroom in 20 minutes. That way you don't have to pay for heat when you're no using it, with the fan you can turn it on when you're cold and turn it off when you don't need it. The only bad things about this is them is that they can sometimes be loud and they are not the easiest thing to use, but it does save you money.

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&safe=active&q=energy+efficient+space+heaters&wrapid=tlif12925262247971&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=243255343787358595&ei=wmIKTcqTEYPSsAOOx7yhCg&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CKIBEPMCMAY#

Eco-Friendly Clothes

By: Rachel Skillicorn

If you want to help the planet, here's how. Instead of going dramatic you can help by buying eco- friendly clothes. Some stores now have all organic clothes that look like normal clothes but they are acutally made out of recycled products. They use products such as bamboo, soy, and hemp. Bamboo consumes 4x more CO2 than trees, which is great for the enivironment.

http://www.elementecowear.com/6-About_Products/Earth-Friendly_Organic_Clothing-Choose_Bamboo_Soy_Organic_Cotton.html

Energy Saving Windows

By: Rachel Skillicorn

What makes energy efficient windows the way they are is a few things. While some companies don't pay close attention to the frame work, this type has quality frame materials. They learned that some low-maintenance materials reduce the amount of heat that escapes, which helps insulation. Another thing that is built into them is the two air or gas that fills the inside. This increases the sound insulation and impact resistance. There are also warm edge spacers to help too. The last thing is the special coating on them that reduces heat flow in and out of the window.

http://http//www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=windows_doors.pr_anat_window