Geothermal Resource Descriptions

Part 4 of Geothermal Energy Under Our Feet. Hydrothermal A hydrothermal system is defined as a subterranean geothermal reservoir that transfers heat energy upward by vertical circulation of fluids driven by differences in fluid density that correspond to differences in temperature (see Figure 2). Hydrothermal systems can be classified into two types—vapor-dominated and hot water— […]


Food Safety During Emergencies: Frequently Asked Questions

Flood waters covered our food stored on shelves and in cabinets. What can I keep and what should I throw out? Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with flood water. Discard any food that is not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it has come into […]


Keep Food Safe During an Emergency

A flood, fire, national disaster, or loss of power from high winds, snow, or ice can jeopardize the safety of your food. Knowing how to determine if food is safe and how to keep food safe will help minimize the risk of food-borne illness. This page will help you make the right decisions to keep […]


Stay Healthy While Working in the Heat

Sometimes, people can be required to work in hot environments for long periods. When the body is unable to maintain a normal temperature, heat-related issues and disease can cause death. The article below provides information about the steps one should take to prevent illness and death caused by heat stress. Factors That May Cause Heat-Related […]


Global Climate Scenario: Abruptly Changing Climates

Part 10 of United States Climate Change Impact. Not all changes in the climate are gradual. There is the possibility of greater changes in climate than current scenarios and models project. The long record of climate found in ice cores, tree rings, and other natural records show that Earth’s climate patterns have undergone rapid shifts […]


Global Climate Scenarios: Temperatures, Precipitation and Sea Levels

Part 9 of United States Climate Change Impact. Rising global temperature All climate models project that human-caused emissions of heat-trapping gases will cause further warming in the future. Based on scenarios that do not assume explicit climate policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global average temperature is projected to rise by 2 to 11.5°F by […]


Climate Change and the Human Fingerprint

Part 7 of United States Climate Change Impact. There is extensive statistical evidence from so-called “fingerprint” studies. Each factor that affects climate produces a unique pattern of climate response, much as each person has a unique fingerprint. Fingerprint studies exploit these unique signatures, and allow detailed comparisons of modeled and observed climate change patterns. Scientists […]


Global Climate Change: Introduction

Part 3 of United States Climate Change Impact. Key Messages: Human activities have led to large increases in heat-trapping gases over the past century. Global average temperature and sea level have increased, and precipitation patterns have changed. The global warming of the past 50 years is due primarily to human-induced increases in heat-trapping gases. Human […]


Raw Milk Dangers and Risks

Part 1 of Dangers of Raw Milk. Unpasteurized Milk Can Pose a Serious Health Risk Milk and milk products provide a wealth of nutrition benefits. But raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms that can pose serious health risks to you and your family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 800 […]


Using Geothermal Energy Directly

Part 4 of Geothermal Energy: Power from the Depths of the Earth. If you’ve ever soaked in water from a natural hot spring, you’re one of the millions of people around the world who has enjoyed the direct use of geothermal energy. And while this naturally occurring hot water may be the perfect tonic for […]


Geothermal Power: A Clear Advantage

Part 2 of Geothermal Energy: Power from the Depths of the Earth. Geothermal energy delivers some powerful environmental and economic benefits. If you live in an area that uses geothermal resources for electricity production, you’re quite fortunate. Consider Lake County, California, which is home to many of the geothermal power plants at our nation’s best-developed […]


Focus on Foods in the Freezer

Foods in the freezer — are they safe? Thousands of people each year call the USDA to inquiry about the safety of items stored in their own home freezers. The confusion seems to be based on the fact that few people understand how freezing protects food. Here is some information on how to freeze food […]


Loose-Fill Insulations

Part 1 of Loose-Fill Insulation. Whether you are increasing the insulation levels in your current home or selecting insulation for a new home, choosing the right insulation material can be challenging. Fibrous loose-fill insulations such as cellulose, fiberglass, and rock wool are options you may wish to consider. This publication will introduce you to these […]


Sunspace Components

Part 4 of Sunspaces. Glazing Glazing is clear or translucent materials that allow sunlight to penetrate and warm the room. Glass is the most common glazing material, and many sunspace developers choose glass for its durability, clarity, and appearance. But plastic glitter may be cheaper, stronger, lighter and easier to work with, making them popular […]


Sunspaces: Design Considerations for various functions

Part 2 of Sunspaces. Sunspaces serve three main functions: they are a source of auxiliary heat, they provide space to grow plants and have fun living areas. The design considerations for these features are very different, and although it is possible to build a sunspace that will serve all three functions, some compromises will be […]


Color of Light and Color Rendering

Part 5 of Energy-Efficient Lighting. Cool light is preferred for visual tasks because it produces higher contrast than warm light. Contrast is the brightness difference between different parts of the visual field, which is the area of space you can see at a given instant without moving your eyes. Warm light is preferred for living […]


Why Drive an Advanced or Alternative Fuel Vehicle?

Part 1 of Advanced Technology and Alternative Fuel Vehicles. Transportation accounts for more than 67% of oil consumption in the USA-more than it produces. Today, our country imports more than 54 percent of its oil, and suggested that this could increase to 75% by 2010. According to the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, the average vehicle […]


Operating a heat pump

Part 6 of Air-Source Heat Pumps. Like combustion heating systems, you control heat pumps using thermostats. If you leave and return at regular times everyday, you’ll save money by using automatic thermostats, which minimize energy use during the times the home is unoccupied. However, choosing an automatic thermostat’s reactivation time requires considering the duration of […]


Installing an Insulation Blanket on an Electric Water Heater

Part 5 of Energy-Efficient Water Heating. Note: Installation is more difficult on gas- and oil-fired heaters. Ask your local furnace installer for instructions. 1. Cut the tank top insulation to fit around the piping in the top of the tank. Tape the cut section closed after the top has been installed. 2. Fold the corners […]


4 Essential Steps for Solar Battery Maintenance

Part 4 of Battery Power for Your Residential Solar Electric System. All batteries will wear out in 1-15 years, even if they are rarely used, because the acid in the battery wears down the internal components regardless of use. However, you can maximize the life of your battery bank by adhering to the following practices: Avoid […]


Advantages and Disadvantages

Part 6 of Elements of an Energy-Efficient House. Houses that incorporate all of the elements of energy efficiency mentioned in this series of articles have many advantages. They feel more comfortable because the additional insulation keeps the interior wall at a more comfortable and stable temperature. The indoor humidity is also better controlled, and drafts […]


Solar Water Heaters

Part 6 of Selecting a New Water Heater. Through specially designed systems, energy from the sun can be used to heat water for your home. Depending on climate and water use, a properly designed, installed, and maintained solar water heater can meet from half to nearly all of a home’s hot water demand. Two features, […]


Heating the Pool Efficiently

Part 3 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy. If you are selecting a pool heater, ask for as energy-efficient model as you can afford. Several heat pump manufacturers make retrofit desuperheater coils for pool heating, and several make heat pumps for pool heating. These may be cost effective relative to […]


Reducing Water and Heat Loss

Part 2 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy. Almost all of a pool’s heat loss—about 95 percent—occurs at the surface, mostly through evaporation to the air and radiation to the sky. A pool cover is an effective means to keep heat (and water) in a pool by reducing evaporation of […]


Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy

Part 1 of Conserve Energy and Heat Your Swimming Pool with Solar Energy. Swimming pools provide a great way to exercise and beat the summer heat. Building and maintaining a pool, however, also means relatively high costs added to your household’s budget. There are several ways that you can reduce operating and maintenance costs, lower […]


Saving Energy with Appliances

Part 9 of Ways to Save Money on Energy at Home. Appliances account for about 20% of your household’s energy consumption, with refrigerators, clothes washers, and clothes dryers at the top of the consumption list. When you’re shopping for appliances, you can think of two price tags. The first one covers the purchase price—think of […]


Water Heating

Part 5 of Ways to Save Money on Energy at Home. Hot Water Usage (based on national averages) Shower: 37% Clothes washer: 26% Dishwasher: 14% Bath: 12% Sinks: 11% Water heating is the third largest energy expense in your home. It typically accounts for about 14% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut […]


Other Considerations: Earth-Sheltered Houses

Part 7 of Earth Sheltered Houses. Waterproofing Waterproofing can be a challenge in earth-sheltered construction. Keep in mind these three ways to reduce the risk of water damage in your house: choose the site carefully, plan the drainage both at and below the surface of the house, and waterproof your house. There are several waterproofing […]


Choosing a Programmable Thermostat

Part 3 of Automatic and Programmable Thermostats. Because programmable thermostats are a relatively new technology, you should learn as much as you can before selecting a unit. When shopping for a thermostat, bring information with you about your current unit, including the brand and model number. Also, ask these questions before buying a thermostat: Does […]


Thermostats with Automatic Temperature Adjustment

Part 2 of Automatic and Programmable Thermostats. To maximize your energy savings without sacrificing comfort, you can install an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. They adjust the temperature setting for you. While you might forget to turn down the heat before you leave for work in the morning, a programmable thermostat won’t! By maintaining the […]


Automatic and Programmable Thermostats

Part 1 of Automatic and Programmable Thermostats. In our modern, high-tech society, we don’t think much about some of the electronic gadgets in our homes. Take, for example, the ever-present thermostat—a staple of American households for decades. It usually takes the shape of an unassuming box on the wall, but that modest device controls the […]


Tomorrow’s Options for More Efficient Windows

Part 3 of Advances in Glazing Materials for Windows. “Superwindows” now coming on the market can attain high thermal resistance by combining multiple low-e coatings; low-conductance gas fills; barriers between panes, which reduce convective circulation of the gas fill; and insulating frames and edge spacers. Also, optical properties such as solar transmittance can be customized […]


What are the maintenance issues and repair costs for a solar thermal system?

Part 7 of Heat Your Water With The Sun. The costs of maintaining your solar thermal system depend on the type of technology you choose and how often temperatures in your area fall below freezing. Properly maintaining your system will keep it running smoothly. Passive systems do not require much maintenance. For active systems, discuss […]


Investing in Solar Thermal Technologies

Part 3 of Heat Your Water With The Sun. Why should I invest in a solar thermal system? The first question many people ask when considering a home expense is, “How much will it cost?” The answer depends on the type of system, how you want to use it (water or pool heating, for example), […]


Manage Your Home’s Ventilation

Part 7 of Cooling Your Home Naturally with Fans and Ventilation. Remember the following if you plan to cool your home with ventilation: Learn how air flows naturally through your house. Take advantage of cool night air, and ventilate your home by natural or mechanical methods. Keep a clear path for airflow both inside and […]


Natural Ventilation: The “Chimney Effect”

Part 2 of Cooling Your Home Naturally with Fans and Ventilation. Natural ventilation relies on the wind and the “chimney effect” to keep a home cool. Moving air ventilates your home by entering or leaving windows, depending on their orientation to the wind. When wind blows against your home, air is forced into your windows. […]


Cooling Your Home Naturally

Part 1 of Cool Your Home Naturally. Keeping cool indoors when it is hot outdoors is a problem. The sun beating down on our homes causes indoor temperatures to rise to uncomfortable levels. Air conditioning provides some relief. But the initial costs of installing an air conditioner and the electricity costs to run it can […]