Archive for July, 2009

What Should You Know About Corrugated Roofing

A roof is like the dog species.  There are many different breeds of roof, and many variations within the breed.  Picking the best roof for you can feel a bit like trying to pick the Best In Show at the Westminster Dog Show.  They all look like dogs.So how can you tell which one is the best?

If you live in rainy climates, consider corrugate roofing.  Instead of flat tiles or shingles, corrugated roofing consists of a series of little waves.This is great for drainage.  You don’t want a ton of water or snow piling up on your roof.  So if you need a slanted roof, corrugated roofing is a long-lasting, light weight option.  Many roofing companies prefer corrugated roofing as it’s relatively easy to install, no matter what material it’s made out of.  Many corrugating roofing tiles or sheets can be altered to make your home look prettier.

Types Of Corrugated Roofing

Corrugated new roof can some in stainless steel, coated or painted steel, fiberglass, slate, ceramic, asphalt or aluminum.How can you choose?  Like choosing a breed of dog, there are advantages and disadvantages of each breed.  The dog may be pretty, but will he fit in with your lifestyle?This is the same as with choosing corrugated roofing materials.What kind of climate do you live in?  What’s the rainfall?Are you in a city, country or a desert?

For example, if you live in a very hot place, forget about fiberglass, which might melt, or metal, which might heat up your house uncomfortably in the summer.  A kind of false ceiling insulation can help counteract a metal corrugated roof into turning your home into an oven, but that would be an extra expense.If you live in an extremely rainy area, like India, you really don’t want corrugated sheet metal roofs if you can help it.The noise of the rain hitting the roof can often be deafening.  Aluminum also dents easily, so you might not want to choose it if you live under a lot of trees.

There are still some health concerns with anything having to do with asbestos, even though asbestos is much safer to use outside of your house than inside of it.  The advantage of asbestos corrugated roofing is that it’s long lasting and less expensive than other materials.

You don’t have to make this decision alone.  There are many online sources, books, roof repair Auckland specialists and even hardware store employees who can help you find your home’s best friend.

Build Your Own Solar Hot Water Heater

Building a solar hot water heater is a fantastic DIY project, especially for someone who is just starting out converting to solar power. We love the water heater as a first project for the following reasons. First, it is a limited scope project, meaning that it is easy and has a very specific purpose which won’t be overwhelming when getting started and can learn important solar concepts along the way.

It is also very cheap to complete. Most importantly, it will have an immediate impact on your monthly power bill from day one. Most people don’t realize it, but heating water usually accounts for a full one-third of their monthly energy expense. Only HVAC (air conditioning and heating) uses more energy in the average home.

You can usually build a solar hot water heater for under $100 – very impressive considering that one you have installed professionally will cost well over $1000. The parts are all readily available in your local hardware store or home center.

You don’t need any special tools. Assuming you have the average DIY’ers basic understanding of wiring and plumbing connections, you’ll be able to do this project with no trouble at all. The project can be completed in a weekend, and most people can start early on a Saturday and be heating water off the grid by Sunday night.

People use solar water heaters in every part of the world, so the local climate is not an issue. They are incredibly reliable and the technology has been with us for decades. However, like with any solar component, it is recommended to have a backup source for long periods of cloudy weather. You will rarely need your backup because unlike some other solar applications, once the water is heated it stays pretty hot for quite a while.

Still, your sunlight and consumption may be different than mine so it makes good sense to always have a backup when using solar power for anything. Fortunately, your backup is already in place. You just keep your existing water heater and use it if/when you need it. Since the unit isn’t running on a regular basis it will last years longer than it would when being used every day.

In addition, your solar water heater will last years longer than a normal gas or electric water heater and require very little maintenance.

There is a lot of mis-information about exactly how to build and install a solar water heater.I’ve seen claims that boast about being able to build one for $5. These are usually garbage, held together by wire and duct tape or worse. If you are going to do this project, do it right and make sure you can produce enough hot water for your entire home most of the time.

The honest truth is You can save 33% on your monthly energy bill and spend about $100 to quickly convert your home to solar hot water. Visit our site for more articles on this topic and great sources of information and instruction.

Used Solar Panels

Many people who begin to research solar power for their homes quickly find out that the cost is prohibitive, and since the panels usually make up 50% of the cost, used solar panels are a great way to help make the entire project affordable However, it is important to understand what you are getting before you jump into a purchase. Buyers should be aware that not all solar panels are the same, and no two solar installation projects are the same. Projects can vary by the amount of energy you need to produce, the location of the system and how much direct sunlight it gets.

Everything you ever wanted to know about finding used solar panels is at diyhomepowergrid.com.

Particularly with used solar panels, the age, condition, type and prior usage history all contribute to determine whether the panel will give the necessary results.

Now on to judging used solar panels.

Basically, a solar panel is just a series of individual solar cells connected together inside a shallow frame. The energy from the sunlight is collected by these individual cells and then moved along through the panel and out into the system. Panels with higher numbers of cells can collect more energy and that corresponds to a higher wattage rating for that panel.

Be aware that even new solar panels are only usually warranted to produce some number below the stated wattage (for example, a 200 watt panel may only be warranted to 180 watts). This is good information to have when judging a used panel.  

Efficiency rating is also important because it tells you the energy per square inch that the cells can produce . This matters because a smaller panel with a higher efficiency rating will output the same wattage as a larger panel with a lower efficiency rating. More efficiently rated panels means less roof space will beneeded to produce the power you need.

We discuss this further in other articles on our site, but it is important to note here that the inverter the system uses will also ultimately impact the true performance of the panels. Simply put, the inverter is responsible for changing the energy from direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC). Inverters are rated for efficiency as well. A higher rated inverter will lose less of the generated power than will a lower rated inverter.

The next thing to consider are the panels age and usage history. All solar panels have an expected lifespan and when new are usually guaranteed for 25 years.  Solar panels should be expected to lose performance after being placed into service and although other factors come into play, It is safe to assume that) panels of the same type and age that have been sitting in storage will be a better value than those that have been in service for years. Buyers should remember this when investigating used solar panels for sale.

Buying the right solar panels for your project can drastically reduce the cost of installing solar power in a home. Making a few bad purchases however can end up costing you a lot of wasted money in the long run.

You can check out a lot more information on purchasing used solar panels, and our recommended resources at diyhomepowergrid.com.

Cabinet Refacing Ideas

Before you start searching kitchen cabinet refacing companies just read through this very informative write-up. My intention here is to discuss some pretty important issues and help you make an informed decision about redoing your kitchen cabinets.

As you search through the web you will come across a number of people claiming to be experts on this subject matter but end up mixing the ideas and suggestions made with replacement. Allow me to briefly share some thoughts on this subject matter.

kitchen Cabinet Refacing Defined

This is when kitchen cabinets that are aged are revamped by adding a new coating such as veneer, thermo-foil or laminate. Most often this involves only changing the door fronts and drawer from but not the whole cabinets.  Ideally the process is easier and faster than a complete kitchen remodel.

This is probably the cheapest way to own new cabinets as compared to buying new ones. All in all then, it is the most efficient, affordable and hassle-free way to boost your kitchen’s look and feel.

Let us briefly look at some of the different coating that is used  

The Use Of Laminate

Laminate is primarily made of plastic film or thin sheet formed from resins such as polyethylene and polypropylene. This is arguably the cheapest material to usebut it is not as resistant in wear and tear. Having said that, it works well in heat oil resistance and can seal heat perfectly.

Defining Thermofoil

If you are looking for something close to wood and new in the market then this should be your best choice.  It has many names e.g. RTF or Vinyl and its thick vinyl film is bonded enduringly to a wood core that is warp-resistant.

Wood veneer

This is material made from wood. It is quite thin as it is cut from a log with a peeling, sawing or slicing machine. This is best for giving the wood a nice grain. There are many varieties of this feature. This means you will need to consult with an expert to help you find the best for you kitchen.

When Cheap Solar Panels Are Not A Bargain

Everyone knows that solar power is cheap and clean. However, the equipment you will need is extremely expensive and is almost always unaffordable for most consumers.

Cheap Solar Panels are abundant. You just have to know where to look.

Homeowners can buy cheap solar panels and can dramatically reduce the overall cost of converting your home to solar power. In fact, you can sometimes find them for free if you know where to look. Used panels are often available cheap from highway departments or contractors. Ebay and other online auctions sites are also a good source. Buyers should always check out the seller’s reputation and feedback just like with any other online purchase.
 
Used solar panels are obviously a lot cheaper than new, but you need to be sure of what you are getting. The panel must be structurally sound and properly sealed so that moisture won’t get inside. Moisture collecting inside a panel can greatly reduce its ability to perform at full capacity.

Solar panels are different from one to the next. Power generating capacity will be different. Even within identical panel types, the age and condition of the individual cells inside a panel can effect its ability to perform at the rated level. Older or slightly damaged cells will produce less energy but, these are often still a good bargain if they are in decent enough shape. Therefore being able to evaluate the offered panel is important otherwise you’ll end up buying cheap solar panels that don’t serve the intended purpose.

You can test a panel using a volt meter to make sure that it functions properly. It is also advisable to test the underperforming panel’s individual solar cell rows to consider repairing.  Replacing or wiring around damaged cells is an option if there aren’t too many. When testing a panel, you need to test both the voltage and current.

Another good alternative is to build your own solar panels  from materials that are readily available at your local home supply center. Before you conclude that this is way too complicated it really isn’t that difficult if you know what you are doing.  Anyone with some basic tools and a reasonable level of DIY project skills can build a cheap solar panel for a fraction of the cost of buying it new. 

There are a number of guides available that show you how to generate solar power using cheap solar panels you build yourself or get second hand. You can’t beat the education you get at such a low price because it will teach you exactly where to look and what to look for when buying cheap solar panels. Most guides are available for under $50, but watch out because some of them are junk.

You can learn more about buying or building cheap solar panels at our website. We can also help you find a quality guide book for completing all your DIY energy projects. Find Cheap Solar Panels Here.