A
Roundup of New and Updated Web Sites
The
world of the Internet is ever-changing. Here are a some new sites
and others that have been upgraded:
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Energy Fuel Options...
Energy Calculator Gives Best Fuel Choices for You
The Western Area Power Administration web site contains a very helpful tool as part of its “Energy Services Fuel Calculator.”
The calculator is designed to compare yearly operating costs of two different heating systems — current and replacement, for example — based on the efficiency of the heater, the distribution system and cost of fuel. Among the 28 heating options are: four electric, one ground source heat pump, eight natural gas, eight propane, six oil and one pellet stove. Seven distribution choices — from none to a well-sealed duct system with R-8 insulation are provided.
The calculator assumes the amount of space heated is identical in both cases.
There is also a calculator available for comparative cooling systems.
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| Five Simple Steps...
Save at Home the Energy Star Way
Two federal agencies, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Energy Department, have launched a new effort to encourage people tohttp://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=news.nr_psa"> save energy in their homes. The public relations campaign lists five easy steps for people to take:- Changing your five most-used lights with lights that carry the Energy Star label,
- Buying appliances and other products labeled with the Energy Star,
- Being energy-efficient when heating and cooling your home,
- Sealing and insulating your home, and
- Spreading the word to your friends and family.
For more information about was to save energy and reduce pollution, visit theEPA’s Energy Star campaign web page.
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Now Online...
Home Designs with the Sun in Mind
After nearly 20 years of being out-of-print, a popular book published by the Energy Office, publications/solar_architecture.htm">Nebraska Residential Solar Architecture: A Representational Inventory, is now available to the public in electronic form online.
Residential Solar is a collection of 51 different homes in Nebraska that utilized one or more of ten different methods to save energy using passive or direct solar techniques. Each home is presented pictorially and schematically. The book includes:- An introduction that details in text and pictures the different passive and active ways solar energy can be used in a home design.
- Ten homes feature earth sheltered designs.
- 12 homes utilize direct gain design features.
- Several homes combine features such as direct gain and trombe walls or greenhouses.
- Three homes were retrofitted to incorporate solar features.
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| Fun and Educational...
Energy Kid's Page
The Energy Information Administration’s popularEnergy Kid's Page section of its web site has been expanded and updated to include new sections and content.
The Kid’s Page features - Energy Facts that covers sources of energy — oil, natural gas and solar, uses of energy, saving energy and more.
http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/"> - Fun & Games includes a quiz, puzzles, field trips and a coloring book.
- Energy History has numerous timelines that show significant energy facts and how specific resource types were used over the centuries and profiles 31 people who made significant contributions to energy development. Two of the profiles are Isaac Newton (1640) and George Alcorn (1940).
- Classroom Activities is designed for students from kindergarten to 12th grade and includes experiments, energy news and classroom resources
- Related Links highlights other energy programs and education web sites.
- New Features include a glossary of energy terms and a search engine.
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Many,
Many Ways to Save...
Teaming Up to Help Consumers Save Energy and Money
The U.S. Department of Energy and the Alliance to Save Energy today announced a year-long Powerful $avings public education and awareness
campaign designed to provide consumers with the information and tools necessary
to make smart energy choices a part of their daily lives.
Both DOE and the Alliance offer free consumer booklets with helpful ways
to reduce home energy bills that are important elements of the campaign:
- Energy Savers: Tips on Saving Energy & Money at Home is available in
both English and Spanish at www.energysavers.gov
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The Alliance's Power$mart: Easy Tips to Save Money and the Planet is
available at www.ase.org/power smart/index.html
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