Salman Zafar is the CEO of BioEnergy Consult, and an international consultant, advisor and trainer with expertise in waste management, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, environment protection and resource conservation. His geographical areas of focus include Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Salman has successfully accomplished a wide range of projects in the areas of biogas technology, biomass energy, waste-to-energy, recycling and waste management.
Salman has participated in numerous national and international conferences all over the world. He is a prolific environmental journalist, and has authored more than 300 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. In addition, he is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management and environmental sustainability through his blogs and portals.
Salman can be reached at salman@bioenergyconsult.com or salman@cleantechloops.com.
It’s crucial to keep energy consumption to a minimum as a business. Not only will this help to lower the cost of your energy bills, but it should prolong the lifespans of your appliances too.
The materials used most frequently in the UK for loose-fill insulation include:
Mineral or glass wool
Polystyrene beads
Cork granules
Before choosing a material for your loft insulation, it’s important to do your research. Choosing a sustainable material like recycled newspaper or cellulose fibre could be a better choice for the long-term environmental impact your business carries.
2. Invest in draughtproofing
Similarly, as business premises are often large open spaces, draughtproofing is key. This could mean ensuring all windows and doors are sealed from the inside and out, repairing any structural insecurities, or upgrading to double- or even triple-glazed windows.
If you’re already using some of the most energy efficient heating systems on the market, it could still be possible to find better deals on your bills with a different energy provider. Compare different suppliers online to see if you can get a better deal for your utilities or call your current supplier to see if they could negotiate a better fixed price or monthly rate for your company.
4. Install efficient heating systems
How long has your business been running and servicing the same boiler?
Regardless of its efficiency at the time you bought it, if you’re using an outdated system, it’s highly likely to be uneconomical now. Additionally, a newer boiler could be less likely to break down, reducing potential maintenance costs in the future.
With several types of government grants available, it could be worth looking into greener options like solar panels, air source heat pumps, electric heating, or biomass heating systems. Whichever one you choose, the initial cost will rapidly turn into a productive long-term investment.
Humans have increasingly become dependent on electricity, which is due in no small part to the many advances in technology. From healthcare and commerce to the way people communicate with each other, everything that makes life livable now requires electrical power.
With all the growing demand for electricity, government and business leaders are continually pressured by the public to find ways to generate more power while keeping the planet safe. Renewable energy is the buzzword for finding the balance between power generation and giving the environment a much-needed TLC (tender loving care).
That said, water is one of the most common sources of renewable energy – it generates hydroelectricity, which makes up around 44% of renewable energy in the U.S. alone. Harvesting hydropower involves harnessing the flow of water. In other words, hydropower plants require dams to be built to hold and control the water that’ll turn the generators or turbines, generating electricity.
But hydropower is just one part of the equation. Water is essential for humans, without which life won’t even be possible. From hydropower to drinking water supply, dams will continue to be vital for humanity’s survival. Owners must manage their dams effectively to keep them safe and working. Doing so can prevent risks that may result in loss of life and property.
Challenges Posed By Dams
Most dams used for hydropower generation and water supply are man-made–they’re made up of concrete. Hence, there are structural and stability challenges that need to be solved. You don’t need to see a movie just to know what might happen if a dam is breached.
There was a time when operators relied on visual inspection, photos, and interpretation by engineers to analyze a dam’s safety levels. Today, there are state-of-the-art monitoring tools to help dam operators. Hence, there are now advanced solutions that allow dam owners to keep the structural integrity in check.
Take the case of Hunter Water Grahamstown Dam in Australia. This dam is designed to provide a drinking water supply and recycled water service to an area with approximately 600,000 people. As a storage dam, it constantly presents challenges that can compromise its structural integrity.
Using modern dam monitoring tools, Grahamstown Dam owners can effectively manage the dam’s integrity in a remote setting. In turn, this allows nearby residents to sleep soundly at night. The secret lies in using AI technology, such as Rezatec’s Dam Monitoring solution, to remotely churn out geospatial data that tracks everything–from ground movements to moisture levels. Nothing is left to chance or open interpretation. Also, fewer visual inspections are now required.
Dam Safety Management Tips
Indeed, humans have completely changed the way water is stored–whether for drinking or generating power. In a study aimed at monitoring and taking a closer look at the changing levels of global freshwater sources, researchers used NASA’s satellite and found that humans are now responsible for 57% of the planet’s seasonal water storage, which is happening in reservoirs and dams.
With the ever-increasing world population, it’s logical for one to think that more reservoirs and dams will be built in the foreseeable future. Whether it’s for drinking or harnessing hydropower, dams are here to stay. Owners and operators must learn to manage their dams dynamically.
Taking a cue from what operators did in managing the safety of the Grahamstown Dam, here are some tips on how to keep dams safe and functioning properly for years to come.
1. Create A Dam’s Risk Profile
No dam is perfect. For one, there’s always a trade-off among costs, location, and capacity when designing and building dams. It’s left to the owners to make the best out of the dams they’re managing. In a bid to reduce risks, owners should always know the status of their dams. For one, they should define risk areas and be aware of the dam’s weaknesses.
By creating a dam’s risk profile, managers won’t be caught unaware should disasters occur. For instance, if a barrier was designed to withstand a 10-magnitude earthquake, then a reading of 11 on the Richter scale should put workers on full alert even if the dam isn’t breached. Emergency inspections and responses should also be triggered.
2. Effective Dam Monitoring In Place
Dams, like the one in Grahamstown, require continued monitoring. There’s no shortcut to knowing or tracking the structural integrity of a dam except via monitoring.
In the past, owners relied on photography and visual inspections. The problem was the data gathered could be biased and were open to misinterpretation. Hence, it would be best to adopt AI-based solutions to ensure accurate monitoring data.
3. Ready Access To Construction Documentation
Dams are big structures and they’re often made up of different segments and materials. Making things more complicated is the fact that no two dams are the same–each has its own design features.
When managing a dam, the people responsible for it should have access to the dam’s design and construction blueprint. By doing so, managers will be less likely to do things that can compromise the dam’s structure and functionality.
4. Prioritize Incident Reports
Dam workers must be required to report all incidents that occur, including emergencies and operational shutdowns. Such reports will keep the management in the loop and enable key players to recommend a plan of action to prevent such incidents from happening again.
5. Operations And Safety Manuals At The Ready
Dams are run by different people working in various shifts. While training workshops are essential for new and experienced workers, people tend to forget what they’re trained for. It’s crucial to have operations and safety manuals readily accessible to ensure that everyone is on the same page while operating the dam. This way, workers won’t be left guessing on what to do in case emergencies, such as cyber assaults, happen.
6. Multi-discipline Management Approach
While new technologies allow remote, scalable, and cost-effective dam management, it’s still vital to have human operators and engineers tracking changes or investigating anomalies. Environmental sciences should work with soil engineering and other disciplines. AI should also work with good old-fashioned human insights.
By combining multiple disciplines, dam owners will be more confident in reducing risks and meeting regulatory requirements across different sectors.
Conclusion
Dams are vital for human survival. They can be harnessed to provide water supply and electricity. Due to this, expect that there will be more dams built in the foreseeable future.
With that in mind, owners and operators should learn how to keep dams safe and effective to prevent loss of life and property.
Never before has our society had such a massive and noticeable predilection for recycling. Many industries now want to show that they have a minimal carbon footprint and are doing everything in their power to reduce the burden they cause on the planet as a whole.
This desire has now come to the machining industry. Ceramics often go unused in many industries. This can be things such as broken or excess tiles from a construction site or any other number of ceramic using industries. Previously, we didn’t really know what to do with this excess waste and carted it off to landfills for it to live out the rest of its days.
Now, we are able to grind the ceramics into a fine powder that can then be repurposed for a staggering number of alternative uses. Turning this powder into useable machine parts is just one of these uses that is now seeing some major traction.
Why machine parts?
Many people are woefully unaware of just how prevalent ceramic parts are in the industry. Everything from electrical insulators to use in high-powered lasers and even as durable nozzles for dispensing materials from. Ceramic is highly prized for its thermal resistance, toughness, and applications in the electrical field.
Any of these parts, however, require careful machining of ceramics to get the parts to the right specifications. What this means is that there is a huge demand for people who can take ceramic waste, break it down, and then change it into a useable part.
Okay, but why ceramic?
Ceramic parts are one of the biggest places for growth in industry application currently. Both designers and engineers are finding new ways to apply ceramic to their needs, and part of this requires heavy testing. It can be prohibitively expensive for consistently machine parts from new ceramic for testing in ways that haven’t been proven to be economically viable yet, so using repurposed and recycled ceramics are a great way to test ideas before taking them to market.
The low weight and toughness of ceramics mean that over time, many parts thought only usable if they were made from metal or specialized materials can now be created from relatively simple ceramic materials. As chemistry advances and allows us to create new forms of ceramics in all manner of shapes and sizes, so do our possible applications for these ceramics.
In short, nobody wants to be left behind as better ceramic products are created which in turn is creating a huge demand for ceramic waste for recycling purposes.
They say that technology advances at an exponential pace, meaning that the time it takes for us to double our relative amount of technological advancement is shrinking with each major technological milestone. There’s very little opportunity for those who can’t manage to keep up, with obsolescence coming quickly, there is a major incentive to be on the cusp of any given field’s knowledge. Having the newest and best ceramic parts is just part of this drive for future-proofing businesses, meaning ceramic waste is at a premium currently.
The world’s energy bill is expected to reach $48 trillion by 2035 for power supply, fossil fuel extraction, and investment in renewables and nuclear, among other elements. Unfortunately, the cost of increased expenses goes beyond denting household or business budgets: it also affects the environment, making it more polluted and contributing to global warming. Improving energy efficiency in home and business life is vital in order to eliminate waste, save money, and help rescue the planet. Here are a few clever ways to improve energy efficiency in the domestic and commercial property:
Insulation and Air Sealing
The structure of a home or a commercial property is one of the key determinants in energy efficiency. When designing a home or renovating a building, it’s important to pay attention to insulation and air sealing. Roof cladding is vital in order to conserve heat and keep the structure cool. Double or triple-glazed windows ensure that heat is retained indoors, and stops the cold from entering a room to make a structure energy-efficient.
When paired with energy efficient heating and cooling appliances, this can make a huge difference to the amount of energy used within the building. It’s also a good idea to customize your windows, and choose an efficient frame that is appropriate for your climate.
For doors, caulking and weather stripping safeguard your home and enhance energy efficiency. In some cases, it makes sense to replace a door to retain energy and keep away draughts. Properly installed and conceived skylights allow you to benefit from daylight and improve ventilation. New technologies already incorporate glazing technologies in skylights to reduce the impact of summertime heat gain and winter heat loss.
Coherent Heating, Cooling and Hot Water Systems Using Renewables
It’s also imperative to think of a coherent heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and hot water systems. One way to do this is to select effective cooling and heating equipment. Opt for dehumidifying heat pipes to reduce indoor humidity and increase comfort. Along with other actions such as increasing the thermostat and using ceiling fans, you can reduce the power consumption of aircons by 20-50%, according to Energy.gov
Consider using renewable energy systems to provide electricity and cool and heat homes. Solar photovoltaics (PVs) are forms of clean energy that can provide unlimited power. Investments can be recuperated within a short time. Solar power technology has evolved for the better in the last few decades, and the costs of installing panels have gone down. In addition, many governments offer incentives to switch to clean energy, making it a win-win situation.
Upgrade Appliances And Lighting Systems
Homes and buildings can also benefit from reduced electricity use by upgrading lighting systems. Switching to light emitting diode (LED) bulbs lowers power consumption by as much as 75%. In addition, they last 25 times longer than incandescent lighting, and offer better or higher illumination without increasing energy usage – useful for areas that require constant lighting such as corridors or offices.
Appliances also make a difference. Switch to energy-rated appliances, from washing machines and dishwashers to coffeemakers and copiers. When purchasing news appliances and gadgets, consider the cost of operating them. Think of smart appliances that can be connected to home or building energy management systems. These types of appliances not only shut down during peak electricity demand, but also shift energy use, smartly running when utility charges are lower, such as in the middle of the night.
Energy spending worldwide has been increasing, and will continue to do so in the future. Investing in energy efficiency will not only save money for both households and businesses, but will also help the environment and make people feel good about their commitment to the planet.
Are you a homeowner interested in utilising the latest technology for your home construction projects? If so, you may want to look into what a telehandler can do for you. A telehandler is an expanded forklift that can move material vertically and horizontally, thus making it versatile. Below, we’ll explore how implementing a telehandler could benefit your home construction endeavours. Also, we’ll look at how to choose the right telehandler for your needs.
What are the Benefits of Using a Telehandler?
Using a telehandler in home construction and maintenance projects can be beneficial for a number of reasons. Here are some potential advantages that you might experience when implementing this type of equipment:
1. Increased safety
Telehandlers can provide increased safety in home construction and maintenance projects. They have a range of features that allow the operator to work while standing away from the equipment. These include remote-control operation, height adjustability and the ability to lift heavy objects. It is especially beneficial for tasks that involve working at heights or with hazardous materials. Some also have extra safety features such as guard rails and automatic brakes. And, if you are interested in cost effective rentals of telehandlers for rail projects, there are many companies that offer cost-effective rental solutions.
2. Performing Heavy Lifting
This vehicle is capable of performing heavy lifting tasks. It also helps lift and transport large amounts of materials at once. They are also highly manoeuvrable, making them ideal for tight spaces that other vehicles can’t reach. This makes them incredibly versatile for a variety of tasks and projects.
3. Capabilities on and off the Road
Telehandlers can be used both on and off the road, meaning they can be used in a variety of locations. This makes them ideal for jobs that require movement through various terrains or tasks which need to be completed quickly.
4. Service That Is Efficient and Timely
Telehandlers are designed to be efficient and speedy, allowing homeowners to complete tasks on time. It is especially helpful when completing home projects, as it can save time and money. In addition, they are easy to maintain and require minimal servicing. However, there are also cavity wall insulation pros and cons to consider when planning a construction project.
5. Versatility
Telehandlers are incredibly versatile, meaning they can be used for various tasks. It also helps stack objects or moving materials. They also come with various attachments that can be customised depending on the task.
How to Choose the Right Telehandler for Home Construction and Maintenance Projects?
Now that you know the benefits that telehandlers can bring to your projects, it’s time to take a look at how to select the right one.
Here are some factors to consider when selecting a telehandler:
1. Project Requirements
One of the most important things to consider is the specific needs of your project. Different telehandlers are designed for different applications and can have vastly different capabilities. Consider the size, weight, and type of material you will be working with when selecting a telehandler that fits your needs.
2. Project Environment
When trying to pick the right telehandler for your project, you will also want to consider the environment it will be used in. For example, if the machine is going to be used outdoors, you may need to look for one designed for outdoor use. It means larger wheels, extended booms, and other features that make it suitable for working outside. So, if the telehandler will be used indoors, you may want to consider a smaller model with more manoeuvrability.
3. Consider the Attachments
Depending on the project, you may need certain attachments for your telehandler to be successful. For example, if you’re working on a roofing job and need to lift shingles up onto the roof, then you may need an extension ladder attachment. Consider any attachments that will help make the job easier before selecting a telehandler.
4. Weight Capacity
It’s important to ensure that the telehandler you select can handle the weight of any materials you plan on moving. Be sure to check the manufacturer’s specifications and determine what the lift capacity is before renting one. In addition, you’ll want to ensure that the boom is rated for the weight of any load it carries.
Final Thoughts
Telehandlers can be an invaluable tool for home construction and maintenance projects. It also offers a safe and efficient way to move materials from one point to another. When selecting a telehandler, consider the project requirements, environment, attachments and weight capacity. Then, with careful selection and proper operation of the machines, you can make sure that these projects go smoother and safer. Happy lifting!
Renewable energy is extracted from environmental assets that recharge in less than half of a human lifespan without draining the earth’s resources. Sunlight, wind, rain, oceans, waves, carbon, and thermal energy deposited in the earth’s crust are all commodities that are present in some way or another almost everywhere. Renewable energy is practically inexhaustible. What’s even better is that they don’t have much effect on the economy or the atmosphere.
On the other hand, fossil resources such as gasoline, coal, and natural gas are only present in limited amounts. They will eventually run out even if you want to harvest them. Fossil fuels are not replenished as quickly as humans need them to, even though natural methods create them. Currently people have started realizing the necessity of renewable energy usage and want to learn more about its functioning and its benefits. People are opting for different courses on renewable energy to get a step closer towards a greener world. Have a look at Renewable Energy Courses Basildon Essex which has quality courses available at affordable rates.
What are the reasons for using renewable energy?
Both sources of energy affect the climate, much as every other human operation. Renewable energy is no different, and each supply comes with its own set of trade-offs. However, the benefits of renewable energy over fossil fuels are evident. Here are five prominent reasons to use renewable energy in your daily life:
1. Renewable energy is abundant
As the name implies, renewable energy is produced from naturally replenishing sources such as sunlight, air, rain, compost, and even geothermal (buried) energy.
Renewables turn natural resources efficiently into energy, unlike oil, coal, and natural gas mines, which involve large networks of heavy equipment, refining facilities, pipes, and distribution. Although certain fossil fuels are getting increasingly difficult and costly to obtain, resulting in the degradation of natural ecosystems and significant financial damages, renewable energy is infinite.
2. Renewable energy emits little to no pollutants
Increased air emissions are caused by global growth in conventional fuel, required in road transportation, manufacturing activity, electricity production, and outdoor garbage combustion in many regions. The usage of coal and lumber for cooking and heating in many developed countries leads to low indoor air quality. Cities are physically suffocated by contaminants and other air pollution generated by fossil fuels. According to World Health Organization reports, their appearance over metropolitan skies causes millions of early casualties and costs billions of dollars.
Air, thermal, and hydroelectric power emit little to no emissions into the atmosphere. Other alternative power generating techniques, such as biomass and geothermal, release emissions into the atmosphere, albeit at far lower levels than most fossil fuels.
Renewable energy follows reuse and recycling goals and is a powerful engine for social and economic development, rather than depleting precious energy and polluting the atmosphere.
3. Renewable energy is cheap
Increased oil costs and insufficient access to capital are often associated with international unrest and uprisings. Since renewable energy is mainly generated locally, it is less impacted by geopolitical conflicts, price rises, or supply chain disturbances.
Using green resources can save you funds in the long run. You can save not only on repairs but also on running expenses. You don’t have to spend money to refuel if you use equipment that produces electricity from solar, wind, steam, or geological activities. The sum of money you save when you use green energy depends on various things, including the system itself. In most situations, switching to green energies results in cost cuts ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollar.
4. Renewable energy creates jobs
The renewable energy sector is more labor-intensive than fossil fuel systems, which are traditionally automated and capital intensive. Humans are required to mount photovoltaic panels, and technicians are required to maintain wind turbines.
This implies that more jobs are created on aggregate with each unit of energy produced by renewable energies than from fossil energy.
Thousands of workers are now supported by renewable energies in the United States. In 2016, the wind energy sector employed directly over 100,000 full-time-equivalent workers in processing, project production, design and turbine implementation, administration, and maintenance.
5. Renewable energy is reliable and resilient
Since renewable energy sources are dispersed and flexible, they are less vulnerable to large-scale malfunction. Because distributed grids are spread over a wide geographic area, an extreme weather incident in one place would not result in the loss of control for an entire site. Numerous independent windmills or solar panels make up modular structures. And if any of the system’s machinery is disabled, the remainder usually continues to function.
Solar panels are becoming more accessible, for homeowners and businesses
Hurricane Sandy, for example, wreaked havoc on New York and New Jersey’s fossil-fuel-dominated electric production and delivery grids, knocking out millions of residents. On the other hand, renewable energy facilities in the Northeast escaped Hurricane Sandy with no injury or destruction.
In conclusion
Despite certain uncertainties, it is apparent that clean energy can one day provide emission-free electricity to all of our households, industries, and cars.
While no one energy source will ever be able to satisfy all of the human requirements, a mixture of solar, air, biomass, geothermal, tidal, and power storage can fuel the entire planet without emitting any toxins or greenhouse gases.
Currently, more than 600 million people living in Sub-Saharan Africa, out of a total population of 900 million, do not have access to electricity. Even those with some kind of electrical connection suffer from unreliable supply, lack of sufficient power on the grid, high energy prices, or a combination of these, meaning they lack full access to power.
However, the solution is in sight, and it is green. It could be that the majority of the “dark continent” will skip fossil fuel- based energy entirely, and skip straight to renewable energy solutions, from those living in refugee camps, to the cities.
The renewable energy industry in Africa represents great opportunities for many, not only the local populations who will benefit from a stable electricity supply, but also local workers and international consultants whose expertise are greatly needed. Not to mention of course the benefits for the environment.
If you are a foreign consultant looking to work in the renewable energy industry in Africa, here is what you should know.
Opportunities in Renewable Energy Industry in Africa
The renewable energy industry is booming in many African countries, most notably Nigeria. Here, it is hoped that biomass will help to bridge the gap between the current electricity capacity of 12,522MW and demand of 98,000MW. This dramatic shortfall, despite Nigeria being an OPEC nation and the world’s 13th largest producer of oil, certainly shows the need for renewable energy solutions.
Currently, only 1% of Nigeria’s electricity is powered by renewable energy with a small percentage of this being biomass. However, the country’s rich resources in biomass fuels such as agricultural residues and municipal solid waste means that biomass could represent the solution to the country’s energy crisis.
Across the continent, many countries are already implementing small-scale solar, wind and geothermal technology, particularly to provide energy to remote and under-serviced populations. The World Bank is committed to promoting sustainable energy solutions in developing nations, particularly in Africa. From 2014 to 2018, the World Bank funded $11.5 billion worth of renewable energy projects in developing countries. This continues to be a funding priority for the developing world’s largest financier.
Funding from the World Bank and others has led to a variety of renewable energy projects across Africa, which is only set to increase in future years. These projects have an intense need for foreign consultants, due to the demand for expertise outstripping local availability in many cases.
Guide For Working in African Renewable Energy Industry
Working in the renewables sector in Africa offers the opportunity not only to be part of an exciting, booming industry, but also one which has the potential to make a difference to the lives of millions of people. Working in the sector, and in Africa in general, does come with its own unique challenges, however, so it is important to be prepared.
1. Research Local Laws and Regulations
Firstly, it is important to be prepared that working in a new country will mean that many things will be unfamiliar. One of the key differences will be when it comes to laws and regulations. The company or organisation you are working with should be able to advise you on these matters, but it is also a good idea to do your own research ahead of time to get an idea of local regulations, and how these will impact on your work.
2. Be Open to Local Customs
A big part of working in another country is adjusting to the local customs. Understanding local culture and traditions will not only help you feel more comfortable, but it will also make you more effective in your work. After you arrive in the field, make it one of your key priorities to absorb as much as you can of the local culture.
Additionally, you should be prepared that infrastructure and logistics may be very different from what you are accustomed to: this can impact on everything from internet connection and availability of supplies to transit times.
3. Make Sure Your Training is Upto Date
Availability of training while on site may be limited, so it is important to make sure your qualifications are up to date and that you have skilled up with all relevant training before you leave home. Consult with a UK-based company such as We Do Training to see what courses are on offer, and what may be helpful for you while in the field.
Fiberglass insulation was first put on the market in 1938, and in all the years since, no alternative has really challenged its preeminent position as the most effective choice for insulation on both commercial and residential construction projects. Fiberglass insulation improves a structure’s energy efficiency, reduces heating and cooling costs, and makes occupants more comfortable. These are just a few of the advantages that make it the insulator of choice, even in the latest eco-friendly projects. Below are additional benefits of fiberglass insulation:
1. Moisture Resistance
Fiberglass insulation does not absorb or retain water according to www.cyclonebuildings.com who utilise it in some instances. It can still be contaminated or compromised by moisture; insulation that has gotten wet needs to be inspected and dried to ensure that it does not lose its insulating properties.
Wet insulation can be successfully re-installed and deliver its full R-value as intended by the manufacturer so long as installers confirm that the insulation and the area around it in the structure have not been compromised by water.
In order to provide full insulating value, fiberglass insulation requires a vapor barrier. When properly selected and installed, a vapor barrier catches condensation before it can penetrate the building envelope and reach the insulation. The vapor barrier’s perm rating must be appropriate to the structure and the local climate, and it must be sealed into place with a proper adhesive so that it does not leak.
2. Fire Resistance
Fiberglass insulation is inherently non-combustible because the materials from which it is made – sand and/or recycled glass – are non-combustible themselves. Fiberglass insulation does not need to be treated with chemicals to make it fire-resistant, and it does not become any more combustible as it ages.
In many areas, local building codes even allow the use of fiberglass insulation as an effective fire stop in wall assemblies made of wood or steel.
3. Sound Dampening
Fiberglass insulation absorbs sound, and this means it reduces sound transmission through walls, ceilings, floors, and HVAC ducts where it is used. As a general rule of thumb, one inch of fiberglass insulation increases the sound transmission class, or STC, of a building assembly by three or even four points. Additional inches of fiberglass insulation each add two more points to the STC rating.
4. Use Of Recycled Materials
The manufacture of fiberglass insulation has come to rely on incorporating a significant amount of recycled material. Between 1992 and 2000, insulation manufacturers used over 8 billion pounds (3.6 billion kg) of recycled glass from pre and post-consumer sources. Using this material productively saved millions of cubic feet in landfill space.
The total amount of recycled material used in fiberglass insulation varies from brand to brand and product to product, but some products are made with as much as 80 percent recycled glass. Fiberglass insulation also requires the use of silica sand, which is an abundant and naturally-renewing resource.
Bottom Line
Fiberglass insulation remains a highly competitive and attractive insulation option, even when considered according to environmentally-friendly “green” priorities. In the decades it has been used, it has proven time and again to be a reliable and effective material.
The distinct characteristics and advantages of tankless reverse osmosis water filtration systems make them a particularly attractive choice for drinking water filtration at a single point of application.
We have all of these systems set up in our lab, and we can show you which ones are the best based on our in-person testing.
A tankless RO system can be the best choice if you’re seeking for a reliable reverse osmosis water filter.
What is Reverse Osmosis?
Tap water is driven through a very thin membrane during the reverse osmosis (RO) water filtering process in order to remove impurities.
Reverse osmosis water filtration systems use a RO membrane together with a number of other water filters to purify your tap water by removing up to 99% of all sediment, chemicals, colors, and aromas.
Nobody likes to be concerned about environmental toxins, boil water signs, or corroded and outdated pipelines. All of these problems may be fixed with a water filter device before you fill your glass.
Tankless Efficiency
Reverse osmosis water filtering “wastes” tap water because some of the processed water, which contains all of the filtered pollutants, is flushed down the drain.
Reverse osmosis drinking water systems without tanks are incredibly effective because of their internal booster pumps and high-throughput filters. For every gallon of waste water, the RO systems on this page create 1 to 2 gallons of filtered drinking water.
This contrasts with conventional RO systems, which can waste up to 4 gallons of tap water in order to generate just 1 gallons of filtered water.
Additionally, since a booster pump keeps the pressure at its ideal level, you don’t need to worry about your tap water pressure.
Waterdrop G3 P800 Reverse Osmosis System
You won’t ever have to be concerned about running out of clean drinking water again thanks to the Waterdrop G3 P800.
The 800 gallons per day (GPD) that this tankless under-sink RO system generates is more than enough for your family and small companies that need a lot of filtered water every day!
The smart faucet, which has a real-time TDS meter and filter life indications, is the “smartest” of all systems.
It is a great option for well water or any installation where aquatic microorganisms are a problem because it also has an integrated UV filtering stage.
iSpring Tankless RO
The name of this RO system has a late-2000s vibe to it. The “i(Insert Product Name Here)” formula may no longer be used, but the technology that powers this gadget is still cutting-edge. To their credit, the RO system resembles one that Apple would create if they were to create one themselves. It has the appearance and feel of a high-end RO filtering system thanks to the controls, aesthetics, and few functions.
This RO system has recently upgraded technology that makes it possible to fill cups and water bottles faster than previously. For a straightforward tankless filtration system, its maximum distillation rate of 0.4 gallons per minute is impressive. Nearly all pollutants are eliminated during the filtering process, with the membrane removing 99% of them. Finally, the smart faucet provides codes for troubleshooting in the case of any issues and notifies you when filters need to be changed.
Frizzlife RO Filtration System
One of the main drawbacks of RO system water is that it has a mild acidity and, much worse, little to no minerals. Even healthy minerals that would have been beneficial to your health are eliminated by the membrane since it filters out all contaminants. The Frizzlife contains a remineralization filter that is attached to the main device to gently alkalinize the water in order to address this issue.
Alkalized water has health advantages and is superior to the water produced by conventional RO distillation techniques. Additionally, it has a low drain ratio of 1.5:1 and has no tank, so your kitchen and cabinets underneath will have plenty of room to spare. The LED display, which provides real-time information about your filter and notifies you when to change it, is arguably the greatest feature.
OASIS OSMOSIS HOME Filtration System
The good news is that this next RO system is also the cheapest one we’ve examined and has a ton of great features that make it well worth the money if the iSpring’s high price was your primary deciding factor. Due to its low drain rate and high water flow rate, this RO system claims to be up to 24% more efficient than conventional versions. In just 12 seconds, you can have a cup of filtered water at your disposal.
The technology eliminates all contaminants with a 0.0001um precision. Whatever is present will be filtered away during the distillation process, whether it be fluoride, metals, or limescale. Because of the way this system is built, you won’t need to set aside a lot of room for a tank under or next to your sink. You definitely receive your money’s worth for little under $300, especially if you utilize the system frequently for your hydration needs.
So you made the environmentally and financially sound decision of going off the grid, now what? If you’re wondering how to make the most of converting to the wonderful renewable resource that is solar power then you’ve come to the right place. Solar power is a fantastic and eco-friendly alternative to using fossil-fuel-based electricity but it does take some work to get it running optimally. If you didn’t know this then don’t feel bad, consumerism is largely based on overconsumption and, ultimately, wastage – that is what has been drilled into us over the years. Here are a few tips for getting the most from your new solar power household or workplace.
1. Reduce Your Consumption
It’s no good converting your home or office to solar power if your appliances are electricity guzzlers. Start by replacing the most power-hungry models first, these will be a massive drain on your power supply and that is simply not sustainable when you’re running off of solar power alone.
An old refrigerator uses almost four times the electricity of a new one
If you can’t replace those older appliances for their newer and more energy-efficient counterparts then you should at least only be using them once a day and one at a time.
2. Replace Obsolete Lighting
Do a lighting audit on your solar-powered home, vacation home or office and replace all of the lights that use the old type of energy-hungry bulbs, or if you can, replace just the bulbs with more energy-efficient ones.
Lighting is one of the biggest contributors to power consumption when the bulbs are all filament globes. Filament globes produce heat as a by-product of creating light and this heat accounts for almost 90% of the total energy wasted by these bulbs. Take advantage of solar incentives in Oregon and get rewarded for living more responsibly.
3. Invest In a Gas Geyser
Your solar power system was not cheap but it will never be able to keep up if it is expected to run your electric water heater all day, every day. Invest in a gas geyser that will not use the stored energy from your solar panels but instead use gas.
The other benefit of gas geysers is they give you instant hot water so you will reduce your water consumption at the same time as reducing your power consumption.
4. Take Advantage of the Daylight
Use appliances that require the most energy during the day when your solar power is in full swing. Stagger the usage of these appliances because if you try and use them all at once they will drain more power than your solar power system is capable of producing because your energy requirements will be too high.
5. Invest In Solar Batteries
Installing solar power is just the first step in investing in a total solar energy system. The best way to make the most of your solar system is to buy solar batteries to go with it. These batteries will maximize your solar consumption by reducing the amount of electricity you will need to purchase from the grid.
They do this by providing a safe place in which to store the solar energy collected during the day for use later in the evening. Solar batteries are a necessary upgrade for homeowners with solar-powered systems.
6. Cancel Standby Modes
A lot of electrical devices like TVs, laptops and Wi-Fi’s use electricity even when they’re not in use. It might not seem like much at the time but all of that extra power consumption adds up every year and it is completely wasted. You can save on the power drawn from your solar-powered system by unplugging those devices when they are not in use.
The same applies to charging your devices, make the most of the sunlight hours by putting these devices onto charge during the day and unplugging them in the evenings. You can also charge things like power banks during the day so that you can use them to charge your devices at night instead of conventional electricity.
7. Get a Gas Stove
Cooking is one of the biggest power-draining activities around, especially with a fully electric stove and oven. Switch to a gas-powered stove and watch your electricity consumption drastically reduce.
Gas stoves, like gas water heaters, provide an instantaneous flame, so your pots and pans will heat up so much quicker than a conventional stove. This will save your solar power system from the massive evening drain that comes with making dinner, as well as have your dinner cooked much faster than normal.
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