After the obvious expenses of home ownership, which includes, saving for the down – payment, monthly mortgage carrying costs, etc, the cost of energy, is often, one of the most significant. Those living in colder climates, must consider, both their cost of electricity, as well as heating fuel (either oil, gas, electric, or other), while those in milder areas, face higher average electric usage. While there are many, somewhat, expensive possibilities, most people, do not want to commit, to these extra, often – extraordinary costs. Therefore, this article will attempt to briefly, examine, identify, and discuss, 6 simple, basic, relatively inexpensive, energy – savings solutions.

1. Thermostat – Lower temperatures, and setback: Every degree, one sets his thermostat back, saves a considerable amount of money, so doesn’t it make sense, to attempt, to get used to living in slightly cooler environments? In addition, using a setback thermostat, which automatically, lowers the temperature setting, during certain hours, such as day times, when no one is home, or overnight, when most people enjoy sleeping, in slightly cooler environments, save a considerable amount of energy, and, thus, expense.

2. Check insulation: Many homes might benefit, by addressing areas, where the insulation, is either, ineffective, insufficient, lacking, or, of an older, less energy – efficient variety. Addressing this, often, is rather simple, and not very costly.

3. Have boiler and burner tuned, and maintained: If one wishes to save energy, doesn’t it make sense, to consistently proceed, and prepare, for the winter season, by having the burner and boiler, tuned and preventively, maintained, prior to the season. Most people, especially those who use oil heat, purchase maintenance contracts, in preparation, to avoid any unexpected emergencies/ contingencies. These generally provide annual preventive maintenance!

4. Separate hot water tank: When one has a separate hot water tank, not only, does he have access, to more hot water, but, also, it generally saves, a considerable amount of fuel costs, because, one only needs, to heat this tank, rather than having his entire system, running (as in the case, when a coil is used,instead of a tank). Many set the temperature for this water, excessively high, so setting a slightly lower temperature, lowers energy costs.

5. Winter curtains/ drapes: If you discover an excessive amount of air, escaping under a door, or window, using some sort of simple, basic, curtains or drapes, often, significant reduces this waste.

6. Close doors and windows: While it might seem obvious, it’s amazing how much heat (in the winter), and air conditioning (in hotter weather), is lost/ wasted, simply, because windows are not securely closed, or doors are left open, rather than merely closing them.

Saving on energy costs is obviously an important goal, for most homeowners, so doesn’t it make sense, to proceed, using basic, simple techniques, to save, on these. Will you commit, to doing so, in order to being your own, best friend?

When most home buyers look for a house, of their own, they consider many factors and considerations, including whether it meets their needs, in many ways, and is affordable, for them. When considering these economic factors/ considerations, very often, little attention, is paid, to the continuing costs of utilities, especially for heating, air conditioning, and electric. As a Real Estate Licensed Salesperson, in New York State, for over a decade, as well as a homeowner, and an investor in a few rental properties, I have come to recognize and realize, it’s very important, essential, and relevant, to pay keen attention to energy costs and considerations. This article will, therefore, attempt to briefly review, examine, consider and discuss, 5 specific areas of a home, which may have a significant impact.

1. Windows and Doors: Energy studies often indicate, perhaps, the largest loser of energy, in most homes, is via, the windows and doors. We often refer to these as drafts, but there are several possibilities, many of which, might be simply addressed. Pay attention to exterior doors, and see if there are areas, which may not be air – tight! A simple adjustment, such as applying seals, etc, along the bottom and sides of the doors, minimize this waste/ leakage! Are the windows, energy – efficient? If they are not, examine the Return on Investment, in terms of replacing the inefficient ones, with energy – efficient windows. If the windows are the right quality, also check and review, whether there is a need to seal the sides, etc, with quality caulking. You’d be amazed by, how much energy, might be saved, by addressing these issues!

2. Heating system/ alternatives: It’s important to have your heating system, examined, and maintained (including Preventive Maintenance), every year, prior to the colder weather. A well – tuned, properly, efficiently performing burner and boiler, not only will save you money, but avoid numerous potential headaches. Some individuals might benefit from using alternative methods, such as solar, geo – thermal, etc, and it is a good idea, to review, whether you might benefit from these.

3. Separate hot water system: While you only use your heat, during certain seasons, you need hot water, year – around! Therefore, doesn’t it make sense, to avoid, wasting money, by running the entire heating system, when you only need to heat your water. Some use solar, for their hot water, depending on location, costs, etc. Others might benefit, from having a separate hot water tank!

4. Insulation: Obviously, the quality, amount, and location of insulation, has a significant impact on energy costs. However, many ignore, the need to insulate, behind light plates, because there is often, significant energy loss, there.

5. Other materials; electric; etc: Examine the materials used, and whether they are efficient, quality, and hopefully, sustainable. Also, make a point of reminding, everyone who lives in the house, to remember to turn off the lights, etc, when they aren’t needed and/ or necessary.

In the vast majority of situations, much of this can be accomplished, at a relatively minimal expense/ cost. Don’t complain about energy costs – address them!

The seven colors that compose natural light also correspond to the energy of the seven major energetic centers of Ayurvedic medicine or chakras.

In holistic living, we have already begun to think of the body as an energetic system:

• Vital energy powers and directs the body.

• Vital energy sources include ancestral energy from our parents and energy transformed in our bodies from the air we breathe and the food we eat.

• We are also subjected to the energies of our environment from heaven (in the sense of cosmic energies) and earth-called telluric energies (from the Latin ‘tellus,’ meaning ‘earth).

• Energy is constantly transformed and flowing within each of us, and it also flows in and out of each of us.

Ayurveda also has energy points known as marma points that correlate highly with acupuncture points, and energy channels called nadis.

Each chakra receives and sends out energy, creating an energy distribution system not only within the body, but also between the body and our energy field. Each chakra has its own range of energy vibration that corresponds to one of the seven colors of the rainbow. Energy blockages can also occur in chakras.

It is possible to balance chakras by giving them the lacking energy.

Chakras are numbered from one to seven, starting at the root chakra and ending at the crown chakra. It is best to simultaneously balance chakras by pair, determined by their symmetrical position relative to the middle or heart (fourth) chakra.

The sum of the paired or complementary chakras is always eight: 7 + 1, 6 + 2, and so on.

To each chakra corresponds certain organs and for some, one or two of the eight hormonal glands. The health of organs and hormonal glands depends on the energetic quality and quantity of the corresponding chakra.

A healthy hormonal system requires a healthy chakra system, thus the importance and practicality of working with light and oils to energize and balance them.

Chakras go deep into the body in a funnel shape and extend outward several inches beyond the skin level into the layers of our energy field-the aura around the body. See illustration, right column.

When our chakric energetic centers are in balance, meaning they are neither transmitting nor receiving too much or too little energy, they are in balance. This energy center balance assists in the creation of good mental, emotional, spiritual and even, physical health because each of these aspects affects all the other ones.

Each individual aura has its own blend of vibrations, energy and color combination, specific not only to each individual but also subject to changes from moment to moment and particularly according to emotions felt.

The closer we live to nature or in harmony with it, our energy fields and centers align to the energies of the earth and we consequently experience more balance and better health. Because of the challenges our current modern world presents to us, we must find ways to ensure our chakric system stays in balance. Be sure to read our blog post of tomorrow to discover a whole host of ways to do this!

Did you know that the amount of sunlight that strikes the earth’s surface in an hour and a half is enough to handle the entire world’s energy consumption for a full year? Solar energy has amazing potential to power our daily lives thanks to constantly-improving technologies.

Solar energy systems come in all shapes and sizes. Residential systems are found on rooftops across the United States, and businesses are also opting to install solar panels to offset their energy costs. Utilities, too, are building large solar power plants to provide cleaner energy to all customers connected to the grid.

There are two main types of solar energy technologies-photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP). You’re likely most familiar with PV, which is utilized in panels. When the sun shines onto a solar panel, photons from the sunlight are absorbed by the cells in the panel, which creates an electric field across the layers and causes electricity to flow.

The second technology is concentrating solar power, or CSP. It is used primarily in very large power plants and is not appropriate for residential use. This technology uses mirrors to reflect and concentrate sunlight onto receivers that collect solar energy and convert it to heat, which can then be used to produce electricity.

Every location on Earth receives sunlight at least part of the year. The amount of solar radiation that reaches any one spot on the Earth’s surface varies according to:

Geographic location

Time of day

Season

Local landscape

Local weather.

Because the Earth is round, the sun strikes the surface at different angles, ranging from 0° (just above the horizon) to 90° (directly overhead). When the sun’s rays are vertical, the Earth’s surface gets all the energy possible. The more slanted the sun’s rays are, the longer they travel through the atmosphere, becoming more scattered and diffuse. Because the Earth is round, the frigid polar regions never get a high sun, and because of the tilted axis of rotation, these areas receive no sun at all during part of the year.

The Earth revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit and is closer to the sun during part of the year. When the sun is nearer the Earth, the Earth’s surface receives a little more solar energy. The Earth is nearer the sun when it is summer in the southern hemisphere and winter in the northern hemisphere. However, the presence of vast oceans moderates the hotter summers and colder winters one would expect to see in the southern hemisphere as a result of this difference.

The 23.5° tilt in the Earth’s axis of rotation is a more significant factor in determining the amount of sunlight striking the Earth at a particular location. Tilting results in longer days in the northern hemisphere from the spring (vernal) equinox to the fall (autumnal) equinox and longer days in the southern hemisphere during the other 6 months. Days and nights are both exactly 12 hours long on the equinoxes, which occur each year on or around March 23 and September 22.

Countries such as the United States, which lie in the middle latitudes, receive more solar energy in the summer not only because days are longer, but also because the sun is nearly overhead. The sun’s rays are far more slanted during the shorter days of the winter months. Cities such as Denver, Colorado, (near 40° latitude) receive nearly three times more solar energy in June than they do in December.

The rotation of the Earth is also responsible for hourly variations in sunlight. In the early morning and late afternoon, the sun is low in the sky. Its rays travel further through the atmosphere than at noon, when the sun is at its highest point. On a clear day, the greatest amount of solar energy reaches a solar collector around solar noon.