Bio-Diesel in Trucks: Protecting the Environment

Posted by: Lillian Marie Lauran  /  Category: Environment

Super hurricanes, protracted drought and other weird weather conditions occur regularly which our ancestors haven’t experienced in their lifetime. We all know that this extreme climate change is a result of global warming. Global warming adversely affects the biodiversity of all living things, melts the polar caps and increases the water content of our oceans and streams. So, we see islands disappearing from the face of the earth and the extinction of flora and fauna. The culprit is the burning of fossil fuels that release greenhouse gases. These gases – carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide – snugly encase the earth trapping heat within. We’ve heard it a long time ago but hadn’t taken action.

Greenhouse Gas Online reports that 30 percent of carbon dioxide originates from transportation. The developed world is heavily dependent on the supply of gasoline. Out of the 30 percent carbon dioxide emissions, diesel engines from buses, delivery and semi-trailer trucks discharge one third of the carbon dioxide emissions.

During the 1930s, the trucking industry took over the rails as the main mode of transport of agricultural products from farms to cities. The beginning of the trucking system created a problem of fuel emissions of carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide dirtying the highways and roads with repugnant soot. This started the accumulation of man-made greenhouse gases. Further, GreenHouse gas reveals that for the past 100 years there had been a fast accumulation of greenhouse gases starting the process of global warming. Obviously, the need for transportation is to be blamed.

Rudolf Diesel, the inventor of the diesel engine started out using vegetable oil to fuel his experimental prototype, which is named after him. Yet when trucks were invented which run on diesel engines, the fuel that was popularly used was a refined derivative of gasoline the so-called petroleum diesel. But, he was hopeful that people with diesel engines will find a way to use vegetable fuel for his invention. During the 1920′s and 1930′s, several European countries utilized bio-diesels as an alternative fuel.

Obviously, bio-diesel wins a lot of points more than using petrol diesel for the environment and our pockets. Bio-diesels used in trucks utilize vegetable or animal oils. These oils are usually from soy or rapeseed. Or from used restaurant oil and reused for the manufacture of bio-diesels, a nice way of recycling our waste. Additionally, bio-diesel is completely biodegradable and renewable.

And this is the most important of all, utilizing bio-diesels decreases carbon dioxide emission from trucks, the filth that we hate. Wang and Lyons conducted a study done in 2000 in West Virginia University comparing the emissions of trucks on bio-diesel and trucks on pure petroleum diesel. The results reveal that the bio-diesel fueled trucks have lower particulate matter, lower carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon emissions than the trucks that were fueled with petrol.

One gallon of gasoline utilized by a diesel engine releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide. Now, if a trucking company uses 12,000 gallons a year of petrol diesel that would amount to 240,000 pounds of heat-trapping carbon dioxide released in the earth’s atmosphere. Supposing all trucking companies world wide decide to use bio-diesels, we’ll expect a much lesser carbon dioxide emission and then slows the process of global warming. Isn’t that something?

On the highways, trucks on petrol have that nasty habit of spewing repugnant noxious fumes. These fumes contain carcinogenic chemicals that increase lung cancer risk. They spew out sulfur that causes acid rain formation. Here’s more, their noise irritate the ears. Using bio-diesel on trucks gives off a much cleaner smell and moves silently along the highways. A relief for everyone’s nose and ears.

Studies reveal that trucks fueled by bio-diesels aren’t less efficient in terms of mileage. Skeptics say that they aren’t as efficient as trucks on petrol. But, researches clearly prove that there is no significant decrease or increase in fuel mileage. Trucks on Bio-diesel are at par with those on petrol. We all know the upside. Trucks on bio-diesel deliver goods, people and furniture and do other tasks cleanly and quietly.

Convinced that the best way to a healthier earth, several trucking companies run exclusively on bio-diesels. The fleet of trucks of Serenity Movers is fueled by bio-diesels and travels 55,000 miles per year transporting furniture efficiently, safely, sweetly and serenely.

If all the trucks utilize bio-diesel, the catastrophic scenario that prophets of gloom keep harking on would be averted. Evidently, the process of global warming will drastically decelerate. We might yet be able to save the melting of the polar caps, save some flora and fauna species from extinction and avert disastrous consequences in our planet. As a bonus, we’ll save our dollars, stop our dependence on oil and pay our farmers more. We’ll be able to nurture a sustainable, productive and safe world as a legacy for our children.

If we want to experience a better world, it’s time to advocate and choose shipping services using bio-fuels. Let’s all take action!

Lillian Marie Lauran publishes on behalf of NY moving specialists Serenity Movers. Next time you move – look for GREEN NY movers. Choose Serenity Movers New York.

An Energy Auditor Is A Position That Requires A Degree

Posted by: Candace Smith  /  Category: Green Business

Who should become an Energy Auditor is a question well answered by someone who is simply fascinated with how energy works. This person will acquire a formal education in this field. Then will go on to train an additional approximate of three years with a certified auditor to apply what was learned in school.

Sometimes the additional training may be less or more and is determined by the needs of the particular auditor. They may need very little practical training as some schools are offering work study programs in which the auditor works alongside a certified auditor during the time he is getting the formal education.

Examining and evaluating energy levels is what an Energy Auditor does. Looking for all potential avenues of energy escaping by walking through a home or business and checking for cracks or area’s that are allowing outside air to enter and heat or air conditioning to escape.

Wherever there is a potential for energy loss, they will be sure to have evaluated it. The loss of energy from your home or business could be very costly, not to mention inconvenient. They will check attics and basements, windows and ceilings. This is what they specialize in doing and they do it well.

The time it will take to examine your home will vary with the size. Other factors are if there is an attic, and a basement. Every room must be looked at and evaluated to make sure that no loss of energy is occurring. Energy loss can occur at windows, and where the weather stripping may need replaced.

Who should become an Energy Auditor is determined by what a person likes to do. If they are scientifically inclined it just may be a great career choice, especially if they also like to stay active. It is a highly rewarding position in conserving energy for the world one home and business at a time.

Start a job as an BPI Energy Auditor. Something that will not only earn you money, but help out others too.

Energy-Efficient Homes by Emmy Homes

Posted by: Craig Axelrod  /  Category: Environment

Emmy Homes is proud to bring energy-efficient homes to Long Island. Our homes make use of Energy Star rules, qualifying for Energy Star certification to help ensure the energy efficiency of your home. This not only reduces your utility costs but also increases the resale value of the home.

In coordination with Home Energy New York, Emmy now builds homes with green energy technology built-in. With choices ranging from solar panels, wind turbines and solar heating tubes, Emmy Homes in Commack New York can build and deliver an energy efficient house to you.

The wind power systems that will be used in Commack New York are the Energy Ball v100 and Energy Ball v200. These systems are designed to produce 500W and 2500W of electricity respectively. These wind turbines, which closely resemble a weather vane as opposed to a traditional windmill, are very compact. The v100, for example, is only 3 feet tall. When mounted on a pole on top of your house, is able to use wind power, night and day, producing electricity for you. Any surplus electricity is fed back into the grid and the power company pays you for that electricity.

The solar heating tubes are a different approach to heating the water used throughout your house. A fully enclosed system, it makes use of vacuum sealed tubes containing narrow metal blades. As sunlight warms these blades, they heat tubes of water running through a seam in the blades. This water circulates back to your current systems through coils and indirectly heats the water in your water tank. The water in the solar heating tubes is not the water that you drink; rather, this water travels through coils that bring the heat energy to the water that you drink.

Solar heating tubes, such as those in the green energy systems in Commack, work in both the summer and winter – based on the sun. These shatter resistant glass tubes contain the blades in a sealed environment. The outside cold has no effect on the blade. Even in the coldest temperaturs, solar heating systems collect sunlight and create heat that heats the water passing through the main tube, as high as 190F. Finally, solar electric panels placed on the roof of your new home can produce year-round electricity. While solar panels are only effective during the daytime, the quantity of power they produce can be significant. Excess electricity is automatically routed back to the power company, who buys it back from you at the same rate that they charge you for power. If you are smart and turn off lights and appliances in your home that you are not using, your power demand will drop, allowing additional electricity can flow back to the utility. Go on vacation and have your house act as a mini power station, creating electricity and selling it back to the power grid day in and day out!

Remember, as you look at homes with clean energy technology in Commack, keep in mind the tremendous value of having clean energy in your home. A house with wind power, solar electric and other solar energy on Long Island gives you advantages over the rest. It is good for the environment, and lowers your costs and raises the resale value of your home.

Craig Axelrod, a partner of Emmy Homes pens extensively about LI Real Estate and Commack Real Estate