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There are many different forms in which alternative energy is available.

One of these is solar power. Solar power is driven by photovoltaic cells, and these are progressively getting less expensive and more advanced. Solar energy power can be used for electricity, heating, and making hot water. Solar energy produces no pollution, as its input comes completely from the sun’s rays. However, much more work still needs to be done in order for us to economically harness the sun’s energy. For the time being, the resource is a little too conditional-storage batteries are needed to be used as backups in the evenings and on inclement days.

Wind energy has become the most-invested-in (by private investors and governments together) alternative energy source for the time being. The great arrays of triple-bladed windmills are being placed all over as “wind farms”, to capture the motion of the wind and use its kinetic energy for conversion to mechanical or electrical energy. Of course, there is nothing new about the concept of a windmill for harnessing energy. Modern wind turbines are simply are more advanced variations on the old theme. Of course, the drawback to wind energy is…what do you do when there is a calm, still day? Needless to say, during these times the electric company kicks in for powering your home or office. Wind energy is not altogether independent.

Hydroelectric energy is available as a source of alternative energy, and it can generate a substantial amount of power. Simply put, hydroelectric energy uses the motion of water-its flow in response to gravity, which means downhill-to turn turbines which then generate electrical energy. Needless to say, water is ubiquitous; finding sources for driving hydroelectric turbines is, therefore, not much of a problem. However, hydroelectricity as a source of alternative energy can be complicated and expensive to produce. Dams are often built in order to be able to control the flow of the water sufficiently to generate the needed power. Building a dam to store and control water’s potential and kinetic energy takes quite a lot of work, and operating one is complex as well,and conservationists grow concerned that it. Of course, a dam is not always needed if one is not trying to supply the electrical needs of a city or other very densely populated area. There are small run-of-river hydroelectric converters which are good for supplying neighborhoods or an individual office or home.

Probably the most underrated and under-appreciated form of alternative energy is geothermal energy, which is simply the naturally-occurring energy produced by the heating of artesian waters that are just below the earth’s crust. This heat is transferred into the water from the earth’s inner molten core. The water is drawn up by various different methods-there are “dry steam” power plants, “flash” power plants, and “binary” power plants for harnessing geothermal energy. The purpose of drawing up the hot water is for the gathering of the steam. The Geysers, approximately 100 miles north of San Francisco, is probably the best-known of all geothermal power fields; it’s an example of a dry stream plant.

 

With today’s economy in recession you may find yourself with past due bills piling up in your mailbox. You are probably stressed out and wondering where you are going to get the money to pay these bills. Well here are a few suggestions to get you started.

If you want financial assistance that you do not have to pay back here is what you could do. Go to or call your local social services department. If you qualify they have a variety of programs that you can apply for.

An example of these programs are fuel assistance, crisis assistance and cooling assistance. These are programs you can apply for if you need assistance with your fuel cost. If you have a gas or light bill they may be able to assist you.

Below is a description of each.

Fuel Assistance: This program helps with home heating costs; but can also be used for furnace re-starts, late charges, delivery charges, and connection or re-connection fees.

Crisis Assistance: is intended to meet a household’s emergency heating need, when no other resource is available. Here are some examples on how crisis assistance can be used. During winter months it can be used for a one time only heat security deposit; portable space heater for temporary use, payment for emergency shelter, and/or heating equipment repair/purchase. Assistance is based on the availability of funds.

Cooling Assistance: provides purchase or repair of cooling equipment and/or payment for electricity to operate cooling equipment. To be eligible, a household must contain at least one vulnerable individual who is age 60 or over, disabled, or under age 6. Assistance is based on availability of funds.

 

Programs like these have application cut off dates. So you will want to find out this information when applying. If you find that you missed the deadline for heating assistance ask about the crisis assistance or cooling assistance program.

Keep in mind that these programs vary state to state. Not everyone qualifies for these programs. Social Services will determine if you qualify by the income guidelines set for the state you are in. If indeed you do qualify you will be informed by mail after completing the application. Since there is quite a bit of people applying for these services please allow the agency ample time to respond back to you. The agency will also tell you about when you should receive a response from them.

If you are approved you will receive in the mail a letter containing how much you are approved for. It will have the date, worker number, phone number of the agency, case number, city or county information, and client notice of action.

Client notice of action simply summarizes how much you have been approved for, the company’s name they are sending the payment to, what type of expense it is for whether it be heating or cooling, and when the benefits will be paid by. It is very important that you pay close attention to this information to ensure it is correct. Sometimes the agency may make mistakes and sends the payment to the wrong company or account number: although this is very rare.

Client notice of action also can contain disapproval. If you are ever disapproved it will explain why. If you are disapproved you have the right to appeal the agency’s decision. Information on how to appeal will be included in your letter.

Also if you are approved and you don’t agree with the agency’s decision you have the right to appeal as well. That information is included with your letter.

So now that you know about the various types of assistance: Fuel Assistance, Crisis Assistance and Cooling Assistance I will now tell you what you will need when you apply.

Things you should bring when you apply for these services are:

 

A copy of your bill

 

Your drivers license or state identification card

 

Your social security number

 

The majority of the time when you call your local social services and ask them to mail you an application they will tell you this information. Depending on where you live they may require more information. Make sure if they don’t tell you during the first few minutes of the conversation you find this information out before you end the call.

 

The quickest method is to call, have the agency mail the application to you, fill it out at home and then take it to the agency yourself. If you have a printer at home make copies of everything prior to leaving. It will make things run much smoother. If you don’t have a printer just ask someone in the agency to make copies for you. They will be glad to assist you.

 

Another way to get financial help is to call your local First Call For Help, United Way, Crisis Hotline, 211, American Red Cross or Salvation Army. These agencies may be able to give you referrals to other agencies that can help you with your specific need. If it is your first time calling they will need to get information from you like your name, phone number, address, household size, social security number etc. They will need this information in order to help serve you better. They use this information to find referrals closer to where you live.

 

Source

 

VA Department of Social Services

 

A lot of people think of these large panels on the roof of homes, when they think of solar energy and solar power.  Let’s talk about some other solar energy facts.  Although it came to light, so to speak, in the 1960s, solar energy has advanced and can be used for everything from warming our households to fueling our cars.  Solar energy is free.  Our electrical energy bills get higher each and every year.  We can take this solar power using Earth4Energys kit for a fraction of what it cost us for electricity.  We hear that the environment is having troubles with global warming, green house gases, but solar power if we decide to use and invest in it, is positive for the environment.

A long time ago, we believed people who used solar energy to heat their homes pretty much as fruitcakes.  But today, they have the last laugh.  Each day we watch the price of oil grow and fall.  Never knowing where it is going to be tomorrow.  Then there is the trouble with global warming stairing us in the face.  People who practice the alternative energy source like solar and wind energy are the people who are saving and not to worring about the rise and fall of oil for heating and cooling or running their homes. 

A lot of new constructions are being developed with some consideration to solar energy as the energy crisis as well as the concerns about the environment are forefront in the minds of many individuals.  There are many uses for solar energy, other than heating.  There are other things that solar can be used for other than heating our households. We can use it to run our appliance’s in our homes and also run some electronic gizmo’s.   We are all familiar with solar powered calculators.  In most cases there is some type of rechargable storage device, but in some cases there is not even a battery needed.  So let’s use this to power other things.

Don’t forget there is the wind that can be controlled also to make energy. With that and solar, you can really have an impact on your energy cost and start to save in a big way.  Purposes for solar energy range from warming a house and running a car to actually cleaning H2O in third world nations that can end up saving lives.  As you can see there are numerous purposes for solar and wind energy.

To keep solar and wind energy active and going forward, thought has to be given to the price of producing this power. We also have to remember to consider the eco system as well.  There are two types of people, the one’s who wish to save money using solar power.  Then there are the one’s concerned about the environment.  But both types of people are in agreement that solar and wind energy can be an solution to both of their concerns.

Learn more about solar energy facts.  It is easy to have solar energy for homes, a simple DIY kit, fully illistrated will have you saving money by the weekend. Click solar energy for homes for more information.