Everyone knows that by decreasing the amount of energy you use in the home, the better it is for your light bill, as well as for the environment. Although you can save a lot of energy by shutting off lights when you’re not using them, choosing the right kind of light bulbs is also a major way to reduce energy consumption. If you replace as few as 15 of the energy-hogging incandescent light bulbs in your home with the newer, more efficient light bulbs, you can save $50 or more every year! There are going to be new lighting standards going into effect n 2012, which can be served by using Energy Star CFL, LED and incandescent light bulbs. But what is the difference between the lighting options, and what are your options?

Old vs. New Light Bulbs
Traditional light bulbs, which are also called incandescent (because they emit light by heating a special wire filament, causing it to emit an incandescent light), use a lot of energy. They use up to 90% of the energy used to power them through heat—ever notice how hot your light bulbs get, and how fast? That is an inefficient use of energy, meaning that around 90% of the money you spend on lighting your home or business with these light bulbs is just tossed out the window! The newer energy-efficient bulbs come in all the colors and light intensities you have become accustomed to, but by using newer technology, they are much cheaper to use in the long run.

Lighting Options
There are three main types of energy-efficient light: incandescent bulbs, CFLs (fluorescents), and LED (Light Emitting Diode). All three options can be found in any hardware or home improvement shop, and all three are much more energy-efficient than their more traditional counterparts. Here is a brief overview of each kind:

1. Energy-Efficient Incandescent Bulbs. These look just like to light bulbs you’re used to at home, but they end up saving around 25% over the older models. They work better because the heat energy is contained around the filament by a capsule, instead of allowing it to radiate out and be wasted. They not only use a quarter less energy than the other bulbs, they also last around three times as long, so you save doubly! They come in the wattage and color choices you want and need, and can be used with dimmer switches.
2. CFL Bulbs. CFL, or compact fluorescent bulbs, are the spiral-shaped light bulbs you’ve been seeing more and more of lately. They use the same basic technology as you have always known from industrial lighting, but new developments in materials and conductivity have allowed these bulbs to be made appropriate for use in lamps and home light fixtures. They offer a whopping 75% savings over traditional incandescent bulbs, and last ten times as long as a normal old bulb. They are more expensive up-front, but they begin paying for themselves within the first month. They do come in a wide selection of lighting colors, such as warm (white grading into yellow) tones, which were previously not available in fluorescents. Some even have a cover to diffuse the light even more, and giving them a similar shape to the bulbs you’re used to seeing at home, if you don’t like the “curly” bulb’s aesthetics. Not all can be used in dimmer switches, so check the labelling before buying these bulbs for use in a fan or room with a dimmer. Another fact about CFL bulbs: they do have a tiny amount of the toxic liquid metal, mercury, in them, so they must be recycled properly. Check www.epa.gov/cfl for more data about recycling CFL bulbs.
3. LED Bulbs. An LED, or Light Emitting Diode, is the same technology as that used on the indicator lights you see on your computers, cell phones, TVs, etc. This isn’t the only way they can be used, though: there are now LED home lighting choices, meaning you can use them in lamps and normal light fixtures! This type of tech is developing rapidly and is one of the most energy-efficient choices around. Energy Star LED bulbs only use about 20-25% of the electricity of normal incandescent bulbs, and they last an amazing 25 times longer! LED bulbs can be used in a lot of items that use 40 or 60-watt bulbs, reflectors in recessed light fixtures, and smaller track lighting systems. Although they are more expensive, you can expect the prices to go down as technology gets more advanced and commonplace. You can really see the difference these light bulbs make on your energy bill at the end of the month, and even at the more expensive price currently, they would more than pay for themselves within a month or less!

When you are planning on making your home greener and cheaper, don’t forget the light bulbs!

 

In order to remain relevant and profitable due to the ever-rising costs of energy,
it is absolutely essential for businesses to begin enacting more environmentally-conscious
practices. Not only will this reduce the energy bill (and, therefore, increase the bottom line),
it will also have a positive impact on the environment. Adopting eco-friendly, green policies
will permit companies to grow in a tightly competitive global marketplace, as well as driving
them to new heights of technological innovation. Here are some ways that a business can
go green and grow their profit margin, too.

Conserving Energy=Boosted Profit Margins
By choosing to buy energy-efficient office equipment, major and minor appliances,
and energy-saving light fixtures and bulbs, a company can reduce their energy bill and
increase the amount of profit they can retain. These extra profits can then be diverted
into other areas, such as hiring new workers, research and development, and other areas.
Energy Star has a website where a company or individual can calculate how much they might
actually save by implementing these simple steps, using Energy Star-certified appliances.

Dispose of Waste Responsibly
By disposing of their waste/trash properly (in an eco-friendly manner), this protects the
environment overall. Many municipalities offer recycling programs just for businesses,
specializing in paper recycling, as businesses generally produce more waste paper than
anything. This saves trees, which reduce carbon dioxide and make oxygen through their
natural processes, by reducing the amount of trees that need to be cut down to manufacture
new paper. It also allows the company to reap the benefits of not having to pay for a waste
disposal service to deal with their trash. Get in touch with the local waste management
department in your town or city to learn more about their recycling programs and
corporate incentives.

Green Business Practices Increase Technology Development
By pushing to be more ecologically-conscious and conscientious, businesses will ultimately
increase their level of technological advancement. This can be evidenced in many ways;
one of the best examples is in the automotive industry, where car companies are working
hard to implement new fuel-saving and alternate-power technologies. This came out of the
push by society and industry to reduce the consumption of dirty, expensive and
non-renewable fossil fuels.

Going Green Influences Others
When a big corporation makes the commitment to “go green,” they influence their associates
and competitors; business is a cutthroat thing, and no company wants to be out-stripped or
made to look bad in the marketplace. By exerting positive peer pressure on their particular industries,
these companies encourage others to implement earth-friendly policies and procedures, reduce
consumption and waste, and generally get “greener.”

In sum, green business is a responsible business practice—and a profitable one, when done properly!

Climate change, pollution and rampant irresponsible energy usage are all things that should concern every person on this planet. Each of these major points can be influenced by the actions of individuals, so it is in everyone’s best interests to begin practising eco-friendly lifestyles. This is no longer something that we should consider optional—it should be a necessity.
Here are ten helpful hints on green living that will make a positive effect on our natural environment.

1. Saving Water

Water is vital: without it, we can’t survive on this planet. Potable water must be conserved at all costs, and this can be done simply. Check around your home to ensure that any of your pipes aren’t leaking, and practise saving water by developing good habits. Turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth, make showing quicker, take fewer baths, and install low-flow shower heads and toilet fixtures in every lavatory.

2. Reduce/Re-Use/Recycle

Our urban landfills are full of items that could have been re-used or recycled. By recycling items such as tin cans, paper, cardboard, and plastic bottles, we reduce the amount of rubbish in landfills and also reduce the amount of materials being used to manufacture new things. Make sure to keen a bin for recyclable materials handy in your home, so you don’t forget!

3. Cut Down on Energy Consumption

Everyone knows that fossil fuels emit the majority of the carbon emissions, or greenhouse gases, and other pollutants. Fossil fuels power our society, so by reducing the usage of these dirty fuels, we reduce carbon and other emissions. Reduce your energy consumption by engaging in energy-saving practises, such as switching to compact fluorescent bulbs and setting your water heater, air conditioning and heating units to more energy-efficient temperatures.

4. Reduce Driving

Our love for our cars has become one of our biggest environmental problems: the carbon monoxide from the patrol burned by our vehicles accounts for more than half of all emissions of this dangerous gas. By taking public transport or carpooling, you can significantly reduce your petrol consumption and, therefore, carbon monoxide contribution. This also encourages more efficient fuel consumption, traffic, and less waste than simply driving yourself

5. Purchase Energy-Efficient Appliances

Buying an Energy-Star rated appliance, such as a refrigerator or washing machine, can dramatically reduce your home energy bill—and thus decrease the amount of fossil fuels burned to manufacture that energy. Not only do you do your pocketbook a favour, you do Mother Earth one, as well.

6. No More Plastic Grocery Bags!

Those plastic bags they give you at the market take years and years to decompose in landfills, not to mention that some emit toxic chemicals as they decay—if they decay at all! Choose a more eco-friendly option by bringing your own canvas or net bag with you next time you go shopping.

7. Stop the Paper Trail!

One very simple way to behave in a more environmentally-conscious manner is to reduce your “paper trail.” Trees are one of the main ways that carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, is reduced. Trees take CO2 and make it into oxygen, effectively scrubbing the air. When you stop using so much paper, you contribute less to the cutting down of these vital natural carbon reducers. It can be as simple as paying your bills online, rather than queuing up and getting a paper receipt.

8. Plant a Tree! Or Two!

As discussed in number 7, trees are extraordinarily important to a healthy Earth. By planting a few you will help improve the air quality and the aesthetic impact of your local environment.

9. Put Out the Butts…Permanently.

Cigarettes are a source of pollution, one noxious puff at a time. Every exhalation of cigarette smoke contains thousands of toxic chemicals which are not only bad for you, but are also bad for the environment. Reduce your chances of serious health complications and reduce the pollution of your immediate environs by quitting smoking, permanently. You’ll also save a lot of money!

10. Go Rechargeable.

Those batteries in your torch, TV remote control or other household appliances are horrible for the environment: they are full of toxic acid and trace heavy elements that pollute the soil and water when they decay. Switch to rechargeable batteries, which will also save some change in your pocket.

It’s really not hard at all to become more environmentally-conscious.
If we all do our part, every day, you will find that our world will be a cleaner, greener and safer place for us and future generations.

Standard roofing materials can be very damaging to the environment. The problem is that our homes need to utilize something on the roof in order to prevent water infiltration from damaging the interior of our houses and other structures. There are some roofing materials that do not have the same negative effect on the environment. Here are some options that you may want to consider. These are viable alternatives to the standard asphalt shingling systems that are used in so many homes today.

Why asphalt shingles are not environmentally friendly
Asphalt shingles are very affordable and many people use them on their homes for just this very reason. However, they tend to be very damaging to the environment. Inexpensive shingles wear out very quickly and produce a lot of waste that needs to be placed in landfills. They use tar and other materials that can produce harmful chemicals as they break down. Some shingles will leach harmful chemicals into the environment while they are sitting on the roof itself.

There are alternatives that do not harm the environment. They may have been produced using green technology or be recyclable so that they do not fill up landfills with waste that may take hundreds of years to break down. Here are some options that you may want to consider.

Slate shingles
Slate shingles can be produced in an environmentally responsible manner. They last a long time when properly maintained and can be recycled if a structure is taken down or renovated. They are a much more responsible alternative to cedar shingles which are created using old growth wood and which only last a short period of time.

Metal roofing
Metal roofing is a greener alternative to asphalt shingles. Metal roofing is available in a variety of different colors and styles and can reproduce the look of roofing tiles, shingles or shakes. A metal roof may never need replacing so it will not fill up landfills the way asphalt shingles would. It does not emit harmful chemicals that may make their way into the water that runs off it in a storm.

If you want to replace your roof with an environmentally friendly alternative, working with a qualified and experienced company is important. They will be able to tell you which materials are right for your home, source out suppliers of these materials and dispose of your old roof in a way that minimizes the impact it will have on the environment.

Unless you are building a new home, incorporating green technology will often mean making significant changes to the infrastructure of your home. This is something which may seem intimidating to some people. It doesn’t have to be. Here are some suggestions that will make it easier for you to do so.

Choose systems requiring the least change
Picking systems and technologies that require the least amount of change or reconfiguration can make it much less painful for you to switch over to green technologies in your home. For example, changing from a traditional hot water tank system to a tankless version will usually not require as much change as it would if you were installing in-floor heating would be. Replacing a floor made with materials that are more friendly to the environment can be less disruptive than bringing in a number of green materials to use in your home’s construction. By minimizing the amount of disruption and change, you can make the transition a much less painful one.

Replace existing technologies as needed
By making changes on an ongoing basis, you can minimize the disruption and impact on your home as much as possible. While it is great to replace everything in your home as quickly as possible, you will find the process to be a much simpler one if you do it on a more gradual and as needed basis. Some green technologies can be quite expensive. If you have to change a furnace, for example, you may find the price of an environmentally friendly alternative much more acceptable if all you replace is the furnace. If you opt to change your windows, insulation and heating system at the same time, the bill might be so large that it would seem like it would never pay for itself. If you only replace an item or two at a time and do not make every change to your home at once, you can end up feeling like you are much less overwhelmed financially.

Replace the least efficient systems first
Replacing the least efficient systems first is a good idea. Unless you need to replace something in your home (such as windows or a heating system) because it is broken, you would be better off identifying the least efficient systems first. Replacements for systems that are the least efficient will allow you to recoup the money you have spent as rapidly as possible.

How to start the process
There are several ways of starting the process of changing to green technology. The first is to have an energy audit performed on your home or office space. A trained expert will go over the various areas in your home and focus on the systems and areas that utilize the most energy. They will be able to tell you which areas to address first. The drawback is that an energy audit may often be expensive and it may not be available in all areas.

A second method is to look at which of your household bills are the highest or most unmanageable. If you choose the bills that are the most expensive and find green methods of reducing them you may find that you will welcome the changes instead of being nervous about them.

Unless you live in a tropical climate, there will be times that you need to make your home warmer than the exterior temperature would normally allow. While it is important to choose environmentally friendly heating methods for your home such as solar energy or biomass heating systems, it is also important for you to keep that heat inside your home. Your fuel usage will be much lower and your heating bills will as well.

Some insulation is made from synthetic materials. While they can be quite effective at preventing heat loss, their production may release waste products that can harm the environment. There are insulating products that are made from environmentally friendly materials. It is up to you to learn more about them and choose the ones that will work best for your home.

How insulation works to keep your home at a steady temperature

All insulation works in essentially the same way: by trapping air. Heated air cannot move through insulation and so remains inside your home. As a result, your home stays warmer longer than it would if there was no insulation in place. Because moisture can also collect where warmer, moist air meets cooler walls, a proper amount of insulation can also help to protect against the growth of mold or other harmful elements that may flourish in dark, damp conditions.

Insulation tends to come in one of several different forms. Batt insulation is usually made of spun fibers that trap the air. Blown insulation consists of smaller pieces of insulation that are blown into cavities in walls or into attic spaces in your home. Foam insulation tends to be piped into an area. It will harden and prevent treated air from escaping, thereby keeping the internal temperature at a more consistent level.

Natural insulating materials

In the past, the majority of insulation was made from synthetic materials such as fiberglass. Mineral wool was also often used to insulate homes but mineral wool is also synthetic and may create pollutants when it is being produced. The following materials are all natural alternatives that you may want to consider for your home:

• Warmcel. This material is fiber based and is a great substitute for mineral and fiberglass woll insulation
• Thermafleece is a product made from sheep wool. It can absorb moisture when placed into a home. It also requires very little energy to produce and is a great environmentally friendly alternative
• Eco-Wool. This material is actually made from recycled plastic bottles. It also can be used in many of the same areas that other synthetic wool insulation has been placed

A qualified builder should be able to look at available options and help you choose the one that is right for your home.

Solar water heating systems are among the most popular solar technologies considered by
those planning to switch to “greener” technologies or want to reduce their heating bills by
making use of a free source.

Solar hot water systems differ hugely, depending basically to different climate demands:
some are specially designed for moderate and hot climates and others for colder climates.
Some of these systems use flat-plate collectors, while others use
evacuated-tubes collectors and batch collectors.

Flat-plate solar collectors
Flat-plate solar collectors are the most used type of solar panels today.
The most common flat-plate collectors use a kind of liquid (water, glycol) as the heating fluid.
They have a net of flow tubes (where the water or another heating fluid flows), a dark colour
absorber plate (to absorb the sunlight heat) and a glazing surface.
They also have an inlet and an outlet connection to connect the panel to the water system.
Air flat-plate collectors are less common than liquid collectors. They use air as the heating medium,
instead a fluid. Their absorber plates are often metal sheets or layers of screen.

Evacuated-tube solar collectors
Evacuated-tube solar collectors are made up of a set of parallel glass tubes (solar tubes).
They are the best collectors for cloudy and freezing climates and for applications demanding
high temperatures (evacuated-tube collectors provide temperatures between 75ºC and 175ºC).
Evacuated-tube collectors involve literally a visible set of parallel glass
tubes (solar tubes). “Evacuated” means a “vacuum” layer within the tubes, where it is also located
heat pipes to absorb solar energy and to transfer it to a liquid medium.
The vacuum allows very small heat losses and eliminates the impact of ambient temperatures,
making evacuated-tube technology particularly suitable for colder climates.

Some solar systems use pumps (active systems) to move the heating fluid while
others are based on gravity or natural convection (passive systems).
In some systems there is anti-freezing fluids (glycol, in colder climates),
while others use potable water at the collector level.
Closed-loop solar heating systems do not use water in the collectors.
Potable water is pumped to the storage tank but never into the solar collectors.
It’s the anti-freezing fluid (often a mixture of water and glycol) that circulates
in the solar collectors and through a coil pipe (in the storage tank) and the potable
water is heated in the tank. The anti-freezing supports extremely low temperatures
and protects the system from damages caused by severe cold weather.
Glycol should be checked each year and changed regularly every few
years (depending on temperatures and glycol quality).

Some systems use integrated tank (the batch solar system) and some use (the thermosyphon system) a storage tank on the top of the collector, while others use auxiliary and backup tanks and well separated storage tanks.
Batch systems do not involve pumps and do not demand a separated storage tank, or anti-freezing, heat exchanger, valves, sensors. A batch panel is typically very similar to a flat-plate collector, with a greater depth of at least 6 inches (15 cm). The water is heated directly in the collector (they are open-loop systems) and no pump is used to move the water (they are passive systems).

Their working principle is very basic: whenever the hot water needs to be stored in the batch system, the water pressure moves the hot water on the top of the batch tank (hot water rises naturally to the top of the batch tank).
Thermosyphon systems in their typical configuration do not have pumps and other controls. They are based on the natural convection principle: hot water rises and cold water sinks. In the case of thermosyphon systems: as the potable water (or a antifreeze fluid, in colder climates) enters the collector it warms and rises to the top of the collector and to the tank, where it is stored (that’s the reason why tanks are always above the collector).

There are many different products available on the market today and describing them as environmentally friendly has become a strong marketing tool. If you are serious about ensuring that your home is actually as green as possible it is important that you learn how to tell which are telling the truth and which are simply trying to jump on the environmental bandwagon. Here are a few things to consider.

Does the material help to save water or energy?

One thing that many green materials have in common is that they help to save water or energy. A good example of a green technology that helps to save energy is the double hung window. A double hung window (or double glazed window as it is also known) features two panes of glass that contain a layer of gas sandwiched between them. Because the gas does not transfer heat easily, these windows can reduce heat loss. They will, therefore, also reduce the amount of energy that will be needed to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

Does the material replace toxic chemicals with components that are safe and healthy?

If an item is able to replace chemicals that are toxic with safer, healthier alternatives it can be considered to be environmentally friendly. One example of this is solid wood cabinetry. It can replace cabinetry that has been made out of plywood. Some forms of plywood are made with formaldehyde that can leach out over time and cause a range of health problems especially for individuals who have chemical sensitivities.

There are paints that can be purchased which do not release the same levels of volatile organic compounds. Some paints can release fumes as they dry that cause headaches and other health problems. By choosing low-VOC paints, homeowners are able to make a more environmentally friendly choice for their home and reduce the amount of indoor air pollution that they are dealing with.

Does it use recycled materials?

Many products are beginning to utilize recycled materials that have been processed and reformed in surprising ways. Two good examples of this trend include insulation that has been made from recycled blue jeans and carpeting made from recycled plastic bottles. They are considered to be environmentally friendly as they divert materials from entering landfills and instead turn them into durable and beautiful materials for the home.

There are other ways in which materials can be considered environmentally friendly. By learning more about the individual products you are considering it will easy for you to choose the ones that are right for your home and the planet in general.

Greener Homes Scheme administered by Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland is ready to provide grant support to you if you intend to go for a renewable energy type heating system for your existing home. One major condition though. Your home should have been constructed prior to July 2008.

Importance of Renewable Energy Usage in Ireland.

If you believe the fossil fuel prices would remain same for the years to come and there will be plenty of it, you got another thing coming. As it is, even when available in sufficient quantities the price sky rocketed early this year. The world is still trying to recover from the economic chaos and Ireland is no exception. We are dependent on imported fossil fuel and regrettably do have to dance to the tune of petroleum barons and sheiks whether we like it or not. Having no petroleum of our own, at last the realization has dawned on every one that Ireland has to look for her own resources of energy for heating, water services, lighting and what not.

Do we have such resources at our disposal?

Energy Resources of Ireland

In an era when even those who have fossil fuel resources look for renewable energy , Ireland is blessed with several renewable energy resources. Take for example solar thermal energy. Compared to even UK we get more solar energy incident on our land mass annually. Flowing water on land as well as in sea carry immense quantities of energy. Scratch the surface of earth under your feet, you will find enough heat to last the winter. Wind flow is in abundance and wind turbines, ocean waves etc. bring home mega watts of energy consistently.

So there is your ‘not that hard to find’ energy resources. It’s a question of only being aware and harnessing them efficiently.

The importance of the whole cart load of resources is that all are renewable, lasts and lasts with zero generation (well almost) of green house gases.

A little encouragement by way of assisting in your capital investment is what the SEAI Greener Homes Scheme may be doing. The popularity of the grant scheme is evident in that it’s now running in phase iii.

Can Renewable Energy heating systems help me reduce my Heating Bills?

Solar energy incident on the earth is a gift for every living being on it. When you look at it the sun sustains all life forms on earth. The best part of it is that the solar energy does not cost you anything. The recurring and ever escalating cost of fuel is thus eliminated.

Wind energy, geothermal, wave and tidal energy, hydro electricity and biomass all are only intermediators in conveying solar energy to you. The capital investment and any maintenance cost are the only costs you will incur. This is where Greener Homes Grant will come to your assistance and share the burden (call it investment in the future if you wish).

Thus by being a beneficiary of the grant you will be saving on your heating bills as well anyway.

Who are the ones eligible for applications?

The eligibility criterion is somewhat complex. But fullfill the basic conditions listed below and you may be eligible for the receipt of the grant.

You must be a:

• Home owner in Ireland.
• Must intend to install eligible products as prescribed by the SEAI for example:
  • Wood chip/pellet boiler or stove w/back-boiler or stand alone stove.
  • Wood gasification boiler
  • Solar thermal systems
  • Heat pump based heating system
  • Use installers who are registered with SEAI (example kinggroup.com)
  • Your home has been built prior to July 2008 where you intend to install  or retrofit a renewable energy heating system

The products list

The following details apply to the products that may be employed in new renewable energy based home heating systems to be eligible for the grant.

Solar Heating

• Solar hot water system and/or solar space heating system – Solar thermal products such as flat panel and/or vacuum tube type collector incorporated systems

Heat Pumps

• Horizontal ground collector – A heating system with Horizontal subsurface tubing arrays carrying a fluid such as water, in order to collect the heat energy absorbed by the top most layer of earth.
• Vertical ground collector – Sub surface tubing arrays as above but sunk vertically.
• Water (well) to water – A system  for extracting the heat energy available in well water utilizing arrays of tubing and transferring to building interior using circulating pumps.
• Air Source – Air to air extraction of outdoor heat with amplification.

Bio mass Wood Chip or pellet stoves

• Those with or without integral boiler
• Those with bulk fuel (chips or pellets) storage installed (minimum of 3 tonnes of fuel or 80% of the houses annual requirement)
• Wood gasification boilers

What grant support amount can you expect?

The following schedule gives an indication of the limit of grant aid you can expect under this scheme.

Technology/product	Grant value maximum (Euro)
Biomass – Boiler	2,500
Biomass – Stove	800
Biomass – Stove with integral back boiler	1,400
Heat Pump – Vertical Ground	3,500
Heat Pump – Horizontal Ground	2,500
Heat Pump – Water to water	2,500
Heat Pump – Air Source	2,000
Solar –Flat Plate	250/m2  (to max. of 6m2 )
Solar –Evacuated Tube	300/m2  (to max. of 6m2 )

It is important to remember if you have obtained a grant under the phase I or ii of this scheme you will not be eligible for further grant under phase iii.

Interested in Renewable Energy Grants Schemes in Ireland? Greentech.ie is providing free consultancy and advice on the whole scheme and how you may be benefitted in capital cost and save tons of money, in the years to come. Call them today on Call Save 1890 245 345 for your appointment.

Looking for an approved installer? Call King Group on call save 045 838376 or Email at kinggroup.ie .

Global warming, a terrifying thought to many (except for a few skeptics) is in the forefront once again. The National  Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the US government has announced  only last  September, the global average for the period January  to August 2010 is 58⁰F (14.5 ⁰C)  and that is  only second  to the average in 1998, the all-time record since the record keeping commenced way back in 1880.

So far the recoded average temperature this year has been 1.21 ^oF (-17.1 ⁰c) over even the 20th century global average.

The year 2005 however is on record as the warmest ever in spite of the lower first eight month temperatures. An unexpected upward rush of the temperatures towards the tail end of the year put it on record as the warmest ever over a period of twelve months.

Phew! That was only 5 years ago and now this.

NAOAA’s Global Climatic Data Centre also point out that  last August was the 3^rd hottest August on record, the top spot going to the year 1998, last year being the second. Last August the average temperature on the planet has been 62.2 ⁰F (16.2⁰C)

The summer worked out from June to August has recorded a sensational 61.3 ^oF (16.3 ⁰C) on the average, being only second to the all time peak in 1998.

Apart from the unusual hottest climates experienced in the Eastern Europe, Eastern Canada and certain regions of Eastern Asia in last August, the Australian continent, Central Russia and Southern parts of South America showed lower than normal cool climate unexpectedly.

What National Snow and Ice Data Centre   (NSIDC)

The other side of the coin is presented by the National Snow and Ice Data Centre   (NSIDC) of the US who has been monitoring the Snow and Ice Data in the Arctic through satellites moving miles above earth since 1979. They have revealed the sea ice covering this summer has been the third lowest since they commenced recording data. Only data recorded in the years 20o7 and 2008 have been thinner. On the September 10^th they recorded the lowest sea ice coverage for the current year, measuring only 1.8 million square miles (466,197 860 hectares) which is 625,000 square miles (161, 874 257 hectares) less than the minimum average recorded over the period 1979 to 2009. (Too recent for my comfort!)

Surprisingly, in spite the delayed on set of the ice melt season, the rate of ice loss accelerated losing within days quantities equivalent to that lost in May and June. The melting season has been shortened to just 163 days.

The Arctic mammalian fauna has been driven to the shorelines as the sea ice available in plenty during this period in other years has been hard to come by this year. Melting of ice in Greenland, Antarctica, Glaziers in Himalayan mountainous regions are instrumental in the ocean level rising in several parts of the planet.

The atmospheric scientists continue to press their data based inference that these   distorted weather patterns and geophysical changes are due to global warming, which unfortunately some still fail to grasp. NAOAA‘s records do provide unshakable scientific evidence of gradual rising of the atmospheric temperature. Meanwhile only a few weeks backs it has been reported that the flow of water to the oceans from the main land mass has increased by 18% over the last few decades.

Have we started moving in the right direction as yet?

Greentech.ie is your friendly advisor in Ireland and EU on matters pertaining to the interlinked duo, renewable energy and environmental protection be it at domestic or commercial level. Their services are absolutely free to you for the asking. Contact them today (call save 1890 245 345) for an appointment and find out how you can save on your energy bills while safeguarding our only home in the universe.