Chelsea Green Blog

Green & Renewable Energy

fridge

Build Your Own Carbon-Free Fridge

The following project has been excerpted from The Carbon-Free Home: 36 Remodeling Projects to Help Kick the Fossil-Fuel Habit by Stephen and Rebekah Hren Renter friendly. Project Time: Weekend. Cost: Inexpensive ($50–100, but can be built with scraps, except the thermometer). Energy Saved: High. Average refrigeration uses 8 percent of the average American energy budget.…

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pellett stove

Your Complete Guide to Pellet Stoves: Leave Oil Heat Behind

Learn everything there is to know about heating your home with pellet stoves! Say goodbye to oil heat in no time. The following article is excerpted from Natural Home Heating: The Complete Guide to Renewable Energy Options by Greg Pahl. During the energy crisis of 1973, the Boeing Company asked Dr. Jerry Whitfield, a fuel…

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wind turbine

Using a Hybrid Solar & Wind System: Tips for Living Off-the-Grid

The following article is excerpted from Wind Power by Paul Gipe. Prior to the development of interconnected wind turbines, wind generators had historically been used for powering remote sites where utility power was nonexistent (see figure 1 1-1, Off-the-grid wind systems). These home light plants used wind machines and banks of batteries sized to carry…

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lightbulbs hanging in a row

Ten Surprising Facts About the Energy We Use

The days of cheap oil energy have come to an end. What once was simple and cheap (i.e. driving to vacation) has become difficult and expensive. The skyrocketing cost (and limited supply) of energy has forced us to re-examine the energy we use in our daily lives. Below is a quick list of 10 facts…

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