Seaside Endeavors,Energy Contractors, Jacksonville.

Apod Project #33

Paul Nicholson — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 19:37:49 +0000

The Apod Project is a push to build a high yield sustainable agriculture product that produces healthy non-genetically modified organic food. We believe in using a controllable natural ecosystem with a boost from technology will help provide an abundance of healthy food worldwide in any environment- whether it be metropolitan, urban or rural.

Solar Dual-Axis Tracker

Paul Nicholson — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:21:54 +0000

Solar Dual-Axis Tracker was installed in Liberty, Tenn.

This Solar Tracker has 2700 dc watts to provide maximum Solar Harvest for a 24 volt, battery based electric system.

The Solar Tracker ensures the batteries stay full, providing power for a small off-grid cabin.

Wind Search

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 04:04:03 +0000

Searching for the Wind for a Northeast Florida New Home.

We set up an anemometer to measure the wind resources available for a location in Seranata North, South Ponte Vedra, Florida.

Rainwater Re-use System Installation

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:54:56 +0000

Installing A Rainwater Re-use System

At 20,000 gallons, the rainwater re-use system installed for Robert Hart’s home in Ponte Vedra, Fla. is large enough to provide the majority of his irrigation needs, but is completely invisible to the visitors of his home. Utilizing space under the motor court, the system stores all the rainwater from the roofs of the 3 dwellings and delivers the water precisely where and when it is needed. Soil moisture sensors ensure over-watering of the turf areas does not happen, and the home automation system integration allows control of the system from his smart phone, wherever he is.

A Rainwater harvesting system is a cost-effective solution for the collection and reuse of rainwater for landscaping, gardening and irrigation.

Seaside Endeavors is proud to contribute to the Green Building by providing and installing innovative water treatment and reuse systems. These systems can substantially lower water and sewer bills, offering a quick return on investment.

Seaside Endeavors can install any size rainwater re-use system for you, so contact us today.

Sustainable Living

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:45:16 +0000

Composting

Recycle kitchen scraps. If you do not have access to a chipper- do not save bones, seafood or animal scraps.

When preparing meals, size portions for minimum waste on the plate.

Tupperware is re-useable and saves food for another nights meal.

Make sure your food bins (compost) is securely closed when not in use- keeps pesky critters out.

Yard Waste

Keep as much yard waste as possible for your yard- start a compost pile of leaves, small branches, grass, flower cuttings, etc.

If you don’t have a chipper- use an older lawnmower to breakdown your yard waste -This can go back onto your flowerbeds as mulch.

If space is not a problem, a pile turned over occasionally will breakdown fairly quickly.

Always dig composed materials into topsoil when preparing a garden or flowerbed.

Tips: using fewer natural resources

Opt out of junk mail, catalogs & magazines you don’t want- www.donotmail.org

Change monthly bills to electronic statements.

Use cloth diapers

Use cloth grocery bags- not plastic

Use plastic containers to store food- try to get away from plastic bags of all sizes and items that are used once then thrown away.

Recycle

Recycle all glass, metal, plastic and paper products possible

Check your local recycling policy. If you don’t have recycling, ask why and get it.

Use personal re-usable bottles with your own tap water source.

Saving Fuel

Use vehicles less

Plan to run multiply errands at a time

Use a bicycle or walk as much as possible- put a basket on your bike to pick up small items needed at the store.

Use local transportation or carpool as much as possible.

Ways To Save Water

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:40:31 +0000

1. Don’t continuously run the water while brushing your teeth. Instead, fill a cup to be used during rinsing and use only that amount.

2. Turn off water while bathing. Get wet, turn it off, soap up and rinse off.

3. If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down.

4. Repair any leaks in your plumbing – any drips add up-no drips is the key!!

5. Install dual flush toilets and/or waterless urinals where allowed.

6. Water your yard no more than twice a week- before 8:00 A.M or after 6:00 P.M.

7. Capture rainwater from your gutters and use it in your yard.

8. Use drip irrigation where possible.

9. Wash only full loads of laundry & use Front Loading washing machines. If possible, use the wash water to irrigate your yard.

10. Plant shrubs and trees that need less water- native plants are your best choice.

11. Run dishwasher only when fully loaded. A dishwasher uses less water than hand washing.

12. If washing dishes by hand – use a dish pan and throw the soapy water on plants outside – not down the drain. This will also help cut

down on pesky bugs that eat on your plants.

13. Use captured rainwater or waterless products to wash cars, not city drinking water or well water – it’s too precious to waste on a car.

14. Wash in an area that allows water to soak into the ground.

15. For hot water demands, install a circulating pump that moves water from the hot water line to the cold water line. This will provide hot

water much sooner with greatly reduced waste. Check out Chili Pepper products.

Energy Saving Tips

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:17:49 +0000

LIGHTS

Use natural light whenever possible. Solatube products are a great way to gain light with little to no heat. Switch frequently used, or all, lights to flourscent, compact florescent (CFL) or LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulbs.

Turn off lights when not in use.

Use solar powered exterior lights.

CEILING FANS

Turn off ceiling fans when not in room, fans only cool warm-blooded creatures.

Put ceiling fans in every room possible.

Have ceiling fans blow down when using mechanical system cooling, and blow up when in heating.

ELECTRICAL

Use switchable power strips for all electronics and switch off when not in use for extended periods of time (while sleeping, at work, vacation, etc).

Unplug all brick style transformers when not in use (cell phone battery charges, cordless tool charges, etc.)

Seal all electric boxes, outlets, switches and light fixtures where they penetrate walls to reduce air exchange.

Air conditioning equipment

~Set Air conditioning higher and heating lower-use ceiling fans to increase cooling effect and wear appropriate clothing to stay comfortably warm

~Keep condenser coils clean on outside unit (secure power to equipment before cleaning).

~Keep air filters on air conditioning systems clean. We recommend using electrostatic, re-useable filters to reduce waste.

~Keep outside condensing units clear of obstacles (bushes, flowers, hedges) in order to allow proper air flow through units.

~Maintain equipment in optimum condition- get proper servicing as recommended for your units.

~Keep the door closed when conditioning interior spaces!!!!!! close the darn door:-)

Keep fan blades and cooling coils on refrigerators and freezers clean. Keep floor and the immediate area around these items free of debris.

In most parts of the country Geothermal Air-conditioning systems are the most efficient and longest lived type of HVAC equipment available. We recommend Geothermal equipment over any other type of HVAC equipment in our area.

Window & Door treatments

~Use drapes and/or honeycomb (cellular) blinds to aid in deterring heat transfer through windows.

~Use films or glazings on exterior surfaces of windows to reduce the heat gain and the UV penetration through windows.

~Use non-metal frames for windows and doors, to reduce heat conduction.

~Maintain weather stripping and caulk all joints around windows, doors, and penetrations through walls.

~Use non-evergreen plants to impede direct sun exposure to South or West walls. Insure these plants are not going to block your PV array.

(Flowering vines on trellises are wonderful to view and a great way to decrease heat, as well as attract natures finest- birds, butterflies and insects)

INSULATION

~Increase insulation in attic spaces. We recommend sealed attics in most cases, with foam sprayed on under side of roof deck, to prevent heat from entering attic space.

~Use light colored roofing material for exterior surface. We recommend white or galvalume metal roofing to reflect heat and cool quickly after sunset. Standing seam metal roofing is a perfect match for Photovoltaic systems as no penetrations are needed to apply equipment or adhere laminate panels.

WATER

~Install a Solar Domestic Hot water system

~Re-use rain water by collecting rain from your gutters into a rain barrel or Cistern System

~Outdoor showers are great for summer time- be able to collect the water from this shower and use it for your garden or yard. Recommended you use organic, natural products ( soaps, shampoo) if reusing water (grey water)

~Obtain a front loading washing machine. They use less water, spin more of the water out therefore decreasing drying time and are gentler on your clothes.

~Use a clothes line as the primary means of drying your clothes.

Hart’s Solar System Installation

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 03:10:04 +0000

The systems installed for the new home of Mr and Mrs Robert Hart utilized Sharp Building Integrated solar roofing tiles as a direct replacement for flat concrete roofing tiles on the three south facing roof areas they are installed on. The systems total more than 21,100 watts (DC), with an anticipated output of 2600 kwhr/mo. The look is high-tech and is seamless with the roofing material.

Solar Hot Water Systems Installation

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 02:14:11 +0000

Solar Hot Water from the Professionals

Water heated by the sun is the most dollar-efficient way to harness a renewable energy for your life. Solar Hot Water Heating Systems provide the best return on investment for any Earth-Friendly energy system. At present, the Federal Government is offering tax credits for systems used for homes and businesses (other than pools) and many utilities offer rebates and /or incentives as well (dsire.org for specifics) .

In the current day and age, we are all trying to do our bit to protect the environment in any way that we possibly can. Do your bit to protect Mother Earth by using solar hot water for your home. In the current day and age, we are all trying to do our bit to protect the environment. Something that is on the lips of conservationists worldwide is solar hot water. Harnessing the power of solar energy, solar domestic water systems are used for a variety of reasons, usually to provide solar hot water for swimming pools, underfloor heating, or as an energy input for space heating or cooling.

Doing Your Research on Solar Hot Water Systems

When it comes to doing your research on solar hot water, the Internet is the best place to start your search. In the current day and age, the vast majority of us use the Internet to search for a variety of information including solar hot water. When using the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo and Bing you will find a number of sites containing information regarding solar hot water and how its’ use in your home can greatly help the environment.

Go Green and Choose Solar Hot Water

There is no time more important than the present to go green and use solar water within your home. There are a number of professional companies such as Seaside Endeavors who can help you save the environment and save on fuel bills with solar hot water. Did you know that you can even get paid for having solar hot water?

The Internet is littered with solar hot water specialists. When choosing the company that is right for you, you need to ensure that the company you choose has experience in the industry. Seaside Endeavors can have a survey on your property to establish which solar hot water heating system would be best suited to your specific needs.

Call or email us to answer any questions you have about solar hot water systems.

Solar Energy Systems / Alternative Energy

Paul Nicholson — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 00:43:04 +0000

Solar Energy Systems convert light into electricity.

If you have ever used a solar powered calculator or watch, you have already experienced a solar energy system. Sunlight hitting solar panels creates an electric charge that is modified by a sophisticated electronic component (inverter) to the electricity we use to power our lives.

PV systems have few moving parts (usually only cooling fans in the inverters), are quiet, and are designed to have long, maintenance free service lives.

PV systems are modular in nature and can be expanded to meet changing needs.

The sun’s energy will be a constant for as long as humans live on Earth. We can use that energy to power our lives in a pollution free, sustainable way.

There is a solar energy system to meet any power need imaginable.