In order to better protect our planet, many organizations and individuals are taking part in recycling, sustainability, and water conservation initiatives. Whether you’re taking steps to reduce, reuse, and recycle or using less water in your kitchen, bathroom, and garden, there’s so much we can do to help the Earth. Here are some ways you can cut your water usage while also lowering your utility bills.
Infographic provided by Diversified Technology, municipal fund accounting software
Small businesses are the engine that drives the local economy. They employ people from the surrounding community. These people can then buy goods and services, saving more money locally. More money supply allows municipalities to maintain vital infrastructure. Local non-profit organizations also benefit and contribute to improving the quality of life for everyone. Learn more about the impact of shopping small and local with the following resource:
This infographic was created by House of Webster, shop corporate food gifts
It has been revealed that Florida’s largest utility conspired to stop Florida’s solar power. Tampa Bay Times reports Florida Power & Light, the nation’s largest utility company, has been working with state legislators to stop the growth of the solar industry.
Net metering allows Florida solar users to return excess solar energy to the utility at full retail electricity rates. This has been possible since 2008.
This bill aims to change that. Net metering is no longer possible. It would severely penalize solar users. This would limit the growth of Florida’s solar industry, which is one of our shining stars.
Contact us today if you are interested in solar investment, upgrading an existing system, or have any other questions about solar power in FL! ESD Solar is Sunshine State’s leading solar power company and would love to save you thousands of dollars in 2022 through solar tax credits and financing.
This post was written by Daniel Massaad, owner and expert solar technician at Energy Solutions Direct! ESD is one of the top solar panel companies in Florida! Our licensed and certified contractors are masters of their craft; with years of experience servicing the great Tampa Bay area and beyond, the choice is simple. ESD excels at offering you the best in solar value!
There’s a pump for any job and the best way to get water where you need it, in an outdoor area, is to use lawn & irrigation pumps that you can use quickly and easily without a large monetary investment. These pumps are made to move the water over large distances and irrigate any type of terrain that you happen to have in front of you.
These pumps are typically smaller than other pumps and easier to both install and use when you have to hydrate a large area of land. They’re engineered to work simply and that’s going to increase their life expectancy so they last as long as you need to use them. It’s the best decision that you can make for a lawn or irrigation job.
Types of Irrigation Pumps
There are a few different types of irrigation pumps that you can check out to make sure that you’re getting the best one to suit your specific needs and environment. The most common type is an above-ground centrifugal pump that you can set up anywhere. There are also deep-well turbines when your water is coming from a below-ground source that you have to bring to the surface.
Another great option is to use a submersible pump that will move water, no matter how deep it happens to be or where it is. Simply submerse your water pump in the water source you have and it will move the water to the areas where you want it to go. It doesn’t get any easier than that and you never have to worry about the pump failing because it’s too deep in the source.
Irrigation is Always Necessary
Irrigation has been a constant human need since the species learned to cultivate crops and it’s never going to disappear from the planet. The best thing that you can do is find an easy way to make it happen that doesn’t break the bank for you. You can move any amount of water without investing in a massive water pump that gives you the power you simply don’t need.
Whether it’s commercial irrigation or simple lawn care, a lawn & irrigation pump is the way for you to go. They’re simple to use and are engineered to keep the water flowing. Don’t get taken in by the salesmen who try to sell you on a piece of equipment that you’ll never have to use to its fullest potential.
Magnesium sulphate is a by product of magnesium and sulphur. Commonly found in most farming households with the name of Epsom salts, this nutrient is extremely beneficial for the health of plants. Being rich in magnesium, it not only helps in accelerating plants’ growth but also keeping a check on pest infection.
Magnesium sulphate is also important for keeping the soil in good fertile conditions and for the successful cultivation of plants. It also helps inthe growth of plants andtheir cell wall construction. A strong cell wall of plants helps to repel the pests and nematode worms from the plants. Apart from this, magnesium sulphate also takes charge of curing the yellowing of leaves of plants, helping the plant to bear fruits and flowers well.
Why Do We Require Magnesium Sulphate?
A lack of nutrients in soil results in plants getting infected with various diseases. This lack of nutrients in the soil can be fulfilled with the enrichment of primary elements like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and secondary elements like magnesium sulphate. The primary element, nitrogen, helps in accelerating plant growth, phosphorus helps in the growth of roots of plants and potassium helps in the flowering of plants. The secondary element magnesium helps in photosynthesis while sulphur activates plants’ enzymes.
Being rich in magnesium, magnesium sulphate helps to protect the plants from slug and snails’ damage. Also, adding a teaspoon of magnesium sulphate to the roots of plants will help the plant to produce more flowers and fruits. Yellowing and curling of the leaves of plants can also be cured by this salt, by spraying a mixture of water and magnesium sulphate on the leaves. In order to resist the leaves from turning yellow, it’s important to use magnesium sulphate on plants once a month. For agricultural farming, it’s important to test the magnesium levels of soil beforehand.
How to Observe Magnesium Deficiency in Plants?
Magnesium deficiency is common in high tunnel crops like tomatoes and fruit-bearing plants. It can also be seen in sandy soils which are easily leached. Unrestrained levels of potassium in soil and fertigation with excessive ammonium nitrate levels can also induce magnesium deficiency.
Being a highly mobile element of plants, a deficiency of magnesium first appears in the lower leaves of plants. The symptoms are more visible in lower leaves because highly mobile magnesium moves to a new growth area of plants. The insufficiency of magnesium may result in interveinal chlorosis in which the veins of the leaf stay green while the other region between turns yellow. Interveinal chlorosis can lead to the death of the tissue of the affected area. However, the dearth of magnesium in plants doesn’t affect the fruits but in cases of severe shortage, it can cause stress on plants leading to reduce the yield of plants.
How to Observe Sulphur Deficiency in Plants?
Sulphur is one of the molecular building blocks for plants and may appear in plant tissues. It helps in maintaining the water equilibrium in plants as well as soil. A shortage of sulphur in plants may result in pale green chlorosis in which veins won’t retain a green colour or may even get paler than the interveinal tissue. A severe deficiency of sulphur in a plant may also result in stunted growth and weak stems accompanied by reduced leaf size and less branching.
Benefits of Magnesium Sulphate for Plants
Magnesium sulphate is a very effective pest deterrent for plants that farmers can vouch for. It is effective in restraining snails and slugs which affect the plants. For general pest control, you just need to mix some magnesium sulphate with water and add it to the foliage. For restraining slugs and snails, you can just add some of the salt to the base of the plant.
In the case of transplanting seedling and full-grown plants (which needs tender care), roots can become easily stressed, resulting in growth termination. This is known as root shock and may end up wilting or yellowing leaves of the plant. Adding magnesium sulphate in plants may prevent root shock in plants by accelerating the production of chlorophyll and making the plants absorb more nutrients.
A mineral deficiency can affect various processes of plants including photosynthesis and nutrient absorption. In cases of mature foliage of plants, a mineral deficiency can result in the curling and yellowing of leaves. Adding a magnesium-rich nutrient to plants in such cases will help in proper nutrient absorption, resulting in the healthy growth of the plants.
The amount of chlorophyll a plant produces is directly linked to the amount of sugar produced by the plant. A plant producing more sugar will naturally bear more flavoured and sweeter fruits. Adding magnesium sulphate to the soil helps the plant to produce more chlorophyll, resulting in a rich yield and more flavorful fruits of plants.
So, these are some of the reasons that make magnesium sulphate important for plants.
If you’re unsure of which garage door to buy, you can begin by learning more about the different materials. Listed below are the pros and cons of different types of garage doors. You can use this information to help you choose the best one for your home. In addition to learning about different materials, you can also learn about the advantages of steel doors, aluminum garage doors, faux wood doors, and more. Choosing the right one is crucial to enhancing the look and function of your home.
There are many styles of garage doors, but one of the most common is the raised panel door. This classic style is easy to customize, with many choices in paint color, decorative accents, and windows. These doors are perfect for homes that reflect the contemporary, clean lines and glass expanses of many modern homes. Wayne Dalton offers designer fiberglass doors, which conceal durable steel construction. For the ultimate curb appeal and style, consider a full-view door.
The materials that are used for residential garage doors vary. Generally, homeowners opt for steel because of its durability and strength. However, many prefer the natural wood option because it provides a unique look to the home. These types of doors may require some maintenance, but they can greatly improve curb appeal. Here are some tips to choose the right material for your new garage door Dallas. Steel garage doors are more durable than wooden ones. You should also check the prices before you make a decision.
Unlike steel garage doors, aluminum garage doors require little maintenance. They are resistant to corrosion, and they can be installed in coastal areas. While aluminum does have some drawbacks, these doors are still relatively low-priced compared to steel ones. However, premium aluminum doors will be more expensive than standard models. You should consider the type of climate your garage experiences before you make your final decision. You can also find aluminum doors that blend in with the surrounding decor.
If you want to add instant warmth to your home, natural wood garage doors are an excellent choice. However, they require yearly upkeep, including regular refinishing and protection from termites and weather damage. Fortunately, faux wood garage doors offer the same look with lower maintenance requirements. Clopay makes a variety of faux wood doors. Read on to learn how to choose one for your home. Listed below are some of the benefits of faux wood garage doors.
The bottom portion of the garage door is made of concrete, but if there are gaps or unevenness, it is important to find the cause. Garage door gaps are common, but there are some reasons why they may occur. Poor drainage near the home’s foundation or slab is a common culprit. Poor drainage could cause your garage door slab to move or crack. Here are some tips to avoid such problems. Make sure the foundation and floor of your home are level, or they could be the cause of your garage door gaps.
Windowed garage doors are the perfect choice for a number of reasons. First of all, they can provide illumination and warmth to your garage. Moreover, these types of doors can help you cut down on energy bills. Plus, they are easy to install, and you can choose the style that best suits your garage. To know more about this type of garage door, continue reading. We hope this article has been helpful.
For an elegant yet classic garage door design, choose a Craftsman style garage door. These classic styles have defined lines and equal dimensions and can increase the curb appeal of any home. Craftsman doors are available in different materials, insulation levels, and panel styles to suit any home. They also complement minimalistic and traditional styles perfectly.
For many bustling households in American, the grocery store is a staple in their routines. Consider how many times you find yourself at your local grocers. How many times have you found yourself between the aisles or at check-out? Is it once every couple of days? Once a week or maybe even once a month? Many families go grocery shopping once a week. Unfortunately, families trash their food as much as they buy it. So, how do we fix this problem?
Track & Plan
Spoilage is the number one cause for food waste. To avoid it, take note of what specific food products you’re throwing out and how often. This is a great way to learn of any particular patterns or habits you may have. Additionally, make sure to calculate and compare the total money you spent at the store versus you throw out to the bin. What percentage of your spending is going to waste? Do you have a tendency to overbuy at the grocers or are you simply buying the wrong food products?
After tracking your habits, plan a weekly menu to better prepare yourself when you go to the stores next time. This will help prevent future impulsive purchases and overbuying. Many families find that it’s a great way to establish new routines, healthy habits, and possibly trying out new meals.
If you find yourself with leftovers at the end of the week, add it to a compost heap if you have one. It’s a fantastic way to recycle past meals. Another possible option is freezing any leftovers that you know you won’t be able to eat right away.
Utilizing The Latest Technology
Another alternative method to reducing food waste in your home involves some technology. Consider upgrading your fridge for more effective and clean refrigeration. However, if that option is too costly, you can also purchase and install a purification system to add to your current fridge. Some of the latest systems use ozone technology along with ionization to reduce any lingering ethylene. As a result, your produce ends up lasting longer than without it.
To learn more about how you can make your food last longer while decreasing potential food waste, check out the resource below for more information.
E-waste is a term used to describe the waste stream generated by electronic products. It includes old televisions, computers, microwaves, and anything else you might have in your office that plugs into an electrical outlet.
This could include items such as printers or even rechargeable batteries for electronics. What are some reasons why I should care about e-waste? You may ask yourself what type of impact this has on the environment, but you also need to think about how it impacts business productivity. The more time employees are spending looking through rubbish bins for paper-clips or dealing with broken copiers, means less work getting done. This puts companies at risk when trying to keep up with their competitors.
The first step is to set up recycling stations around your office with bins for paper, batteries, and other standard waste products. Having these recyclable items placed in an open area where they can be easily accessed will encourage employees to use them instead of throwing everything away at the same time.
Incentivise recycling through a reward system where you give back points, money, or other perks when an item has been recycled and responsibly disposed of. Reward systems are a powerful way to encourage behaviour that aligns with company values – in this case, responsible waste disposal practices. Once again, donating the funds collected from these rewards would be another good option here too! You could also offer incentives such as discounts on products or services if they bring in certain items (e-waste).
There are many options for what you can do with e-waste once it is collected. Electronics contain valuable materials such as gold, copper, and silver, recovered through proper recycling methods. For example, some of these metals could go towards producing new products like mobile phones or laptops! This means less carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from mining activities to create a brand new product, so this is another way that small business owners can protect the environment while remaining sustainable at their own company. For most businesses office waste can be collected by a commercial waste disposal company that offer wheelie bins to dispose of both paper and electronic waste.
As the amount of e-waste increases, so makes the threat it poses to human health and the environment. Toxins in electronics can leak into soil and groundwater, affecting food sources and ecosystems worldwide. The UNEP states: “…e-Wastes contain a large number of hazardous substances which may pose potential risks to human beings and wildlife if inappropriately handled…the recycling process itself also generates waste streams [and] greenhouse gases”. Inappropriate handling practices result in toxic by-products when these products are broken down during recycling.
One of the noticeable benefits of incorporating solar panels is it can drastically lower energy bills. After its installation with large walk through general access doors for the safety of electrical controls and connections, you will pay much less to nothing for the electric power generated from the sun. Moreover, most of the solar panels available on the market nowadays have a 25 years warranty.
For those property owners planning to have solar panels in their buildings, it is essential to know and prioritize the efficiency of specific solar panels from different manufacturers. Its efficiency is a valuable metric used to determine its percentage range to convert sunlight irradiation on its surface into electricity.
Solar Panel Efficiency
The efficiency of the solar panel is a measurement of a panel’s ability to convert solar energy into electricity. For instance, if the sun shines on a solar panel with a 20 percent efficiency rating, it will convert 20 percent of the energy into usable electricity. Suppose two different efficiency panels have the same amount of sunlight with the same duration of time. In that case, the higher efficiency panel will produce more electricity than the solar panels with less efficiency. The solar cells’ electricity production ratings determine the efficiency of the solar panel, which influences the cell’s composition, surrounding components, electrical configuration, and more.
How Efficient are Solar Panels?
With the new innovative technologies, most solar panels have an efficiency between 15 percent up to 20 percent efficiency, having outliers on either side of the range. Some high efficiency can even exceed up to 22 percent, but the most photovoltaic panels available in the market do not exceed 20 percent efficiency. Solar panels with higher efficiency are a bit expensive than lower efficiency panels; however, it helps meet your energy needs in your commercial spaces. Today the most efficient solar panels on the market have a high-efficiency rating of 22.8 percent. In contrast, most solar panels have a range from 16 up to 18 percent efficiency ratings.
What are Solar Cells?
Solar cells are also known as photovoltaic cells or PV; they are the ones that generate electricity from sunlight. It is connected and neatly organized into a solar panel frame. Typically, solar cells come from silicon semiconductors that absorb sunlight from sunlight and convert it into usable electricity.
Factors that Affect the Efficiency of the Solar Panels
Thin-film, cadmium, telluride, polycrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, etc., affect the solar panel efficiency.
The organization of busbars and wires can impact solar panels efficiency.
To capture sufficient sunlight, a proper installation and optimizing the angle can also affect its efficiency.
Location and the type of weather can significantly affect the efficiency of the solar panel.
Most Efficient Solar Panel for Commercial Buildings
Solar panels that use monocrystalline solar cells are the most efficient choice you can get from the market. This type of solar cell comes from a pure form of silicon that converts more sunlight into electricity. It is also known as single-crystalline cells. It is also easy to identify by their cutting edge and their black cell color.
Monocrystalline solar cells offer the best deal when using the specific space efficiently and saving space. This type of solar access panel takes up less space than their solar panels’ counterparts available in the market, which is an excellent choice if you want to incorporate more solar panels in your roofing.
It offers an incredibly long lifespan advantage, longer than any other solar cell technology available on the market. And this type of solar panel is estimated to have a lifespan of 50 years; as a result, most of the manufacturers of these solar panels offer 25 years warranties which is quite phenomenal as this covers half of its expected lifespan.
This monocrystalline solar panel is relatively more expensive than any other counterparts. It is known for the most costly option of solar panels available in the market as they are the most efficient solar panel cells.
As solar panels become popular nowadays, more property owners often choose which is the most efficient. Solar energy is a much greener energy source than fossil fuels to power up the building structures. It also helps in other forms of energy production without having emissions and reduces the carbon footprint.
Commercial buildings consume a lot of energy to operate. As the number of consumers increases, so are the needs for various goods and services. This situation only aggravates the demand for more energy consumption, driving its price higher and companies looking for alternative energy sources.
The rooftops of commercial buildings are the ones that frequently receive sunlight. Installing solar panels on roofs and other open spots like parking areas may be a cost-effective solution to capture natural energy while also repurposing otherwise underutilized space. However, recognizing what to check and what to avoid in the rapidly increasing solar panel market may be a tricky procedure to traverse.
The Advantage of Using Solar Panels
Solar power from rooftop panels can fulfill some part of an office building’s electrical needs, making it a logical alternative for commercial structures. Another issue to consider if you own a business facility is the building’s worth. A system with a built-in renewable energy source will become more valuable.
Solar energy for business buildings may become an income-generating enterprise since some areas allow you to sell your excess power back to the grid, providing excellent returns on investment.
Installation: What You May Need to Know
The installation process of solar panels on your commercial roof is a combination of electrical and roofing work. You need to consider your roof’s warranty and if it may suffer damage during the installation. Therefore, finding an experienced and reputable licensed professional is a must.
You must first conduct a site inspection, preferably through a roof hatch with service stairs for roof hatches, and ensure no vulnerabilities in your electrical, roofing, and structural areas.
The structural supports that hold the panels in place in typical solar panel installations are stainless steel or anodized aluminum material that provides a robust connection and extended product life. Depending on various parameters, these systems can then be ballasted, pierced, or a mix of both.
A qualified solar specialist will keep walkways and entrances to rooftop equipment clear for maintenance personnel’s long-term safety. When it comes to the installation procedure, it’s also a good idea to follow these guidelines:
More people will see solar panels integrated into the building’s design with the continued advancement of other technologies and the growing interest in sustainable measures. Some examples of such development include solar-covered walkways, canopies, window shades, and even solar parking lots that give shade and electric car charging to clients or employees.
Other Challenges
Although there are advantages connected with solar panel installation, there are some obstacles, such as the high prices of the equipment and the need for a wide surface area to place the panels. Other factors may hamper the correct working of solar panels, such as pollution, weather phenomena like foggy and rainy days that block the sun’s rays, necessitating the usage of battery charges to keep energy for emergencies and other events.
These issues are minor compared to the numerous benefits of using solar technology in commercial buildings and a slew of different advantages that a company may get by associating itself with sustainability and being environmentally friendly.
Combining Spray Foam Roofing and Solar Panel
Integrating solar panels and spray foam will result in further energy efficiency because the foam will increase the building’s insulating factor, resulting in decreased costs due to heating and cooling. By combining these two sustainable elements, your building will indeed become more energy-efficient, and you’ll also have a sustainable roof, which means you’ll be contributing less to pollution.
Building owners who wish to improve their facilities, decrease energy expenditures and insulate for better comfort can combine the two technologies on rooftops. Spray foam roofing with photovoltaics is ideal for achieving net-zero energy in various commercial projects in many locations.
More and more buildings will soon adapt to the different challenges brought by climate change, and utilizing solar technology is just one of the many currently undergoing development. If you need updates or any interests or planning to install a system in your building, ensure to get your necessary advice from a licensed and credible professional.
