Home Energy

Modern civilization is possible because people have learned how to change energy from one form to another and then use it to do work. There are many different forms of energy, including heat, light, motion, electrical, and chemical. One practical example of energy use within our society, includes the conversion of the chemical energy stored in coal into electrical energy that can be used in our homes, farms, and businesses. We will review the primary sources of energy and the conversions between different forms of energy, while differentiating between thermal and electric energy. Author: Drew Schiavone, Title: Energy Used in Homes, Businesses, and Farms is Typically Supplied as Heat or Electricity (EBR-63)

Across the United States and much of the world solar energy generation is growing. Concerns about environmental impact, energy independence, and improvements in solar technology all play a part in this growth. Additionally, state and federal incentives increase the economic viability of solar energy. This fact sheet is designed to give the layman a basic understanding of residential solar energy.

This information sheet provides an enterprise budget for a small business that will buy, cut and split logs, and deliver in cord quantities, primarily for home heating or fireplace wood. It includes sources of income and expenses using real work values and a downloadable Excel file allows the user to change values for their potential enterprises and determine potential profitability.

Outdoor wood boilers, known technically as hydronic heaters, can be found across much of rural America. They are popular among the wood burning community because they provide a way to heat with wood while keeping dirt and ash out of the home. Although air quality problems can arise with outdoor wood boilers, most of these problems can be minimized or avoided if the best management practices outlined in this factsheet are followed. These practices will decrease the amount of firewood utilized thereby increasing the economic advantage of wood energy and minimizing its environmental impact.