Biodiesel Fuel
There are broad and increasing interests across the nation in using domestic, renewable bioenergy. Virginia farmers and transportation fleets use considerable amounts of diesel fuel in their...
View ArticleBiomethane Technology
This publication provides a general overview of anaerobic digestion and the current status of biomethane technology on livestock farms in the United States. It is part of the Bioenergy Engineering...
View ArticleStandby Electric Generators for Emergency Farm Use
An emergency source of power is essential for any farm with mechanically ventilated production facilities, bulk milk-handling equipment, automated feeding systems, or facilities requiring constant and...
View ArticleGear Up and Throttle Down -- Saving Fuel
"Gear Up and Throttle Down" is a fuel-saving practice suitable for light drawbar loads (less than 65 percent of full power) when reduced PTO speed is not a problem. For the most efficient operation, a...
View ArticleFuel Ethanol
As energy prices reach historic highs, there is a broad interest across the state in utilizing and producing renewable bioenergy from domestic agricultural products. Nationwide, it is expected that a...
View ArticleSmall-Scale Biodiesel Production: Safety, Fuel Quality, and Waste Disposal...
Biodiesel is a cleaner-burning, renewable fuel that is a feasible alternative to fossil-based diesel fuel. Largely due to historically high energy prices, concerns over the environmental impact of...
View ArticleConserving Energy with Landscaping
Winter winds increase the rate of air exchange between the interior and exterior of a house, lowering the house’s interior temperature and thereby increasing the heating demand. In a windy site, a...
View ArticleUsing the Energy Resource Guide for Virginia Website
Energy is one of the hottest topics being discussed among Virginians. Whether it is the cost of fuel or how to reduce our consumption of an energy source, we are all searching for new ideas.
View ArticleEnergy Series: What About the Air Conditioning System?
As you begin the process of selecting the most efficient air conditioning system for your home, investigate the critical issues of system size, placement, installation, and contractor experience. Your...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about Using Ceiling Fans?
Can Ceiling Fans Lower My Utility Bill?Ceiling fans create a breeze, so room occupants feel cooler and more comfortable. With a ceiling fan running, you can raise the thermostat setting by 2 to 4...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about the Ductwork?
Air distribution or duct systems are designed to supply rooms with air that is “conditioned”—that is, heated or cooled by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment—and to...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about the Heating System?
What is Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency?The efficiency of a gas (natural or propane) or oil furnace is measured by the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE), which describes the heat produced...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about Insulation?
Insulation is rated in terms of thermal resistance, called R-value, which indicates the resistance to heat flow. Although insulation can slow heat flow—conduction, convection and radiation—its greatest...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about the Laundry Area?
Why Should I Worry About Energy Use in the Laundry Room?The laundry room can be a big consumer of energy—more than 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a year—and water—and a big producer of unwanted heat and...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about Mold?
Mold has received a lot of attention of late because of high profile lawsuits and television news broadcasts that have highlighted the potential hazards and liabilities associated with indoor mold....
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about the Water Heater?
Heating water is the third largest energy expense in your home, after heating and cooling the entire space; and, it can account for 15-25% of your utility bill. It’s not hard to see why a family of...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What about Windows?
How Can I Determine the Energy Performance of a Window?The National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) offers a voluntary testing and certification program for thermal performance for windows and...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What are the Differences Between Mobile and Modular Homes?
Mobile and modular homes are factory-built and generally differ in how much of the construction occurs at the factory. The greater the work at the factory, the less labor is needed where the home will...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What Can Builders Do to Help Prevent Moisture Problems in New...
Buildings should be designed and built to provide comfortable and healthy levels of relative humidity. They should also prevent both liquid water from migrating through building components and water...
View ArticleEnergy Series: What Does the Shape of the House Have to do with Energy...
In a home, heat energy is transferred among all materials and substances that are of different temperatures—within the building materials, inside the building itself, and outside the building envelope....
View ArticleEnergy Series: Estimating Home Appliance and Home Electronic Energy Use
If you're trying to decide whether to invest in a more energy-efficient appliance or you'd like to determine your electricity loads, you may want to estimate appliance energy consumption.Estimating...
View ArticleBCAP Biomass Crop Assistance Program
The Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) is part of the latest Farm Bill to assist forestland owners and operators with matching payments for eligible material by a qualified Biomass Conversion...
View ArticleGreywater Reuse
Greywater is any household wastewater other than that used for toilet flushing. This water could be reused around the home (for purposes other than drinking water). An example of greywater use is...
View ArticleUsing Reclaimed Water
Reclaimed water, sometimes referred to as “water reuse” or “recycled water,” is water recovered from domestic, municipal, or industrial wastewater treatment plants that has been treated to standards...
View ArticleRainwater Harvesting Systems
Rainwater harvesting is the process of collecting, storing, and later reusing rainwater from surfaces such as roofs. Rainwater harvesting has long been used for agricultural irrigation and as a source...
View ArticleENERGY SERIES: What about Landscaping and Energy Efficiency?
Landscaping has always played an important role in modifying the home environment for thermal comfort. Throughout the history of civilization, housing has been designed to offer protection from the...
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