The increase in climate anxiety is a significant concern for many people. With global warming posing an imminent threat to the environment and public health, tackling issues such as climate change can be highly stressful. Follow these tips from the solar panel experts at Suntex to help relieve both stress and environmental strain.

Use Your Bicycle More and Car Less

Anxiety and depression are common conditions, and the threat of climate change can increase these feelings. Regular fitness is an excellent way to relieve anxiety.

One way to reduce your carbon footprint while also getting some exercise is to use your bicycle more often and drive your car less. This can be a great way to reduce stress while also helping the environment.

If you live in an area with favorable weather, try riding your bike to work or when running errands instead of driving. It’s a simple step to reduce emissions and give you some much-needed time outdoors.

Support Eco-Friendly Businesses

Another way to help reduce your impact on the environment is to support eco-friendly businesses. This includes companies that use sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials or renewable energy. Patronizing these businesses can help reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while also contributing to a more sustainable economy.

Start Your Own Sustainable Business

You can also start an environmentally friendly company to help do your part in saving the planet. This can be a great way to create a positive impact while also improving your financial wellness. To begin, develop a business plan that details your product or service and how you plan to fund and operate the business.

You’ll also need to develop strategies to market your business. Once you have a plan, start looking for investors or partners who share your vision. It’s important to have business cards to hand out while you are networking and gaining support for your endeavor. You can try this free online business card design tool to create something you’ll love for a fraction of the amount you’d spend working with a designer. Just choose a template you like, add your information, and you’re ready to start networking!

If you’re starting a business, you need to get paid on time. Work out an invoicing process that ensures you get paid promptly. This could include giving your customers multiple payment options, keeping billing terms easy to understand, and politely following up on late payments. You can create invoices that incorporate your brand with an online invoice generator. After choosing a template, add your terms, color scheme, and company logo.

Reduce Home Energy Use

One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to reduce your home energy use. There are various steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption. Unplugging appliances when they aren’t in use, using energy-efficient appliances, investing in LED light bulbs, and insulating your home are excellent ways to reduce energy use.

You can also choose to use more eco-friendly cleaning products instead of supporting companies that produce toxic products through not-so-green methods. Plus, many of these natural options are much less expensive, too. Consider the cost of baking soda and vinegar compared to brand name cleaning products. Plus, these cheaper alternatives will last longer!

Recycle

Recycling is another great way to make a positive impact. By recycling household items such as plastic, paper, and glass, you can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve resources. You can also compost food waste to reduce methane emissions. Recycling can save you money as well. Many municipalities offer perks for households that recycle.

Plant Trees

Trees are a great way to help offset carbon emissions and improve air quality, explains the World Economic Forum. They also provide shade and beauty to your home or business. If you have the space, consider planting a tree in your yard. If you don’t have a yard, consider donating to organizations that plant trees in deforested areas.

Support Eco-Friendly Legislation

One way to help fight climate change is to support eco-friendly legislation. This can include voting for candidates who support green policies, signing petitions, and contacting your representatives about critical environmental issues. It may also reduce anxiety about climate change to know you’re contributing to something positive.

Look for initiatives that support residential solar adoption. Many states have adopted these programs to make solar an affordable option for homeowners. Texas has some solar incentives in place, so work with a local company like Suntex whose employees will know what sorts of discounts and rebates are available to you.

Relieve Climate Stress Through Positive Change

Fighting climate change can be a source of stress for many people. However, there are ways to reduce anxiety and stress related to climate change. Whether you’re planting more trees, adding solar to your home, or starting your own eco-friendly business, you can start making positive changes right now with just a little planning and perseverance!

 

Note: This article was written for SUNTEX by guest writer Emma Grace Brown. Please reach out directly to SUNTEX if you have any questions regarding this article, or the blog post content.

Happy Groundhog Day 2023, at least for those hoping for six more weeks of winter it will be at least. According to Newsweek, Punxsutawney Phil did see his shadow this year denoting that we’re not quite done with the winter holiday as of yet (https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/groundhog-day-2023-did-punxsutawney-phil-see-his-shadow/ar-AA171Bra). While I love the possibility of snow and sweater weather extending into the early months of the year, it can present some difficult challenges for Texans as well as we brace for the possibility of another winter storm this year.

The good news is that since we’ve endured a few over the past years, there is a collective knowledge, understanding, and protocol for dealing with these types of situations and while we hope not to have to employ them, it’s always best to be prepared to “weather the storm.”

With that said, you can of course consult our previous blog posts on how best to prepare or deal with power outages during a freeze, here: https://suntexllc.com/survival-tips-from-texans-weathering-the-storm/, or if you would prefer, read on to learn more!

 

Prepping your home for freezing temperatures:

1. COVER YOUR OUTDOOR FAUCETS: As you’ve likely seen before, one of the first things that should come to mind when preparing for freezing temperatures is covering your outdoor water spickets. Why? The reason for this is that when exposed to temps below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, pipes – particularly those with water still trapped inside – can expand, or in this case contract, potentially causing cracks and leaks which could cause lots of damage to your home, even without you noticing it for some time.In order to prevent your pipes from freezing and contracting, it’s best to cover them with a foam insulator in order to keep the temperature above freezing as much as possible. You can typically find outdoor spicket coverings at your local hardware store, however they may be harder to come by in the week just before the freeze, so it’s best to keep these on-hand and bring them out only when necessary. Once temperatures increase again – likely to 50 degrees (F) or even 70 degrees (F) the next day in Texas – you can safely remove the coverings and store them in your garage where you’ll be able to find them the next time the temperature dips below freezing.

   If you cannot find foam covers, or they’re all sold out at the store – don’t fret! You can also use foam noodles, or even Styrofoam coolers as a replacement – just make sure to cover the entire faucet and/or opening and tape up any gaps/holes in the covering. If you cannot get ahold of any foam/Styrofoam, your last resort is to just use towels. Again, the main idea here is to keep the faucet completely covered and sealed so that you’re able to maintain the temperature as best as possible above freezing.

2. HIDE YOUR PLANTS! Similar to your outdoor faucets, if you’re interested in preserving your garden through a freeze you’ll likely want to cover up any outdoor plants, and bring any inside that are potted so that you can keep their temperatures well above freezing. Many plants don’t do well in temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, so you may need to keep them covered for longer than the duration of the freeze.

   Because I like to reuse materials as much as possible while maintaining a clean space, I love using old shower curtains for this purpose. You can also use tarps, or really any other type of plastic covering that will let light through, while keeping rain and/or frost out. Simply drape your plastic covering over the plant, and seal down the sides with rocks/sticks/etc. so that you’re able to create sort of a mini greenhouse where your plants can continue to thrive while maintaining their own heat from within.

   Of course, if you’ve had time to plan ahead for this you might even consider planting a freeze-tolerant garden so you don’t have to worry too much about covering it up in the case of a freeze, but if you just can’t help but plant gardenias (and who could blame you?!) , then you’ll want to keep this in mind during the winter months when the temperature can dip below 40 and stay there for days at a time.

3. HOPE FOR THE BEST, PREP FOR THE WORST: If you’ve lived in Texas for more than a year, or even if you’ve watched the news over the past few winters, you’re likely familiar with the reason behind this statement: when Texas freezes, the power will likely go out, and it’s better to be prepared for it than to try and address it after the fact. This means making sure you have the basics covered for surviving, so that you can shift your focus in these moments to thriving: candles, flashlights, and lanterns are accessible and easy to find; blankets are clean and plentiful; and you know how to stay warm safely, particularly if the roadways are frozen and dangerous.The Spruce has provided a pretty good list for how to keep warm if you don’t have heat, feel free to check it out here: https://www.thespruce.com/ways-to-keep-warm-without-turning-up-the-heat-1388206#:~:text=13%20Tips%20for%20Staying%20Warm%20Without%20Turning%20Up,8%20Reverse%20the%20Ceiling%20Fan%20…%20More%20items – and while some of these will not be applicable without power, there is still a lot of great information. For example, the importance of layering your clothing can not be overstated!

   A good rule of thumb is to use the loose-tight-loose layering rule: when adding layers, start with a fitted layer (like leggings or long johns), and then add a looser layer (think long-sleeved t-shirts and sweatpants), and then add one more fitted layer on top (this one may seem a little less comfy since you’re now stuffing yourself into something tighter than your previous layer, however the heat your body creates between layers can get trapped in the extra space, helping you build heat between layers like a mini-greenhouse effect for your body).

   Don’t forget about your fuzzy socks! It may even be helpful to stuff your pants into your socks, and then try to avoid all of your neighbors because you will look ridiculous – but you’ll be warm!

The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Finally, one thing I must mention here is that Carbon Monoxide is deadly. This was a major cause of death during Winter Storm Uri and because it’s colorless and odorless, it can be really difficult if not impossible to detect. So, don’t try and heat your home using your gas stove!

Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning gas, and the longer you utilize a gas-burning device, the more carbon monoxide enters the atmosphere. This is also why you should not sit in a running vehicle in an enclosed garage. While jumping in your car to heat up from time to time can be really helpful for keeping warm, make sure that your car is parked in a well-ventilated area when you do so that you don’t fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Stay Warm!

There are plenty of additional ways to keep warm if your power goes out, and luckily temperatures are expected to increase above freezing temperatures within a couple of days this time around, so my recommendation would be to wait it out at home if you are able to do so, and mitigate any unnecessary congestion on the roads so you don’t have to be bailed out later. However if you lose power and cannot hunker down, do what’s best for you! If you must go to a hotel nearby, or a friend’s house that’s connected to a hospital energy grid, then please do so. Just be safe out there, and most importantly, stay warm!

What is Solar Energy?

Solar Energy is radiant light and heat from the Sun that is harnessed using a range of technologies such as solar power to generate electricity, solar thermal energy (including solar water heating), and solar architecture, according to Wikipedia.

It is an essential source of renewable energy, and its technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active solar depending on how they capture and distribute solar energy or convert it into solar power. Active solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic systems, concentrated solar power, and solar water heating to harness the energy.

Passive solar techniques include orienting a building to the Sun, selecting materials with favorable thermal mass or light-dispersing properties, and designing spaces that naturally circulate air.

The large magnitude of solar energy available makes it a highly appealing source of electricity (Solar energy – Wikipedia).

Solar energy, also known as solar power, is a clean and renewable source  that comes from the sun energy It’s considered to be a clean and renewable source of power because the sun can produce an infinite amount of it, and it doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases into the atmosphere like fossil fuels do.

Technology is used to convert sunlight into electricity. The energy can be converted to heat, light, or electricity and used in many ways like powering homes, businesses, and even cars.

How Does Solar Energy Work?

The sun is the primary source of energy for earth, and it has been for billions of years. Solar panels are a way to harness this energy and turn it into usable power. Solar panels are made up of photovoltaic cells that capture the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity.

The electricity they produce can be used to power anything from a cell phone to an entire home, or even an entire city. The amount of electricity produced by a solar panel depends on how much sunlight is hitting it at any given time, as well as how well it’s designed.

A solar panel in New York will produce more electricity than one in Florida because Florida gets less sunlight than New York does. The best panels are those that are designed to receive the most amount of sunlight possible.

A solar panel has several different components, but they all work together to create power. A solar panel is made up of two basic parts: cells and wiring. Cells are what capture the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity, while wiring is how this electricity gets sent out of the system.

How Does Solar Power Benefit the Environment?

The more I learn about the benefits of solar energy the more I understand its implications. Many systems use solar energy, and as energy prices rise and fossil fuel reserves run out, solar energy is becoming more and more efficient.

Homeowners can add savings by switching to solar each month. Even as an alternative to energy produced by fossil fuels, solar energy offers many environmental benefits. Solar power not only saves you money on your electricity bill, but it also helps you make a positive change in the natural world around you.

The traditional source of electricity was the fireplace. Large amounts of coal are burned to fuel our homes and cities contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. We breathe this air, and it is also a major contributor to climate change with potentially dire consequences for all of us.

The carbon released into the atmosphere when coal and gas are burned contributes to local and global pollution. On the other hand, solar energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, owning a solar-powered home saves you from burning over 5000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year.

This equates to planting over 150 trees each year. Imagine thousands of people switching to solar energy! It all starts with each of us doing our part. Transitioning to solar is something you can do today. It’s healthier air to breathe because it emits fewer greenhouse gases each year and less dirt for all of us to breathe.

As urban populations grow, we need to reduce pollutant emissions for our health and the health of the planet.

Another advantage of solar energy is the precious water resource in the environment. In addition to serving as an alternative to hydroelectric power, solar energy uses far less water than other energy sources. Coal, natural gas, and other conventional energy sources require large amounts of water to operate.

Harnessing solar energy can also keep rivers and bodies of water clean when water needs are at their peak. Other energy sources often pollute surrounding streams and lakes. This can have serious long-term consequences for the ecosystems that depend on it.

Using solar energy in your home also helps reduce air pollution from cars. At least the car is moving away from you. Whether you want to drive an electric car now or own a home in the future, you can offset the pollution caused by fossil fuels. By powering your home with solar panels, you can change using electricity from coal and other polluting sources.

With solar power installed in your home you won’t have to worry about your utility bills rising. Even in the industry you can make a lot of money. You can feel more confident while doing something positive for the world around you.

Solar power has a lot of benefits for the environment: it doesn’t produce any greenhouse gas emissions or air pollution, it doesn’t require burning fossil fuels, it doesn’t produce radioactive waste or nuclear waste and it reduces our dependency on fossil fuel imports from unstable regions in the world. It’s clean, green, and sustainable.

In order to use solar power, you need to make sure that you have a place for the photovoltaic cells. The panels generate energy when exposed to sunlight, so they should be in an area with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. You can also buy solar-powered streetlights or solar lighting for your home.

Can we Solve Climate Change with More Solar Panels?

Climate change is a sad reality and is changing the world as we know it. Its effects are seen all over the world in extreme weather conditions wreaking havoc on the environment, economy, and society. Climate change is part of the human experience and will continue for years to come.

We must solve climate change by investing in renewable energy. The problem is that it’s not happening fast enough, and the world is still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) renewable energy, and in particular power generation, has entered a virtuous cycle of falling costs, increasing deployment, and accelerated technological progress, up-to-date data on costs has become a critical for policy makers, business, researchers, and others. Solar PV module prices have fallen by around 90% since the end of 2009, while wind turbine prices have fallen by 49-78% since 2010 making renewable energy cost competitive (Power generation costs (irena.org).

Conclusion: The Future of Renewable Energy

Renewable energy is the future. It is not just because of environmental concerns, but also because it is the most cost-effective source of energy. It is only a matter of time before we see renewable energy as a mainstream form of power generation.

Contact Suntex LLC today to find out how to add solar power to your home. We will work with you to determine how much energy you need and design the right system for your home and your energy needs.

The good news is: the future of renewable energy looks bright.

 

Note: This article was written for SUNTEX by Energy Consultant, Verna Badenhorst. Please reach out directly to SUNTEX if you have any questions regarding this article, or the blog post content. If you would like to learn more about the work Verna is doing, feel free to check out her Facebook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087851139652