Bicycle Valets Can Reduce Local Pollution, Congestion and Create Bicycle Friendly Destinations

Credit: striatic

There is a new trend growing in the green community - "bicycle valets" or "bike valets." While bicycle valets vary from area to area in design, personal, equipment and execution, they all share one common element - they create a bicycle friendly destination.

Bicycles are far more energy efficient than automobiles. You can travel further with less fuel and less pollution using a bicycle than any car. It's easy to see the dramatic difference if we compare the CO2/Mile of a few common modes of transportation.

The following are averages of CO2/Mile pollution by vehicle with a single passenger:

• 1.57 lbs of CO2/Mile in a "Sport Utility Vehicle" - 15 MPG
• 1.10 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Average car" - 21.5 MPG
• 0.59 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Economy car" - 40 MPG
• 0.00 lbs of CO2/Mile on a "Bicycle"

Reviewing the pollution each vehicle produces, it's easy to see why environmentalist like to encourage bicycle friendly destinations whenever possible.

What is a "Bicycle Valet?"

A bicycle valet is an organized valet and/or parking service for bicycles - imagine a coat check for bicycles. Each area has it's own execution but the goal of the service is to encourage visitors to arrive on their bicycles and to offer large scale, short term, bicycle parking.

In Santa Monica, California, you can find one variation of the bicycle valet. The City of Santa Monica offers free bicycle parking for both the Summer Twilight Dance Series (a free summer concert series) and the Sunday Farmers Market. In this case the city provides staff and similar to a traditional valet, the staff provide a ticket and take your vehicle. You are required to pick up your vehicle before the end of the event but there is no service fee, tipping is at your discretion.

Further north in San Jose, California, the Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition offers similarly designed bicycle valet services at many locations including Stanford home football games, the San Jose Blues Festival, Moffett Field Airshows and numerous Civic Art and Wine Festivals.

San Francisco, California, offers a free valet bicycle parking at a number events including all the San Francisco Giants home games, the Movie in the Park series, Tour de Fat and Winterfest. San Francisco is unique from many other cities in that as of January 1,1999, the city requires bicycle parking for all major outdoor events.

In Fairfax, California, you can find a more grassroots effort. The Marin County Bicycle Coalition loans PVC bike racks to "Green Wednesdays" who in turn use them to offer free, secure, bicycle parking. "Green Wednesdays" offers bicycle parking at the Wednesday Farmers Market. While not exactly a bicycle valet service, "Green Wednesdays," is offering large scale temporary secure bicycle parking. This in turn makes their local Farmers Market a bicycle friendly destination.

The Benefits of Bicycle Valets

Bicycle valets can offer benefits to both event holders and event locations while creating a more bicycle friendly destination, here are just a few of the benefits:

• Maintain clear driveways and walkways. Without a bicycle valet or any other form of large scale bicycle parking, cyclist are forced to lock their bikes to whatever, wherever they find it. A bicycle valet provides a central location for large scale bicycle storage and keeps driveways and sidewalks clear.
• Reduce local traffic congestion. Each person riding a bicycle is potentially one less car. Bicycle valets reduce traffic by reducing the number of people who arrive by car.
• Encourage attendance. Many people avoid events due to parking hassles. Bicycles are fast and easy to check-in and with less cars parking is sure to be a breeze.

Riding a bicycle is not only good for your health, it's also good for the planet. Each mile you ride on your bike instead of in your car reduces your carbon footprint. In this ever changing environment, it's important for us to each do our part, so I encourage you to find your local bicycle group or coalition, and if you don't have a local bicycle valet in service then why not start your own program?

Labels: article, bicycle, bicycle valet, bike, carbon emissions, carbon footprint, earth, fitness, green, health

  ¶ 6:05 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  The Energy Star Challenge: Building a Better World 10% at a Time

Credit: Scott Ableman

Thanks to the work of Energy Star we are already saving literally billions of dollars each year through energy efficiency practices. Through these practices both environmentally dangerous greenhouse gases as well as operational costs have been reduced without any tradeoffs in performance or quality.

Who is Energy Star?

Energy Star was originally created in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It started as a voluntary labeling program but has grown into the successful organization it is today. Energy Star helps consumers identify and purchase over 40,000 energy efficient products.

A largely successful program to date, in 2006 alone Energy Star saved consumers over $14 billion on their utility bills. The savings were equivalent to the emissions from 25 million cars. While this may seem remarkable there is still much more work to be done.

The Energy Star Challenge

A new project from Energy Star is called the Energy Star Challenge. This challenge consists of "a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10 percent or more."

Anyone who works in commercial or industrial buildings can participate in the Energy Star Challenge. According to the Energy Star website, the challenge encourages participants to:

• Design commercial buildings to be energy efficient.
• Meter your energy usage over long periods
• Create a plan for energy efficiency improvements
• Implement energy efficiency upgrades
• Inform others about efficiency

Take the Energy Star Challenge

If you are ready to participate in the Energy Star Challenge you can sign-up using the following web based form:

• Energy Star Challenge
  

The Energy Star Challenge Toolkit

Energy Star offers a free toolkit to help you in the challenge:

• Energy Star Challenge Toolkit
  

Within the web based toolkit you can find useful resources, energy efficiency facts, figures, key points and more. They even offer press release templates, printable posters and co-brandable print advertisements.

You have already taken the first step by taking the time to read this article, now help the planet by participating in the Energy Star Challenege and "Build a Better World 10% at a Time."

Labels: article, challenge, consumer, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, energy star, money, savings

  ¶ 5:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  The Environmental Cost Of US Electricity

Credit: Jeff Kubina

Each day more and more forward thinking people are worrying about their personal carbon footprint. The understanding that we all share a single planet has motivated many people to consciously change patterns in their lives for the better of the planet. If you are trying to reduce your carbon footprint, then it's important you understand the impact of generating electricity on our environment.

Residential Electricity Generated by Fossil Fuels is the Third Largest Contributor of Carbon Dioxide Emissions in the US

Electricity is a basic part of nature, and it is one of our most widely used forms of energy. While it's possible to generate electricity in many "green" ways, the number one source of US electricity is coal. In 2006, nearly half (49%) of the country's 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity used coal as its source of energy.

Many power companies don't even offer consumers the option of using 100% renewable energy - even when consumers are willing to pay a higher rate. Why? If one ignores the pollution, generating electricity from fossil fuels such as coal is inexpensive and for many people willing to exploit our planet that is enough.

Credit: Irish Typepad

Fighting Against Big Coal

While Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas recently vetoed a bill to allow two more coal based power plants from being built in Kansas. It only took three days for a "new" proposal bill to come from the House committee which would allow for the coal fired plants construction. Why would the Governor of Kansas fight against the installation of the new power plants when it could mean more jobs for her constituents? Last October, Rod Bremby, the state secretary of health and environment stated the plants could potentially produce 11 million tons of CO2 a year.

4.1 Trillion Kilowatt Hours of Electricity

A number as large as 4.1 trillion is staggering, so what does that translate into for the average American household? The average US home uses 9,000 kilowatt hours a year. 9,000 kilowatt hours a year has the same environmental impact as:

• Driving a Car 13,392 miles
• Chopping Down 50 Trees

What You Can Do

While some of us fight to save our planet others look to exploit it that's why it is important for everyone to firmly understand the environmental cost of generating electricity from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas. The key to stopping this exploitation is knowledge. If people understand the hard costs of the resources they use, they can make informed decisions. They can choose to be more energy efficient and conserve electricity.

Conserving Energy through Energy Efficiency

All of the small changes made individually can combine together to make a major impact. What can you do? The answer is simple - reduce the amount of energy you use. An easy way to do this is to use more energy efficient appliances, electronics and lighting. Energy efficient devices offer you the same quality of service but at a lower energy cost. Energy Star rated devices are a perfect example of energy efficiency, they can offer between 15-75% savings over comparable devices.

Energy Star

If you are looking to reduce your personal energy consumption then look for the Energy Star label. In 2006 alone Energy Star saved consumers over $14 billion on their utility bills. Translated into greenhouse gas emissions, in 2006 Energy Star prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars.

Remember fighting global climate change starts at home. Stopping global warming won't come from the single step of one individual, but rather through many small steps by many different people.

Labels: article, coal, electricity, energy, energy consumption, energy efficiency, energy star, gas, natural gas, power

  ¶ 5:49 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Energy Efficiency: Bicycles Are An Energy Efficient Transportation Choice

Credit: Gary J. Wood

In the United States, we live in an automobile based culture. Many people don't think twice about driving their vehicle short distances to run errands - a mile here, a mile there. What many people don't realize or choose to ignore is that driving alone is one of the least climate-friendly forms of transportation.

Driving Alone

How bad is driving alone relative to other forms of transportation? According to the Sightline Institute with a single driver, you can expect an average of:

• 1.57 lbs of CO2/Mile in a "Sport Utility Vehicle" (15 MPG)
• 1.10 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Average car" (21.5 MPG)
• 0.59 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Economy car" (40 MPG)

Obviously filling your vehicle to capacity helps, just consider this:

• 0.37 lbs of CO2/Mile in an "Average car" (21.5 MPG) when Carpooling with three people

While filling to capacity can help for short errands it isn't always an option. So what can you do?

Credit: jpctalbot

Riding a Bicycle

Riding a bicycle isn't just good for the environment with a net 0 lbs of CO2/Mile, but it's good for you too. Short errands are just one of many uses you'll find for your bicycle - once you start riding again. While you may miss your trunk space at first a quality bicycle grocery bag, panniers or even a basket can reduce this stress. Which one you choose is up to you based on your own personal needs but for the average grocery hauler I would recommend one the following three products:

• Jandd Grocery Bag Pannier
• REI Grocery BagREI Novara 'Round Town panniers
• Cobbworks Oyster Bucket Panniers

If you expect to be hauling lighter loads then you may be a good candidate for a removable handlebar mounted basket - these can often double as a "reusable shopping bag" too.

How Energy Efficient is a Bicycle?

Did you know calories are actually a unit of measurement for the amount of energy that your body can extract from foods . With many new biofuel technologies available today, many of the foods we eat can also be converted into fuel for our vehicles.

According to World Watch Magazine the average automobile burns 1,860 calories per mile per passenger. How does that compare to the average bicycle? The average bicycle and rider burns 35 calories per mile.

Why are bicycles so much more efficient? The key to the energy efficiency of the bicycle is simple - a bicycle and rider are extremely light compared the average car. In a 2 ton vehicle with a 170 lbs driver the driver is only 4% of the total weight. On a heavier 30 lbs bicycle that same driver will be 85% of the total weight. In a vehicle 96% of the energy used each mile is used moving the vehicle itself - not the drive. On a bicycle only 15% of the energy used moving the bicycle itself.

Bicycles are so efficient in fact that under the right conditions a rider can ride faster then a cheetah. In 2002, Canadian rider Sam Whittingham reached 81 mph using a recumbent bike called the Varna Diablo II. That is 11 mph faster than a cheetah which over short distances can attain a top speed of 70 mph.

It's often said you never forget how to ride a bike so why not take advantage it. Riding a bike is not only one of the most energy efficient modes of transportation, it is also one of the most relatively inexpensive. Do you part to fight global warming by taking your bicycle out for a ride.

Labels: article, automobile, bicycle, bike, calories, car, earth, energy efficiency, environment, exercise, green, health, transportation

  ¶ 9:59 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Energy Efficiency: Purchasing an Energy Efficient Room Air Conditioner

Credit: deadling

Are you in the market for a new air conditioner? Have you been considering a room air conditioner instead of a central air conditioner but aren't sure what you should be looking for? Purchasing an air conditioner of any type should be researched before hand simply due to the amount of electricity your air conditioner could potentially use. If you purchase the wrong unit you may end up with extremely large monthly electric bills and inefficient cooling.

As a consumer you definitely want to find the best performing unit for you. You want to find a unit which is very energy efficient because not only will it save you money in the long run, it's better for the environment as well. Energy efficiency is about making the best or most efficient use of energy in order to achieve a given level of comfort and convenience.

What is a Room Air Conditioner?

A room air conditioner is an air conditioning system designed to cool a room or rooms instead of the entire house. Do you live in a smaller home, townhouse, condo or even apartment? Would you prefer or do you require a non-permaneant air conditioning installation? If you answered yes then a room air conditioner may be a good matched for you. In comparison to central air conditioners, room air conditioners are dramatically less expensive to operate - even though they are often less efficient.

While central air conditioners often need higher voltage connections a room air conditioner can often be plugged into any 15- or 20-amp, 115-volt household circuit. If you have a larger room air conditioner you may need a dedicated 115 volt-circuit. In only the most extreme cases will you ever need a dedicated 230-volt circuit.

Room air conditioners are often vented or window mounted so they can effectively expel hot air out. Be wary of any room air conditioner that does not offer proper ventilation.

How are Room Air Conditioners Rated?

If you are familiar with central air conditioners you may be already familiar with the SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Room air conditioners are rated not on in SEER but rather in EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER of a given room air conditioner is calculated by dividing the cooling capacity in British Thermal Units (BTU) per hour by the power input in watts. You can find room air conditioners offering a range of cooling powers from 5,500 BTU per hour to 14,000 BTU per hour.

While the national appliance standard requires that any room air conditioner built after 1990 to have an EER of 8.0 or greater, and the latest Energy Star standards require in some cases an EER of 10.7 or greater I support the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) recommendations. The ACEEE recommends at least an EER of 11.6. Why? This will guarantee your unit is energy efficient throughout the year and when it is needed most - the hottest summer months.

Selecting a Room Air Conditioner

Once you've decided to purchase a room air conditioner make sure you look for the Energy Star label. If every room air conditioner sold in the U.S. were Energy Star qualified, we could prevent 1.2 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions to put that into perspective that is equivalent to the emissions from 100,000 cars. Energy Star room air conditioners use at least 10% less energy than conventional models.

In the room air conditioner game Energy Star isn't the only certification to be looking for. You should also look for Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM Certified units. Why? AHAM Certified room air conditioners have their EER ratings verified by an independent laboratory.

Getting the Right Size

Room air conditioners like all air conditioning units are rated by the number of British Thermal Units (BTU) of heat they can remove per hour. Another common way of rating air conditioners is by the "ton," some example are 5,500 BTU per hour or 14,000 BTU per hour.

Getting the right size room air conditioner for your application is crucial. If you get the wrong size you can easily waste large volumes of electricity. The size of your air conditioner depends upon:

• How large is your home and how many do you have?
• How much shade do you have? Do you have shade on your home's windows, walls, and roof?
• Are the ceilings and walls of your home insulated properly?
• Do you have air leaks?
• How much heat do you, the occupants, and appliances generate?

Remember the key to any air conditioners efficiency and performance depend on you properly matching the size of the AC unit to your specific application.

If you find this a bit confusing then you can always use the free AHAM tool. AHAM offers a handy online tool which can help you calculate your air conditioner (or evaporative cooler) needs.

• http://www.cooloff.org/sub_cool.html

Installing your Room Air Conditioner

When you install a new room air conditioner you should try to locate the air conditioner in a window or wall area near the center of the room. It is also beneficial to install your air conditioner on the shadiest side of your house. Try not to let your installation increase air leakage - you can minimize this by fitting the either the room air conditioner or its ventilation snugly into its opening and sealing gaps with a foam weather stripping material.

Are Room Air Conditioners my only non-permeneant cooling option?

If you live in a drier climate, somewhere with a relatively humidity level below 50%, then you may be well matched for an "Evaporative Cooler" sometimes referred to as a "Swamp Cooler." An evaporative cooler cools by using a fan to force air through moistened pads. As the hot air passes through the pads, the pads absorb the heat and cool the air in some cases as much as 15-20 degrees.

Evaporative coolers are not for everyone. In the wrong climate, in the wrong conditions an evaporative cooler can create conditions of high humidity in the air which in turn can cause condensation and even corrosion.

In the right conditions and climate, evaporative coolers, can provide cost very effective cooling. When compared to air conditioners, evaporative coolers use an average of 75% less electricity. Evaporative coolers are very energy efficient.

If you think you are a good candidate for an evaporate cooler you can use the free AHAM tool referenced earlier to calculate the proper size for your specific application too.

In many parts of the world air conditioning can seem like a life saver, but it comes at a cost - first in dollars spent for electricity, and second in carbon dioxide pollution from the generation of electricity. According to the the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) we create an astounding 140 million tons of CO2 cooling our homes. You can easily save electricity by purchasing a correctly sized Energy Star rated room air conditioner. By saving electricity you are doing your part to fight global climate change.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioning, article, diy, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, hvac, renovation

  ¶ 7:33 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Energy Efficiency: Easy Ways To Reduce Your Air Conditioning Use And Save Money

Credit: aine d

Did you know that 14% of the energy produced in the United States is used to air condition buildings and 10% of the energy produced is used to air condition homes? What is the total cost to consumers? Over 15 billion dollars a year. To put that into perspective the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) equates that to an astounding 140 million tons of CO2.

Energy efficiency refers to the reduction of energy used by specific end-use devices and systems, such as air conditioners, typically without affecting the quality of the services provided. Energy efficiency can be achieved many ways. In the case of your air conditioning one simple way to achieve this efficiency is by reducing your air conditioning needs.

Reducing Your Air Conditioning Needs

Depending upon where you live you may feel very dependent on your air conditioner. You may even be thinking about upgrading to a newer air conditioner with higher improved SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) but before you do consider the following - the easiest way to save money and energy on cooling is to reduce your air conditioning needs in the first place.

While some of my solutions may seem initially costly - in the long run you will enjoy a monthly energy savings, in some cases you may appreciate the value of your home, and you will always feel good knowing that you are doing your part to fight global warming.

Strategies for Reducing Your Air Conditioning Needs

• Invest in alternate forms of in-house cooling such as ceiling fans or house fans. Unless you live in a very humid climate than ceiling fans, which can provide cooling by creating a low- level "wind chill" effect, are a good and relatively inexpensive choice. Ceiling fans are also rated by Energy Star so it's easy to find energy efficient models. House fans are usually large fans in your top-floor ceiling. They cool by expelling hot air out and in-turn creating a vacuum that sucks cooler air in. Unfortunately house fans are not covered by Energy Star. In either case fan use substantially less energy then air conditioning systems and can go a long way in reducing your dependence on your air conditioner.
• Replace older single pane windows with newer more energy efficient double pane or even triple pane windows. More energy efficiency windows can reduce your air conditioning needs but depending upon the number of windows involved it may get expensive. If expense becomes a concern you can always opt to use drapes or window coverings that block out the sunlight effectively. While drapes and window coverings will help, for the best results when justified, I recommend replacing the framing and glass. In some cases replacing your windows can improve their energy efficiency by up to 41% in the summer - when your air conditioning is used most.
• Consider shade gardening. If replacing your windows is expensive but you have room for gardening consider planting shade trees on the sunny side of your home. The less direct sunlight that gets into your house, the less heat. Shade trees also have the added benefits of reducing local area CO2 pollution. You can expect a full grown shade tree to gradually remove about 10 lbs of CO2 a year, native trees are always good choice because they are easier to maintain.
• Replace non-programmable thermostats with programmable versions. You can save as much as 10% a year on your cooling bills by using a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically while you regularly sleeping or out of the house. When you shop for a programmable thermostat, be sure to look for the Energy Star versions.
• Install energy efficient roofing. Energy Star offers a number of different Reflective Roof Products that can reduce your peak air conditioning demand by as much as 10-15%.
• Use light-colored or "cool" sidings or paints with a high Light Reflective Value (LRV). Most major paint manufacturers can tell you the LRV of any color paint chip. The higher the LRV the more the paint will reflect away heat instead of absorbing it. Keeping your house cooler by reflecting away heat will reduce your air conditioning needs.
• Replace your older/inefficient appliances such as old or secondary refrigerator or, replace incandescent light bulbs with LEDs. The less heat your appliances and inefficient lighting give off the less your air conditioner will have to compensate.
• Unplug large consumer electronics when you aren't using them. Lots of newer electronics have a "sleep mode" that keeps them ready for action. This "sleep mode" uses electricity and because the device is running at some level it will still be creating heat. When not in use,don't forget to unplug chargers for your smaller devices, too
• Properly insulate your home. If you have a home that isn't properly insulated you can waste a lot of electricity when the cool air created by your air conditioner escapes. Why? Your air conditioner will simply keep working harder to maintain a stable temperature regardless of continuous air leaks. The harder your air conditioner works the more electricity is uses and the more expensive it becomes. If your home has an attic it is very common for air leaks to occur between your living space and the attic space.

An easy way to save money on air conditioning which is often overlooked is through the simple reduction of its use. While enjoying the cool benefits of air conditioning it is easy to overlook its expensive nature, due to the electricity required one has to also consider it's environmental cost. While being green isn't always easy, in this case, being green will save you money - by reducing your energy usage.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioning, article, diy, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, hvac, renovation

  ¶ 6:15 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Energy Efficiency: Is an Energy Efficient Evaporative Cooler or Swamp Cooler Right for Me?

Credit: Atli Harðarson

When someone says "10% of the energy we produce as a nation each year is used to air condition homes," it may seem like a relatively small amount - but it isn't. As environmental awareness spreads more and more people are familiar with their carbon footprint. So what is the carbon footprint of only 10% of our energy generation each year? It equates to an astounding 140 million tons of CO2. If you want to include non-residential cooling you can another 4% for a grand total of 14%. Does it still seem like a relatively small amount?

While air conditioners offer effective cooling in both large and small scale applications, they are not the only cooling option you have. If you live in a dry area, somewhere with a relatively humidity level below 50% then you can consider an Evaporative Cooler, sometimes referred to as a "Swamp" Cooler. Why would you want to consider an evaporative cooler? Evaporative coolers are very energy efficient.

Air Conditioners

In an air conditioner, cooling is provided through a refrigerant like Freon. In many ways an air conditioners are basically refrigerators without the insulated outer box. Air conditioning systems can be very effective at cooling - but they can also be very expensive to operate.

Evaporative Coolers

An evaporative cooler cools by using a fan to force air through moistened pads. As the air passes through the pads, the pads absorb the heat and cool the air - in some cases by as much as 15-20 degrees. When compared to air conditioners evaporative coolers use an average of 75% less electricity. Evaporative coolers are generally more inexpensive to purchase as well.

Potential Evaporative Cooler Dangers

Evaporative coolers are not for everyone. In the wrong climate, in the wrong conditions an evaporative cooler can create conditions of high humidity in the air which in turn can cause condensation and even corrosion. I would never recommend using an evaporative cooler in areas of your home with high densities of electronics, an example of an area to avoid would be a home office.

Sizing an Evaporative Cooler

If you are in the right climate and have gotten past any concerns then the next step is to get an idea of the size of the evaporative cooler you will need. Similar to air conditioners, an improperly sized evaporative cooler has the potential to waste electricity. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM offers a useful online tool that can help you estimate what size evaporative cooler you'll need for your specific application.

• http://www.cooloff.org/sub_cool.html

Even though AHAM provides this free tool, they do not certify evaporative coolers so don't waste any time looking for that product certification.

While evaporative coolers are not right for everyone, in the right conditions and climate evaporative coolers can provide cost very effective cooling. When you consider evaporative coolers use an average of 75% less electricity than air conditioners it's easy to see they are energy efficient. With an ever growing society, saving energy does your part to fight global warming.

Labels: ac, air conditioning, article, cooling, energy, energy efficiency, evaporative cooler, green, swamp cooler

  ¶ 2:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Getting Up To Speed The vigilante reader may have already noticed something "odd" with the posting dates of my "new" blog entries. I wanted to share the logic, while I'm new to blogging, I have been writing environmental and energy efficiency oriented articles for some time now. While I expect it may take a short while I'm currently working on bring my blog up to speed. This means I have over 50 historical entries to post.

Once we get through the older material I'll continue posting my new articles here as well as through Ezine Articles, Go Articles and Idea Marketers.

Labels: dates, editorial, legacy, old articles

  ¶ 2:56 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Energy Efficiency: Greening Your Current Desktop or Laptop Computer

Credit: bennecontentos

According to the April 2008 edition of PC Magazine flaws in Windows XP's sleep mode may have added up to $5 billion a year to power bills worldwide. Unless you purchased a special energy efficient model, have used third party applications to manage your power management setting or have manually adjusted your power management settings then your current computer is most likely not as energy efficient as it could be.

What can I do to improve my existing computers energy efficiency?

Unless you are a computer expert, managing your system configuration for optimal energy efficiency may be a bit daunting. For the sake of simplicity to optimize the power management settings in Windows machines I recommend free software such as the CO2 Saver from Snap.com.

The CO2 Saver

This lightweight computer program manages your computer's power setting when it is idle. By managing your idle power setting the CO2 Saver can save you energy and in turn reduce harmful CO2 emissions and more. As an added benefit of the CO2 Saver clearly shows you what your personal CO2 reduction has been as well as total CO2 reduced by everyone using the program.

How effective is it?

To date Snap's CO2 Saver has prevented 607,206 lbs or 303.6 tons of CO2 emissions. To put that into perspective the total savings provided by this software is equivalent to:

• Not driving a vehicle for 552,005 miles. Why? The average car with a single driver emits 1.10 lbs of CO2 per mile.
• Planting 60,720 trees. Why? On average a tree absorbs 10 lbs of pollutants from the air each year.

Downloading Snap's CO2 Saver

You can download Snap's CO2 Saver free of charge at:

• Download Snap's CO2 Saver
  

Even though this application is currently only available for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista based computers it has already shown significant environmental benefits. It's easy to install, is free of any malware or spyware and gives you a constant reminder on your desktop of your personal environmental responsibility.

Labels: article, co2, computer, computers, desktop, earth, energy, energy efficiency, environment, green, laptop, technology

  ¶ 5:19 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Energy Efficiency: Shopping For Green Computers With Energy Star

Credit: airgap

Computers have become seemingly ubiquitous in today's society. We use them for both business and for entertainment purposes. When one takes the global usage of computers today into consideration, its easy to understand why Energy Star revised their specifications for computers in July 2007.

What did they change?

In order to qualify for the new Energy Star rating products must first meet more stringent energy use guidelines in three unique operating modes:

• Standby
• Sleep Mode
• In Use/Active

According to Energy Star products must also include a "more efficient internal power supply." They claim by "requiring efficiency savings across operating modes, the new computer specification is expected to save consumers and businesses more than $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next 5 years and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million vehicles."

Are computer manufacturers willing to meet these new standards?

As with any updated specification it will take time for computer manufacturers to revisit their product offerings. This means that it's more important than ever before to look for the Energy Star label when purchasing a new computer. If the machine isn't Energy Star rated then at least check the power supply rating. Some of the new "gaming" computers, like the HP Blackbird 002 with its 1.1 KiloWatt power supply should be pulled from the market.

How do I find Energy Star rated Computers?

Energy Star maintains an up to date list of computers that meet the latest specifications. When purchasing your next machine it is always a good printable reference:

• Energy Star Computer Products List (xls)
  

If you'd prefer more of an interactive tool they also offer a web based version of the same information to help you find Energy Star qualified computers:

• Energy Star Computer Product Tool
  

Currently Available Energy Star Desktops

A number of manufacturers have already moved forward and accepted their responsibilities by offering desktop PCs that are compliant with the latest Energy Star standards. Here is a short list of major manufacturers that you may wish to consider:

• Acer
• Apple
• Dell
• Gateway

Some of the new machines that are already on the market today boast standby power usage as low as 1 Watt, sleep usage as low as 1.95 Watts and 27.63 Watts while In Use/Active.

Always remember saving energy helps prevent climate change. Furthermore, computers are environmentally expensive items, it requires 530 lbs of fossil fuel, 58 lbs of chemicals and 1.5 tons of water to make a single desktop PC and monitor. By making sure your next computer purchase is green one you are doing your part to fight global warming.

Labels: article, computer, computers, electricity, energy, energy efficiency, green, green computer, green pc

  ¶ 10:46 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Safe Routes to Schools

Credit: richard winchell

Today people feel more comfortable behind the wheel of a car, a van, maybe even a large sport utility vehicle. For many people what they find comfortable is what they teach to their children. These patterns that are passed to the next generation have a negative impact on not only their health but also the health of our planet.

Consider the following example:

• In 1969, about 50% of all students walked or bicycled to school
• In 2008, about 15% of all students walked or bicycled to school

How do we account for the remaining 85%? The remaining 85% of children get to school in the following ways:

• 25% of all students take the school bus
• 60% of all students arrive at school in private automobiles

For most parents the safety of their children is their primary concern. They would rather guarantee the safety of their children by driving them to school instead of letting them walk or bicycle. When safety is the primate concern, the potential exercise their child could have and the amount of CO2 emissions they could reduce simply aren't deciding factors.

What may come as a surprise to many parents is that the Federal Highway Administration has a program designed to specifically address these safety concerns, it's called Safe Routes to Schools.

Credit: madmetal

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), "This decline in walking and bicycling has had an adverse effect on traffic congestion and air quality around schools, as well as pedestrian and bicycle safety. In addition, a growing body of evidence has shown that children who lead sedentary lifestyles are at risk for a variety of health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Safety issues are a big concern for parents, who consistently cite traffic danger as a reason why their children are unable to bicycle or walk to school."

The Safe Routes to Schools or SRTS Program started in August 2005 is a Federal-Aid program of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). According to the FHWA, the goal of the program is to enable:

• To both enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school
• To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age
• To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity (approximately 2 miles) of primary and middle schools (Grades K-8).

Under the SRTS Program, each state bears responsibility for its own program. You can find more information on your local Safe Routes to Schools program at:

• http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/contacts/index.cfm

If you don't have a Safe Routes to Schools program locally available then why not get one started? You can learn how at:

• http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/getting_started/

The Safe Routes to Schools program works. According to Laura Kelley, the new Project Coordinators for the Safe Routes to Schools program in Fairfax, California, she has "observed a significant increase in bikers/walkers in Fairfax, and a decrease in motor traffic, as the Safe Routes program has grown."

Think back to your childhood, can you remember a time when walking and bicycling was part of your everyday life? Isn't that something you'd like to share with your children? The Safe Routes to Schools program let's you do just that and best of all you are promoting the health of your children and the health of the planet with one simple action.

Labels: article, bicycle, bike, biking, earth, exercise, pollution, safe route, safe routes, safe routes to school, safety, srts, walk, walking

  ¶ 10:20 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Environmentally Guilt-Free Travel

Credit: alex-s

Everyone loves to travel. It's a gift we give ourselves, and it offers us all an opportunity to visit new places and expand our horizons. As an environmentally aware traveler one must eventually take responsibility for his or her carbon footprint as it applies to their travel. While many people opt to simply offset the carbon they generate traveling by purchasing carbon credits that isn't the only way to travel green.

Travel Green without Flying

When traveling long distances most people opt for air travel due to its speed and convenience, but is that the only route to your destination? When traveling less then 300 miles, consider alternate modes of traveling such as trains or buses. If you consider all the time you spend getting to the airport, checking in, passing security and picking up your luggage you might be surprised to find that in some cases you total time will exceed or at least equal the time invested in train or bus travel.

Why is it important to consider alternates to airline travel?

• Flying is one of the most fuel intensive modes of travel, it only because efficient when planes are filled to total capacity
• Airplanes emit more than just CO2, other dangerous emissions such as NO2s can double the short term effects of CO2 emissions
• Airplane contrails have been shown to play a role in climate change
• Airports are major polluters of local air - many airports are among the top ten point-source polluters in their cities

Traveling by Train

Credit: reivax

Traveling by train you can find a variety of seating options from coach to private sleeping suites. While the amenities vary, traveling by train can be a very relaxing and even luxurious experience. The biggest limitation you'll encounter with train travel is scheduling and destination availability. As our nation focused more development on freeways and highways, our railways have stayed largely stagnant.

Traveling by Bus

Bus travel offers better scheduling and destination availability but for some people it lacks prerequisite amenities. Buses are a good way to extend the locations you can access via train. For example while you can't take a train all the way from Boston, Massachusetts to Montreal, Quebec - you can take a train 80% of the way and then transfer to to a bus for the remainder of your journey.

Staying Green in the Air

It's not always possible to avoid airline travel, but you can make smart choices that help keep you airline travel green.

• Fly economy class to maximize the number of people on the airplane. Consider using economy class only airlines and use your dollars to support a more environmental sound choice
• Since a large portion of airline pollution occurs during takeoff and landing always remember to fly direct.
• Bring your own snacks in a reusable container. This is an easy way you can reduce packaging and waste

While each step may seem small, together all our efforts can make a difference. Traveling is something we all enjoy but since we share this planet we all need to do our part. Remember, regardless of your mode of travel; train, bus, airplane or car, smart decisions can reduce your impact on the environment and let your travel guilt free.

Labels: airline, article, bus, carbon footprint, earth, flying, green, green travel, metro, public transit, public transportation, train, travel

  ¶ 10:06 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Changing Your Habits to Benefit the Earth

Credit: azrainman

While most people assume becoming green means making major changes in their own life this isn't always the case. It doesn't have to be disruptive or difficult. To many peoples surprise becoming green is easier than they might expect.

The longer humans repeat a pattern the more we are locked into it - on some levels it simply becomes automatic. To start your own greening, you must become aware of these human patterns. Just because something feels automatic does not mean it is - it can be changed. You can always make the conscious decision to change for the better. This applies to even the most deep-rooted patterns.

For many people where and what they purchase has already become fairly automatic. It's easy to make small changes in this particular pattern to benefit the earth. By choosing to make green purchases you can reduce your impact on the environment.

What may surprise some people is the large volume of green products that are already on the market today . Some common misconceptions are that green products will be hard to find and always expensive. The green industry is already estimated to be a $230 billion dollar market - and growing between 20-30% annually. For consumers this means they can find more retailers and more products at competitive prices. It is estimated that over 13,000 green only retailers already exist today.

Shopping Green

Shopping green can happen anywhere. Many traditional retailers have begun to tap the green market by integrating safer, natural and sustainable alternatives into their more traditional product offerings. If your only option is to shop at conventional retailers then try to focus on lower impact product choices. If your favorite retailer has joined in the green movement they may already have a green section waiting for you to discover. If not then the easiest way is to focus on products that are locally produced, from renewable materials and can easily be recycled at the end of their life span. If that seems confusing then keep it simple and try to look for products marked with the blue Energy Star logo.

When shopping green at more conventional retailers it's important to be wary of greenwashed products. Conventional retailers are more susceptible to greenwashing. Many companies try to represent their products as "Earth Friendly" or greenwash for marketing purposes only. Always stay vigilant for greenwashing because many of the terms used to market products are undefined and unregulated.

Here is a short list of undefined and unregulated words that are sometimes used by greenwashers:

• Chemical Free
• Clean
• Green
• Renewable

Some common words that are defined but are still unregulated are:

• Biodegradable
• Recyclable
• Recycled

There may be a period of adjustment for some, but the good news is we already have many green products and technologies that can provide benefit the earth while still providing the same quality of life. By taking your own personal greening in steps you can minimize any stress and make manageable adjustments.

Labels: article, earth, environment, green, green purchasing, green shopping, habits, planet

  ¶ 4:18 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  How-To Recycle Older, Out-Dated PCs and Laptops

Credit: eurleif

Computer technology advances at a very fast rate. Chances are you've upgraded or replaced your computer equipment in the last few years. Why am I so confident? The average desktop has a functional lifespan of between two to five years depending on your computing requirements. Similarly, a laptop or notebook have a functional lifespan of between two to five years as well. Most manufacturers usually offer a three year warranty which indicates what they perceive is a reasonable lifespan. Understanding the rate the computer technology improves - while you may have a functional lifespan of up to five years - you will most likely be owning outdated hardware in as little as six months.

Why Should I Recycle my Hardware?

It's important to try to re-use and recycle everything we can but computers, laptops and their peripherals require special attention. Why? Consider the following facts:

• In 2001 "e-waste" was responsible for 70% of the heavy metals and 40% of the lead in all US landfills
• It requires 530 lbs of fossil fuel, 58 lbs of chemicals and 1.5 tons of water to make a single desktop PC and monitor
• Contained in the 300 million already discarded computers is enough mercury to poison the Great Lakes over eight times
• About 400 million pieces of consumer electronics are thrown away each in year in the US

Instead of throwing away your outdated hardware and creating more waste or storing it indefinitely - why not recycle it? If your computer is still functional you can always consider donating it locally to a family member or charity. If you have some technical skills and a DIY attitude you may want to revive an older Windows machine by installing a free Linux based operating system.

If you feel more comfortable donating your machine, then your first step will be finding a suitable new home for your older hardware.

Finding a Charity

Donating to a charity instead of individual will provide you with a receipt that you can use for tax purposes. The following services can assist you with finding a charity in your local area.

• Share the Technology (USA)
• DonateAPC (UK)
• World Computer Exchange (Canada)

Finding a Non-Profit Organization

If you'd like to donate to a non-profit organization then the following service can help you:

• Recycles (USA)

Make sure you check each organizations requirements for accepting donations. Some organizations have specific requirements such as restricting computer donations by age.

More Recycling Options

If you can't find a local charity which is a good match for your hardware you can always consider:

• Freecycle
• Craigslist

Another option to consider is contacting your local city hall about its recycling policies. Many have designated days for collection computers and other electronics.

Before Donation

Before you donate your hardware you should back up your files just in case you might need them at a later date. To simplify this process you may want to consider an external hard drive or some useful free utilities such as FolderShare.

After backing up all of your data it's always a good idea to wipe your hard drive clean. While some charities guarantee they will wipe your data, not all do. This includes removing your operating system. You can do this using free utilities such as Active KillDisk or Eraser.

At this point your machine should now be ready for donation.

Revive an older PC/Laptop using Linux

For those with more some technical skill and a DIY mentality then you may be pleased to learn that installing a linux distribution on an aging windows machine will breath new life into it.

Will switching your OS turn your old machine into a state of the art powerhouse? No, but it will provide basic functionality such as web surfing, word processing and email.

If you are interested in installing a Linux based operating system, then I recommend reviewing your options at DistroWatch. If that seems overwhelming due to the volume of choices then consider gOS and Freespire as free options or Linspire as an inexpensive one.

Remember, older PCs and laptops can be useful for charities, schools, family members in need and with a little TLC maybe even yourself.

Labels: article, computer, computers, desktop, diy, landfill, laptop, linux, pc, recycle, reduce, reuse, waste

  ¶ 6:07 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Air Simply Too Dirty to Breathe

Credit: ninahale

According to a formal statement made on Wednesday by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) literally hundreds of US counties have air considered too dirty to breathe. In fact, breathing smoggy air can be hazardous because smog contains ozone, a pollutant that can harm your health.

The EPA announced new reduced tolerances on the acceptable amounts of ozone which is allowed in the air and still be considered safe to breathe. The original standard of allowable concentration of ozone, set a decade ago, allowed for no more then 80 parts per billion - the new standard is 75 parts per billion.

While EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson calls the new limits "the most stringent standards ever" and 49% of counties monitored will now be forced to make air quality improvements. This new standard is not in-line with the opinion of many health experts.

What is Ozone?

Ozone is a colorless gas composed of three atoms of oxygen. At or near ground level ozone is formed by pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, industrial boilers, refineries, chemical plants, and other sources that react chemically in the presence of sunlight.

What are the some of the dangers of Ozone exposure?

While most people with existing heart or lung conditions will already have been warned about the potential dangers of smog especially on hot and humid days, this common issue effects us all. According to Adam Brochert, MD, "All persons are at risk of being affected by smog. The most commonly cited effect of smog is on the lungs and breathing."

Common Symptoms of Heavy Smog Exposure

• Shortness of Breath
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Painful Breathing

What can I do to reduce Ozone Levels?

• Drive your vehicle less, try car-pooling or ride a bike
• Properly maintain your vehicle
• Limit vehicle engine idling
• Reduce your energy consumption
• Use products with the Energy Star label
• Use environmentally safe paints and cleaning products
• Have a fireplace? Use gas logs instead of burning wood
• Mulch or compost leaves and yard waste

If you have concerns about the air quality check your local Air Quality Index (AQI) as reported in your local newspaper or the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/). Once air quality becomes moderate you should avoid any prolonged strenuous outdoor activities.

If the Air Quality Index (AQI) is unsafe remember to:

• Try to limit the number of trips you take in your vehicle
• Reduce/Eliminate fireplace and wood stove usage
• Avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment
• Avoid burning leaves, trash and other materials

What years ago seemed at worst a frightening concept, "air too dirty to breathe," has now become our harsh reality. We all need to take actions to reduce air pollution and keep the air cleaner.

Labels: air quality, aqi, article, energy consumption, energy saving tips for your home, environment, green, ozone, pollution, smog

  ¶ 5:46 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Who Or What Is Energy Star?

Credit: Law Keven

Energy Star is a United States government program to promote energy efficient consumer products. Most consumers are familiar with the bright blue logo that appears on numerous computer products and home appliances.

Originally created in 1992 by the US Environmental Protection Agency or EPA. It was created as an attempt to reduce energy consumption and as a function greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide. John S. Hoffman, inventor of the Green Programs at the US EPA, is credited with it's development.

Why does generating electricity cause greenhouse gases?

While it's possible to generate electricity in many "green" ways the number one source of US electricity is coal. In 2006, nearly half (49%) of the country's 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours of electricity used coal as its source of energy. Coal-fired power plants are the primary source of the principal global warming pollutant, carbon dioxide.

History

Starting with computer products in 1992, it began as a voluntary labeling program. The goal being to allow consumers to easily identify energy efficient products.

In 1995, the program was expanded significantly. The expansion included labels for residential heating and cooling system as well as new homes. Today, Energy Star has grown to include more than 40,000 products in 50 product categories.

Energy Star has grown into more than just a voluntary labeling system. The program has partnered with and provides technical information and tools to more than 9,000 private and public sector organizations. It also encourages more than just energy-efficient solutions, they also offer best management practices.

In the US, Energy Star, has become very common in our society. It has been the driving force behind such new technologies as LED traffic lights, efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems for office equipment, and low standby energy use.

As our technologies evolve, so does the program. As an example, recently Energy Star has grown to include specifications for commercial griddles, decorative light strings, enterprise servers and solid state lighting. In November 2007 its television specification was expanded to include standby power use.

Does it really help?

Yes - in 2006 alone Energy Star saved consumers over $14 billion on their utility bills. Translated into greenhouse gas emissions, in 2006 greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars were prevented. An Energy Star rated device can save between 15-75% over comparable devices.

Energy Star for the Home

The US-GBC estimates just a 2-7% increase in materials cost to build "green" when compared to traditional options. Energy efficient choices help families save about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining style and comfort. Energy Star helps consumers quickly and easily identify the energy efficient choices they have when purchasing. Consumers can trust products rated by Energy Star deliver the same or better performance as comparable models while using less energy and also saving money.

Key Product Specifications

• Appliances: Energy Star refrigerators need 15% over minimum standards, Dishwashers 41%. Look for the yellow EnergyGuide label that shows the annual cost of operation.
  
• Heating and Cooling Systems: Generally the source of the lions share of your energy consumption (in some cases up to 90%), Energy Star, covers heat pumps, boilers, air conditioning systems, and furnaces.
  
• Home Electronics: Energy Star home electronics generally use 30% less energy then minimum standards.
  
• Lighting: Energy Star lighting uses 75% less energy and last up to ten times longer then incandescent lights.
  
• Buildings: Energy Star rates complete buildings - these buildings use at least 15% less energy than standard buildings.
  

Is it the only standard?

On an international scale Energy Star is similar to the TCO Certification. The TCO Certification combines both energy rating and ergonomic rations from the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees (TCO). The TCO Certification is generally associated with computer monitors but in more recent years has grown to include computers, keyboards, printers, mobile phones and office furniture.

Labels: article, doe, earth, efficiency, efficient, energy efficiency, energy star, go green, save money, save the planet, saving

  ¶ 5:12 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Image Usage I decided to try to use some Creative Commons licensed imagery in my blog. (I like the way it gives the stories some character.) My first attempt at usage was a little rough, and while I linked each photo back to the photographers image page at Flickr, I believe I accidentally stepped on the toes of a photographer. An accident is an accident, thus I've gone through all my existing posts and credited the photographers a bit more explicitly. I apologize to any fellow Creative Commons "authors" (all my content is licensed under CC too). I really like adding images, so I hope I've got my attribution right (if not feel free to correct me).

Thanks and keep up the great work Creative Commons photographers!

Labels: creative commons, graphics, images, photos, pictures

  ¶ 5:02 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

  Why Pay For Carbon Offsets When Energy Efficiency Is So Inexpensive?

Credit: pfala

While carbon offsets might be based on the concept of emissions trading it is, currently, an unregulated field. While emissions trading is regulated by a strict formal and legal framework, carbon offsets are generally arranged by commercial or not-for-profit carbon-offset providers. Until strict formal standards and certifications are set for carbon offsetting I'm forced to look at other options.

What are Carbon Offsets?

Carbon offsetting is the act of mitigating (or "offsetting") greenhouse gas emissions or carbon dioxide emissions. A common example of carbon offsetting or the use of carbon offsets is the purchase of "carbon offsets" in an attempt to compensate for the carbon dioxide production caused by personal air travel.

The underlying idea based on the concept of emissions trading. Someone who over pollutes pays someone who under pollutes to compensate. While emissions trading is regulated by a strict formal and legal framework, carbon offsets are generally arranged by commercial or not-for-profit carbon-offset providers. It is only today that formal standards and certifications for voluntary carbon offsets are starting to emerge.

Carbon offsets come in a variety of forms and flavors - while tree planting was initially a mainstay of carbon offsetting, renewable energy, energy conservation and methane capture offsets have become popular.

What is Energy Efficiency?

Making homes, vehicles, and businesses more energy efficient has been a largely untapped solution to global warming and energy security. While many of these ideas have been discussed for years it wasn't until the 1973 oil crisis that these ideas were brought to the forefront.

California is a perfect example of energy efficiency and it's benefit. In the mid-1980s California modified its building codes and appliance standards. The modifications included strict efficiency requirements. The result - while national US energy consumption doubled, California energy consumption remained approximately flat on a per capita basis.

How Can You Inexpensively Apply Energy Efficiency To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint?

The key to inexpensively applying energy efficiency in your own home is identifying the products and services that offer you a fast return on your investment and then future forward you'll reap the benefits of a reduced carbon footprint.

Credit: thingermejig

CFLs or compact fluorescent lamps use less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp of the same lumen rating thus they can be used to decrease energy consumption at the location in which they are used. CFLs are however more expensive then more traditional incandescent bulbs. In the long run however a CFL will save your about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulb's lifetime according to the EPA Energy Star specifications.

Looking for more bang for your buck? Try to focus on the areas where you utilize the most electricity. While you can get a 75% reduction in electricity usage using a CFL vs. and incadescent that only nets you an average $30 savings over the course of a year. Areas such as air conditioning, when optimized with energy efficiency, can provide much more signifigant savings.

If you don't think your air conditioning is a major portion of your monthly electric bill, then think again. According to the Con Edison Energy Company of New York if you keep your thermostat at an average temperature of 78 degrees then your air conditioning only accounts for about 56% of your total electric bill. If you are like me and keep your thermostat a bit cooler at an average temperature of 72 degrees then your air conditioning can account for up to an