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

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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

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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

• 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

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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 astounding 95% of your total monthly electric bill.

Credit: spcbrass

How can you improve the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system? It's easier than you might think. Maintaining your AC properly over its lifetime will go a long way to reduce AC expenses. It's also important to make sure your AC air filters are always clean, replace or clean as needed. You can also only use inexpensive, third party energy efficiency add-on products like the Cool-N-Save(tm) Air Conditioning Pre-Cooling System. The Cool-N-Save(tm), recognized as an Energy Star Partner, uses the principles of energy efficiency to reduce your AC electric usage by up to 30% each month. Unlike the CFLs which only offer you a small net ROI, in most states the Cool-N-Save(tm) is paid for by your first month's savings. Energy efficiency is amazing isn't it.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, earth friendly, go green, green, hvac, save money

¶ 7:23 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

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There is a big difference between knowing how to live green and actually living green. Being green isn't always easy and it isn't always cheap but the world you live in becomes a better place for your efforts.

"Greening" your own life starts with a single step. If you are ready to take that first step then consider the following 10 simple actions that you can apply in your own life to reduce your impact on the environment.

1. Support local green businesses. Do you have a local Co-op or Farmer's Market you could be shopping at?
2. Install Energy Star products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or a Cool-N-Save(tm) Air Conditioning Pre-Cooling System. Doing this can provide a 30-75% energy savings.
3. Always remember to check and maintain your tire pressure at least once a month. Doing this can save you about $840 a year on gas and reduce approximately 250 lbs of carbon dioxide.
4. Add low-flow aerators to any sink you have that may have been manufactured before 1994. In 1994 the government mandated that sinks could have no more then 2.2 gallons per minute of flow, before 1994 sinks could use between 3-4 gallons of water per minute.
5. Purchase green power from your electric company. This reduces demand for fossil fuel based power.
6. Plant a tree. Tree's offer shade and reduce CO2 from the environment.
7. Bring your own utensils into work - it's an easy way to avoid throwaway plastic ones.
8. Bring your own coffee mug to coffee shops - it's an easy way to avoid disposable coffee cups.
9. Reduce the amount of red meat you eat. Why? The production of animal-products has an expensive environmental cost, so the less you eat, the less the environment incurs.
10. Unplug power adapters, like your cell phone charger and MP3 player charger, when not in use. These chargers use energy 24/7 even when your item is not charging.

While this is far from a comprehensive list I hope these tips help you become a bit more "green" in your own life. As the world keeps getting bigger it's more and more important we each do our part.

Labels: article, diy, earth, earth friendly, environmental impact, green, home, recycle, reduce, reuse

¶ 1:59 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

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Green, green, green - today green is the new "black." Are you interested in participating in the green movement but are restricted because of financial limitations? While the US-GBC estimates a 2-7% increase in materials costs on average for "building green" there are lots and lots of ways to be green either completely free of charge or very, very cheaply.

Let's Focus on Free

Here are some 100% free tips to help you get green.

• Have an extra 1 gallon milk container you plan on recycling soon? Why not fill it with water and place it in the tank of your toilet. Doing this will stop 1 gallon of water from being wasted with each flush of your toilet.
• Reduce your driving. If you have a bike then why not ride your bike instead of driving? If you don't have a bike then why not walk? Riding a bike and/or walking is not only good for the environment its good for your health too.
• Keep some key drapes closed. Which ones? Close drapes on the sunny side of your house.
• Keep room's you aren't using closed off and seal up an un-used heating/cooling vents. This should help reduce your heating/cooling costs.
• Turn off lights when not in use - because lights produce heat they make your AC system work harder (and cost more).
• Turn off your computer and other home office equipment - because they generate heat as well.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying heat cycles. If you are feeling extra earthy why not give your dishwasher a break. (If you stop using your dishwasher you can turn your water heater down to 120 degrees.)
• Dry your clothes outside on a line instead of using your clothes dryer. If you need fluffing user your dryer but without heat.

Let's Focus on Cheap

Here are some very inexpensive ways to help you get green.

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with CFLs/compact fluorescent lamps or LED based light bulbs. CFLs and LEDs use less power to supply the same amount of light as an incandescent lamp of the same lumen rating. Remember you don't have to replace all your light bulbs at once!
• Install low-flow shower heads and faucets. This will help you use less water. (Make sure you have aerators in every sink, too.)
• Plant shade trees around your house. This will help absorb CO2 and reduce your AC bills.
• Add energy efficiency devices such as the Cool-N-Save(tm) Air Conditioner Pre-Cooling system. This device can improve your AC units efficiency by up to 30%. (Make sure your energy efficiency devices are Energy Star rated, Cool-N-Save(tm) is an Energy Star Partner.)

In the words of Kermit the Frog, "It's not easy being green," but the world and everyone sharing it will appreciate your effort.

Labels: article, diy, earth, free, green, help, inexpensive, save money, save the planet, tips, tricks

¶ 8:31 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

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Many people don't realize that their cooling system is one of the biggest energy guzzlers in their home (second only to their heating system, depending on where their live). If you have an old air conditioning system with a SEER rating of less than 8, it may be worthwhile to consider replacing it with a more energy efficient system. Generally speaking you should be able to recoup the cost in just a few years.

What exactly is SEER? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is a measure of the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

Matching your AC unit size to your needs is important, too. An air conditioning unit that is too big for the room will work harder and cost you more.

It's also important to remember that because your AC unit can be such an energy guzzler reducing your AC bill helps more than just you and your checking account - it also helps the environment. When the average US household uses 9,000 killowatt hours a year any reduction in power usage helps the environment. Consider this - generating 9,000 killowatt hours of electricity generates as much pollution as driving 13,392 miles in a car.

Here are some more fast, free and easy ways to lower your air conditioning bill.

• Close drapes on the sunny side of your house.
• Close off rooms that you aren't using and the cooling ducts to those rooms.
• Turn off lights when not in use - because lights produce heat they make your air conditioning system work harder (and cost more).
• Turn off your computer and other home office equipment - because they generate heat as well.

If you can afford to invest a little money into your AC existing system you have a few more options. You can:

• Install a programmable thermostat (preferably one that offers zone control)
• Check and replace your filters regularly, a dirty filter can actually cost be costing you money each month.
• Install aftermarket energy saving devices such as a Cool-N-Save(tm)

Remember because your AC unit has the potential to draw so much electricity by maintaining and optimizing your current system you can reap substantial financial benefits.

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist working with Cool-N-Save(tm), an Energy Star Partner, in Huntington Beach, California. The Cool-N-Save(tm) can save you up to 30% each month on your AC electric bill by improving air conditioner efficiency.

Article Source: Sam Greyhawk

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, earth, energy efficiency, green, hvac

¶ 8:31 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Credit: Akash k

While it is a term commonly used by contractors and home improvement hobbyist, not everyone knows what the acronym HVAC stands for. HVAC is an acronym that stands for "heating, ventilating, and air conditioning." (Yes - it is also an acronym for "high-voltage alternating current" but that is for another article.)

Sometimes referred to as "climate control," an HVAC system is integral in office buildings and commercial buildings. HVAC systems are extremely common in US homes and that trend is only rising. Depending upon where you live in the US you may "not be able to live without" your AC.

So what does an HVAC system do? An HVAC system is designed with the two following major goals:

• Providing and maintaining "thermal comfort"
• Maintaining acceptable indoor air quality

These goals are often compromised relative to the underlying manufacturer goal of maintaining reasonable installation, operation, and maintenance costs.

Many people don't realize that depending where they live either their cooling system or their heating system (both parts of their HVAC) will be the biggest energy guzzler in their homes. To reduce to energy use and thus operational expense of either device energy efficiency is the key. Many recent technological advances have allowed to improve the efficiency of HVAC systems.

Energy Efficiency and Heating

Thanks to technologies like water heating, geothermal heating and zoned heating - heating systems are in general becoming much more energy efficient. In some cases today's forced air systems can even double for air conditioning systems.

Energy Efficiency and Cooling

Thanks to SEER it's now becoming easier and easier to purchase efficient cooling systems as well. In the USA it's rare to see systems rated below SEER 9 because of the benefits of energy efficiency. Major energy savings can be obtained from more energy efficient systems. Here is an example:

• Upgrading from SEER 9 to SEER 13, the power consumption is reduced by 30% (equal to 1 - 9/13). It is claimed that this can result in energy savings valued at up to US $300/year depending on the usage rate and the cost of electricity.

Replacing an existing HVAC system can be a very costly proposition. So many companies are now working on technologies to improve the efficiency of existing HVAC systems.

An example of this type of add-on technology is: Cool-N-Save(tm). The Cool-N-Save(tm) is an "Air Conditioner Pre-Cooling System" that works in concert with your existing HVAC system. The Cool-N-Save(tm) system uses purified water vapor to create a "chill zone" surrounding your AC unit. This "chill zone" can reduce the ambient temperature by as much as 30 degrees. By reducing the ambient temperature around your air conditioner, the Cool-N-Save(tm) device reduces the power your AC unit draws. This in turn reduces your monthly electric bill.

The Cool-N-Save(tm) gives consumers a simple and cost effective alternative to replacing your entire HVAC or AC system. According to an independent study performed by Tulane University the Cool-N-Save(tm) system can improve the efficiency of your AC by up to 30%.

As more and more companies focus on ways to improve efficiency in existing technologies more and more devices like Cool-N-Save(tm) will become available and affordable for the average consumer.

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, diy, earth friendly, go green, green, hvac, inexpensive, save money

¶ 8:18 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Credit: SqueakyMarmot

Did you know? During the hottest months, your AC can account for up to 90% of your total monthly electric bill. When 1/7th of the energy produced in the United States is used to air condition buildings its important to understand how they work and their impact on the environment.

The typical air conditioning system consists of evaporator coils, a fan inside, a compressor, compressor coils and a fan outside. The unit cools by using the refrigerant (usually Freon) to transport the heat from inside the space to the outside air. The heat is expelled into the outside air by the action of the fan pulling air over the coils and the heat contained in the Freon is transferred to the air.

The problem with the AC system is that in extreme heat, many conventional air conditioners are unable to effectively transfer their stored heat into the surrounding air. They are forced to work harder and longer to cool the air in your home, shortening their life and producing unreasonably high electric bills.

This problem can be further compounded if the AC system is incorrectly sized for the application. Contractors often install oversized AC units in order to avoid complaints, allow for future expansion, enable quicker cooling down of homes, and to allow for lower cooling set points by homeowners.

Thanks to SEER, identifying the efficiency of your AC unit has become very easy. SEER is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This measures the cooling efficiency of your air conditioner or heat pump. The higher the SEER number, the more efficient the system is at converting electricity into cooling power.

If you are like many people, and you have an older, less efficient model such as one with a SEER rating lower than 8 then it may be time to start shopping for a new AC unit. When purchasing a new AC unit make sure to purchase the highest SEER rating you can afford. Furthermore, make sure the unit you purchase is Energy Star rated too.

If purchasing a new AC unit is a bit cost prohibitive then consider improving the efficiency of your existing AC unit with Cool-N-Save(tm). The Cool-N-Save(tm) has been proven by Tulane University to improve the efficiency of your AC unit - in some cases up to 30%. This improvement in efficiency translates into real savings each month.

Sam Greyhawk is an energy efficiency evangelist who works for Cool-N-Save(tm) in Huntington Beach, California.

Article Source: Sam Greyhawk

Labels: ac, air conditioner, air conditioner efficiency, article, earth, energy efficiency, green, hvac

¶ 7:03 PM 0 Comments Links to this post