Green Aware Fair

One of the best things about ebook readers such as the Amazon  Kindle is that they actually help promote a paperless  environment. Think of all the trees that are to fulfil our  paper demands, from printing books, to magazines and  newspapers, text books, bank statments, medical records,  letters, photos etc. The list is never-ending.

Although financial institutions have started making headway  and going paperless by submitting all these important  documents via email or allowing users to login to their  banking systems in order to download the bank statements, we  still have a long long way to go before we can truly make an  impact on reducing our comsumption of wood.

Ebook readers such as the kindle are excellent  because the day to day newspapers and magazines that we  consume as a society is so vast. By taking out a subscription  for these and accessing these online through a reader, we  eliminate the need to have so much paper.

Think of how many less books will need to be printed if we  slowly start moving over to reading our books on ebook  readers? Think of the waste that is avoided not just in the  amount of trees that we can save but once we have read a book  or magazine, how many more people will read that very copy  before it languishes in your house and collects dust and is  soon forgotten before being given away or thrown away?

Moving towards a paperless environment is a much welcomed and  much needed action that will go some way towards helping our  planet by reducing the amount of trees that need to be taken  down each year.

To say that you can save on your home’s heating system and energy isn’t an understatement. Reduced bills on your electricity, maximized heating system, and a whole lot of energy saving phenomenon are things you don’t see everyday but desire to obtain.

Everybody longs to reduce his or her expenses on energy and heating system and save more money for the future. Besides, people don’t work just to pay the utility bills alone. There are still many things that have to be considered when disbursing money.

The greatest reason for this dilemma is the on-going increase of the commodity prices as well as energy consumption charges. Everything seems to have high prices nowadays. It is best to trim down the other expenses in which you have control of, such as energy consumption.

One of the best examples that utilizes energy more are the home heating systems. Heaters are used by homes that are situated in cold countries.

However, heaters can eat up bigger portions in your electricity bill. In fact, statistical reports prove that heaters are one of the largest energy consumers in every home, that is, more than half of the consumption rate in a given year.

For this reason, it is imperative to think of ways to save on heating systems so as to save on energy consumption as well. As you save on these items, you get more value for your money.

But how? Things are, most of the time, easier said than done. So if you think that it is easy to maximize your heaters and save more on energy, think again.

To help you, here is a list of some energy saving tips that will help you cut back on your heater’s energy consumption.

1. Use solar energy

Natural is always the best. To save more on energy, it is best to use solar energy when using water heaters in your home’s heating system. In this way, you trap natural heat coming from the sun. You will consume less energy.

With the solar energy utilized in your home’s heating system, you can start heating your water for showers or revolutionize your home’s heating system and still reduce your electricity bill.

2. Inspect your home

To maximize your home’s heating system, it is best to inspect your house for any leakage. Leaks will let the heat seep out from your home, thus, absorbing cold from the outside. Most of the areas that leakage starts to develop are in the windows, doors, and fireplaces.

Once identified, it is best to take some proper actions as soon as possible so as to cut back any unnecessary costs on energy.

3. Sue heaters on frequently used rooms only

To save more energy, only use heaters on areas that are frequently visited and used by your household. For rooms that are not being used, try to turn off the thermostat or close the windows to utilize natural heat.

By doing so, you can cut back your energy consumption through your heater by as much as 50%.

4. Insulate

One of the biggest secrets in maximizing your home’s heating system is insulation. A properly and well insulated home can guarantee a comfortable home without using too much energy. Thus, you can save more money by cutting back your energy consumption.

It is best to use some insulating devices on your roof, windows, and other areas that need padding. This will block the heat in and keep it from escaping the house.

5. Get a good heating system

Of course, you can never guarantee lower energy bill if not for an efficient heating system. Defective heating system can utilize twice as much energy as those that are functioning properly. The tendency is to use more force just to boost more heat, and the more force the heating device use, the more energy it will consume.

Besides, defective products would require frequent visits to repair shops and that would be additional expenses for you.

All of these things can help you maximize your heating system and save more energy. In this way, you can save more money and use it on other things that need prioritization.

Caroline Miller

http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/how-to-save-on-home-heating-energy-superb-saving-ideas-69100.html

Technorati Tags: home energy costs, how to save on bills

Electric Temperature Controls
If you have an electric heater, you can install a device that allows the water heater to shut down operation while no one is home or everyone is asleep. This will reduce heat loss. Your utility company or a plumber can help you install this device.
Heat Traps
Several heat traps may be installed on the water lines in the house. Ball valves may be installed on the cold and hot lines directly above the water heater. These valves will physically block heat inside the pipes and tank from escaping up and out of the water heater. The ball valves do cause some slight flow restriction though that may be noticable during high volumes of water use. Another way to create a heat trap is to take your flex connectors at the top of the water heater and bend them into an inverted U shape if at all possible. Heat cannot travel past the top of the U.
Low-Flow Showerheads
Attaching these to your showerhead simply uses less water and in turn less heat. It’s as simple as that. Low-flow aerators can be attached to sink faucets as well. A very effective way to save energy and money.
Pipe Insulation
Insulating the hot lines will save heat as well. Closed-cell foam can be wrapped around the pipes and makes the job go very quickly. Insulation blankets can be used also. Get thicker blankets rather than thinner ones. Different types of pipe require different size insulation too. Copper and galvanized pipes have different thicknesses even though they both say 1 inch. Don’t forget to wrap the cold pipes three inches away from the water heater too. Do not, however, cover unions or fittings and ends of pipes with insulation. Any leaks will be more severe if insulation is covering these spots. Never cover the draft diverter directly above gas water heaters. This could cause the insulation to catch on fire. Different insulations come with different self-adhesives. It does not matter much which type you use. If you need to tape the insulation though, use gas wrap tape, which looks like electrical tape with writing on it. Avoid using duct tape since it will wear out faster. Use scissors to cut the tape and insulation if necessary. Finally, plastic ties are another way of holding insulation to pipes as well.
Recirculating Systems
Recirculating loops can be installed by any water heater manufacturer. These are very efficient but expensive to install.
Vent Dampers
For gas heaters only, a vent damper is a metal flap just above the heater. Either a motor or actual heat is used to open the vent flap. The vent will never be all the way shut at any time just in case of unexpected heat going up the draft diverter. It is unknown how effective these devices are, but they seem to work better for indoor water heaters.
Water Heater Blankets
This idea is best used for water heaters that are outdoors or in naturally warm rooms. Purchase insulation that has a ranking of at least R-11. The energy saved will be substantial compared with lighter insulation such as R-6. Wrap the entire water heater around and cut holes for all the fittings such as the T&P valve, cold lines if any gas burner housing on gas water heaters or electrical elements on electrical water heaters. Note that leaks on the water heater will be difficult to see if the water heater is covered in a blanket and rusting is more of a problem. However, the energy savings from this idea make it worth the risk. Periodically check for wetness underneath the blanket after installing it.

John Haynes

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/shrink-your-power-bills-by-using-energy-conservation-equipment-for-water-heaters-66375.html

Technorati Tags: home made solar, save on fuel costs

Thousands of people are searching for a solution to reduce their electricity bill.

With the international energy crisis and the general prices increase, every body is careful and try to spend less while earning more money.

Do not think that nothing can be done. Obama and his government are not the only one who can take concrete measures against this general energy crisis. You too, can do something to reduce your costs.

Did you know that you can easily create your own power?

Creating electricity is not difficult when you know how to do it. In fact, you do not need to be an engineer at all.

To save power at home, you can make a solar panel, or if you prefer, you can create your own electricity from the sun.

Plus there are many little changes that you can do that will have great effect on your electricity bill. Even better, it will have a positive effect on the environment.

How can you change your lifestyle.

1. Start using light bulbs more often. By doing this, you will make a big step in saving power.

Although light bulbs are more expensive when you buy them, in the long run, you will save a lot of money.

2. If you use air conditioners, do not use them when you don’t need. It is also a wise idea to set the temperature at the maximum or minimum depending on the season. If you can avoid to set the ac at too high or too low temperatures, you will save a lot of money and energy.

3. Are you using your washing machines even when there are not enough clothes to wash? If yes, make sure that you minimize the number of washes by washing full load of clothes every time.

4. What about your computer? I’m sure you it’s switched on even if you don’t use it.

5. What about the TV. How many people are letting their television switched on day and night. Don’t do this. This may sound crazy, but you are going to save a lot of energy by doing this.

6. Whenever you are driving, pull up the windows of your car before switching on the air-conditioner. Letting the ac on has a big impact on your fuel consumption.

All these add up. This is your very first step to save money: reduce your electricity bills. Your next step will be to create your own electricity.

Franck Silvestre

http://www.articlesbase.com/electronics-articles/learn-how-to-reduce-your-electricity-bills-and-bag-in-savings-756450.html

Technorati Tags: cut electricity costs, diy solar

With an average energy bill set to climb to £1406 in 2009 (from £676 in 2005), the Government has given a commitment to help consumers improve household energy efficiency and permanently bring down energy bills.

As the nation waits for confirmation of where Government support will be given, many organisations are offering advice and guidance into where and how families can make changes that will cut their household energy costs.

Figures from the Energy Savings Trust suggest that if everyone undertook a number of simple measures including: Fitting energy saving light bulbs, double glazed windows, installing a condensing boiler, cavity wall and loft insulation and jackets for hot water tanks, UK households could reduce energy bills by over £270 a year and save over £1.9bn in fuel costs*.

Paul Kellett, Technical Director at Anglian Home Improvements, an Energy Savings Trust recommended supplier said: “It is increasingly becoming apparent that current fuel price increases are set to have dramatic effects on many people’s household bills.

“But making energy efficient changes, ahead of the winter months, could lead to savings of thousand’s of pound on future fuel bills – as well as adding to a house’s value. If people are considering making improvements we would urge them to look at the most energy efficient options.

“Installing double glazing for example, cuts heat lost through windows by half. At Anglian we fit B-rated energy saving double glazing as standard, which offers potential savings of over £110 per year per household.”

Further estimations on savings to be gained from implementing energy efficiency measures in the home include*:

Around a third of all the heat lost in an un-insulated home is lost through the walls. Fitting cavity wall insulation could save up to £120 on an annual fuel bill

Insulating an uninsulated loft can save around £155 a year If everyone in the UK topped up their loft insulation to 270mm, around £560m would be saved each year. That’s enough money to pay the annual fuel bills of around 530,000 families.

An ultra efficient condensing boiler will be 20% more efficient and could save up to £130 on heating bills.

Fitting an insulating jacket to the hot water cylinder could save around £30 per year

Setting hot water cylinder thermostats to 60°C/140°F could save up to £10 over the year

Using low energy light bulbs to save £10 on electricity bills each year.

By installing draught proofing you could save around £25 a year on your heating bills

Financial help may be available if you’re planning to make energy saving improvements to your home

*Figures are from www.energysavingstrust.org.uk

Arvind

http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/energy-efficiency-is-the-only-way-to-reduce-fuel-bills-689506.html

Technorati Tags: energy effeciency, reduce home power

You hear a lot of great ideas for designing and building an energy efficient and eco friendly home. From thermal mass and R-values, we break down some of the most important terms that are associated with your environmentally conceived home. So next time you pick up a green directory, try these terms on for size:

Passive Solar Design: A broad term used to describe non-mechanical design of the building’s infrastructure that allows regulation of internal temperature. Principles include orientation of room, location of windows and thermal mass (see below).

Thermal mass: is a material’s ability to store heat. Brick, stone and concrete have high thermal mass; glass and timber do not. Eco designers will strategically place these materials to create heat sinks that absorb heat in the winter and remain cool in the summer.

R – value: A measure of ‘thermal resistance’ or the material’s insulating properties. For example Pink Batts insulation has a measure of R1.5 while strawbale comes in at R4, meaning it retains heat better.

Cross ventilation: Breezes from the outside are naturally drawn into the home to help cool it down. In good design, windows will be positioned in line with each other on opposite walls to create the maximum cooling effect.

Double glazing: Two sheets of glass are sealed together to create a single glazed piece with an air space in between them that help trap heat between the two panes. The air pocket essentially acts as an insulating barrier.

Grey water: Waste water that comes from the laundry, shower, dishwasher and bathroom sink that can be collected and re-used in the garden. It does not include black water which comes from the toilet and kitchen sink.

For more great green building tips, look for the Green Pages, Australia’s leading directory for all things about the green home.

Paige Green
http://www.articlesbase.com/environment-articles/key-terms-to-understanding-your-eco-friendly-home-714658.html

Being an environmentally friendly parent for babies involves buying products and services that are eco friendly and baby friendly. The range of products is increasing weekly as parents wake up to the green revolution.

What can I buy?

The real question for eco parents is: what can’t I buy? but you don’t need to always buy new, you can re-use items already in existence, the less new items you buy the more ecologically friendly your new family will be! Baby clothes are easy and good-value to buy secondhand and because babies grow so fast, they tend to be hardly worn. Other items to look for in secondhand and charity shops include cot linen, soft furnishings, bouncy chairs and inflatable baby nests.

These products also minimize the impact on the environment and by taking actions such as recycling you can set a good precedent for the future generation. You can now buy most things in a ‘green’ version for babies including organic baby clothes, baby food and even green magazines made out of recycled paper. There is an increasing movement by parents to return to the old days and use cloth nappies instead of the disposable ones which add to the land fills. Imagine how many of these nappies you can get through in the first years of the babies life? Hundreds if not thousands! Many of these cloth nappy companies are stating ease of use, financial benefits, less rubbish and the comfort of natural cloth over paper and gel against delicate skin as some of the many reasons for making this change.

See the green directory for companies that offer cloth nappies and other eco products for babies and the home. Choosing reusable nappies is one of the biggest single things you can do to make a difference. It’s been estimated that two trees a year are felled to provide the pulp for each baby who wears disposables and it also takes hundreds of years for them to break down in landfill sites. Reusables are a lot less hassle than they used to be. And for times when they are inconvenient, the range of eco-disposables is expanding and is better than ever. If you’re buying wooden objects, such as high chairs and baby toys, avoid tropical hardwoods. Look for ones made from trees grown in sustainable forests and remember if you doubt you really need something, don’t buy it yet – wait and see.

I want to enable parents to choose and use products which will benefit baby and his or her family now and protect his / her future environment. GuideMeGreen is essentially a result of my own search for natural and eco-friendly products for my family and offers a service that makes it far easier for other parents to find the right products for them. With the introduction of a discussion board, parents are able to find out information and ask questions to an area which is new to them. We want to convert those to be more eco friendly that at the moment couldn’t care less. I spend half my life telling family members off for throwing glass and plastic away. Being a one man band I deal with all emails and often receive requests from teenagers asking for information on ethical clothing shops and other products of interest to them. My thoughts are …. If teenagers are interested, GuideMeGreen must be doing something right!

Davinos Greeno
http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-issues-articles/eco-friendly-baby-amp-family-products-84550.html

Perhaps it’s time to take a look around your house to see if it’s a good idea to start cleaning up the house. After all, a clean house is an eco friendly house. What does that mean? Well, that means when you clean and organize the stuff in your house, not only can you help save the environment, you can also save money. So what does eco friendly has to do with saving money?

The problem with most homeowners is that they are not aware that there are existing resources in their own home that can be reused or recycled. For example, papers may be lying around the house, used only on 1 side. They can actually be used on both sides. And when less paper is used, more trees are saved, and the homeowners save more money by spending less on paper. So the key here is to be sensitive to the use of resources around the house. Here are some tips on how to start converting your home to an eco friendly house.

The first step to take is to clean up the house. Start by creating 4 different piles – one for paper, one for glass, one for plastic, and one for metal. Organize your items according to these 4 categories. If there are many items in your house, the process may take some time.

After that, you will need to spend more time sorting through the 4 stacks of items. Here is when you decide which items to keep and which items to dispose of. Again, bear in mind that there are items that can be reused. Pick them out, and put them aside.

For items that you want to get rid of, don’t mix them up again. Keep them within their own respective categories, and pack them nicely into boxes and trash bags. There is more you need to do.

Once your house is in shape, you may start locating a recycling facility near you. The recycling center don’t have to be located in your area. You just need to find out where the drop off points are. Usually, there are many drop off points in every area, and there should be one that is convenient for you. If you like, you can always call up a recycling facility to find out if there are any drop off points that are near to you.

Another alternative is to find out if your current garbage collector has an existing arrangement with a recycling center. If so, you can let them collect your recyclable items as per normal. That way, you don’t have to worry about making extra trips to drop off points.

Keep the compartments that you have initially created – paper, plastic, glass and metal. As and when there is disposable but recyclable materials, just throw them in the right compartment. When the compartments are full, empty them and start the process all over again. That way, your house will always be eco friendly.

Gen Wright
http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/a-clean-house-is-an-eco-friend-house-678859.html

A typical home or office always have products like air freshener, dishwashers, laundry detergents, many more to mention, not knowing that these products contains harmful chemicals. Recent studies showed that over 50 cleaning products contain hazardous chemicals, chemicals that is slowly doing a great harm for you and your family (even your pets and plants). Labels of these products always says that they should be used with cautions.

Cases of children that accidentally ingested these chemicals and being exposed are rapidly growing, U.S. Poison Control Center estimated that there are almost or over 1.5 million cases are reported to them, a disturbing report that may happen to all of us.

We can avoid this situation and take the toxic out in our home or office and natural cleaning products is the best solution for all of that.

Natural solution products offer a non-toxic, chemical free home. That is possible because we will just use organic materials that are eco friendly yet effective.

Here is some info on how to use natural cleaning products. Most of the items that we will use are found right there in your home.

1. You might be using ammonia for cutting out grease, but for your info these product contains chemicals that are dangerous to you health, for alternative just use a spray bottle filled with ½ water and ¼ white vinegar, vinegars is a good grease cutters and can leave your dishes sparkling like new.

2. Fragrance is a great factor of a clean home, but we usually rely on commercial air fresheners not knowing that these products consist of phthalates( petroleum-base hormone disruptors) you might not see this on their labels because manufacturers are hiding the fact that they are using these, for fresh scent just use citrus or natural herbs, these will naturally clean and freshen your air.

3. An effective alternative to harmful chlorines are borax.

4. Killing bacteria another way of living healthy, but do you know that triclosan from your favorite disinfectant boost the growth of some resistant bacteria, worst thing is this bacteria can turn into carcinogenic, to avoid it from happening use vinegars instead ( another fact is that not all bacteria are harmful).

5. You should be informed that some of natural, non-toxic and biodegradable products that does not have proper or actual certification from the Food and Drugs Authority sometimes keeps their ingredients secret, check first if it passed the standards and the ingredients itself.

6. Bugs are great problems for us, instead of using those sprays, using essential oils, tea tree, lemongrass and rosemary can take the bugs out in your home.

7. Using monoethanolamine(MEA) on principles causes irritations and cases like asthma, adding the fact that it’s a petroleum product, water is much more better, simply water.

8. Tea can be a natural cleanser, yes it can be! simply because its has acid contents. (but I still prefer drinking hot tea).

9. All you need for a change are natural cleaning products, to make a DIY version all you need in your cupboard are lemons, bicarbonate soda, white wine and some cheap oils and there you go.

10. Finally, and the most simple are the power of elbow grease with just cloth itself and a little hot water can get the job done, but be sure to exert some energy for those cleaning task.

We always thought that all bacteria are harmful and should be taken out on our homes, but with these kind of studies, it shows that using germ killers (commercial cleaners) are More harmful to us and our environment because of the toxins that they releases, for cleaning those spills and dust a good swipe of damp towel is all we need less effective against bacteria but a non-toxic way and much more safer, we should be aware and smart to maintain a healthy living.

Markus Skupeika
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/tips-on-how-to-maintain-a-healthy-way-of-living-using-natural-cleaning-products-678257.html

Finding environmentally friendly furnishings and home decor used to be a challenge. Products were either hard to find or out of reach price-wise for the average consumer. Today however, eco conscious flooring, window coverings, and counter tops are becoming much more accessible. Even major national retailers are selling things like bamboo linens, biodegradable cleaning products, and energy efficient appliances.

Here are a few of the latest green products for your home. They’ve been selected based on their aesthetics, functionality, and their innovative use of recycled materials.

1. Green Planet Paints has created a line of interior paints that produce zero volatile organic compounds, so they won’t negatively affect your indoor air quality. Non-toxic and reasonably priced, these environmentally friendly paints are available in over forty colors that will match any décor.

2. Vetrazzo has become one of the hottest products around. Made out of recycled glass shards, Vetrazzo surfaces can be used for flooring, counter tops, and more. Vetrazzo is smooth to the touch, heat-resistant and beautiful to look at, and offer a great alternative to marble or granite.

3. Another option for counter tops comes from a small business owner in Washington State. Squak Mountain Stone was created by Ameé Quiriconi as a means of reducing landfill, and stimulating the local economy. Defined on its site as “a fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash and cement,” Squak Mountain Stone has all the good looks and durability of natural stone, but weighs much less and is made from recycled materials.

4. Featured in several national publications, the designers of SCRAPILE have developed quite a fan-following. SCRAPILE’s Bart Bettencourt and Carlos Salgado’s goal was to create lasting pieces that are stylish to look at, functional in the home, and good for the environment. They have achieved their goal by building stunning tables, chairs, and accessories out of scrap pieces of lumber.

5. Along the same lines as New York’s SCRAPILE, the talented coppersmiths of Cobre take scraps of discarded copper and make hand-hammered copper sinks, wall hangings, and vases. Reclaiming unused copper keeps materials out of landfills, and provides homeowners with a unique surface that has naturally germ-killing properties. In addition, Cobre is a Fair Trade company, so you can feel good knowing that the artisans who make the products receive a competitive wage for their work.

6. Philips’ Eco TV is a 42-inch, flat-panel LCD television set that runs on only 75 watts of power. The unit contains no lead-based materials, has an energy saving stand-by mode, and comes in a recycled box. You get all these benefits plus high definition picture quality, and the unit retails for just under $1400.

7. For green laundry enthusiasts, there are now new options for washing your clothes without wasting water or energy. Wonderwash is a new hand crank washer that handles a 5lb load in minutes, without the use of electricity. You also only require about 10% of the water used in traditional washing machines, and it’s a real space saver too. An added bonus is the great arm workout you get when you have multiple loads to do, and the product is affordably priced at only $42.95.

8. The Spin-X Spin Dryer would make a lovely companion appliance to the Wonderwash. Clothes dry in half the time, which means that the machine uses half the energy of standard units. Clothes last longer because they’re exposed to less heat and tumbling action, and less heat is pumped into the room, which makes doing laundry on a hot summer day less of a chore.

Lesa Parham
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/the-latest-products-for-your-greenfriendly-home-720341.html