Archive for the ‘Green Living’ Category

Energy Efficient Light Bulbs - Putting Dollars Back In The Bank

Sunday, August 9th, 2009

One of the most difficult considerations when you decide to implement energy efficient light bulbs in your home is price. Since each energy efficient light bulb will cost you about $5 each, it is clever to stop for a moment and ask yourself what your Return On Revenue (ROI) will be.

As I was visiting the GE Lighting website (which I have no affiliation with), I found a very useful tool for calculating cost savings if you install energy saving light bulbs. This calculator assumes that you use a light for 4-hours a day and a electricity rate of 10c/kWh. It then show you how much money you will save by installing energy saving light bulbs.

By only swapping out 4 100-Watt standard light bulbs with 4 x 26-Watt energy efficient light bulbs, it is calculated that indeed over 1 year you will be saving $42.22. The reason I used 4 x 100-Watt bulbs as an example is only because that is how many we have in our TV room.

In my house I found 40 x 100-Watt bulbs, 25 x 60-Watt bulbs and 4-track bulbs. According to the GE savings calculator I will have an annual electricity savings of $625 if I will replace all my standard bulbs with energy saving light bulbs. That being said, to go and buy 65 energy saving light bulbs for this project, it will cost me $325.

To establish how much of our investment we will get back in the first year: ROI= [(Payback - Investment)/Investment)]*100 [(625-325) / 625)] * 100 48%

During the first year we will see a return on our investment of 48%. As I was looking at these numbers it became evident that it will be smart to upgrade to energy efficient light bulbs, even if in the beginning it will cost us some money.

Cutting cost is in the numbers. Changing one 100-Watt bulb to a smart energy efficient bulb, will save you $10/year. The average home has between 50-100 bulbs. Considering the increase of energy rates, this would indeed be one of the smartest things to you for your family.

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Three Simple Ways To Get More Green From Your Home Office During This Economy Crisis

Monday, July 6th, 2009

Going green is good for the planet and for your personal financial savings. Your home office is a perfect place to start when it comes to trying to find ways to be more environmentally friendly and still enjoy the things that makes working from home a wonderful personal choice such as no commuting, very little “office politics”, and being able to dress how you want. All of these offer more than just a psychological respite, they also offer a financial saving incentive that has become even more valuable during this economy crisis.

Though you are probably wracking up a great financial saving, cost-conscious people can still save a little more by doing more when it comes to the environment. It actually doesn’t take a whole lot to be more green, it just means that you have be a little more conscientious about how you use what you already have. Here are 3 great ways to green up your office and your company’s financial state:

First, make every effort to make full use of that office paper. Buy for cheap all of the paper that you anticipate needing by using coupons, other office supply store discounts, or buying from a thrift store. You could even get the paper free if check companies that give away their surplus or scrap paper that can be recycled.

Once you get the paper, use all parts of it. Print on double sides whenever it is professionally accepted, use shredded paper for stuffing packages, and make notepads from the scraps or blank “half” pages that you have left over. Of course, you should always strive to maintain a professional image, but for home files and other incidentals, get the most out that paper.

Second, go digital with your filing and faxing. Instead of using paper for these tasks, you can sign up with an online faxing service, many of which are free or offer subscriptions that you can by for cheap, that allow for your faxes to go directly to your email for electronic filing. You will save financially and you will help the planet by producing less paper and metal waste from those file folders.

The other way to max out the savings and get the maximum green effect in your home office is to decorate it and furnish it with recycled furnishings. Buy for cheap good quality furniture from office surplus stores, clearance sales, thrift stores, and of course, yard sales and you will be able to have a beautifully furnished office for pennies on the dollar. In this economy crisis, finding ways to help our pockets can mean the difference between a successful business and one that struggles through this difficult financial time. In the long term, if our efforts help the environment, that’s an even better endeavor.

Find lots of previously owned stuff that you can get for free through sites like FREECYCLE.com and Craigslist. Don’t leave off the auction sites like Ebay, which will also offer fantastic savings your office supply needs. Whether you buy for cheap or get stuff totally free, just try to make the most of these great saving, cost-cutting opportunities that also are wonderful for the environment.

Creativity, planning, and a little research are key to finding items that will work for your home office that can save you money and be a part of saving the environment. During this economy crisis, people are looking for ways to get more for less or get more out of what they have. Research, recycle, and reuse to get your office as green as the money that you’ll be saving with your effort!

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Going Green Can Mean More Green For Your Family Despite The Economy Crisis

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

During this economy crisis, we should all be looking for ways to save and preserve our finances. To be honest, we shouldn’t just stop our preservation efforts with our financial health, but we should also do all that we can do preserve the environment and the world that we live in. Taking steps to go green to help our world could result in us seeing more green in our wallets and bank accounts. Here’s how:

Give your clothes some “hang” time during this economy crisis. Many people that have space around their home can put up a clothesline outside where they can hang up and dry their clothing. If you are a bit squeamish about your clothing hanging out for all to see, then consider putting up a clothesline inside, either in a garage or even a retractable one in the shower or bathroom. The tools and clothesline that you need, you can buy for cheap at a dollar store or discount retailer.

By eliminating the use of the dryer, you will see an automatic saving on your electric bill, as dryers take a lot of energy to run. If you don’t have a lot of clothes to dry, then you definitely don’t need to use that dryer. During this economy crisis, wouldn’t it be better to drip dry so that you can help the environment and your wallet!

Don’t drive everywhere unless you absolutely have to. Get out and walk, run, or ride a bike to the places that you need to go and save money by reducing the amount of gas that your family needs during the week. It’s been a little difficult developing a family gas budget recently with the constant fluctuation in fuel prices, so by minimizing your family’s dependence on gas, you could really see a significant financial saving.

The other thing about gas is that it gives off very bad toxins that affect our air and our environment. If you have a big vehicle, you need a lot of gas to operate it and your vehicle probably gives off loads of emissions. During this economy crisis and, really any time, it is best to use different travel alternatives. So, get a little exercise in and enjoy the financial savings from not buying all of that gas. Plus, you will feel even better physically, which is worth a mint!

Don’t just throw stuff away, recycle and reuse. We have been told that plastic bags are bad and canvas is the way to go. But, sometimes, we still sometimes end up getting the plastic bags at different stores. These bags are not all bad because they can be recycled and reused. Use them in your vehicle to catch trash, in all of your home trashcans, use them for walking the dog and picking up poop, and even for storing some things in your freezers. They have multiple uses and are better than having to buy for cheap garbage bags because they are absolutely free!

Get the most of newspaper also. From gift wrap to stuffing packages to absorbing odors in shoes and food containers, newspaper has many, many uses. So, instead of just throwing it away, use it and save on things like fabric freshening sprays and window wipes…newspaper is fantastic for cleaning windows!

These are just a few ways to go green and save during this economy crisis. Consider alternative methods of doing things, get “back to nature”, or just don’t use as much energy and other resources, and before you know it you and your family could be enjoying the saving, cost-cutting, and new frugal ways that you have learned. Everyone is looking for ways to get more for less right now, and when you and your family see the change in your finances…you will be glad that you took these simple steps toward going green!

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How to Save Money on Your Electric Bills

Sunday, June 28th, 2009

Summer is right around the corner, which means trips to the beach, time off from school and of course, outrageous electric bills. Dont spend a fortune this summer on your energy costs, follow this guide to save money all around your home.

Cooling - You may be surprised to hear that about 50% of the energy costs for a home is from associated heating and cooling costs. In the summer of course you are concerned with cooling, not heating. You can make your AC more efficient by ensuring you change the filter, keep the unit in working order and sealing the ducts to increase proper airflow and efficiency. Another money saving tip is to invest in a thermostat that can be programmed, which will automatically turn off your pricey AC or heat when nobody is home or when you are asleep.

Appliances - Sometimes when you stop and think about it, we are people who need appliances to keep us happy in our homes. For instance most of us own air conditioning, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, disposals, as well as washers and dryers. This list of essentials does not even cover clocks, TVs or radios, water heaters, and ceiling fans, not to mention cell phones that need to be plugged in, computers, printers and assorted sound equipment. Thus, when you purchase appliances for your homes pay special attention to the energy saver listings that the manufacturer warrants. Water Heater

Save money on water heating - Water heating accounts for a large percentage of every home’s energy bill. But you don’t have to start instituting a 5 minute shower rule to see savings in this area. You can buy an energy efficient water heater which will get the job done while eating up less resources.

Lights - Just keeping the lights running in your house can cost you a lot of money, usually around 20% of your total energy costs. You should replace all of your standard light bulbs with more efficient CFLs, which are the spiral bulbs you see in stores. Not only do they use 75% less energy, but they last 10 times longer. This will result in big savings in terms of the purchase of new light bulbs and month to month energy costs. Don’t forget to flick off the lights when you leave a room as well.

Save money on electronics - Household electronics eat up a lot of energy, from televisions to computers, clocks and many more items. Even when off if they display the time or any power lights, they are still using energy. Look for efficient models that turn completely off, or start to unplug all electronics when they are not in use.

Besides the fact that most home office equipment is running 24 hours a day, all of the accessories associated with a home office also drain off a tremendous amount of energy. Be sure to purchase equipment that is the lowest rated energy guzzler anytime you replace the office equipment.

Following these quick and easy suggestions will help you save hundreds of dollars in energy costs.

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From Frugal Recipes To Ways To Buy For Cheap: How An Herb Garden Can Help You Savor The Savings

Wednesday, June 10th, 2009

Did you know that with just a little “seed money”, you could save a whole pot of cash? Well, you can and it’s easier than you think. Herbs are an essential part of most of our lives. They add zest to, otherwise, drab meats and perk up even the most basic rice and pasta. Yes, herbs really are the “spice” of life. But, each of these specialty items can cost you more money than you realize.

Have you ever bought herbs at a grocery or health food store? If so, then you know that the price of fresh herbs can really break a family’s budget. If you are a frugal fashionista then you probably know that the cost of fresh herbs can exceed the cost of growing your own herbs by 10 or 20 times! That’s a lot of money that your family could be saving for other things like the meat to put the herbs on. So, to curtail those expenses, here’s the best way to get started with a money saving herb garden:

Get some seeds. Buy for cheap a variety of herb seeds at just about any discount store such as Walmart or Kmart. From as cheap as 10 cents per package, you could proliferate your garden with healthful herbs. Just imagine all of the delicious meals that you can prepare using your own herb stock. With the seeds being so cheap, you should experiment by buying lots of different and flavorful varieties.

Buy dirt. Soil will cost you, roughly, $1 per 5-lb bag. You will have more than enough right soil to get your herb garden started right. To save even more, check out your local “free paper” or online classifieds. People, quite often, will give away free soil at certain times of the year. You may be able to get more than you could ever imagine for the cost of hauling it away. It’s worth looking into. Also, if you know someone who is an avid gardener, they may have large quantities of soil on hand that they would love to share with a budding novice.

Mix the seeds in the dirt, water, and enjoy. Gardening is not very complicated, if you don’t overdo things. Don’t go crazy buying the latest gardening gadgets or the most elaborate pots. Keep your herb garden experience simple and cheap. You and your family could be spending your money on other things! Buy for cheap pots and earth-friendly gardening stuff right at your local dollar store for $1! As your herbs grow, you may consider getting larger pots or moving the seedlings to a more spacious area…but, this is not a necessity. Your garden can be as small or as grand as you want it. But, remember the purpose of the garden is to harvest herbs for your family to eat and for saving money.

No matter how you decide you want your garden to look like, the results are sure to be a big saving opportunity for your family. Pick some frugal recipes to tackle after you have grown a few herbs and savor every penny that you save by doing the dirty work yourself. Another positive about starting an herb garden is that not only will have healthful, nutritious herbs for your family to eat, but you could enjoy some great family time outdoors if you make the garden a family affair, and even better, you could get some exercise in! So, dig in and savor the savings!

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How to Save Money Driving an Energy Efficient Car

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

Alternative fuel cars refer to vehicles that run on any fuel other than petroleum fuels, or any engine that is not utterly dependent on petroleum. Having these environmental laws have made alternate power sources a huge seniority for the governments and all car manufacturers all over the world.

New research and development has been based greatly on “hybrid” vehicles. They use both electric power and internal combustion. Despite, there are more alternative fuel cars being developed. Right now, the most demanded alternative fuel cars are the electric car, the petrol-electric hybrid, and the solar-powered car.

The battery-electric vehicles, or BEVs, are vehicles that are run by the chemical energy of batteries. Most are classified as zero emission vehicles, or ZEHs, because no emissions are produced when running. Electrical energy for these cars are obtained from a array of battery chemistry’s arranged intro battery packs. BEVs mainly use lead-acid batteries, NiMH batteries, and lithium-ion batteries.

A hybrid automobile, or the petrol-electric hybrid, uses many sources to provide power. This commonly refers to gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, which use gasoline and electric fuel cells for the power used to power internal-combustion engines (ICEs) and electric motors. The worlds first commercially mass-produced and marketed hybrid car was the Toyota Prius. It was first introduced to the worldwide market in 2000, and today has surpassed the mark of one million units.

The manufacturing and sale of alternative fuel cars can also earn the shopper a tax rebate, depending on the government. Thisdrive is helping out a lot of people when it comes time to purchase a new vehicle, or when they trade their outdated one in.

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Three Easy Steps for Donating Clothes

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

There are many reasons to donate clothes, and if you want to do so then you need to know exactly how to go about it. The truth is, if we don’t know how to donate we might not donate at all! Which is why I’ve put together this little guide to help you get donating the clothes that you don’t wear anymore.

What do I need to donate clothes? You need your old clothes (or accessories, jewellery, shows and so on) and some plastic bags or boxes to put them in!

Steps Before Donating the Clothes

1) Firstly you need to sort through your clothes. This is often the hardest part, as you need to be brutally honest about things that don’t fit you anymore, things that you haven’t worn in years, things you no longer like, or things that you are just never going to wear. Could anyone else benefit from these? The chances are that they can! And this is why you should be donating.

2) Now you need to get your clothes ready for donation. You could just give them how they are, but if you are really self conscious and eco friendly then you should be nice! Clean up anything that’s dirty, you can wipe shoes down, wash your clothes and so on. It just makes the job a little easier for all of the volunteers who are going to be sorting the clothes out.

3) Now it’s time to pack all of the clothes. Try to fold them neatly in your bag or box, ready to donate.

What to Do At Donation Time

There are so many ways to donate these clothes you’ve lovingly prepared!

Clothing Bins - These are such a convenient option, found anywhere from high streets to supermarkets! It’s so simple, just pop the bag of clothes into the bin through the appropriate hole!

Charity Shops - A very common and popular option, as this lets you choose the individual cause that you wish to support. Don’t just leave the clothes outside of the door, walk in and hand them to the volunteer to ensure they stay in good condition.

Online - Yes, the internet is now providing a solution to everything. Just do a quick search and you’ll find loads of places that can help you be more eco conscious.

Conclusion

If you still aren’t convinced about donating clothes then just start reading some eco friendly fashion blogs about some of the benefits. It really isn’t hard, and you’ll probably end up benefitting a lot of people!

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Gasoline Savings More Than 60%

Saturday, May 16th, 2009

High gas prices have become a normal occurrence today. We often have to shell out more and more money to get just as far as we were getting before.

There are, luckily, solutions to this problem today. Half Water Half Gas is one such answer that can help you save 60% or more of your gas costs by using water.

This technology was apparently invented over 90 years ago but was never put into widespread use because the oil industry did not like it. This technology has become more available today due to the internet and better spread of information.

This system basically works by increasing gasoline efficiency by running a car on gasoline and water.

It works by using the extra electricity generated by the battery to turn water into oxygen and hydrogen. Then the engine’s vacuum system is used to blend the hydrogen and oxygen with gasoline. The gas is burned more fully resulting in not as much gas needed to get you just as far. This means more money for you.

The technology to be able to make your car run on water and gas is surprisingly simple and anyone can install it. Even those people without any automobile experience can do it in about 30 minutes using hardware and tools that can be picked up at a hardware store.

If you are interested in picking up your own guide on installing this wonderful device to save you 60% and more of your fuel costs, then check out the Half Water Half Gas guide which features detailed instructions on how to install such a system and allow you to start saving more money on gasoline today.

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Five Green Upgrades for Your Home

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Upgrade your thermostat

Programmable thermostats are one of the easiest and cheapest ways to save money. Have one installed and program it to cool or heat the house 30 to 60 minutes before the first family member wakes up. During the day, set the unit 7 or 8 degrees higher or lower than you normally do and have it set to heat/heat the house right before you get home.

Search for leaks.

Check for windows and air duct leaks periodically thru which cold air can escape. Leaks force your air conditioner or heater to work harder which translates into higher energy costs. Having your house properly insulated means you are able to save as much as ten percent on your power bills.

Un-plug appliances.

Are you aware any appliance that is plugged in is using energy whether the appliance is turned off? Appliances that also have clocks are an additional drain. Standby lights, like those on your TV, are also draining energy, so unplug as several appliances you use intermittently when not in use.

Buy a better light bulb.

Compact fluorescent light bulbs require 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. While compact fluorescents do cost more up front, they savings they provide long term are worth the initial expense. Youll also be saving time and creating less waste by changing your light bulbs less frequently.

Shop “green.”

Look for the Energy Star label when shopping for new appliances. Energy Star is a joint program between the US EPA and Department of Energy that identifies and labels energy-efficient appliances. Currently appliances in 44 products categories have been identified and labeled.

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You Can Go Green And Save A Bundle of Green

Sunday, April 19th, 2009

There are many examples of how going green saves you money. Kermit the Frog was wrong - it IS easy being green, and it saves you money at the same time. As the planet faces a period of warming where our actions are believed to be the prime cause, it makes sense to seek out examples of how going green saves you money and act on them.

Just think about the cell phone charger that is always plugged in or your DVD player that is just waiting around for you to play it once a week or once a month. Does your TV just sit on standby all night? These are prime examples of how small actions can save you money - if you unplug them or better yet buy a smart energy strip you are going green with ease. For even if the items are not being used, those blinking lights and clocks mean that they are consuming energy!

One other prime example of how going green can save you money is switching from bottled water to filtered tap water. Are you aware that the average family spends around $1,400 a year just on bottled water. The worst part is the 95% that ends up in the refuse pile as people just toss their plastic bottles and don’t recycle them! For less than $100 you can purchase a good staged water filter to make your tap water perfect. You can also consider purchasing stainless steel water bottles to carry your water in. They over come the need for plastic and last a long time.

Here is yet another example of how easy going green can save you money. They are simple every day things and are everywhere. If you have a lead gas foot and drive as fast as the law allows or faster, you should think more about how much it is costing you. Your cars engines performs most efficiently at around 55 miles an hour. Combine that with gentle driving on properly inflated tires, you will save money and help the planet too.

You could always use a bicycle to travel around town. Or you could simply walk for those short trips. You won’t be pouring hydrocarbons into the atmosphere, warming the planet, you will save money, and you will get some good exercise at the same time. Walking and cycling when you can are excellent examples of how going green saves you money.

Out of the approximately 65 million newspapers that are printed every day just in the US. Unfortunately 70% will not be recycled. Can you imagine this waste of trees? How can you can do your bit to help? In this day of Internet access you can now read whatever news you want to read simply by going online. Even local papers have an online presence these days, so save some money and read from the web pages. Just don’t spill your coffee on the keyboard.

By simply changing a few things each day you will be easily going green and saving money. They are all around you. Just look and you certainly will find them.

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