Posts Tagged ‘Eco-Friendly’

Sep27

“Green” Bombs: Does “Environmentally Safe” Mean “Okay?”

Shades of the movie “Matrix,” followed very quickly by “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Dumb and Dumber,” come to mind when considering some of the truly idiotic suggestions that have actually been voiced to counter alleged global warming, one of which was presented by a Nobel Laureate.     Reduce Global Warming by A: Polluting outer [...]

Shades of the movie “Matrix,” followed very quickly by “National Lampoon's Vacation” and “Dumb and Dumber,” come to mind when considering some of the truly idiotic suggestions that have actually been voiced to counter alleged global warming, one of which was presented by a Nobel Laureate.     Reduce Global Warming by
  • A: Polluting outer space. Yes, that was the suggestion presented by a group of scientists, led by Nobel Laureate Paul J. Crutzen, co-winner of the chemistry Nobel Prize in 1995. The idea was to pump all the pollutants in our atmosphere into a halo or sphere that would blanket the earth from afar. The layer of “protection” from the sun's heat would reduce the warming effect, yet protect the earth from another ice age—that blanket thing, you know.
In attempting to justify this idiocy, Crutzen stated that the suggestion was meant to shock people awake to the global warming problem to enable realistic resolution. He was also adamant in adding that he really didn't like the idea himself. Was that tongue-in-cheek or was he playing Devil's Advocate to embarrass all the countries that got bullied into Chicken Little mimicry of the US's global warming stance: Agree there is a global warming problem, or we'll cut off your funding. Cheep. Cheep.
  • B: Speaking of blankets, how about suggestion from Dr. Jason Box of Ohio State University? This glaciologist suggested blanketing Greenland—literally—to prevent its ice from melting. He advocated placing blankets over the valleys that create dark, shadowed areas and attracting and retaining the sun's heat. While Box doesn't advocate that wrapping Greenland in the warm-and-fuzzies...er...not-warm-but-fuzzy blankets would halt the glacier from melting, but he states that it would slow it down.
It'd do wonders for global unemployment, too, wouldn't it? But that does give birth to a light bulb take-off question: How many textile plants does it take to wrap an ice cube? Answer: Unknown. The government has begun deliberations on funding studies to project the impact of The Blanket Project on the world's sheep market and the metal commodities markets. Estimated time for a response: Eleven hours after the world gets smothered by Dr. Crutzen's exportation project. (Don't worry; they produce enough hot air to sustain themselves for weeks.)
  • C: Carbon Storage. David Keith, the 2006 Canadian Geographic Environmental Scientist of the Year recipient, believes he can invent a machine that “...sucks in ambient air,” then coats that air, if that's possible, with a mist of sodium hydroxide. The “cleaned” air is then released into the atmosphere while the carbon that was removed would be stored underground.
Um...David? Two questions for you here: 1. Have you heard of such things as balloons popping, and 2. have you heard of something called earthquakes or even geological fissures? A third and fourth question wrap this section up: 3. On what planet did you get your degree, and 4. Did you save any of those caramelized popcorn treats with nuts for the rest of us?
  • D: Germinating the ocean. The Climate Foundation's Dr. Brian von Herzen, in tandem with marine biologists at the University of Hawaii and at Oregon State University believe that generating fields of plankton in the ocean would bolster absorption of carbon dioxide. Plankton growth encouragement would come from huge, wave-powered pumps on the swells of the North Pacific. The pumps would “stir up” the colder, nutrient-rich water below and mix it with the warmer, nutrient-starved water above.
Two questions arise from that: By altering the thermal layers of the water, wouldn't that damage the marine ecosystems upon which thousands of life forms rely? Also, just how would repair crews get to these pumps and maintain them without using all that diesel fuel in ships? Sailboats? In the Northern Pacific? This article was contributed by Holly Adams, who writes for Coupon Croc. Reduce your energy consumption by upgrading to eco friendly appliances; shop  with John Lewis discounts and save on green electronics.

Posted by Gummi Joels in eco friendly, Global warming

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Sep18

Simple Ways To Make Your Home More Environmentally

What can we do to protect the environment? Without pay too much, which seemed to be difficult, if not impossible. Do your part does not need to be tough. Small steps lead to a big difference, you just need to know what lasts.     Use less water.   It is many small steps to save water, here [...]

What can we do to protect the environment? Without pay too much, which seemed to be difficult, if not impossible. Do your part does not need to be tough. Small steps lead to a big difference, you just need to know what lasts.    

Use less water.

  It is many small steps to save water, here are some tips that can help save big. - Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth - Take a shower, a minute or two short - Only flush the toilet when you need - Operate at full load of laundry and dishes - Buy sustainable producers. These farmers, ranchers, producers and others who use the technologies that contaminate less and spend less water. You can do some investigation online or call your local market to find these organic products.  

Consume to use less power.

  If it is not much finance to buy car that use green energy or change home energy source, it is better take small steps at the time. -Buy power economic equipment. May be more expensive, but to offset the rising cost of energy bills lower. - Take the charger when not in use. Cell phone chargers consume power, even if there is anything attached to them. - Set units with channel changer for tv, VCRs and stereo, on a power strip and switch it off when it is not in use. They use a lot of energy to operate the remote receiver, even when the power is off. - Walking or biking for short trips. - Buy local produce. Transportation for food and other product need much energy throughout the country. Buying local product, not only supports the local economy, in the meantime saving energy. When it comes to energy and water saving, is a good idea to let the children even play a game. Ask them to keep track of how much water and electricity for everyone to use. You can build up competition how to use less water. Often you can count on your kids keep you on track when they are on the mission.

Recycle

Most of us know the three Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle, but when we work to preserve, we often leave the recycling out of the picture. Although you can often find tips on how to recycle common products of others, what you most need is creativity. A small idea has many items around your house, which can be reused - toilet paper holders can be sown seed orchard. Containers of yogurt and an old cut the ribbon for the labels of the plants. The used jars can be filled with homemade food, great vessels or be improvised. Use eco friendly products when you go to the supermarket, you're likely to see more and more "natural" or "eco-friendly" products every time. Usually there are two big problems with these products: 1 just because they are more natural than conventional products, does not mean they are completely natural. 2 are often expensive. If you want cheap, natural, safe products, why not just do yourself. Vinegar is a great way to clean and disinfect the glass and other surfaces. Need to remove stubborn stains? Just add baking soda to your own vinegar. Some quick search online will lead you to hundreds of other natural cleaning products safe house. We all know what go green means, it is going better for the environment and the best for our self. Resource conservation help us to save money and in the same time, gives us trust on what the future can become, make us happy with what we are try to do for the mother nature.   [hybrid]

Posted by Gummi Joels in fun, Global warming, Go Green, living green, save environment, save fuel

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Jul15

Purchase Energy-Efficient Dishwasher and Clothes Washer

The biggest cost of washing dishes and clothes comes from the energy required to heat the water. You’ll significantly reduce energy costs if you purchase and use energy-efficient machines. Dishwashers Conventional wisdom says that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. If, however, you wash dishes several times a day, this can be more expensive [...]

The biggest cost of washing dishes and clothes comes from the energy required to heat the water. You'll significantly reduce energy costs if you purchase and use energy-efficient machines.

Dishwashers

Conventional wisdom says that washing dishes by hand saves hot water. If, however, you wash dishes several times a day, this can be more expensive than operating an energy-efficient dishwasher when properly used and when operated with full loads.   One feature that makes a dishwasher more energy efficient is a booster heater. This device increases the temperature of the water entering the dishwasher to 140ºF. Some dishwashers have built-in boosters, while others require manual selection before the wash cycle begins. Some also only activate the booster during the heavy-duty cycle. Dishwashers with booster heaters typically cost more, but pay for themselves with energy savings in about 1 year if you also lower the water temperature on your water heater. Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings (Ninth Edition)   Dishwashers come in smaller capacities. These may appear to be more energy efficient on the Energy Guide Label, but reduced capacity may force you to operate the machine more frequently, and your energy costs could be higher. It depends on the size of your household.   Another dishwasher feature that reduces hot water use is the availability of cycle length selections. Shorter cycles require less water.

Clothes Washers

Unlike dishwashers, clothes washers don't require a minimum temperature for optimum cleaning. Use either cold or warm water for most laundry loads. Cold water is always sufficient for rinsing. [energysaving] Inefficient clothes washers can cost three times as much to operate than energy-efficient ones. Select a new machine that allows you to adjust water level and temperature for different loads. Efficient washers spin-dry your clothes more effectively too, saving energy when drying. Also, front-loading machines use less water and energy than top loaders.   Clothes washers come in smaller capacities. These may appear to be more energy efficient on the Energy Guide Label, but reduced capacity may force you to operate the machine more frequently, and your energy costs could be higher. It depends on the size of your household.  

Posted by Gummi Joels in Go Green, Green at home, living green, Save energy, save environment, Save water

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Jun26

Tips For Cost-Effective Hot Water Energy-Savings

Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads. Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time. Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses. Insulate your [...]

  • Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
  • Repair leaky faucets promptly; a leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period of time.
  • Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
  • Insulate your electric hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the thermostat. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
  • Insulate your natural gas or oil hot-water storage tank, but be careful not to cover the water heater's top, bottom, thermostat, or burner compartment. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations; when in doubt, get professional help.
  • Insulate the first 6 feet of the hot and cold water pipes connected to the water heater.
  • If you are in the market for a new dishwasher or clothes washer, consider buying an efficient, water-saving ENERGY STAR model to reduce hot water use.
  • Install heat traps on the hot and cold pipes at the water heater to prevent heat loss. Some new water heaters have built-in heat traps.
  • Drain a quart of water from your water tank every 3 months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.
  • Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping now for a new one if yours is more than 7 years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.

Long-Term Energy-Savings

  • Buy a new energy-efficient water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard water heater, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels.
 
  • Look for the ENERGY STAR label on efficient water heaters in the following categories: high efficiency gas non-condensing, gas condensing, electric heat pump, gas tankless, and solar.
 
  • Consider installing a drain water waste heat recovery system. A recent DOE study showed energy savings of 25% to about 30% for water heating using such a system.
 
  • Consider natural gas on-demand or tankless water heaters. Researchers have found savings can be up to 30% compared with a standard natural gas storage tank water heater.
 
  • Heat pump water heaters can be very cost-effective in some areas.
  Solar Water Heater If you heat water with electricity, have high electric rates, and have an unshaded, south-facing location (such as a roof) on your property, consider installing an ENERGY STAR-qualified solar water heater. The solar units are environmentally-friendly and can now be installed on your roof to blend with the architecture of your house.   More than 1.5 million homes and businesses in the United States have invested in solar water heating systems, and surveys indicate that more than 94% of these customers consider the systems a good investment. Solar water heating systems are also good for the environment. Solar water heaters avoid the greenhouse gas emissions associated with electricity production. During a 20-year period, one solar water heater can avoid more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. When shopping for a solar water heater, look for the ENERGY STAR label and for systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or the Florida Solar Energy Center. [solarenergy]  

Posted by Gummi Joels in Global warming, Go Green, Green at home, Green at Work, living green, Save energy, save environment, Save water

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Jun22

Energy-Saving Tips – Heat Recovery from Used Hot Water

Any hot water that goes down the drain carries away energy with it. That’s typically 80-90% of the energy used to heat water in a home. Drain-water (or greywater) heat recovery systems capture this energy to preheat cold water entering the water heater or going to other water fixtures. How It Works Drain-water heat recovery [...]

Any hot water that goes down the drain carries away energy with it. That's typically 80-90% of the energy used to heat water in a home. Drain-water (or greywater) heat recovery systems capture this energy to preheat cold water entering the water heater or going to other water fixtures.

How It Works

Drain-water heat recovery technology works well with all types of water heaters, especially with "demand" and solar water heaters. Also, drain-water heat exchangers can recover heat from the hot water used in showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washers. They generally have the ability to store recovered heat for later use. You'll need a unit with storage capacity for use with a dishwasher or clothes washer. Without storage capacity, you'll only have useful energy during the simultaneous flow of cold water and heated drain water, like while showering.   Some storage-type systems have tanks containing a reservoir of clean water. Drain water flows through a spiral tube at the bottom of the heat storage tank. This warms the tank water, which rises to the top. Water heater intake water is preheated by circulation through a coil at the top of the tank.   Non-storage systems usually have a copper heat exchanger that replaces a vertical section of a main waste drain. As warm water flows down the waste drain, incoming cold water flows through a spiral copper tube wrapped tightly around the copper section of the waste drain. This preheats the incoming cold water that goes to the water heater or a fixture, such as a shower.   By preheating cold water, drain-water heat recovery systems help increase water heating capacity. This increased capacity really helps if you have an undersized water heater. You can also lower your water heating temperature without affecting the capacity.

Cost and Installation

  Prices for drain-water heat recovery systems range from $300 to $500. You'll need a qualified plumbing and heating contractor to install the system. Installation will usually be less expensive in new home construction. Paybacks range from 2.5 to 7 years, depending on how often the system is used. Qualified Plumbing And Heating Contractor  

Posted by Gummi Joels in Go Green, Green at home, Save energy, save environment, Save water

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Jun13

The Truth On A Gas Can Be Powered By Water Or Not…

You’ve heard about the entire “water car” craze, right? Now the biggest question is whether this is for realistic or just a scam. Even though I was sceptic, I decided to purchase a guide that promised to teach me how I can make my own water fuel Device and set up & run it  on my car. [...]

You've heard about the entire "water car" craze, right?

Now the biggest question is whether this is for realistic or just a scam. Even though I was sceptic, I decided to purchase a guide that promised to teach me how I can make my own water fuel Device and set up & run it  on my car.   I finally got to read the book, order the components (the booked showed me from where to get them). And, in one week-end I took the time to do the replace myself. I followed precisely the step-by-step instructions (they  were very simple, actually) and I found really in front of my own car with the water fuel device. Time to flip on the engine. Well... it works. I could see with my own eyes how the water was running inside the H2O car. Now... the right time for a test-drive. I couldn't believe my eyes! My MPG was increased by about 60% and I didn't even start using all the techniques that are presented in the book to even more increase your MPG. So, now I'm a true believer. To get more about how to make your own "H2O car" SimpleWaterFuel .  

Posted by Gummi Joels in Go Green, Save energy, save environment, save fuel

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Jun05

Zero Energy Home – How Does It Work?

A zero energy home (ZEH) is one where all of the energy needs for the household are supplied by alternative means. It does not mean a home that uses no electricity. Solar panels and solar water heating systems are generally the form of energy employed by these homes, because they are residential. Residential wind turbines [...]

A zero energy home (ZEH) is one where all of the energy needs for the household are supplied by alternative means. It does not mean a home that uses no electricity. Solar panels and solar water heating systems are generally the form of energy employed by these homes, because they are residential. Residential wind turbines are uncommon in most community’s neighborhoods.   A zero energy home needs some sort of back-up. It is not actually an "off the grid" home. The sun is not always shining, and sometimes a home's energy needs drastically increase for a variety of reasons (a cold snap, a heat wave, or an increase in laundry). In fact, zero energy homes remain connected to the utility grid, and often engage in net metering.   Net metering means both the energy you use from the grid and the amount you put back into the grid are measured. Because an electric meter can spin forward or backward, the homeowner gets credit for the energy he or she puts into the grid, which is a good safeguard against those times when you need back-up.  

How a ZEH Works

  As noted above, a photovoltaic solar power system is employed for electricity generation. Water is heated by a passive, solar-thermal system. Passive systems do not use electrical energy to warm the water. They simply collect the sun's heat and use it to warm water. Energy needs are greatly offset or replaced for heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances.  

What Else Is Involved In a ZEH?

  Some ZEH builders use awnings over the windows and large eaves to block hot summer sunlight but let in sunlight in the winter. Windows in a ZEH home are thick, as is the insulation. Skylights supply much of the indoor light and the solar panels are on the roof, so the angle and location of the home are carefully considered by the builders.  

How Do You Obtain a Zero Energy Home?

  There are professional builders that specialize in or include the construction of zero energy homes in their repertoire.   You could also take a DIY approach and convert your existing home into a zero energy home. Although, in theory, a conventional home could be converted into a ZEH, the essence of a ZEH is that it is constructed from the ground up. This is because the designers incorporate a lot of "tricks" and design elements within the house's walls, roof, and so forth that would be impossible to insert into an existing home.

Posted by Gummi Joels in Go Green, Save energy

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May29

Global Warming and Building Green

Building green is one of the solutions to global warming that many people do not think about. Building green is designing and constructing buildings with the environment in mind. It is these practices that can have an impact on stopping global warming.   Houses give off a high percentage of a country’s total carbon dioxide [...]

Building green is one of the solutions to global warming that many people do not think about. Building green is designing and constructing buildings with the environment in mind. It is these practices that can have an impact on stopping global warming.   Houses give off a high percentage of a country's total carbon dioxide emissions. In the United States, the figure is about 38%. Since carbon dioxide is one of the greenhouse gases, houses contribute strongly to global warming.   One way to cut the greenhouse emissions of houses, and therefore help stop global warming, is to minimize the energy use needed to sustain comfortable living in a house. There are several ways to do this.   One way is to be careful about what building materials are used. Some building materials can be from quickly renewable sources. These include bamboo and straw. Also, building materials can be used that originates near the building site. This cuts down on transportation, and so cuts down on emissions of greenhouse gases and global warming. One example is stone houses built with local stone.   Buildings are also often built using recycled materials. Wood can be used from an older home that has been torn down. This will prevent the need to cut down other trees. Since the deforestation of the land contributes to global warming, this will help the situation.   Heating and cooling have a big effect on the amount of global warming caused by a house. Some ways to help this are very simple. One is to design the house to sit on the lot so that sunlight will come in through the windows and warm the house. It can also be oriented so that breezes will blow through the windows more naturally for cooling.   In this way, passive solar energy can be used to heat and cool the house. This will cut down on the greenhouse emissions from a house. Global warming will be lessened. Insulation is important to maximize on the cool or heat that is in the house. With good insulation, you will need a less intense heat or cooling source.   The main heating and cooling source in most green houses will be solar panels, wind power, or hydropower. Any of these sources will power a house with minimal effects on global warming. At the same time, these sources of energy will sustain a household in a comfortable style.   There are several organizations in the US that aid in the cause of stopping global warming by encouraging green building. One non-profit organization makes it their business to foster green building methods in both houses and commercial buildings. This group of people from the building industry is a part of the Green Building Initiative.   The state of Washington has required builders of buildings larger than 5000 square feet to use green building practices. Their law was enacted in 2005. It should help to keep a cap on global warming.   Green building is important for a number of reasons. One just happens to be that it can reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. If green building can help stop global warming, perhaps it is time for everyone to build green.

   

Posted by Gummi Joels in Global warming, Go Green, living green, Save energy, save environment

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May16

Easy Ways to Make your Home More Eco-Friendly

We all want to do our part to protect the environment, but without a large paycheck, that can be seemed difficult, if not impossible. But doing your part doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps add up to a big difference, you just have to know which ones to take. Use less water.   Saving [...]

We all want to do our part to protect the environment, but without a large paycheck, that can be seemed difficult, if not impossible. But doing your part doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps add up to a big difference, you just have to know which ones to take.

Use less water.

  Saving water is all about small steps, here are a few that will help save big.  
  • Shut off the water while you brush your teeth
  • Take showers that are a minute or two shorter
  • Only flush the toilet when you need to
  • Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
  • Buy from sustainable producers.
These are farmers, ranchers, and other producers that use techniques that pollute less and use less water. You can do some research online or ask at your local organic market to find these products.  

Use less energy.

If you don’t have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with small changes.  
  • Buy energy efficient appliances.  They may be more expensive, but make up for the increased cost in lower energy bills.
  • Unplug chargers when you’re not using them.  Cell phone and other chargers use up powers even if there’s nothing attached to them.
  • Put devices with remotes, like T.V.s, VCRs, and stereos, on a power strip and turn it off when you’re not using them.  These devices use a lot of power to run the remote receiver even when the device is off.
  • Walk or ride your bike for short trips.
  • Buy local products. It takes energy to transport food and other products across the country. Buying local not only supports your local economy, it helps them use less energy.
  When it comes to saving energy and water, it’s a great idea to get the kids involved. You can even make it a game. Have them track how much water and electricity everyone is using. You can compete to see who uses the least water.  You can often count on your kids to help keep you on track when given the task.  

Reuse.

  Most of us know the three R’s: reduce; reuse, recycle, but when we work on conserving, we often leave reuse out of the picture. While you can often find tips on how to reuse common products from other people, what you need most is creativity. With a little thought there are many items around your home that can be reused – toilet paper holders can be used to sow seeds for the vegetable patch. And old yogurt containers can be cut into strip to make plant labels. Old food jars can be refilled with homemade foods or can make great impromptu vases.   Use environmentally friendly products. When you go to the grocery store, you probably see more and more “natural” or “eco friendly” products every time.  There are generally two big problems with these products: 1. just because they’re more natural than regular products, doesn’t mean they’re entirely natural. 2, they’re often expensive.   If you want inexpensive, natural, safe products, why not just make them yourself. Vinegar is a great way to clean and disinfect glass and other surfaces. Need to remove stubborn stains? Just add some baking soda to your vinegar cleaner. Some quick searching online will lead you to hundreds of other natural safe home-made cleaning products.   We all knowing that going green means better for the environment, but it’s also better for you.  Conserving resources also helps save you money, which is something most of us are happy to live with.  

Posted by Gummi Joels in Go Green, living green, Save energy, save environment, Save water

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