Goal For The Green

Para-education and green living information

Quick GreenTips

Apr-8-2008 By Barbara Zak

Here are a few tips you can put into practice right away that take little effort and your wallet will thank-you.

Did you know that Americans idle away approximately 2.9 billion gallons of gas a year?  With the prices going up almost daily, that is almost $80 billion a year in wasted gas. Obviously, the less you have to stop and go the better. It also helps to maintain a steady, rather than fluctuating speed. Also, be sure your tires have the correct amount of air in them.  Just little things, but they make a difference in the air we breathe and in your wallet.

Just by turning off your computer when not in use, you can save about $90 a year. You can also save more by unplugging small appliances when not in use.  Every little bit helps, because even though it doesn’t seem like it, everything that is left plugged in still uses energy.

By signing up for Green Power, you are supporting the future development of renewable resources. Green Power, is electricity from renewable non- polluting resources like wind and solar power, that can be used over and over. Green Power usage does less harm to the environment.  Turning down your thermostat a couple of degrees can save you between 1-3% on your power bill. It might not seem like much, but it can add up considering 50-70% of your electric bill is calculated based on your heating and cooling consumption.  Wash your clothes in cold water.  This also makes a difference in your power bill.

Paying your bills online saves you time, money gas, and stamps.  It also saves on the amount of paper used to send you that bill.  To get rid of junk mail you can sign up ($1.00 fee ) at Mail Preference Service on Direct Market Assistance website. Most junk mail will stop within about 90 days. To stop opt-in offers from cluttering your mailbox, you can call 1-888-5-OPTOUT.  Follow the instructions, and you can opt out for 5 years or for life.  Next, it takes a little work with our at home printers but it can save a lot of paper if you print on both sides of the copy paper.  Here in the U.S. we use approximately 4 million tons of copy paper per year, most of which is copied on one side only.  That averages out to about 27-30 lbs. per person per year.

You can keep a lot of dirt, pesticides, and germs from entering your home and causing allergies or illness, just by taking your shoes off outside your door.  Something else to consider is to drink hormone free milk. It’s a healthier alternative. Thank goodness it’s the time of the year to start enjoying the wholesome freshness of the farmers markets for fresh fruits and veggies.  Here’s to your health and your wallet.

Living Green-What’s It Mean?

Mar-11-2008 By Barbara Zak
Useful energy (exergy) in surface incident sol...
Image via Wikipedia

It’s not that hard to do anymore. We hear about some aspect of “green” almost daily.  Support for the idea, has become almost second nature.  But what does it all mean?

The goal to living a greener lifestyle, is to become more energy smart, earth smart, health smart, and water smart. In other words, to strive to minimize our use of non-renewable energy, water, and other natural resources.  We make it a goal to create a healthy indoor and outdoor environment for our families. To save money and energy, we make it a point to use products that reduce harmful effects on the environment, and are preferably bio-degradable .

Creating and maintaining a healthy indoor environment is most important to anyone who suffers from allergies.  Regardless of their needs, the savvy customer knows that there are dehumidifiers, that reduce mold and mildew, and air purification/ventilation systems that can ease their symptoms.

Another way to green-up your lifestyle is to check with your power company about signing up for Green Power. Green Power is electricity that is renewable and non-polluting from sources like the wind and sun. The more Green Power we use the less harm we do to the environment, while also investing in renewable resources.

Did you know that your power company may also have a program that entitles you to a free energy check-up?  They come out and check to see where energy is escaping from your home.  If you are planning a home improvement project, they can also help you find a contractor.  The contractors are pre-screened, and can help you with your roofing, heating, cooling,windows, doors, gas fireplaces, insulation and water heaters.  They are required to participate in ongoing training on energy saving options that will help you lower your energy bills.   You may be doing yourself a favor if you check and see what your power company can do for you.

Personal Loan Online The right comparison search can take days when you have to do it all yourself. Use the best loans brokers and they will do the comparisons for you and do it quickly and efficiently. Finding the right personal loan online is so much easier than working through the telephone directory.

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