Green at Home

Easy Ways to Green Your Heating This Winter

Winter is coming and with it the high heating bills not to mention the amount of gases that are sent into the air we breathe.  The winter season does not have to be spent wrapped in a blanket or thermal wear and turning the heat full blast.  There are many simple ways you can stay warm and keep the air you breathe cleaner. One of the simplest ways most people do not even think of when they are considering the cold winds blowing is their windows.  The windows are one source of cold air that adds to the work your heating system is doing when it is struggling to keep the temperature at the setting you have chosen. If you do not have storm windows or cannot afford them right now, the next best alternative is to get plastic insulation.  It is clear so you can still see out your windows.  The type that can be fitted by heating is a good alternative to letting the windows add to the cold air in the room.  You will be surprised just how much of a difference this can make in your home. Another way ...

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Simple Steps to Start a Life of Green Living

Our carbon footprints today will affect the lives of future generations.  As such, it is important to cut back on our carbon footprint in whatever ways possible.  You can adopt simple steps to start a life of green living with littler effort than you may think. Energy Consumption When and where possible, make use of solar energy to power your homes, be it in heating up your water to lighting your path.  The solar water heater and solar lights are the best examples of such a good use of the sun's power.  You can purchase these appliances in many stores nowadays, with the assurance of easy installation. Check Lowe's or Home Depot to get started. You should also shift to eco-friendly and economical LED or fluorescent lights. Together with solar power, you ought to enjoy lower electricity bills, too. And do turn off the lights when nobody is in the room, this will save you money and help you go green at the same time! Furthermore, you can lessen energy consumption in the kitchen, laundry area and bathrooms by adopting the following measures: - Use tap water when operating the dishwasher and only do so at full loads - Wash clothes with tap water instead of ...

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Eco-Home: Organic Decorating Ideas

You can furnish and decorate your house the eco-friendly way easier than you think.  You need not remodel your house to achieve the green effect as inexpensive ways are often just lying around the corner, waiting to be discovered.  Here are a few of these eco-friendly ideas. Choose Recycled and Reused Décor and Furnishings This is probably the easiest idea of all.  You can visit thrift stores, garage sales and online auction sites for secondhand things that are still in good condition as well as ask family and friends for their junk just sitting in the attic and basement.  You can then turn them into vintage things that will serve your needs for many more years to come and, hence, lessen their impact on the landfills. Of course, you have to make sure that these secondhand items are good for your health, too.  Keep in mind that furniture can contain harmful varnishes, finishes and components, which you may have to remove first before making them a permanent part of the house.  In some instances, you can always paint over the harmful finishes with white paint. Did you know that by using recycled and reused home décor, you are also lessening your consumption of the ...

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Is Your Kitchen Green?

Americans generate 15,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually.  Although a significant percentage of it comes from vehicle use, energy consumption in the kitchen is also a major culprit especially where cooking food and washing the dishes are concerned.  As such, it is also imperative that alongside lessening vehicle use, you must also make your kitchen as eco-friendly as possible.  In short, you need to have a "green" kitchen.  And don't fret if you cannot remodel your entire kitchen to make it eco-friendly.  You can always start one little step at a time. Water Use We often waste water in the kitchen in the misconception that water will never run out.  After all, the Earth is made up of 70 percent water.  Well, you might be wrong.  Water conservation is very important in homes when you consider that water is not exactly a renewable resource in the mold of the sun. To conserve water, you can adopt these simple tips: - Use a glass of water in brushing your teeth instead of letting it run down the drain. - Turn the water as soon as you finish washing the fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and other ...

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Small Wind: Powering Your Home With A Wind Turbine

The windiest states in the nation are: -North Dakota -Texas -Kansas -South Dakota -Montana Which I don’t need to tell you if you live there! Other states that have locations that are pretty windy are Rhode Island, Wyoming (the area around Caspar and Cheyenne), the area around Erie, Pennsylvania, and areas around Mansfield and Cleveland, Ohio to name just a few. If you live in a chronically windy location, why not consider purchasing a small wind-turbine to provide your electricity needs? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it makes economic sense to have a wind turbine if the following conditions are met: •    Your average monthly electric bill is over $150 •    Your property has a good wind resource •    Your home or business is located on at least one acre of rural land •    Your local zoning codes or covenants allow wind turbines •    You are comfortable with long-term investments It makes sense to purchase a wind-turbine now, as the Federal government is currently offering a 30% tax credit to those who purchase a turbine from a dealer participating in the program, up to $4,000 for either residential or business use.  The tax credit will be available until 2016. In addition, a few states will also offer you rebates!  ...

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