Green Living

Ductless Split-System Air Conditioners

There is a new way to cool down your home or office on the market and it's catching the attention of consumers at a rapid pace. This new cooling system will save you money on the energy bill and significantly reduce your energy usage. It's called a ductless split-system air conditioner and it gives consumers more control of how they use the air conditioning. Ductless split-system air conditioners combine the zone control of window or through the wall units, with the cooling capabilities of central air systems. Similar to central air systems, they have a compressor/condenser unit outdoors and an air-handler containing an evaporator coil and a fairly quiet fan indoors. The coolant tubing connects the two components. The great feature about the ductless split-system air conditioner is that it allows you to control each room in a household or office separately. Each space has its very own thermostat to allow for different settings around the house. This feature is a great option when comparing to central cooling systems, which only have one setting. It's wasteful to cool the entire place when you just want to cool your living room while you're watching a movie. The ductless split-system air conditioner will accommodate ...

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How to Save Money and Be Eco-Friendly in Easy Steps

One of the best things about being eco-friendly and saving money is that the two principles go hand-in-hand. Here are some steps you can take to implement both of these ideals. 1. Buy seasonal, local food. This is eco-friendly because it reduces "food miles," thus saving fuel. It saves you money because seasonal, local produce takes less effort to grow and to transport. (You have to pay for a lot of extra energy if you're buying hot-house tomatoes in the middle of January.) 2. Combine your shopping trips. This will save fuel - you buy less of it, and fewer emissions go into the atmosphere. 3. Turn off lights and appliances when you aren't using them. Conserving electricity definitely saves you money. And when you use less of it, that means less fossil fuel is used to produce it. 4. Unplug appliances and electronics so that they do not charge up all the time. This includes laptop and cell phone adaptors. 5. Reduce your water usage - and your water bill. Time your showers. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth or scrubbing dishes. Install aerators on your faucets and, if your budget permits, low-flow shower heads and toilets. If possible, set ...

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How to Teach Your Kids a Healthy Body Image

In this image-saturated culture, it's more important than ever to help your children develop a healthy body image. It's impossible to shield your kids entirely from images that may sow self-doubt, but you can teach your child how to view these images and what they really mean for him or her. Here are some ideas as to how to do that. 1. Watch what you say. Parents so often don't think before they speak. If you make frequent comments about your weight, the calories you consume, or disparaging remarks about your own looks, your kids will pick up on it. Without realizing it, they will begin to apply those kinds of comments to themselves. 2. Compliment what you don't see. Give your kids compliments on their character traits and behavior rather than their appearance. Then they will learn not to evaluate themselves and others according to looks, but according to personal integrity. 3. Compliment what you do see as well. It's okay to let your kids know they look good. Inside, they may desperately need to hear a complimentary word from you about their new dress or hat. Just make sure it isn't the only kind of compliment you give your kids. 4. Keep it in perspective. Talk ...

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How to Donate or Recycle Old Computers

Computers enhance our lives and make some careers and lifestyles possible. But when they break or wear out, what do you do with them? Many people just stick them in the basement. But the more responsible choices are to donate or recycle your computer. Here's how. 1. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov) is a great place to start. It lists contacts for local programs so you can find computer recycling or donation programs near you. See if they have a "Plug-In to eCycling Partner" in your area. 2. Earth911.com is a site that has consolidated the names and contact information of many environmental networks and programs. Contact them to find information about eCycling in your community. 3. My Green Electronics, at digitaltips.org/green, is provided by the Consumer Electronics Association. It has good information on the purchase or recycling of used electronics, and has a zip code search to help you find recycling opportunities in your area. 4. TechSoup.org, besides having a catchy name, is also a comprehensive collection of information to help those who want to recycle, refurbish, or donate their old computer. If you are a refurbisher yourself, this is a good site to ...

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How to Recycle Dangerous Items

Recycling is a good thing, but recycling dangerous items (or trying to) can be just as hazardous as throwing them in the trash. Here are some tips for recycling dangerous items. 1. Contact your local solid waste authority, environmental protection agency, or household hazardous waste center. These agencies can guide you in how to recycle dangerous things. 2. Car batteries should be returned to the place where you purchased the car or the car battery. 3. Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, have mercury in them and need special treatment in recycling. Drop them off at a local participating retailer. 4. Sharps, or used needles and syringes, should never be tossed into your recycling bin. Take or mail them to an agency that specializes in the recycling of sharps. Make sure they are sealed into a hard plastic or metal container before shipment. 5. Unused medication, whether prescription or over-the-counter, should be returned to the pharmacy where it was purchased for proper disposal. 6. Pesticides should not be dumped into the garbage or down the drain, and containers partially filled with pesticide should not be put into your recycling bin. Check with your local authorities or the pesticide manufacturer for recycling advice. 7. You may be able to ...

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