- Image courtesy of TreeHugger.com
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Photo courtesy of Energystar.gov
Saving energy is often deemed as a difficult task that requires time, money, and effort. The truth is, saving energy in one’s home or apartment is often simple, and can actually help you save money in the process. A great resource for tips on saving energy is The Energy Star program, which is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. The program offers free tips on how utilize renovation projects to reduce energy consumption of your home, products that have acquired the energy star label, and much more. For more information, please visit: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=home.index.
With the Super Bowl approaching, here are a few tips to be green whether you are hosting or attending a party.
1. Sending Invites
Try to use alternate methods instead of paper and mail like sending text messages, E-vites, or creating an event on Facebook. Not only will the invite be digital, so will your guests replies!
2. Diningware and Cutlery
Try using your own plates, silverware, serving dishes, and glasses then washing them on an efficient dishwasher setting at night while you are sleeping. Running the dishwasher at night when most of your electric is running very low will apply less stress on the grid and your wallet. Also, let the dishes air dry by turning off the hot dry setting and opening the door.
3. Food and Drinks
Try to find recipes online that are healthy and use items you can get from local shops. Try to also purchase large containers of soda, water, or any other beverage to reduce the number of small bottles. If not possible, make sure you have a good plan to collect, rinse, and recycle all finished beverage containers.
4. Clean up
Try to send your guests home with leftovers so no food goes to waste. When cleaning up try to use eco-friendly cleaning supplies and make sure all recyclables make it to the recycle bin or your local bottle return.
Tags: Cleaning, Community, Cost Savings, Energy, Environmental, Green, Health, Living, Operating Costs, Reuse, Super Bowl XLVI, Sustainable, Sustainable Living, Trends
Nowadays, people are becoming more health conscious, so why are we still sitting eight hours a day at our desk? Everyone knows sitting for long periods like this can put a damper on your energy level. But how do we change this and still stay productive at work?
Here are the Top 6 Exercise and Standing Desks to help get you moving:
- Walkstation by Steelcase
- GeekDesk Verison 2.0
- FitDesk
- TrekDesk Treadmill Desk
- Crescendo C2 Maximus Standing Desk by Stilvoll
- Kickstand Desk
For more information on all these desks please visit http://inhabitat.com/top-6-exercise-and-standing-desks-to-get-you-in-shape-while-you-work/
This 30-story hotel was constructed in just 360 hours to the amazement of the entire architecture, design and construction community. Not only was the exterior constructed in miraculous time, but each interior space was filled with furniture in just 15 days. Watch the video provided by TreeHugger and you will be amazed as well!
Imagine rearranging your furniture. Now imagine (as always) that the cords to your devices are just short of reaching an outlet according to the layout you established. Now you have to compensate to accommodate access to the outlets in the wall. Not only that, but when you finally achieve a suitable layout you have at least 10 devices drawing current from a single outlet. Isn’t this a pain just to think about let alone experience?
Maybe we don’t have to worry about issues like this anymore with the future installment of electro-conductive gypsum wallboard; utilization of a “proprietary conductive thin-film matrix with high-efficiency, nonmagnetic transformers.” You can literally “plug-in” your cell phone, ipod, laptop, or whatever else directly from the location that you or the devices are nearest to. No more need for outlets! Pretty neat, huh?!
This patent pending material will aim to save on energy by consolidating to direct current transformers while in turn eliminating the confining nature of fixed relationships, i.e. plugs to outlets. This maneuverability is also applicable to lighting fixtures and therefore eliminates the need for articulated paths or tracks. There now exists a predetermined path with virtually limitless points of interest. Check out the website of interest, Superficial Studio, for a brief look at what could be in our future.
Tags: Cost Savings, Energy, Technology
Are you finding that the blue recycle bins issued by the City of Buffalo fill up way too quickly and are overflowing by pick-up day? This is a good thing – keep on diligently recycling because the mayor has come to the rescue! The mayor’s “Buffalo Green Cart Recycling” initiative program will replace your small blue recycling bins with a larger green one, almost the same size as your large blue garbage cart.
I personally think this is a great update because I have found myself filling both blue recycle bins while balancing a plastic bag full of recyclables on top multiple times. This initiative has already taken effect in parts of the city, including North Buffalo, and will be expanding. Check out more information on the updated recycling at City of Buffalo‘s website.
Tags: Buffalo NY, Community, Environmental, Recycling
This winter, many of us began sprucing up our homes in an effort to prepare for parties and gatherings during the holidays. For many, you’ll be hanging more than a wreath on the door and heading toward work on a major renovation project. While your first instinct may be to run to a “big box” home improvement retailer, there is another option that is not as costly and which may produce more creative results. Check out Buffalo Reuse for cost effective and creative gifts this season! They have a great selection of hardware and window frames that could easily be reused as home decor. Donations are widely accepted as well. Click here for location and store hours, and general information.
LED Christmas lighting is popping up in most cities in order to save on energy. But this year, in Lavola, Spain, they have designed some “off-the-grid parasite” lamps that use existing energy sources. These decorations use the light from the street lamps at night and the sun during the day, which means they use zero energy. The decorations are comprised of gold plated aluminum chains that are hung from the street lamps.
What a great idea…they not only look good, but reduce energy impacts. Hopefully, more and more cities (and individuals) will find ways to create similar holiday decorations.
For more on this topic, please visit Treehugger.com
Many times people associate constant illness with a weak immune system, but what if you’ve been proven to have a strong immune system and you still continue to feel ill? Maybe your attention should be focused towards the purity of your home.
Whether you have a newer home or one built decades ago, it is wise to check for many significant factors that could be affecting your health. Remember, just because you can’t see or smell it doesn’t mean that your home is problem free. Regularly cleaning furnaces and air passage ways will help prevent the build up of moisture and gases that are harmful to your health.
Often times a long, hard day’s work will keep us from being motivated to do something about the issues at home. Don’t let that be your crutch. Speaking from experience, I would have to say that this is a top priority because of the impact it can have on your health. I am in the process of remediation at home and can already feel the differences.
Take a look at this article, Is Your House Making you Sick? , to remind yourself of what you need to be aware of in your home.
Tags: Air Quality, Kideney, Living
