January 22, 2025

Balancing Going Green with Safety

April 20, 2013 by Leave a Comment

If you’re committed to going green to protect the environment, you obviously don’t want to create additional risks to your health. Use the suggestions below to prevent unsafe situations that can arise from going green.

CFL bulbs for lighting are encouraged for use by homeowners concerned with energy conservation. However, the compact fluorescent bulbs contain mercury and present a significant health threat to human beings if broken. If you choose CFL bulbs, make sure they’re located in places where they’re less likely to be broken or cause harm if they’re broken or choose LED lighting instead.

Recycled toilet paper and other paper products have been found to have BPA, bisphenol A, which is dangerous to human beings. Unfortunately, labeling is not always clear regarding whether recycled paper products contain BPA.

Solar panels are a great way to use green technology but have posed significant risks of electrocution to firefighters dealing with home fires in homes with solar energy. New legislation has been proposed to mandate that homes have a sign indicating their use of solar energy panels as well as a switch to turn off the solar panels on the exterior of homes.

Using building materials that include recycled wood products have been shown to grow more mold than other natural materials. The problem is addressed by using recycled wood materials that have a chemical finish put on them to prevent mold growth.

If you’re going to use reusable grocery sacks rather than choosing bags from the grocery store, you must be sure to wash them. Bacteria that collects on the reusable bags have been traced to illness in people eating foods from the bags.

If you’re switching to a low-flow shower head, make sure that you use current technology that indicates it is anti-scald. The older technology in the low-flow shower heads made scalding a risk of trying to conserve water.

When you use kitchen cloths or sponges to replace using paper towels you should be sure to wash them frequently to remove contaminants.

If you’ve decided to grow your own vegetables as part of greener living, it makes sense to have the soil you’ll be planting your vegetables in analyzed. Many gardens near homes are found to have soil containing lead paints or other contaminants that can make your home-grown vegetables dangerous.

If you decide to use solar lighting outside your home, be careful to have alternate lighting available if your solar lights fail or dim to avoid increased risks from tripping in the darkness.

Composting garbage in order to provide nutrients to the earth requires research about the proper way to compost. Avoid the risks of infestations of mice and other pests which can present health risks and learn about what you can compost as well as how frequently you should turn your compost pile to keep yourself safe while going green.

Going green is a great goal for the planet, but you shouldn’t risk your own safety to do so. Use the suggestions above to be sure that your green efforts coincide with your health goals.

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A Quick Guide On Green Energies

April 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment

You have probably heard a lot about green energies, but do you know enough to make an informed decision and perhaps invest in your own green energy system? This article is filled with useful tips that will help you make a decision.

There are four main types of green energy: solar, wind, hydraulic and geothermal. If you are interested in a green energy system, your first step is to determine which resource you should use. Solar energy is a good option in the southwestern United States, but solar panels will not function as well in areas where the sky is more overcast. Wind turbines function as long as there is a constant wind of at least 10 mph and hydraulic systems are an option only if you have running water on your property. Geothermal energy is your best solution if your property is located above an underground source of geothermal energy.

Assess how much energy you are using. Perhaps you could get an energy monitor so that you can get a better idea of how much power you are using in any room at any given time or invest in newer energy-efficient appliances and light-bulbs to reduce your energy consumption. Once you know how much energy you need, you can start comparing different green energy systems and look for one that will produce enough energy for your home. Do not hesitate to get a system that can produce more energy than you need so you can sell this energy to the main power grid.

Find a way to finance your green energy system. Most systems represent an important initial investment, and you should not expect to really start saving money until your system is paid off. The best way to cover your payments is to sell power to the main grid: contact your energy provider to find out about the different programs available. Most energy providers will offer a competitive rate for your energy and will help you pay your green energy system within the next ten to fifteen years. You should consider taking a loan or saving money to cover the installation of your system, your first payments and perhaps some repairs too.

If you cannot afford to invest in a green energy system right now, you should consider getting a smaller system to produce only a part of the energy you need or sell some power to the main grid and reduce your monthly bills. You could for instance get a small wind turbine or a few solar panels to produce enough energy to keep your water heater running or to power your outside lights. Explore different options and make sure the system you choose will produce enough energy for the appliances you want to run independently.

You should now have a better idea of how you can get your own green energy system. You need to start by contacting different vendors to learn more about the products available on the market and start comparing prices and efficiency.

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A Few Tips On Sustainability And Green Energy

April 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Do you want to do your part to save the environment? You should try the tips on sustainability and green energy presented in this article.

Make some changes in your home. Get a power monitor so you can keep track of how much power you are using in each room and start making an effort to turn off lights and unplug the appliances you are not using. Buy newer appliances and energy-efficient light-bulbs: choose items with the Energy Star logo on them. You should also improve the insulation of your home: add an additional layer of insulation or replace your current insulation with a better material. This should help you keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the winter without running your heating system or your AC unit all the time.

Driving your car has a significant impact on the environment. You can reduce this impact and save a lot of money by carpooling, taking public transportation, riding a bike or simply walking. You could also get an electric or a hybrid car to replace your current vehicle. These expensive vehicles will quickly help you save money since you will never have to put gas in them. And some energy providers even have programs to help you finance your own charging station so you do not have to worry about finding a place where you can charge your vehicle.

Getting your own green energy system should help you reduce your impact on the environment and save money in the long term. Choose the green energy system that is the most adapted to your area: solar energy is a good solution in the southwestern United States, and wind turbines work best near lakes or oceans. You should assess the resources available on your property and compare different products before you decide what kind of green energy system you want to invest in.

The best way to finance a green energy system is to sell a part of the power you produce to the main power grid. Remaining connected to the main power grid will also allow you to draw power when your green energy system is not working. Do the math: it might be a good idea to get a system that can produce more power than you really need so you can sell most of it to the main power grid. Contact your energy provider to find out more about the different programs available.

You can also invest in small-scale green energy systems. There are solar-powered water heater and water pumps as well as systems designed to power your outside lights. It is also very easy to get a customized small-scale system to power a few appliances or simply sell power to the main grid for a profit. Get in touch with green energy specialists and different manufacturers to get quotes on your small-scale project.

These tips should help you reduce your impact on the environment and save on your energy bills too. Take the time to compare different solutions before you decide what kind of system you want to invest in.

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A Few Simple Green Energy Tips

March 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Using green energy can help you reduce your impact on the environment and save a lot of money. Read this article for a few simple tips on green energy.

You can reduce your energy bills by making an effort to unplug appliances, turn off lights and get an energy monitor to keep track of how much power you are using. You can also buy newer appliances that are more energy efficient and use energy efficient light bulbs too. Purchase items with the Energy Star label. If you spend too much on heat in the winter and AC in the summer, improve the insulation of your home. You can also benefit from natural sun light by installing solar tubes on the roof of your home.

Find out if you can purchase green energy from your energy provider. In some areas, residents have the choice to pay a few extra cents and purchase green energy. This makes them eligible for interesting tax rebates. Keep in mind that investing in your own green energy system will also make you eligible for these tax rebates. Do not forget to take this into account when calculating the cost of your green energy system.

If you are interested in investing in a green energy system, contact a green energy specialist to assess the resources available on your property. There are four kinds of green energy available: wind, solar, hydraulic and geothermal. Solar energy is your best option if you live in a sunny area, but wind power is the best solution if you live in an area with constant winds of at least 10 mph. You can get a hydraulic system if there is running water on your property, but do not bother if the current is not very strong. Geothermal energy is available if your property has an underground source of geothermal energy.

Do not let the high prices of green energy system scare you. A lot of homeowners are able to finance these systems without any issues. The best way to finance a green energy system is to sell the power you do not need to the main grid. This, plus the money you are not spending on bills, should cover the cost of your green energy system over the next ten years. Take a loan or put money aside to pay for the installation of your system and the first payments.

If you are not ready to invest in a full-scale green energy system, you should consider getting a smaller one. If you live in a sunny area, get a solar-powered generator or battery charger. There are also solar-powered water heaters or water pumps if you have a swimming pool. If you live in a windy area, get a small wind turbine to power your outside lights, or sell energy to the main power grid for a profit.

Do more research about green energy and sustainability. Contact your energy provider to find out more about programs available in your area and use the internet to learn more about different technologies.

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10 Ways to Start Living Green

February 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment

With rising energy costs and increasing concerns about what affect we are having on our environment, it’s no surprise that more and more people are jumping on the green movement. The costs associated with going green is also falling, so more and more homeowners are finding that incorporating green energy into their home is becoming a smart and cost-effective solution. Here are some ways you can consider going green in your life.

1. Put up a solar panel array. Solar panel costs have dropped to the point where the average homeowner can find it affordable to install panels on their roof to either help decrease their dependance on the grid, or remove themselves from the grid entirely. Even if the upfront cost deters you initially, you can consider leasing you array rather than buying it so you can start seeing savings immediately.

2. Generate wind energy. If you have the resources (land and money), you can consider putting up wind turbines on your property. If land is an issue, there are smaller wind turbines available that can be installed on your roof. Either way, you can expect to see great savings on your electric usage.

3. Use water to generate electricity. If you have running water on your property, investigating hydroelectric options might be prudent. All it takes is a small river or stream and you can harness that power to help cut your dependance on the grid.

4. Store the excess energy –and even sell it back. Once you’ve generated enough power to cover your needs, and your generation means are still pumping out energy, what do you do with the excess? There is a large range of options for battery storage, available in a range of prices. Once your batteries are full, you can even see if you can sell your excess energy back to the grid. The availability of programs that allow you to sell back your energy isn’t widespread yet, so check in your area.

5. Remove outdoor lighting from your electricity usage. Outdoor lighting that use small solar panels can be found at most hardware stores these days, and come in a vast array of styles to fit any decor motif. If you’re on a budget, the cheaper ones might not provide as much light as your electricity-based ones, but with the savings you can buy more lights to make up for it.

6. Charge your small electronics with solar. All of your small electronics that need charging –like your cell phone– now have solar charging options. You can find solar chargers easily on the internet, and can expect to see them become more and more available in major retail chains at time progresses.

7. Use more fans at home and run them on solar power. Most people know that you can help cut your energy usage by using electric fans at home, but did you know that these can be powered by solar means, saving you even more money? There are even solar fans available for your car so you can run your air conditioner less in temperate environments.

8. Switch out all of your bulbs to energy-saving bulbs. This is likely the first step most consumers take to save on their electric bill. The technology has improved, so if you’ve put off replacing a few bulbs in your home because you like to dim your lights, there are now energy-saving bulbs that are dimmable. They are also offered in a variety of shades now, so if the harsh white light was putting you off, maybe it’s time to check into the shaded varieties.

9. Consider using a solar cooker. You can get expensive high-tech versions of a solar cooker, or you can go low-tech and inexpensive. They concentrate sunlight to cook food, thus, they are outdoor devices. This makes them great for camping or summer outdoor parties and activities. Cutting back on the use of your oven can net you substantial savings, especially in the summer when your air conditioning has to fight your oven to cool your home.

10. Always make sure you are compliant with local regulations. When you’re going green, you need to check with your local authorities to ensure that you are within regulations.

Using green energy is one of the smartest things a consumer can do these days. Even if you have to start small and work your way up to going greener, you are helping the environment and saving money.

Filed Under: Green Energy
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