Posted on November 11th, 2008
Whether it's rain or snow, most of us are approaching the time of the year when we begin to spend more time indoors, leaving the fresh outdoors 'til spring. Now is the time to check your furnace filter to ensure good indoor air quality and furnace fan efficiency. Furnace filters are used to remove visible and microscopic contaminants from the air circulated by the Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in our homes. To have clean air you need to have a clean filter. Filters come in different sizes, prices and environmental options. The disposable filter may be 'cheap' but is it 'cheerful' to change and throw away a filter every three ...
Posted on November 10th, 2008
Thanksgiving and other Holidays are just around the corner, and guess who’s coming to dinner? Everyone! Reduce your impact on the environment by decorating your home with found items, instead of buying new ones. Dried autumn leaves look perfectly festive when scattered across your Thanksgiving table, while vases full of cranberries, chestnuts or pine needles bring nature from the outside in.
Chunky bracelets can make great napkin rings, while mismatched tea cups and saucers make elegant candle holders. Gourds, cored apples and even squash make great votives or serving bowls. Why buy a new tablecloth when a flat sheet or family quilt will work just as well? ...
Posted on November 9th, 2008
It's that time of year to do a chimney inspection! Not just because Santa will be bowling down soon, but because we're headed into the stormy season, which may leave you powerless and in need of some serious heat. It's a good rule of thumb to inspect your chimney thoroughly every year to make sure there are no cracks, build up, crumbling bricks, or obstacles in the smoke chute. If you have a dirty fireplace, put ashes in a paper sack for a trip to your compost heap (and remember that ashes are alkaline so keep your addition to a 2-gallon minimum!).
When you're ready for your romantic night by the fire, keep these simple points in ...
Posted on November 8th, 2008
These days it's easy to have hot water on demand. You just turn on the faucet and it's waiting for you to use it for hand washing and doing dishes. While getting hot water is a no-brainer, remember that it takes energy to heat it. The next time you're doing dishes, use hot water for washing and cold water for rinsing. Your dishwasher may have a cold water rinse setting -- so use it! Cutting your hot water usage in half at the sink will save energy and money, without affecting the shine of your squeaky-clean dishes.
Posted on November 7th, 2008
If summer has fled where you live and old man winter has moved in then it’s probably time to deal with your window air conditioner. These beasts that keep you cool in the hotter months will likely freeze you out in the chilly months with the breeze they let in. Drafts can pack a punch - up to a whopping 30% of your home’s energy loss. The best solution is to remove the unit for the season. However, if the unit is fixed in place you can seal it with caulking or tape and cover with an airtight, insulated jacket to avoid any heat loss. You can also extend the life of the unit ...
Posted on November 6th, 2008
Looks like heaven doesn’t it? You too can have a little slice of this in your neighborhood… or at least over your head. Not only are white roofs aesthetically more pleasing, they can save a whack of energy and cause oodles less damage to the environment. To put it in perspective, if every city in warm climates tinted all roofs and pavements white, it would save approximately 44 billion tonnes of greenhouse-gas emissions (from the Sacramento Climate Change Conference). That’s more than the world emits on a yearly basis! With traditional black tar and darker colored rooftops, the heat gets trapped and radiates into the lower atmosphere, mixing with other pollutants ...
Posted on November 5th, 2008
Done with your night stand / rain boots / painting set from college? List it for sale online! Places like
craigslist allow you to list your stuff for sale for free. One man's trash is another man's treasure - and that treasure will stay out of the ginormous treasure chest we like to call a landfill. Plus, someone else pays you to haul it away!
Posted on November 4th, 2008
There’s nothing quite as rewarding as plants. Not only do they grow fast, look cute, and require much less energy than a pooch or kitten, but their eco-contribution to your household goes far. House plants not only convert carbon dioxide to oxygen but they also trap and absorb many pollutants. Everyday activities such as heating your home, washing your floor, and cooking food release chemical compounds that plants help absorb. If you’ve already incorporated plants into your home life, don’t leave them high and dry when you go out of town for a few days. To keep plants moist without drowning them, fill your tub, sink or large pot with 2 inches of ...
Posted on November 3rd, 2008
Next time you entertain, break out a board game - or encourage your friends to bring over their favorite. This timeless activity is easy, typically brain buzzing, and wastes no additional energy. No game console needs to be purchased, and no TV needs to be turned on. Plus, you'll be reusing an old amusement that you never have to upgrade. Yes, Rock Band is fun, but don't forget how it's fun to switch it up.
Posted on November 2nd, 2008
No, we aren't talking about Billy Corgan and his recently reunited band that crooned their way through many of our youth days. We're talking about your Jack-O-Lantern. You know, the one you painstaking carved into a masterpiece and illuminated for dozens of trick-or-treaters on your porch last night for Halloween. Now that the holiday is over, don't give anyone the chance to smash it. Instead, take a few minutes to dispose of it properly before it gets a moldy face.
Remove the candle and, from the top, cut your pumpkin into 6 slices (like you would if cutting a pie). Take a spoon and gently scrape any excess wax from the pieces, then ...
