Renter’s Delight, low energy bill

Even while renting, you have more control over your resources than you think.

• Buy a water filter and use reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic water bottles.
  
  
• Use CFLs in your light fixtures
  
  
• Stop the junk mail by visiting http://www.donotmail.org/
  
  
• Control your thermostat setting
  
  
• Ask your landlord about making energy efficient improvements for all rental properties
  
  
• Get a green shower curtain, made of organic cotton, like these
  
  
• Use a low flow shower head

Let us know what you do in your place to conserve and don’t forget to share this page with others.

Green Graduation Parties

Congratulations Class of 2009! You did it! As you march down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance”, think about how you are going to celebrate with your friends and consider these green ideas for your graduation party:

• Send an evite – no paper, no waste. For those that don’t have e-mail, consider using recycled material or use old magazines and newspapers.


• Party in the daytime to reduce your power consumption. If you party into the night, use rechargeable batteries, candles, and energy saving light bulbs.


• Skip the plastic cups, ditch the paper plates and use old fashioned dishes. There are also biodegradable plates, cups and utensils available. We found a eco shop that sells just that: http://www.shopgreenduck.com/


• Consider giving the gift of green. Green gifts could include: organic cotton bedding and towels, soy candles, reusable water bottle, and for that really good friend, a hybrid car!

Let us know how you are celebrating at your party and don’t forget to share this page with your classmates.

Spring Time Is Tune-Up Time

Spring certainly is the season where folks have home improvements activities listed on their ‘to do’ list. This year, don’t forget to schedule your annual inspection for your heat pump system by calling a qualified heating and cooling specialist.

By making sure your heat pump us tuned up, you are maximizing your heat pump efficiency.

Some other tips also include:

• Change the air filters on a monthly basis
• Have the duct work inspected and repaired if needed
• Install a programmable thermostat and set at energy saving degrees (78 degrees in summer)

View a video on this topic:

Wednesday is Earth Day

If you’re like us, what better way to celebrate Earth Day on Wednesday than by thinking of ways to save energy!

One of the best ways to do that is also the simplest: if you’re not using it, turn it off. That goes for lights, computers and other stuff, too.

These days, however, so many electronic gadgets are still using energy even when you shut them off. They go into a standby mode, and there’s usually a little green light to show you it’s still on.

So this Earth Day, think really green. Think about that little green light and how to make sure the power is completely off. It’ll help you save on your electric bill, too.

Save Money on your Taxes!

Now that the dreaded tax deadline is behind us, it is time to think about next year’s taxes!

Did you know that for energy efficiency investments you make this year, you can qualify to receive a tax credit on next years filing?

With this year's stimulus plan, there are some pretty substantial energy efficiency tax credits. ENERGY STAR has a table of frequently asked questions and how to apply for the tax credits.

For more information, check out our January 12th blog post.

Green Atlas

We all love to take road trips to the beach, train rides to New York City, and a flight to Boulder, Colorado – traveling is an American tradition. Now traveling with a Green Atlas makes thing easier, like when you get lost on Rt 66. I just recently received “The Road Atlas – Green Edition” at a conference which is packed full of detailed information.

This atlas is made especially for the eco-friendly traveler. This Green atlas has the usual mileage charts, road listings for every state, detailed information about big cities, and other standard atlas features accompanied by features on traveling green. But for the eco-friendly traveler, there’s photos and information about 10 Walkable Cities, information on large city Public Transit, parks and recreation areas (National and State parks), campsite locations, wildlife refuges, and Indian reservations, to name a few.

After I mapped out my eco-friendly trek to Panther Creek State Park (Tennessee), I flipped to the back of the atlas which sections on, “How Green is your Hotel,” “Twenty Tips for Responsible Camping,” “The ABCO2s of Carbon Footprints,” “Goodbye to Gas Guzzling” and “Green Tourism Websites.” Like I was saying, this atlas is packed with green information.

It might require a little work searching to find a single copy – most seem to be bulk sales. But if you can find one, it’s well worth the hunt!

"Hoppy" Spring

Spring is certainly in the air in Central Virginia. And with Easter approaching for many folks, how about considering these ideas to have a green Easter:

• Make your own Easter basket and plan to reuse it next year.
• Grow your own grass to include in the basket.
• For those items you hide inside the egg think about organic raisins, organic pretzels, stickers, or even natural lip balm.
• Enjoy all this is the great outdoors and enjoy the spring festivals.

Also, when dying eggs, think about using natural ingredients:

• For pink and red colored eggs use cranberry juice, beets, or raspberries
• For yellow eggs use lemon or orange peels
• For purple eggs use grape fruit juice
• For blue eggs use blueberries or red cabbage
• For orange eggs use yellow onion skins
• For green eggs use spinach

Check out some additional eco-friendly Easter tips.

Let us know how you are celebrating Spring and don't forget to share this page with others.

Speedlinks

When writing these blog posts, we scour the internet for neat sites and sources for energy conservation. Below is a list of conservation links we check on a regular basis...we call them, Speedlinks!

Earth911 – A guide to help find recycling centers and other environmentally friendly resources.

Energystar.gov Tax Information - Information on Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

CNET - HDTV Power Consumption Comparison Chart

Green Hotels - A really helpful source when planning your vacation.

My Green Electronics - A hodgepodge of information on electronics and their energy consumption.

Lose Your Excuse - A DOE site for kids to learn about consumption with some cool games!

Best Green Blogs - The title says it all, a collection of the best green blogs.

Do you have a favorite or informative green link you'd like to add to the list! If so, let us know!

New Year's Resolution Tip #4 of 12: Plant shrubs to cool AC unit

Estimated Cost: Around $50 - $75 for shrubs you can purchase from local nursery.

Ease of Install: Medium, considering the labor of digging and shoveling to plant shrubs.

Other notes: Giving the AC unit shade allows it to work more efficiently without compromising the cooling abilities. Make sure you don't plan the shrubs so close that you limit the air flow the unit needs to run properly. Deciduous trees (those that drop their leaves in fall) help by blocking summer sun, yet allows winter sun to warm your home.