Friday, December 4, 2009

Happy

 



For more information on energy efficiency visit http://www.ecoearthmall.com
Posted by Picasa

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Economic Stimulus Package at Home

What do you think about the current state of affairs and the way our government has acted in the past year to resolve or overcome them? What about the economic stimulus package that turned out to be nothing but a free gift to big banks, big business and benefit everyone but you and I? The cash for clunkers program worked pretty good but don’t you think they should have tried something of that nature first and not last? These are our elected officials who represent us in our government so that our interests as American, tax paying citizens, are watched out for. That is a joke. The only ones in this country being watched out for are fat cats and politicians.

I believe that the economic recovery of our country begins with us, the ordinary citizen. We don’t need politicians making bad decisions that our great grand children will be expected to pay for. We don’t need the media with their doom and gloom portrayal of our future, broadcasting it every chance they get.

What we need are the incredible people of this country who have awesome and wonderful ideas, begin to move and act on those ideas to bring positive change and improvement in their lives and the lives of people around them. There are an infinite number of things to invent, improve, develop and nurture into existence. If you are considering starting an internet business, our friends at www.zippypop.com can help you. Our lives are blessed with incredible opportunities that we only have to imagine and focus on to bring to life.

On top of that we have this amazing and incredible planet to help save from ourselves. There are friends at www.ecoearthmall.com where you can find virtually anything to reduce your carbon footprint and help save the planet for future generations. Even holiday gifts to help others do the same. There is an awful lot to be done and we need to start doing that right now.


This is Thanksgiving, one of our most honored holidays, and I give thanks that we do live in such an incredible country, on such a magnificent planet at this extraordinary time in our history. I believe that everything will be fine if we believe in ourselves, help ourselves and others beginning on the local level, and do what we know to be the right thing.


For more information on energy efficiency visit http://www.ecoearthmall.com
For Web hosting, design and business identity services, http://www.zippypop.com

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Quick Tips for Doing Business Online - Tip One

Now that you've decided to form a company, it may need structure. If you plan on having more than one business, web based or otherwise, you can organize your company in one of two ways.

First, for a single company and web business, you can use the same name for both. Try to think of a great name for your company and website. Less than three words long, it should be short, concise and easy to remember.

See if it's available as a domain name. If you only plan on running one business, using the same name for your business as you use for your website can save you a step, plus a few dollars. A domain name search can be done at Zippypop.com, as well as registration, site hosting, site and logo design, even business identity services.

Second, using a different name, your business name will not be the same as your domain name. You need a name for the business, as well as what's called a Fictitious Name or d/b/a - Doing Business As, for each web business. It can help to make sure your domain name doesn't come up in a company name search.

Domain owners doing business under a name other than their company name should register with their Department of State, Division of Corporations to do business under a Fictitious Name. This can usually be accomplished through your State website and will involve a fee.

Forming a company requires a lot of knowledge and detail. Filing your Articles of Incorporation with the Department of State for your company is not the same as the Fictitious Name registration. Both may be needed, or just one.

Brought to you by EcoEarthMall.com and ZippyPop.com.


About ZippyPop.com, located near Jacksonville, Florida. ZippyPop.com opened for business on October 1, 2009. ZippyPop offers fast web design and hosting, domain registration both public and private, business identification services and more. If you need a logo, letterhead or even business cards, ZippyPop can provide for your needs.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

EcoEarthMall Tries the Worx

EcoEarthMall Tries the Worx

Part of our lifestyle at EcoEarthMall.com is to 'go green' as much as possible, this includes reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Rather than using a gas Trimmer and Edger, we suspected the battery operated Worx might be the answer. We bought the new cordless WORX GT 2-in-1 Trimmer/Edger two months ago after seeing the infomercial on TV.

The Worx? I love it! I couldn’t be happier with it. At first our sidewalks and driveway were a little over grown by tough St. Augustine grass runners and the trimmer is a little light for work that heavy. After doing the heavy trimming by hand it is now a breeze to come back with the WORX and give it a fresh cut and trim.

When switching users the Worx is highly adjustable to different body types and sizes. It weighs only 6 pounds and is light enough for anyone to use. It really does adjust with just a twist and pull, no tools are necessary when changing operators.

The Trimmer is light weight, easy to handle, adjust and switch modes to the Edger and back. As an Edger, it is a breeze to use. Cutting a straight line is not difficult at all. I have found that by working the edger back and forth a few inches at a time in heavier growth, it helps to give a cleaner, straighter cut.

The WORX 18v battery has enough power and strength to do my entire front and back yard on one charge. I did notice that after using, the battery may be warm. It needs to cool a bit before the charger will start the charging process. Still, it was nice not to have to run to the gas station, then mix gas and oil in a heavy trimmer like my old one.

The line feed works just fine and the manual release is very easy to use to lengthen the working line. It was great not having to 'bang it on the ground' to release line.

All in all, this tool is very easy to use, and adjusts to virtually any user. It does not overstrain or wear me out which is a very nice plus. Everything is just as advertised, it's lightweight, charges in 1 hour, is highly adjustable and the charge lasts through a lot of yard work. It performed above and beyond my expectations.

I think the WORX Combo Kit, found at: http://worxoutdoortools.com/ would be a fantastic deal with three yard tools, the Trimmer/Edger, Blower and Hedge Clipper that are included. Each tool uses the same battery. Unfortunately I didn’t see this when I made my purchase or I would have gone that route.

My future plans are to install a solar power panel on my shed and have a charging station for this and other batteries so that I can further cut my home energy use. My goal is to reduce my carbon footprint as much as possible and using the Worx is a great start. We plan to purchase their Hedge Trimmer, Blower and Lawn Mower. I will let you know how that goes as well.

For more information on energy efficiency visit http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Friday, September 25, 2009

@Scott Beale That's it, coffee actually has a tractor beam. I needed to know that. It explains a lot. :)
Maybe it's just Twhirl
::sigh::
Think I got it...
Test double linking, sorry everyone.
Test FF/Digg double posting
Testing double FriendFeed posting....
Woot! I'm good!
Testing double post problem...
whoops, trying to fix the double posting on Facebook, sorry guys
Eco friendly tips to help you Go Green at http://ping.fm/4WCfc

Thursday, September 24, 2009

http://ping.fm/gJQLv Good information and tips for going green.
Learning marketing, watch out world!
Reading postsecret is a passion of mine. I need to get the books......
Become a Twitter Twenius, free tips at: http://ping.fm/7lhnP

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Time to watch StomperNet videos. VERY good stuff!!
Are you a Twitter Twenius? Free tips at http://ping.fm/jsJQz
Just another Manic Monday....
Are you a Twitter Twenius? Free tips at http://ping.fm/jsJQz
Free Twenius tips http://ping.fm/n4Q26
Why is there not enough time in the day?

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Studying marketing and learning a lot, learning about feeds today :) Woot for time savers!
Need to buckle down and study my marketing books. :)

Monday, September 21, 2009

Coolness, Twhirl makes Twitter a live feed! I'm using Ping to post to 10 different sites. Coolness!!!
Ping to Twhirl test
Ping to Twitter test
http://ping.fm/ytS9Z
stompernet999.com is having a live broadcast for other eMarketers well worth the time

Sunday, September 20, 2009

off to the beach :) everyone have a great Sunday
Of all the social network sites I have to say Tumblr rocks the most.

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Woot! Got it. You can get it too, info@ecoearthmall.com
Ping test...
testing ping.fm

Friday, September 18, 2009

For a free Energy Audit visit http://ping.fm/MSUBm
Woot, figuring out ping!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Life Cycle of an Aluminum Can

Aluminum makes up 8% of the earth’s crust, it is the third most abundant element in nature. The ore from which aluminum is produced is bauxite. More than 130 million tons of bauxite are mined each year. It has been estimated that we have enough aluminum to last us 400 years.

Bauxite has to be processed into pure aluminum oxide (alumina) before it can be converted to aluminum by electrolysis. Four tons of bauxite are required to produce two tons of alumina which in turn produces one ton of aluminum at the primary smelter. Smelting is one of the most destructive processes to our climate.

Fabrication encompasses several industrial processes: rolling, casting and extrusion. Aluminum is then formed into products. The major outlets for aluminum products are in transport, building and construction, packaging and engineering.

The real impact on the environment, its carbon footprint or greenhouse gas emissions, can only be judged from the life cycle perspective. What we're interested in here is the lifecycle of one aluminum can.

Once our can is used, we certainly hope it is recycled. Recycling is a major consideration in continued aluminum use, representing one of its key attributes. More than half of all the aluminum currently produced originates from recycled raw materials, a trend that is on the rise. In view of energy constraints, we have a huge stake in the collection of available aluminum and developing the most efficient scrap treatments and melting processes.

Aluminum can be recycled over and over again without loss of properties. Aluminum recycling benefits present and future generations by conserving energy and other natural resources. Recycling just one soda can saves enough electricity to run a laptop computer for over 10 hours.

Recycling saves up to 95% of the energy required for primary aluminum production which avoids greenhouse gas emissions used in the process. Increasing demand for aluminum and the long lifetime of many products mean that, for the foreseeable future, the overall amount of primary metal produced from bauxite will continue to be greater than the volume of available recycled metal.

The life cycle of an aluminum can from mining to recycling is 60 days. Think of how many beverage and food cans you use during the next 60 days.

Global aluminum recycling rates are high, approximately 90% for transport and construction applications and about 60% for cans. In 2004, the United States only recycled 45% of cans.

I think we can do better than 45%, after all, it's something we all can do.

For more information on energy efficiency visit http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

But, how can I help?

But, how can I help?

With energy costs on a constant rise and income seemingly on a downward spiral, solutions must be found to reduce our energy bills. Reliance on oil, coal and other sources causing enormous greenhouse gas emissions are poisoning our air and warming our planet. Solutions must be found that not just reduce our utility bills but reduce our carbon footprint as well.

As an individual I found myself thinking the same thing over and coming up against a wall of 'buts'. 'But I can't afford it', 'but I don't have the land for a windmill', 'but easement trees block the one side that solar would work on'. Hundreds of thousands of people will say 'But I rent'.

I've found that even though you rent, don't have the land for a windmill or, in my case, easement trees block the solar receiving side of my house, there are solutions, information and answers.

I can still buy LED light bulbs to replace my incandescent and CFL lights. My home has 48 light bulbs, I counted after learning that the average household has between 50 and 100. I can still replace a bulb or two each month with LED bulbs. It may take time and money but in the end over a ten year period I stand to reduce my bills by $6,538.08, that's nearly $55.00 per month using http://www.neutralexistence.com/shop/7w-earthled-zetalux-led-replacement-bulb/ these bulbs.

I can and will buy solar powered, motion detection flood lights for the outside of my home. I have three of them for security and illumination. I also have a pole light out front which will be replaced with solar as well.

I can and did buy a Worx Two in One trimmer/edger, it runs with a rechargeable battery. A later blog will be about buying and using the Worx.

I can and will buy small wind turbines like the ones found here on my site: http://ecoearthmall.com/aff.php?a=dw They are small and can be mounted any where. They are also made of recycled plastic, are portable and can be moved with you from home to home.

I can and do recycle metal, plastic, paper and glass. I use cloth shopping bags and when I forget, I always reuse the plastic bags I get from the store. So yes, you can help in more ways than one. Follow the steps I am and we'll both save a lot of money in the long run.

You know, I think I'll look into a solar water heater next.

For more information on energy efficiency visit http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Friday, September 4, 2009

Fort Dix is Going Green

Fort Dix is Going Green

President Barack Obama is keen on green. He would like to see more energy efficiency in all aspects of American life. Now, he can drive onto Fort Dix, New Jersey, and see the government in the action of going green.

Two buildings on post are now solar powered. At a ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday morning the installation commander Col. Patrick J. Slowey and Maj. Gen. William Monk III, commanding general of the 99th Regional Support Command, revealed the panels. U.S. Rep. John Adler, D-3rd of Cherry Hill; Jean Fox, president of the state Board of Public Utilities; and representatives from Honeywell International who installed the panels were also present.

The panels will help Fort Dix meet the Energy Policy Act of 2005. It requires at least 7.5 percent of annual energy consumption at federal facilities come from a renewable source by 2013.

The solar panels are part of an ambitious $17.6 million project to decrease Fort Dix energy consumption by nearly 10 percent and water usage by more than 5 percent.
Converting the two buildings, the Army Reserve 99th Regional Support Command Headquarters and the post's Strategic Deployment Site Building will have the same effect of removing 3,200 automobiles from the road or powering 75 homes, reducing greenhouse gasses by 33 million pounds per year.

The temperature-controlled equipment storage warehouse now has the addition of solar panels on the roof. The panels will power the buildings with excess power being redistributed to the grid.

For more information on solar power and energy efficiency visit http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Monday, August 31, 2009

We all can make a difference

We all can make a difference

With continual advancements in energy technology, and the increasing public demand to eliminate our dependency on foreign oil, the future of America’s energy looks promising. There will surely come a day when we no longer have to deplete our planet’s natural resources nor pollute our environment in order to satisfy our energy needs, but we do not have to stand idle and wait for that day to come. We can take action right now!

If everyone made the decision to generate only half of their total home energy needs from solar or wind, it would reduce the nation’s energy expense by more than $100 Billion annually. That’s $100 Billion dollars which can be put into savings for our childrens' college funds, invested in clean alternative energy projects, or spent on consumer goods which would help stimulate our economy.

On an even smaller scale, making tiny changes can create huge results. For example, if every U.S. household replaced only one burned-out bulb with an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR rated compact fluorescent bulb, it would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of nearly 800,000 cars. It would also save enough energy to light 2.5 million homes for a year.

The average home has anywhere from 50 to 100 light bulbs. When you consider the fact that you can cut your energy costs by about $30 over the life of one compact fluorescent bulb, that equates to $1500 - $3000 in savings just by changing your light bulbs. Now isn’t that enlightening?

LED bulbs can save you even more money, without the mercury content and hazardous waste problems CFL introduces. The life of one LED bulb can save you $136.21 over the ten year lifetime of the bulb.

Costs Over 10 Years
Calculated at 8 Hours Per Day and $.10 per kWH
ZetaLux Pays for itself in a little over 2 years!
ZetaLux Incandescent
Initial Cost $49.99 $1.00
Electricity $20.00 $175.2
Replacement $0.00 $30 (30 Bulbs)
Total Cost $69.99 $206.20

As you can see, ZetaLux Saves you over $13 per light fixture per year and pays for itself in just a little over 2 years! That’s just by replacing one light and that doesn’t even count other important considerations such as cooling costs and costs associated with purchasing the over 30 incandescent light bulbs needed over that 10 year period. Just think of how large your savings would be by replacing all of your lighting with high efficiency EarthLED LED light bulbs.

Yes, we can all make a difference.

Brought to you by: http://www.neutralexistence.com/shop/7w-earthled-zetalux-led-replacement-bulb/ The Turn Back Your Meter Team & http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Friday, August 28, 2009

We all can make a difference

We all can make a difference

With continual advancements in energy technology, and the increasing public demand to eliminate our dependency on foreign oil, the future of America's energy looks promising. There will surely come a day when we no longer have to deplete our planet's natural resources nor pollute our environment in order to satisfy our energy needs, but we do not have to stand idle and wait for that day to come. We can take action right now!

If everyone made the decision to generate only half of their total home energy needs from solar or wind, it would reduce the nation's energy expense by more than $100 Billion annually. That's $100 Billion dollars which can be put into savings for our children's college funds, invested in clean alternative energy projects, or spent on consumer goods which would help stimulate our economy.

On an even smaller scale, making tiny changes can create huge results. For example, if every U.S. household replaced only one burned-out bulb with an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR rated compact fluorescent bulb, it would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of nearly 800,000 cars. It would also save enough energy to light 2.5 million homes for a year.

The average home has anywhere from 50 to 100 light bulbs. When you consider the fact that you can cut your energy costs by about $30 over the life of one compact fluorescent bulb, that equates to $1500 - $3000 in savings just by changing your light bulbs. Now isn't that enlightening?

LED bulbs can save you even more money, without the mercury content and hazardous waste problems CFL introduces. The life of one LED bulb can save you $136.21 over the ten year lifetime of the bulb.

Costs Over 10 Years
Calculated at 8 Hours Per Day and $.10 per kWH
ZetaLux Pays for itself in a little over 2 years!
ZetaLux Incandescent
Initial Cost $49.99 $1.00
Electricity $20.00 $175.2
Replacements $0.00 $30 (30 Bulbs)
Total Cost $69.99 $206.20
As you can see, ZetaLux Saves you over $13 per light fixture per year and pays for itself in just a little over 2 years! That’s just by replacing one light and that doesn’t even count other important considerations such as cooling costs and costs associated with purchasing the over 30 incandescent light bulbs needed over that 10 year period. Just think of how large your savings would be by replacing all of your lighting with high efficiency EarthLED LED light bulbs.

As you can see, we can all make a difference.

Brought to you by: http://www.neutralexistence.com/shop/7w-earthled-zetalux-led-replacement-bulb/ The Turn Back Your Meter Team & http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Water Conservation Tips

Water Conservation Tips
Did you know that of the entire Earth's water supply, less than 2% of it is fresh water, and only about 1% is drinkable (the rest is frozen)? It is this precious 1% that is responsible for practically all life on earth. While it may not seem to be cause for alarm to use water indiscriminately, because it is so readily available, fresh water is not in unlimited supply. It is both environmentally responsible and financially beneficial for all of us to do what we can to reduce our wasteful water use. By installing products like an Oxygenics Showerhead or a Titan Tankless Water Heater, you can save thousands of gallons of water annually.

Below are some additional easy to follow, water saving techniques you can start implementing today:

• When washing dishes by hand, don't let the water run while rinsing. If you have dual sinks, fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.

• Check your sprinkler system frequently and adjust sprinklers so only your lawn is watered and not the house, sidewalk, or street.

• Run your washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full and you could save 1000 gallons a month.

• Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Consider composting instead and save gallons every time.

• Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator instead of running the tap for cold drinks, so that every drop goes down you not the drain.

• When washing a car, use soap and water from a bucket. Use a hose with a shut-off nozzle for rinsing.

• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects and other such waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

• Put a brick in the toilet tank in order to reduce the amount of water needed to flush the toilet.

• When washing dishes by hand, fill one sink or basin with soapy water. Quickly rinse under a slow-moving stream from the faucet.

• An automatic dishwasher uses 9 to 12 gallons of water while hand washing dishes can use up to 20 gallons.

• Water lawns during the early morning hours, or evening when temperatures and wind speed are the lowest. This reduces losses from evaporation.

• Do not hose down your driveway or sidewalk. Use a broom to clean leaves and other debris from these areas. Using a hose to clean a driveway wastes hundreds of
gallons of water.

• Don't leave the water running when brushing your teeth or shaving. Get in the habit of turning off the water when it's not being used.

• Use of bowl of water to clean fruits & vegetables rather than running water over them. You can reuse this for your house plants.

• Collect rain water in a barrel or trash bin to use for watering plants. Plants prefer it over tap water.


The Turn Back Your Meter Team & http://www.ecoearthmall.com

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

U.S. FOODSERVICE-FORT MILL SHRINKS DEPENDENCY ON PLASTIC WRAP, STRETCHES DOLLAR WITH SWITCH TO RUBBER BANDS

AJ Marin

U.S. FOODSERVICE-FORT MILL SHRINKS DEPENDENCY ON PLASTIC WRAP, STRETCHES
DOLLAR WITH SWITCH TO RUBBER BANDS
Using reusable rubber bands to secure products for storage and shipping
is environmentally friendly and cost-effective
FORT MILL, S.C., August 17, 2009 - Rubber bands are replacing plastic
shrink wrap at U.S. Foodservice-Fort Mill. The operation's innovative
application of large, reusable rubber bands instead of clear plastic
wrap to secure food products for delivery has proved to be a great way
to stretch the dollar and improve environmental stewardship.
In a five month pilot program to test the use of rubber bands in
securing smaller product loads on warehouse pallets, Fort Mill used 11
percent less shrink wrap and saved nearly $8,000.
"Plastic shrink wrap is made from petrochemicals and can only be used
once, but rubber bands are reusable with an average life span of six
months to a year," said Dan Harris, President, U.S. Foodservice-Fort
Mill.
"We were using tens of thousands of pounds of shrink wrap in our
warehouse every year to secure products on pallets while stored on
racks, and we knew there had to be a more cost-effective way to manage
this process," Harris said. "Replacing shrink wrap with rubber bands
really helped bring our costs down and make our warehouse operations
more environmentally-friendly."
"These are not your average rubber bands," Harris added. "They are about
1/16 inch thick and can stretch to fit around a pallet up to 4 feet by 4
feet. While we can't replace shrink wrap in every situation, the
decrease in plastic wrap use has been significant, amounting to
reductions of more than 100,000 pounds of wrap per year."
This new rubber band strategy is just one example of the sustainability
improvements U.S. Foodservice has implemented recently at its Fort Mill
operations, Harris said. A dedicated sustainability team aggressively
seeks out new ways to reduce energy consumption, eliminate waste, and
add recycling programs. These efforts have resulted in a number of
innovations that demonstrate the Fort Mill division's commitment to
sustainability in three key areas: environment, products and community.
"We are committed to sustainability in everything we do," said Harris.
"We are proud of our environmental leadership on behalf of our customers
and the communities we serve."
About U.S. Foodservice
U.S. Foodservice is one of the country's premier foodservice
distributors, offering more than 43,000 national, private label and
signature brand items and an array of services to its more than 250,000
customers. The company proudly employs 26,000 associates in more than 60
locations nationwide who are poised to serve customers beyond their
expectations. As industry leaders, with access to resources beyond the
ordinary, U.S. Foodservice provides the finest quality food and related
products to neighborhood restaurants, hospitals, schools, colleges and
universities, hotels, government entities and other eating
establishments. To find out how U.S. Foodservice can be Your partner
beyond the plate(r), visit the company's website at
www.usfoodservice.com.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Solar on the Go

Solar on the Go

Did you know that the sun provides over 35,000 times the total amount of energy that humans use every day? Solar energy is the most abundant, reliable, and cleanest form of renewable energy on the planet. With the rise energy costs, and increased environmental awareness, solar power is quickly becoming a feasible and affordable energy option for home use, but the best part about the sun is that it follows around even when you leave your home. That creates virtually unlimited potential for mobile solar applications such as RV Solar Kits and Solar Back Packs. Mobile solar gives you the freedom to go more places and do more things without having to sacrifice the use of your favorite comforts and conveniences. Plus, solar battery charging can play a very important role in any traveler's precautionary emergency arsenal.

The Turn Back Your Meter Team &
www.ecoearthmall.com

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

It's Electric!

It's Electric!
No one wants to spend more than they have to for heating or cooling their home. A programmable thermostat like the Aube TH106 can cut your heating or cooling costs by up to 20%. An electronic thermostat can be used to control all types of electric heating systems such as electric baseboard heaters, electric radiant ceiling heaters, electric radiant floor heat and electric convectors. The programmable features of an electronic thermostat allow you to accurately set the temperature in your home even when you're not there; so no more forgetting to turn down the temperature before you leave for work!
Having precise control of your heating and cooling is a top priority when it comes to cutting your energy costs. And with the significant savings you get from an electric thermostat, you can easily recover the cost of the thermostat in a relatively short period of time.

Programmable Thermostat Facts
1. You'll need a thermostat for each heating/cooling unit that you have for your home.
2. Many thermostats have advanced programmable features which allow you to set the temperature for every day of the week, 4 settings or more per day.
3. Programmable thermostats allow you to temporarily override its settings to accommodate custom situations. It will automatically resume the programmed settings at the next time interval. Some even have a vacation setting for long periods away from home.
4. Installing an electronic thermostat yourself is relatively easy.
5. Make sure your thermostat has a battery back-up feature to save the program in case of a power outage.
6. Many thermostats have easy to follow instructions printed on the inside plastic cover of the thermostat.
7. If you work at home every day, or have family members who are home every day, the benefit of a programmable thermostat will be less.
For more details on the Aube TH106 and other Programmable Thermostats, click on the link below in the featured products section.
The Turn Back Your Meter Team &
www.ecoearthmall.com

Monday, August 10, 2009

Advantages of LED over Fluorescent and CFL Lighting

Advantages of LED over Fluorescent and CFL Lighting

Much has been said to support the use of CFL, or Compact Fluorescent Lights, to help the environment. CFLs and Fluorescent tube lights make light using the same method. Electricity is passed through mercury vapor in a phosphor tube, this produces short-wave ultraviolet light which then causes the phosphor to fluoresce, making visible light.

Mercury vapor is a cost effective and useful method but the bulbs produced, once used, create a great deal of waste. A typical 4 foot fluorescent lamp contains about 40 milligrams of mercury. Remember that Mercury is poisonous. Estimates are that up to six million bulbs are disposed of in the United States per year. Mercury waste requires special handling, including bulbs.

What happens when your favorite lamp is knocked over by your child? Broken CFL’s require special clean up. Vacuuming or sweeping up broken glass is not recommended. The clean up procedure can be found online, but don’t sweep or vacuum so as not to spread mercury vapor.

LED lights on the other hand, contain no mercury, last much longer and are cheaper to use. The EarthLED ZetaLux ,a 7 watt LED is the equivalent of a 60 watt CFL or Incandescent bulb. The savings over a lifetime, i.e. 10 years, is $130.00 per bulb, not to mention the waste savings for not having to replace the incandescent or CFL repeatedly.

The ZetaLux line of bulbs can be found at http://www.neutralexistence.com/shop/led-light-bulbs/C102/

Friday, July 31, 2009

Solar on the Go

Solar on the Go
Did you know that the sun provides over 35,000 times the total amount of energy that humans use every day? Solar energy is the most abundant, reliable, and cleanest form of renewable energy on the planet. With the rise energy costs, and increased environmental awareness, solar power is quickly becoming a feasible and affordable energy option for home use, but the best part about the sun is that it follows around even when you leave your home. That creates virtually unlimited potential for mobile solar applications such as RV Solar Kits and Solar Back Packs. Mobile solar gives you the freedom to go more places and do more things without having to sacrifice the use of your favorite comforts and conveniences. Plus, solar battery charging can play a very important role in any traveler's precautionary emergency arsenal.
The Turn Back Your Meter Team &
www.ecoearthmall.com

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A Simple Guide To Online Fax

A Simple Guide To Online Fax
Copyright (c) 2009 Titus Hoskins
Bizware Magic
http://www.bizwaremagic.com

While most people have heard of email, there are many web users who have never heard of Internet or online fax. This is the equivalent of sending faxes via the web rather than through the old traditional facsimile machine in the office.

Like email, web faxing is a relatively new phenomenon which simply means using the Internet and your email system to send and receive your faxes. In order to use online fax you have to sign up for an account with an Internet fax service provider, who will supply you with a Toll-Free or local fax number you can use. Your
faxes are sent as email attachment, usually in TIFF or PDF format.

Your online fax service provider acts as your intermediary to handle and process all your faxing. Keep in mind, with an Internet faxing account you don’t need an extra dedicated fax phone line because everything is done via the web. However, you can still send faxes to and from the old traditional fax machine, your online provider will act on your behalf to process your faxes.

With an Internet fax service you are generally given an online site (interface) where you can log-on to send and receive your faxes. This web account will also store your faxes so that they
are available to you at all times. How long and the amount of faxes you can store will depend upon which service you choose, so it pays to do a little homework first before you sign up to any one service.

These fax providers will also have different monthly rates but the average cost is around $10 a month, but there are much cheaper quality services you can get, especially if your faxing
requirements are very minimum. Some services are as low as $20 a year or you can also get a pay as you go service.

Why are millions of individuals and companies switching over to this new way of faxing?
There are many reasons: online faxing can be much cheaper especially when you factor in the low start-up costs and the cost of a separate phone line. Online fax is paperless so it is seen
as more environmentally friendlier than regular faxing. It also uses no inks, toners and there are none of those messy annoying paper jams. No more missed faxes because of busy signals. You can also send many faxes simultaneously. Web faxing can also be much more secure than traditional faxing since your faxes can be encrypted. Plus, all your faxing is completely mobile, you can send and receive your faxes anywhere, anytime - as long as you have Internet access and these days that’s just about everywhere on the planet.

This new way of faxing is much more convenient since you can use laptops, PDAs, cell phones… to send and receive your faxes. It is also extremely easy to use, as simple as using email, anyone can do it. Furthermore, online faxing is seen as the wave of the future, connecting all your faxing with computers and the web.

Plus, we must not forget about the whole concept of competitiveness when speaking about online fax. If your business or company depends heavily on timely faxes for bringing in sales, closing deals or communicating with clients; then having a fax
service that’s available 24/7, 365 days of the year (regardless of where you’re located) is a definite advantage to have in your corner. Sometimes it may just be a matter of keeping up with your
competition who might already be using web faxing in their own businesses.

Your next obvious questions should be: can your business or company afford NOT to have it? It’s your call!

ग्रीन Glossary

Green Glossary:
Annual Consumption – Annual consumption refers to the amount of electricity used in one year and is typically measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). This information is available on your electricity bill or by contacting your energy provider.
Anthropogenic – Caused by man or resulting from human activities. Used in the context of greenhouse gas emissions produced as a result of human activities.
Atmosphere – The gaseous envelope surrounding the Earth. The dry atmosphere consists almost entirely of nitrogen (78.1% volume mixing ratio) and oxygen (20.9% volume mixing ratio), together with a number of trace gases, such as argon (0.93% volume mixing ratio), helium, radiatively active greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (0.035% volume mixing ratio), and ozone. In addition the atmosphere contains water vapor, whose amount is highly variable but typically 1% volume mixing ratio. The atmosphere also contains clouds and aerosols.
Atmospheric Lifetime – The lifetime of a greenhouse gas refers to the approximate amount of time it would take for the anthropogenic increment to an atmospheric pollutant concentration to return to its natural level (assuming emissions cease) as a result of either being converted to another chemical compound or being taken out of the atmosphere via a sink. This time depends on the pollutant's sources and sinks as well as its reactivity. The lifetime of a pollutant is often considered in conjunction with the mixing of pollutants in the atmosphere; a long lifetime will allow the pollutant to mix throughout the atmosphere. Average lifetimes can vary from about a week (e.g., sulfate aerosols) to more than a century (e.g., chlorofluorocarbons [CFCs], carbon dioxide).
Carbon Dioxide – Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an atmospheric gas that is a major component of the carbon cycle. Although produced through natural processes, carbon dioxide is also released through human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels to produce electricity. Carbon dioxide is the predominate gas contributing to the greenhouse effect, and as such is known to contribute to climate change.
Carbon Intensity – The amount of carbon by weight emitted per unit of energy consumed. A common measure of carbon intensity is weight of carbon per British thermal unit (Btu) of energy. When there is only one fossil fuel under consideration, the carbon intensity and the emissions coefficient are identical. When there are several fuels, carbon intensity is based on their combined emissions coefficients weighted by their energy consumption levels.1
Carbon Footprint - A carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide you add to the atmosphere each year as a direct result of your actions and lifestyle.
A carbon footprint is measured in metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2e), and activities such as heating and cooling your home, driving your car, and running electrical appliances all contribute to the size of your footprint. The more natural resources you use to carry out these activities, the more carbon based emission you add to the environment, and the bigger your carbon footprint.
Certification and Verification – Refers to the certification and verification of green power products. See the Certified and Verified Products section of this Web site for more information.
Climate – Climate in a narrow sense is usually defined as the "average weather," or more rigorously, as the statistical description in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quantities over a period of time ranging from months to thousands of years. The classical period is three decades, as defined by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). These quantities are most often surface variables such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. Climate in a wider sense is the state, including a statistical description, of the climate system.
Combined Heat and Power – Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as cogeneration, is an efficient, clean, and reliable approach to generating power and thermal energy from a single fuel source. CHP is not a specific technology but an application of technologies to meet an energy user's needs. CHP systems achieve typical effective electric efficiencies of 50 to 80 percent — a dramatic improvement over the average efficiency of separate heat and power. Since CHP is highly efficient, it reduces traditional air pollutants and carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas associated with climate change. Visit EPA's Combined Heat and Power Partnership Web site for additional information
Commodity Electricity – Is physical electricity in the absence of the technological, environmental, social, and economic benefits associated with a specific generation source. These benefits are transferable over geographic distance through a tradable instrument called a renewable energy certificate (REC) and can be re-associated with the physical electricity at the point of use.
Competitive Markets – Until recently, most consumers received generation, transmission, and distribution services from one local utility company. As a regulated monopoly, the utility was given an exclusive franchise to provide electricity to consumers in any particular community. Rates were set, and consumers had little choice but to pay that rate. In recent years, however, many states have restructured their electricity industry and are now allowing consumers to choose from among competing electricity suppliers.
In these states with retail competition, sellers of electricity obtain power by contracting with various generation sources and setting their own price. Consumers in these states have the opportunity to choose their energy provider and purchase products based on the price or type of power supplied to their home or business. Some consumers are exercising this choice and switching to accredited "green power" resources. In states that have not restructured their electricity markets, consumers interested in purchasing renewable energy now have the option to participate in green pricing programs offered by their local utility.
Conventional Power – Power that is produced from non-renewable fuels, such as coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear. Conventional fuels are finite resources that cannot be replenished once they are extracted and used.
Distributed Generation – Small, modular, decentralized, grid-connected or off-grid energy systems located in or near the place where energy is used.
Electricity Supplier – As states restructure their electricity markets, an increasing number of customers will be able to choose from a range of electricity suppliers who market different types of power products, including green power. In states without restructured electricity markets, local utilities may offer green pricing programs that enable customers to elect to have their utility generate a portion of their power from renewable sources. To find out about green power products in your area, visit the Green Power Locator.
Emissions – The release of a substance (usually a gas when referring to the subject of climate change) into the atmosphere.
Energy Efficiency – Refers to products or systems using less energy to do the same or better job than conventional products or systems. Energy efficiency saves energy, saves money on utility bills, and helps protect the environment by reducing the demand for electricity. When buying or replacing products or appliances for your home, look for the ENERGY STAR® label — the national symbol for energy efficiency. For more information on ENERGY STAR-labeled products, visit the ENERGY STAR Web site.
Executive Order 13423: Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy and Transportation Management – Executive Order 13423 calls for Federal agencies sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation.
Fossil Fuels – Fossil fuels are the nation’s principal source of electricity. Fossil fuels come in three major forms: coal, oil, and natural gas. Because fossil fuels are a finite resource and cannot be replenished once they are extracted and burned, they are not considered renewable.
Generation – The act of transforming energy into electricity.
Global Climate Change – Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period (decades or longer). Climate change may result from:
• Natural factors, such as changes in the sun's intensity or slow changes in the Earth's orbit around the sun
• Natural processes within the climate system (e.g. ,changes in ocean circulation)
• Human activities that change the atmosphere's composition (e.g., through burning fossil fuels) and the land surface (e.g., deforestation, reforestation, urbanization, desertification)
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. Global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the last century.[1][A] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes that increasing greenhouse gas concentrations resulting from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation are responsible for most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century.[1] The IPCC also concludes that natural phenomena such as solar variation and volcanoes produced most of the warming from pre-industrial times to 1950 and had a small cooling effect afterward.[2][3] These basic conclusions have been endorsed by more than 40 scientific societies and academies of science,[B] including all of the national academies of science of the major industrialized countries.[4]
Global Warming Potential (GWP) – Global Warming Potential (GWP) is defined as the cumulative radiative forcing effects of a gas over a specified time horizon resulting from the emission of a unit mass of gas relative to a reference gas. The GWP-weighted emissions of direct greenhouse gases in the U.S. Inventory are presented in terms of equivalent emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), using units of teragrams of carbon dioxide equivalents (Tg CO2 Eq.).
Conversion: Tg = 109 kg = 106 metric tons = 1 million metric tons
The molecular weight of carbon is 12, and the molecular weight of oxygen is 16; therefore, the molecular weight of CO2 is 44 (i.e., 12+[16 x 2]), as compared to 12 for carbon alone. Thus, carbon comprises 12/44ths of carbon dioxide by weight.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) – Gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that produce the greenhouse effect. Changes in the concentration of certain greenhouse gases, due to human activity such as fossil fuel burning, increase the risk of global climate change. Greenhouse gases include water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, halogenated fluorocarbons, ozone, perfluorinated carbons, and hydro fluorocarbons.
Green Power – Renewable energy resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass, and low-impact hydro generate green power. A green power resource produces electricity with zero anthropogenic (i.e., human-caused) emissions, has a superior environmental profile to conventional power generation, and must have been built after the beginning of the voluntary market (1/1/1997).
Green Power Marketers – Due to increased customer awareness of the environmental implications associated with conventional power generation, a growing number of utilities and other types of energy service providers have begun offering green power products. The term “green power marketers” usually refers to energy providers operating in states that permit retail competition in the electricity markets. In states that do not allow this retail competition, many utilities have begun offering green power options under what are typically referred to as green pricing programs. To learn more about green power products in your area and whether your utility offers a green pricing program, visit the Green Power Locator.
Green Power Product – Green power electricity products are supplied from renewable energy resources that provide the highest environmental benefit. Green power sold by regulated utilities is called green pricing, and when sold in competitive electric markets, green power is called green marketing.
Green Pricing – Some power companies are now providing an optional service, called green pricing, which allows customers to pay a small premium in exchange for electricity generated from green power resources. The premium covers the increased costs incurred by the power provider (i.e., the electric utility) when adding green power to its power generation mix. To find out if your utility offers a green pricing program, refer to the Green Power Locator.
Green Power Purchasing – Green power can be purchased nationwide from several sources. Green power marketers offer green power products to consumers in deregulated markets, such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New England. In states that do not allow retail competition in the electricity markets, many utilities offer green power products through green pricing programs. In addition, all customers nationwide have the opportunity to buy green power and stimulate the development of renewable generation sources through renewable energy certificates. Finally, customers can choose to install on-site generation, such as solar photo-voltaics.
Hydroelectric Power (Large) – The process of generating electricity by harnessing the power of moving water is called hydroelectricity. Hydroelectric power (hydropower) is generated by forcing water that is flowing downstream, often from behind a dam, through a hydraulic turbine that is connected to a generator. The water exits the turbine and is returned to the stream or riverbed. Much of the hydroelectricity in the United States is generated at large facilities and in the Pacific Northwest, where it meets about two-thirds of the electricity demand. In the United States, hydroelectricity contributes about 10 percent of the total electricity supply.
Hydro (Small-scale) – In addition to very large hydroelectric plants in the West, the United States also has many smaller hydroelectric facilities. Like large plants, small-scale hydroelectric systems capture the energy in naturally flowing water and convert it to electricity. Although the potential for small hydroelectric systems depends on the availability of suitable water flow, these systems can provide cheap, clean, reliable electricity where the resource exists.
Kilowatt-hour – A kilowatt-hour (kWh) is a standard metric unit of measurement for electricity.
• One kilowatt-hour (kW) is equal to 1,000 watt-hours (Wh).
• A watt-hour is the amount of energy delivered at a rate of one watt (W) for a period of one hour.
• One watt is the amount of power rate of one joule of work per second of time.
• Example: A 100 watt light bulb in use for 10 hours uses 1000 watt-hours, or 1 kilowatt of electricity. (100 watts x 10 hours = 1000 watt-hours = 1 kWh)
Megawatt-hour – A megawatt-hour (MWh) is equal to 1,000 kWh.
Methane (CH4) – A hydrocarbon that is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential most recently estimated at 23 times that of carbon dioxide (CO2). Methane is produced through anaerobic (without oxygen) decomposition of waste in landfills, animal digestion, decomposition of animal wastes, production and distribution of natural gas and petroleum, coal production, and incomplete fossil fuel combustion. The global warming potential (GWP) is from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC's) Third Assessment Report (TAR).
Metric Ton – The common international measurement for the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions. A metric ton is equal to 2205 lbs or 1.1 short tons.
Net Metering – A method of crediting customers for electricity that the customer generates on site in excess of their own electricity consumption. Customers with their own generation offset the electricity they would have purchased from their utility. If such customers generate more than they use in a billing period, their electric meter turns backwards to indicate their net excess generation. Depending on individual state or utility rules, the net excess generation may be credited to their account (in many cases at the retail price), carried over to a future billing period, or ignored.
“New” Renewables – The voluntary green power market came into existence in the late 1990’s. January 1, 1997 is considered a definitive point in time when green power facilities could be adequately identified as having been developed to serve the green power marketplace. Green power facilities placed into service after January 1, 1997 are said to produce “new” renewable energy. The “new” criterion addresses the additional requirements for the voluntary market.
Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) – Gases consisting of one molecule of nitrogen and varying numbers of oxygen molecules. Nitrogen oxides are produced in the emissions of vehicle exhausts and from power stations. In the atmosphere, nitrogen oxides can contribute to formation of photochemical ozone (smog), can impair visibility, and have health consequences; they are thus considered pollutants.
On-site Renewable Generation – Electricity generated by renewable resources using a system or device located at the site where the power is used. On-site generation is a form of distributed energy generation. For more information about distributed energy technologies that are renewable and non-renewable, visit the Department of Energy's Distributed Energy Resources Web site.
Renewable Energy – The term renewable energy generally refers to electricity supplied from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, geothermal, hydropower, and various forms of biomass. These energy sources are considered renewable sources because their fuel sources are continuously replenished. Some renewable energy resources, such as nuclear power, have environmental impacts that preclude their acceptance among customers in the voluntary green power market.
Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) – Also known as green tags, green energy certificates, or tradable renewable certificates. RECs represent the technology and environmental attributes of electricity generated from renewable sources. RECs are usually sold in 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) units. A certificate can be sold separately from the underlying generic electricity with which it is associated. Once the REC is sold separately from the underlying electricity, the electricity is no longer considered renewable. RECs provide buyers flexibility to offset a percentage of their annual electricity use when green power products may not be available locally.
Renewable Portfolio Standard – The requirement that an electric power provider generate or purchase a specified percentage of the power it supplies/sells from renewable energy resources, and thereby guarantee a market for electricity generated from renewable energy resources.
Retail Competition – In states with retail competition, consumers have the opportunity to choose their energy provider and purchase products based on the price or on the source of power supplied to their home or business.
Short Ton – Common measurement for a ton in the United States. A short ton is equal to 2,000 lbs or 0.907 metric tons. See metric ton.
Sulfur Dioxide – High concentrations of sulfur dioxide affect breathing and may aggravate existing respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Sensitive populations include asthmatics, individuals with bronchitis or emphysema, children, and the elderly. Sulfur dioxide is also a primary contributor to acid rain, which causes acidification of lakes and streams and can damage trees, crops, historic buildings, and statues. In addition, sulfur compounds in the air contribute to visibility impairment in large parts of the country. This is especially noticeable in national parks. Sulfur dioxide is released primarily from burning fuels that contain sulfur (such as coal, oil, and diesel fuel). Stationary sources such as coal- and oil-fired power plants, steel mills, refineries, pulp and paper mills, and nonferrous smelters are the largest releasers.
Utility – A utility is a municipal or private business that provides electricity to the public and is subject to governmental regulation.
Vintage – A term that refers to the year that purchased green power was generated. Refer to the Green Power Partners Program Requirements for more information.

Friday, July 24, 2009

What is SEER?

What is SEER?

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rates the efficiency of air conditioning units. SEER is defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute in its standard ARI 210=240, Performance Rating of Unitary Air-Conditioning and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment. The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy efficient the unit. The SEER rating is the Btu of cooling output during a typical season divided by the total electric energy input in watt-hours during the same period.

For example, consider a 5000 BTU/h air-conditioning unit, with a SEER of 10, operating for a total of 1000 hours during an annual cooling season (e.g., 8 hours per day for 125 days). This section from Wikipedia.

The annual total cooling output would be:

5000 BTU/h * 8 h/day * 125 days = 5,000,000 BTU

With a SEER of 10, the annual electrical energy usage would be about:

5,000,000 BTU / 10 BTU/W·h = 500,000 W·h

The average power usage may also be calculated more simply by:

Average power = (BTU/h) / (SEER, BTU/W·h) = 5000 / 10 = 500 W

If your electricity cost is 20¢/kW·h, then your operating cost is:

0.5 kW * 20¢/kW·h = 10¢/h

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

LED, CFL, Halogen, Flourescent Comparison

When considering LED light vs halogen bulbs, it is worth remembering there are now several alternatives available when seeking new lights. These include traditional incandescent bulbs, the normal fluorescent light fixture, LED light bulbs and compact fluorescent lights. There are also variations such as halogen bulbs.
Incandescent lights are what we have been raised with. They produce bright light but give off a great deal of heat and come in a very wide variety of types. There lights are intended for an extremely diverse range of outputs from small night lights to huge floodlights. They have high power usage, low lifespan and are likely to fail as they are switched on and off. They also respond poorly to very cold temperatures. Ordinary incandescent bulbs last perhaps a thousand hours, while the more expensive and capable halogen bulbs can last about twice as long.
Fluorescent lights are somewhat more expensive to purchase than incandescent lights, but are much less expensive to operate. They can produce a relatively unpleasant color of light, and have a flicker effect as the lights flash on and off faster than the eye can detect. This can have effects on some people however, as their subconscious can detect the flicker and grow stressed. The constant hum exacerbates this and some find the lights oppressive as a result. Fluorescent lights also contain small amounts of mercury. This requires, in many jurisdictions, the user to treat old fluorescent lights as hazardous waste, much like you should treat batteries. This normally involves bagging the light, especially larger lights, and taking t hem to designated facilities for disposal. This isn’t terribly onerous, as it is the same as is required of batteries. They also use far less power than incandescent lights.
Compact fluorescent lights are the same technology as the older fluorescents, but are intended to replace conventional screw in incandescent bulbs. They also contain small amounts of mercury, and should be treated the same as the standard fluorescents, that is, bagged and disposed of properly when needed. The amount of mercury is small enough that it is not a danger by EPA standards, but many jurisdictions still require proper disposal. This does not include calling in hazmat teams as some rumors suggest. They cost about 20-25% of the energy cost for an incandescent bulb. The bulbs cost more than an incandescent bulb, but replace many due to the long lifespan. They should last perhaps 10,000 hours.
LED Light Bulbs last longer than even the CFL lights, up to 60,000 hours and considerably longer times are expected soon. LED Light Bulbs are currently expensive, but over a lifespan are comparable with the prices for the CFLs and fluorescents. The high up front costs are compensated for by the low operation costs.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Egypt To Build 200MW Wind Farm, Production Expected in 2014

Egypt is thinking ahead, moving forward with plans to generate 12% of its electricity by 2020, in approving another 200MW wind farm in the Red Sea region.

The newest wind farm will be located south of Zafarna and about 120km north of Hurghada. Zafarna is a windy part of country with several already operational wind farms. The country just recently announced open bidding for a 250MW wind farm in the same area and has received bids from 26 international companies.

The bidding procedure for the latest wind farm, which should cost around 340 million euros, will hopefully start in December, 2009. The wind farm is not expected to start producing electricity before 2014.

European Investment Bank, the European Commission and German bank KfW are expected to finance 270 million euros of the total cost. KfW confirmed that it will contribute, but said it would not reveal how much until it receives final approval from the German government.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the EPA Website Part II:

In addition to the U.S. inventory, greenhouse gas emissions can be tracked at the global, state and local levels as well as by companies and individuals:
• Many other countries also develop national greenhouse gas inventories, which can be compiled into global inventories. EPA works with developing and transition countries to improve the accuracy and sustainability of their greenhouse gas inventories. EPA has developed Greenhouse Gas Inventory Capacity Building templates and software tools targeting key sources, emissions factors, good practices, institutional infrastructure and use of the latest IPCC guidelines on greenhouse gas inventories.
• Many states prepare greenhouse gas inventories, and EPA provides guidance and tools to assist them in their efforts.
• Corporate greenhouse gas inventories provide information on the emissions associated with the operations of a company.
• Individuals produce greenhouse gas emissions through everyday activities such as driving and using air conditioning or heating. EPA provides an online calculator for estimating personal emissions.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publishes internationally accepted inventory methodologies that serve as a basis for all greenhouse gas inventories, ensuring that they are comparable and understandable. The 2006 IPCC Guidelines were completed and accepted by the IPCC in May 2006.
Top of page
Emission Trends & Projections
Estimates of future emissions and removals depend in part on assumptions about changes in underlying human activities. For example, the demand for fossil fuels such as gasoline and coal is expected to increase greatly with the predicted growth of the U.S. and global economies.
The Fourth U.S. Climate Action Report concluded, in assessing current trends, thatcarbon dioxide emissions increased by 20 percent from 1990-2004, while methane and nitrous oxide emissions decreased by 10 percent and 2 percent, respectively. The declines in methane emissions are due to a variety of technological, policy, and agricultural changes, such as increased capture of methane from landfills for energy, reduced emissions from natural gas systems, and declining cattle populations. At least some of the decline in nitrous oxide emissions is due to improved emissions control technologies in cars, trucks, and other mobile sources. (Fourth U.S.Climate Action Report, 2007)
Many, but not all, human sources of greenhouse gas emissions are expected to rise in the future. This growth may be reduced by ongoing efforts to increase the use of newer, cleaner technologies and other measures. Additionally, our everyday choices about such things as commuting, housing, electricity use and recycling can influence the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted.
The United States government prepares projections of emissions and removals of all greenhouse gases. The following links provide more detailed information on projections:
• Greenhouse Gas Projections, Chapter 5 of the U.S. Climate Action Report: In Chapter 5 of the Climate Action Report, the U.S. forecasts future emission levels using information developed from models.
• International Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emission Projections
• Methane Projections
• Nitrous Oxide Projections
• Fluorinated Gases

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the EPA Website

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the EPA Website
Part I:
Greenhouse Gas Overview
Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere are often called greenhouse gases. This section of the EPA Climate Change Site provides information and data on emissions of greenhouse gases to Earth’s atmosphere, and also the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. For more information on the science of climate change, please visit EPA's climate change science home page.
Some greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide occur naturally and are emitted to the atmosphere through natural processes and human activities. Other greenhouse gases (e.g., fluorinated gases) are created and emitted solely through human activities. The principal greenhouse gases that enter the atmosphere because of human activities are:
• Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the burning of fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal), solid waste, trees and wood products, and also as a result of other chemical reactions (e.g., manufacture of cement). Carbon dioxide is also removed from the atmosphere (or “sequestered”) when it is absorbed by plants as part of the biological carbon cycle.
• Methane (CH4): Methane is emitted during the production and transport of coal, natural gas, and oil. Methane emissions also result from livestock and other agricultural practices and by the decay of organic waste in municipal solid waste landfills.
• Nitrous Oxide (N2O): Nitrous oxide is emitted during agricultural and industrial activities, as well as during combustion of fossil fuels and solid waste.
• Fluorinated Gases: Hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride are synthetic, powerful greenhouse gases that are emitted from a variety of industrial processes. Fluorinated gases are sometimes used as substitutes for ozone-depleting substances (i.e., CFCs, HCFCs, and halons). These gases are typically emitted in smaller quantities, but because they are potent greenhouse gases, they are sometimes referred to as High Global Warming Potential gases (“High GWP gases”).
Greenhouse Gas Inventories
A greenhouse gas inventory is an accounting of the amount of greenhouse gases emitted to or removed from the atmosphere over a specific period of time (e.g., one year). A greenhouse gas inventory also provides information on the activities that cause emissions and removals, as well as background on the methods used to make the calculations. Policy makers use greenhouse gas inventories to track emission trends, develop strategies and policies and assess progress. Scientists use greenhouse gas inventories as inputs to atmospheric and economic models.
To track the national trend in emissions and removals since 1990, EPA develops the official U.S. greenhouse gas inventory each year. The national greenhouse gas inventory is submitted to the United Nations in accordance with the Framework Convention on Climate Change .

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Eco-Friendly Existence for Beginners

Going green, or eco-friendly, couldn’t be easier now more than ever before. No matter how rural our homes, most county landfills now offer the opportunity to recycle. We all use paper, glass, plastic and metal each day. All we have to do is separate them in different containers and put them by the curb, in most cases.

That’s just one simple way to ‘go green’. Another ‘free’ way to conserve energy is by planning your trips around town. If you have to go to the cleaners, take the kids to soccer and ballet classes and pick up a few items at the grocery store, planning is easy. Rather than three separate trips, or even two, try to combine trips. You can even plan it out on mapquest.com, including your stops, using the most economic route.

Another easy green tip: use cloth shopping bags. Cloth bags are reusable and available at most major retail stores. Target and Walmart both have them. Keep your bags in the car, in a convenient spot so you don’t forget. I keep several bags, all inside of a bag, behind the passenger seat. If you have to use plastic, reuse the bags once you bring them home. They come in handy as small trash can liners amongst other uses.

Monday, June 8, 2009

Does Hot Weather Have to Equal High Bills?

Does Hot Weather Have to Equal High Bills?
Hot weather doesn’t have to mean skyrocketing power bills and nonstop air conditioning. Here are some tips to help you maximize your summer comfort while maintaining energy efficiency.

It’s Summer
Your home doesn’t need to feel arctic it simply needs to be a comfortable living space. Avoid using your AC when you don’t really need it. After all, if it’s under 75 degrees out, it shouldn’t be running. Set it at a reasonable temperature when it’s operating. HVAC experts suggest 78 degrees as an ideal level to ensure comfort without wasting power.
Don’t underestimate the power of a fan. Whether you use a room or ceiling fan, it will consume far less energy than an air conditioner. A fan stirs cool air around a room, and the breeze on your skin can let you stay comfortable while relying less on the AC - or even skipping it altogether.
How to Make Your AC’s Job Easier
Summer heat is enough of a challenge for an air conditioner – don’t make it work even harder than it has to. Have your unit maintained regularly by a pro to make sure it’s operating at its peak efficiency. And you can do your part too, by regularly cleaning or replacing the air filter. A clean filter means less air resistance for the unit, and better air quality in your home.
Don’t Cool Empty Rooms
It might seem obvious but this one gets overlooked all too often: Turn off the air conditioning when you leave home. If you must have a cool house waiting for you when you return, try a timed thermostat instead of running the AC all day. Remember that turning the unit to its coldest setting won’t cool your house any faster, set it at 78 and be patient. While you’re at home, close the doors and vents in unused rooms, and consider using a portable air conditioner to only cool the living space you’re actually using.
Fuel to The Fire
Be aware of unnecessary heat sources around the house that compete with your air conditioner such as incandescent light bulbs. The reason they use so much power is that only a fraction of the electricity they consume is used for light, while the rest gets wasted in the form of heat your air conditioner must then cool down. That’s another reason to switch to compact fluorescent bulbs, or the more efficient LED lights. Another common foe of your AC are long, hot showers that raise the surrounding air temperature inside the home, and add humidity to the air, which makes it feel even warmer. Try shorter, cooler showers. You’ll feel cooler too.
Other appliances can be tough for an AC to work against. Avoid using your dishwasher, oven, and clothes drier at peak heat times of the day, and use settings that minimize their heat output and energy usage. For example, disable the air-dry function on your dishwasher, and lower the temperature on your clothes drier – or even better, use a simple clothesline to let your clothes dry in the breeze.
Ironically, your refrigerator can be one of the biggest heat sources in the home. Use a thermometer inside the refrigerator and freezer to make sure the temperature stays at ideal levels. Going colder just wastes electricity and creates more wasted heat in the kitchen. Older models are especially inefficient, look for the EnergyStar rating when purchasing new.
Made in the Shade
Shade is natural air conditioning that doesn’t cost a penny. Low-e windows are great for keeping heat out of the house, but a simple window shade or tinting will do the job too. Shade trees can dramatically reduce interior temperatures when planted on the south and west sides of your home. Lawn vegetation has the added advantage of evaportative cooling.
Keep direct sunlight out of your windows and locate AC units in the shade. Air conditioners that are in the sun all day have to work harder to cool the air that passes through. Also make sure that any screens or nearby plants don’t interfere with airflow to the unit.
What’s Up
In every home the roof and attic can be your best friend when it comes to keeping the heat outside and cutting energy consumption. Consider roofing materials and colors that efficiently reflect heat from the sun’s rays, remember that light reflects light and heat and dark absorbs. The best use of your roof will be to provide solar power. Ensure that your roofline and attic are well sealed and insulated. Use an exhaust fan to draw collected heat out of your home.
Looking For a New AC
If you’re considering a new air conditioner, it’s worth investing in an energy efficient model. They use less power, which means less pollution and lower energy bills for you. New residential evaporative cooling models use the same principle as skyscraper cooling towers and can be extremely efficient. They’re especially worth considering for residents of hot, dry climates. Although they may be more expensive initially, many high-efficiency models qualify for tax credits and possibly rebates from local utility providers. Many utility companies will allow you to finance through them at a lower normal rate. Energy Star models are available everywhere, remember the higher the SEER/EER score, the better. Please ensure that your model uses a non-flourocarbon refrigerant.
Everyone has better places to spend their money than power bills and summer is hot enough without reduce-able pollution adding to global warming. Be smart about keeping cool in the summertime, it’s a win-win scenario for everybody.

Friday, June 5, 2009

Make my Mark

Growing up, I wondered what I would do when I grew up. How would I leave my mark on the planet? What would I leave for my daughter and grandson. Now that we've learned about the size of our carbon footprints, we know we actually need to leave less of a mark.

I know there are people out there who don't think there is anything they can do. I know because I used to think that. I recycle, I use cloth shopping bags and I try to plan my drives around the city to conserve gasoline. I also know that it's not enough. I want a smaller footprint.

There are so many things available now that we couldn't afford just a few years ago. Solar and wind power, even small turbines made from recycled plastic. We can be eco friendly in our day to day lives. I'll post tips on how to conserve in further posts, so stay tuned.

There are incentives beyond what we want to leave our children, federal and state government, even our utility companies are helping us out. You can check your state incentives here: http://www.dsireusa.org/index.cfm to find out what's available to you. Don't forget to check with your utility company either, they can be invaluable and even help finance improvements. It never hurts to ask!

More later,

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Solar Powered Bus Shelters equals Light Plus Wifi

If you find yourself in San Francisco, new solar-powered bus stops might make the wait for a bus more pleasant. Last week they unveiled the first solar-powered shelter which contains photovoltaic cells on its roof that power LEDs for night-time vision. Excess power is sent back to the grid.

To top it off, San Francisco’s new shelters will have free Wi-Fi access. The city expects to install 1,100 new solar-powered bus stops between now and 2013. That means a blanket of free Internet across the city, handy to get email or work done while waiting.

Each shelter costs between $25,000-$30,000, but they are being paid for in full by Clear Channel Communications.

Check out the prototype shelter at the corner of Geary and Arguello in the Richmond.