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

Test from Ping

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