Tag Archive for energy

Why Vacuum So Often?


Reduce the need to use your vacuum cleaner so often.  Place a doormat just outside and inside your doors to catch the dust and debris brought in on shoes.  Or have everyone remove shoes before entering. Save lots of energy—yours and the Earth’s.

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[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

Build Yourself a Cool Kitchen

 Remodeling your kitchen?  Plan to place your fridge in a cooler spot, away from the oven or  a sunny window.  Each 1 degree above 70 around the fridge uses 2.5% more energy.

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[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000 or your favorite e-book seller and download to your computer or e-book device. Totally free, with no strings attached.]

A Fridge-d Suggestion

Use up to 6% less energy by not making your fridge work so hard.  Just clean the built-up dust off the coils a couple times a year.  (They’re usually behind that panel at the bottom.)  For safety, unplug it first.

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[For more easy, money-saving, earth-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-book seller.]

 

 

Save the World with a Clean Refrigerator

I thought Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day (today) was funny, until I opened my fridge.  What I saw reminded me that 1/3–½ of the food produced in the world goes to waste while starvation and food insecurity are widespread. We use a huge amount of water and polluting energy to make food that just ends up in the landfill. So I’ve turned over a new lettuce leaf.  I’ll buy only what I need, buy locally grown produce whenever possible, and try growing some myself.  I’ll be creative with leftovers and aging foods, eating them before they’re wasted (my freezer helps here).  Maybe I’ll organize a potluck with friends so we can share.   If I have too much fresh produce or non-perishable items, I’ll donate them to the local food bank.  I know I’m not perfect and will have to dispose of some spoiled food.  But it won’t be much, and I’ll compost it rather than tossing it into the garbage can or wasting water by using the disposal. The money I’ll save will go to organizations fighting hunger.  It seems like the least I can do.

Veg Out this Summer

 

Look at all those yummy fresh fruits and vegetables in that Farmer’s Market!  And it’s all grown locally.  Why does that matter?  Because they’re fresher (haven’t traveled 1-2 weeks to get here), have fewer or no preservatives or genetic modifications to extend freshness, save energy (local production takes 3%-17% less oil for transportation), and have less packaging.  Besides, buying them supports our local farmers and economy.  So, enjoy the abundant fruits (and veggies) of summer!

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[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

Thursday Thought: What we Choose

I guess it’s up to us.

 

 

 

Time/Energy Laundry Tip

Shorten laundry drying time and save energy. Add two dry towels to the load. They’ll draw moisture out of the other items, and the redistributed moisture takes a shorter time to dry.

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 [For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

The High Cost of Lint

The clothes dryer is out to get you.  It pulls fuzzies off of socks, collects pet hair and threads, and gathers whatever else it wants in order to create…LINT!  And more LINT! This seemingly harmless substance results in 30% more energy used and, therefore, your spending $40 or more a year (depending on what your utility charges) that could have been spent on something else (or saved toward a new washer/dryer).  It’s also a fire hazard, because fires are started more often than we’d imagine by lint-clogged vents.

Show the dryer who’s boss…clean out its lint filter and vent (from drum to outdoor outlet) at least twice a year.

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[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Go to www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]

 

Do You Remember Our National Bird?

Will our grand-kids recognize what these birds are and what they represent?

Say No to Weakened Protections for Eagles

     Maybe not, if there aren’t any around to see.    That’s a possibility if energy lobbyists get their way.  Right now, corporations can get a permit allowing them to kill a certain number of eagles, if they offset the damage. Every five years the public can examine a corporation’s operations before another permit is granted.  What the energy lobbyists want to do is make that permit-period THIRTY years.  A lot can happen to the birds in all that time without oversight of corporate actions.

These aren’t just any bird, or any eagle, for that matter.  They’re the majestic symbol of our nation and, as such, deserve protection.

If you feel strongly about this issue, email Sally Jewell, Secretary of the Interior about your concerns.  Also, go to Care2’s petition site and sign the petition.

 

 

Earth-Friendly Tip: Have Fun

This summer, plan family recreational activities that use renewable rather than non-renewable energy.  Hike one of the trails around the city. Take a rowboat out on a nearby lake.  Bike around to neighborhood garage sales.  Play board games stretched out on your lawn.  Talk to each other.

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[For more easy, money-saving, Eco-friendly tips, download a FREE copy of Green Riches: Help the Earth & Your Budget. Click on www.Smashwords.com/books/ view/7000, choose a format, and download to your computer or e-book device. Or download a free copy from your favorite e-tailer.]