November 21, 2011 at 10:12 pm · Filed under Green Tech
Hybrid vehicles seem like a great idea because they use both an electric engine and a gas engine. Gas powered cars pollute the air when they go above or below their optimum fuel efficiency speed (generally 60 mph). Hybrids, on the other hand, have electric engines to make up for some of that polluting inefficiency; when a hybrid is idling or traveling at a low speeds, its electric engine runs while its gas powered one does not. Read the rest of this entry »
November 19, 2011 at 11:36 pm · Filed under DIY Projects, Green Tech, Off Grid, Wind Power
Windows are a mixed blessing. No doubt they are great for admitting light and making your home – be it condo , house , apartment bright and cheery while admitting light, providing a view of the out-of-doors as well as collecting some solar energy during day light daytime hours they are not good – indeed horrible – insulators against nighttime heat losses. In fact , in the heating and windows trades it is both well known and held as a truism that single pane glass acts as a heat exchanger to the outdoors – allowing about 10 times as much heat loss per a square foot area than an insulated wall would.
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November 18, 2011 at 6:50 pm · Filed under DIY Projects, Off Grid
Loose fill (pour type) fiberglass, mineral wool and cellulose products are easy to install in unfinished attic areas. These materials also can be blown into walls. However they do settle over time – reducing their insulation values and make for drafty, cold patches of space. Read the rest of this entry »
November 17, 2011 at 6:09 pm · Filed under DIY Projects, Green Tech, Off Grid
A penny invested in installing and upgrading insulation materials in any building is it your home or office building – your property or an investment group of properties is many KW of electrical power, volumes of fossil fuels saved. Here are some things to consider before you go shopping at your local building equipment store to help you choose the type of insulation materials that you do the renovations and upgrades with. Read the rest of this entry »
November 16, 2011 at 6:26 pm · Filed under Bio Fuel, DIY Projects, Green Tech, Off Grid
Unless you have a need of a special material or materials, select insulation and insulating materials based on its cost per net square foot for a given R-value. As an example suppose that you want to upgrade your home’s energy insulation to both save you heating fuel costs and reduce your carbon footprint. Suppose you want to upgrade the values to an R-value of 19. You would or could then price out one kind of insulation that has a calculated and labeled R-value of 3.2 per inch of thickness and costs merely 7 cents per square foot at the 1-inch thickness. Another type, for this calculation exercise, has an R-value of 3.7 per inch of thickness yet costs 8 cents per square foot. Which is the better overall buy?
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November 16, 2011 at 8:59 am · Filed under The Politics
The latest round of climate change talks is due to get underway later this month in Durban, and there seems to be a general air of pessimism surrounding the issue. This is for a couple of reasons: one is that the attention of many large countries is currently on global economic issues rather than environmental ones, and another is that levels of climate skepticism from countries such as the US make it harder for action to be taken. Read the rest of this entry »
November 11, 2011 at 8:34 am · Filed under Bio Fuel
At first glance, it might seem a bit insane to create renewable energy out of alcohol. However, whisky could become a good source of energy. In Scotland, a distillery is attempting to create a greener world by installing a generator that runs on biogas. This would also enable them to solve any issues with energy. 
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October 31, 2011 at 10:56 pm · Filed under Ecology, The Politics
The global water crisis is a matter of life and death for millions of people around the world. Statistics fail to capture the severity of the crisis, but their relevance cannot be gainsaid. More than 1 billion people live every day without clean drinking water and 2.6 billion people live without proper water sanitation, all of which result in an estimated 1.8 million deaths a year. The death toll is expected to rise as the world’s population continues to grow, and urbanization and industrialization absorb even more of the world’s natural resources.
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October 28, 2011 at 4:00 pm · Filed under Solar
The Green Deal was put through by the UK Government at the end of 2010, with both the Conservative sand the Liberal Democrats wanting to lower carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. The aim of the Green Deal is to make UK citizens more aware of the ways in which they can make their homes moreenergy efficient. The UK Government will be providing all of the upfront finances for this to happen,in a form of loan, starting in 2012.
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October 28, 2011 at 3:35 am · Filed under Green Tech
United States companies like Solyndra have been put into the hot seat of late because of failed policies by the federal government. Much of the criticism of the event comes due to the fact that the company’s loan was pushed through by many in the executive branch. The unfortunate issue was a combination of market trends in solar energy pricing issues, the U.S. government
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October 27, 2011 at 9:51 am · Filed under hybrids
Creating a car that is earth friendly is just about as difficult as rating its “greenness.” Here’s a breakdown of two common ratings you’ll find when reviewing green cars. Now they just need to rate trailers for sale on their greenness.
October 27, 2011 at 9:43 am · Filed under Green Tech
To some it may seem like a complete oxymoron, after all how can thoughtless opulence and spending possibly feature positively in the same sentence as eco friendly? For a start the wealthy elite are rapidly realising how important it is to be more eco friendly, how this can save them money, and how it benefits their image to the rest of the world. Termed eco-hyperluxury, this is a new spate of design where architects, designers and home owners take luxury living to an environmentally friendly level. We take a look at a few of the things that the world’s richest spend their money on in order to be more environmentally responsible. Read the rest of this entry »
October 25, 2011 at 9:48 am · Filed under DIY Projects
Composting is the best way to achieve two noble ideas into practical action. Of course, a kitchen compost bucket and other similar containers are necessary. Basically, a kitchen compost bucket can be anything from a simple manual bucket with a tight lid to an electronic device with a turning mechanism where the raw materials for compost can be mixed. Many dedicated do-it-yourself enthusiasts can make their own kitchen compost containers from scrap materials like old pails although many homeowners will also want to purchase ready-made composting containers for convenience. These ready-made kitchen compost buckets can be purchased from online sites and gardening supply stores. Naturally, online shopping comes highly-recommended.
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October 24, 2011 at 8:13 am · Filed under Green Tech
Several companies produce commercial environmentally safe cleaning products, but these tend to be much more expensive than traditional chemical detergents and cleansers. Fortunately, there are ways to have a spotless home while saving money. With ingredients you may already have in your home, you can replicate the cleaning power of chemical agents with none of the risk to your family and the environment. Baking soda is an incredibly versatile cleaner and can tackle many tough projects around your house. A natural odor dissolving agent, baking soda can freshen upholstery, garbage bins, closets and more. Baking soda sprinkled on a damp sponge safely cleans walls and counter tops, removing even tough stains like crayon and grease. Clean plastic baby toys safely and effectively by immersing them in a solution of four tablespoons of baking soda mixed with one quart of water. Add a cup of baking soda to a load of laundry to brighten clothes and give your linens a fluffy feel.
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October 23, 2011 at 6:08 pm · Filed under DIY Projects, Ecology
The sight of nature is such a stress buster that many of us are longing for that nature trip. Well, if we weren’t limited by our budgets, people would not be playing virtual farming games on the Internet just to get their dose of nature. And unlike what you see in Farmville, you really don’t need hectares of land to cultivate nor a special education on agriculture. Some have turned to their own backyards for a relaxing and nurturing activity which is home gardening. Not only it is a great hobby to get into, but it also makes any yard appearance priceless. And just like your online farm, they could be equally easy to grow and understand.
There are even apps that can work with your mobile device on how to nurse dying plants to health which is one of the most discouraging scenarios for new gardeners. So fret not, use your modern gadgetry for nature and check out the following apps that are all you need for a green thumb.
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October 18, 2011 at 6:51 am · Filed under Bio Fuel, DIY Projects, Green Tech, Off Grid, Solar, Wind Power
Add-on solar systems are another possibility as an auxiliary source of heating energy. Air heaters, to provide at least a portion of the needed winter space heat, built along south facing walls can be constructed of relatively inexpensive materials Solar water heaters can take much of the load off of conventional water heaters – on a year round – winter , summer , fall, springtime basis.
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October 18, 2011 at 6:26 am · Filed under Bio Fuel, Ecology, Green Tech, Off Grid
If homeowners are going to escape the tyranny of higher and higher oil costs, they will definitely need to cut back on energy use while at them same time them moving congruently to natural energy sources: wood, sun, wind and earth. For most of us however no doubt you can well bet that there are still going to bills and expenses to pay.
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October 15, 2011 at 5:45 am · Filed under DIY Projects, hybrids, Off Grid
The tightest door does not save much heat when it is wide open. Your grandmother may have well told you – when the home may have been heated by wood or by an old fashioned “oil burner” with bunker fuel oil – “Why are you heating the outside”.
It’s sort of pointless now – in our days of global warming. Why waste the energy.
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October 15, 2011 at 5:24 am · Filed under DIY Projects, Off Grid
Most homes, apartments & condominiums can save energy – indeed there are numerous opportunities to abound to save energy if we only look around and do a little legwork and money.
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October 11, 2011 at 6:02 am · Filed under Bio Fuel, DIY Projects, Off Grid, On Grid
With winter’s chill soon upon us we should do all we can around our homes, offices and properties to take steps to reduce our carbon footprint and fossil fuel use. After all a watt of power saved now – is energy down the line that is not used and saved for future generations and others in less fortunate areas of the globe.
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