When you save energy, you save money. But where should you start to get a jump on using less energy, especially with winter approaching? Here are 12 smart steps to take, courtesy of Canada’s Direct Energy Regulated Services. Start with actions to reduce the amount of energy you need. Then replace existing equipment with more efficient options.

TO SAVE ENERGY THIS FALL…

INSULATE AND WEATHERIZE

1.Upgrade the insulation in your exterior walls, crawlspaces, basements and attics. Many homes don’t have nearly the insulation they need to keep warm air in and cold air out. If you live out west, check with Alberta power companies, for example. Or, check with your local utility in your region to find out how much insulation your home should have to cut down your energy bills.

2.Seal leaky windows and doors. Heat from your home escapes out these cracks. These leaks are easy to seal with weatherstripping around the door and caulking for the windows, available cheaply at your local hardware store.

3. Seal electrical outlets on exterior walls. Some small amount of cold air gets into your house through electrical outlets that are positioned on exterior walls. You can buy pre-cut insulation pads to put behind those outlets, or plastic plugs to place in them when they’re not being used.

REPAIR AND REFIT

4.Clean your chimney, and install an efficient insert. Wood-burning fireplaces send most of their heat up the chimney, rather than into your home. Maybe this year is the year to install an efficient insert that will capture the heat and radiate it back into your house. Clean the chimney to improve air ventilation and reduce risk of fire.

5. Remove window air conditioners. If they must stay in place, seal them with caulking or weatherizing tape and cover them with an airtight, insulated jacket.

6.Cover single-pane windows. Single panes of glass offer almost no protection against cold temperatures. If you have single-panes, see if you can add energy-efficient double-pane windows with inert argon gas fill, warm-edge spacers, and low-e coating. Also hang drapes or curtains in front of windows to provide additional insulation.

7. Check your water heater. If its surface is hot or even warm, some of the energy used to heat the water is being wasted. Check your owner manual to see how to wrap your water heater in an insulating blanket to keep more of the heat inside the tank.

8.Set the water heater temperature reasonably. In Canada, the recommended temperature is between 43 degrees C and 49 degrees C. In the U.S., the Dept. of Energy recommends 120 degrees F.

9.Uncover heating vents. Make sure your heating bents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes and the dampers are open. Vacuum out dust and pet hair from warm air registers and cold air returns so your furnace runs more efficiently.

REPLACE

10.Replace your furnace with one rated 90% or higher in energy efficiency. If your furnace is getting old, consider replacing it with a newer, more efficient model. Check with your local utility to see if any rebates are available to help cover the cost. Some tax credits may help offset the cost as well.

11.Replace the air filters in the furnace once a month or so. Cleaner air filters help improve the furnace’s efficiency.

12.Replace your standard thermostat with a programmable one. Get a thermostat that you can set to turn down the heat when you leave for work in the morning or go to bed at night. You can also program it to turn up the heat before you get home or wake up. The U.S. EPA reports that doing save can save you anywhere from to 30% on your heating (and cooling) energy bills.

NOTE: Partners and sponsors help us bring you the expertise you need to lead the greener life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks!

The post 12 Ways to Save Energy This Fall appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Why is the Green New Deal such a big deal? And what impact could it have on your life and the life and future of your family and community?

I’ve read the Deal from top to bottom and here’s what I’ve figured out:

What the Green New Deal aims to do is:

Eliminate the carbon emissions fueling climate change and
the resulting extreme weather events, economic disruption, and disease it causes.

…and 

Do it in the next 10 years.

But what, specifically, does the Green New Deal call for? Here’s a rundown of the Deal and what it means for us and our kids.

First, what actually IS it? The Green New Deal is a resolution, not a proposed law. It does not suggest specific legislation. Instead, it sets an exciting goal that calls for the US to reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2029. In doing so, it acknowledges how current energy production affects every aspect of our lives, including employment, health, housing, and education.

Still need to know more about climate change? Don’t miss this post:

Top 10 Reasons to Take Climate Change Seriously!

Why Is It called a “New Deal”? The reference is to the New Deal President Franklin D. Roosevelt created in the 1930s to save the United States from the worst depression in its history. FDR’s New Deal not only put people back to work but established a host of federal agencies and programs to protect farmers, the unemployed, youth, and the elderly.

Several of those programs, including the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), as well as the Social Security System and the Securities and Exchange Commission, endure today and continue to benefit millions of Americans.

How would the Green New Deal benefit the environment? This past year, rampant forest fires and severe hurricanes destroyed millions of acres of forests. Climate change has made it possible for voracious pests like the pine bark beetle to extend their range northward, killing additional millions of acres of trees. Every year, oil spills pollute lakes, rivers and streams. Fracking for natural gas emits horrible air pollutants and contaminates the drinking water of hundreds of communities.

Phasing out the coal mining, fracking, and oil drilling whose emissions cause pollution and climate change would improve air and water quality. Reversing rising global temperatures could stop the spread of many pests and illnesses like Lyme disease, which have been on the rise as ticks extend their range into what were once cold climates.

How would the Green New Deal get us off dirty energy and onto cleaner energy sources? The Deal suggests a multi-step plan that begins with efficiency. It would upgrade all existing buildings to “achieve maximal energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, affordability, comfort, and durability.”

New energy would be achieved by “Meeting 100 percent of the power demand in the United States through clean, renewable, and zero-emission energy sources”  like solar and wind. The GND also advocates investing in “clean, affordable, and accessible public transportation,” and expanding high-speed rail to reduce the need for polluting air travel. It would spur “massive growth in clean manufacturing” while “removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and industry as much as is technologically feasible.” Helping farmers and ranchers eliminate pollution and greenhouse gas emissions (i.e., the methane cows and pigs emit when they belch and fart) is on the list, too.

Would the Green New Deal benefit children’s health?  Yes! The Deal advocates an immediate transition away from burning the fossil fuels whose emissions are the primary source both of climate change and dirty air.

That would be good news for all kids, but especially for the millions who suffer from asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Less air pollution would also mean fewer “code red” or “code orange” air quality days, so kids could play outside more. In the long term, reducing the extreme weather events associated with climate change would protect children from threats associated with hurricanes, wildfires, and floods. It would also help stop the spread of infectious diseases, poison ivy, and the ticks that cause Lyme disease.

Who’s going to pay for it? The sponsors of the resolution, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Edward Markey (D-MA), view the Green New Deal as an investment, not an expenditure. “We will finance … the Green New Deal the same way we paid for the original New Deal, World War II, the bank bailouts, tax cuts for the rich, and decades of war–with public money appropriated by Congress.”

In all likelihood, individual programs would be paid for by some combination of re-allocated federal program budgets and private entrepreneurial investments, like those Elon Musk made to create the Tesla electric car and John Mackey made when he established the Whole Foods grocery chain.

Anything as ambitious and creative as the Green New Deal is bound to generate detractors and naysayers, and the Deal is no exception.

But with sixty-nine percent of Americans saying they are “somewhat worried” or “very worried” about climate change, according to a December survey by Yale University in Connecticut and George Mason University in Virginia, it would seem that a majority of Americans want government to do much more than they’re doing to rein in this catastrophe-in-the-making.

Of course, you don’t have to wait for Congress to act to do your own part to start saving energy and using  solar and wind.

Start by reading this post:

18 Smart Ways to Save Energy At Home

Then,

Check out the Sunrise Movement, a non-profit coalition that’s working to advance the Green New Deal across the country.

And stay tuned! I’ll have more specifics coming your way soon about how you can take advantage of the Green New Deal.

NOTE: A version of this post originally appeared on Moms Clean Air Force. Make sure you check them out!

The post 6 Reasons Why The Green New Deal Is Such a Big Deal appeared first on Big Green Purse.

When you were learning to drive, were you taught anything about ways to save gas? Probably not. Yet transportation contributes 14% to total global greenhouse gas emissions. Fumes and air pollutants coming out of vehicle tail pipes are one of the biggest sources of smog and dirty air, too.  I’d love to see driver’s ed programs include information on driving efficiently and cleanly for new drivers. Until then, we’ve teamed up with DrivingOffice.com, which helps new drivers in my home state of Michigan pass their driver’s test by taking the Michigan permit practice test. Here are 10 ways to save gas this summer you need to know, whether you’re new to the wheel or have a lot of miles under your tires.

1-Follow the 10-second rule before you idle your car.

It’s easy to think you’re only stopping for a short time when you idle in park, and not worth turning the engine off.

The truth is that, any time the engine is on and you’re not moving, you’re wasting gas and money.

In fact, idling a car for as little as ten seconds actually uses more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it. If you spend five minutes idling, you’ll waste a perfectly good gallon of gas!

When Should You Turn Off Your Car?

⇒Turn the car off when you’re stuck at a railroad crossing, or waiting to pick someone up at school or their house, and skip the drive-throughs when the lines are long.

⇒Turn off your car when you’re waiting for a pick-up if it’s going to take longer than 10 seconds to get your goods.

⇒Never idle at a school, especially when you’re waiting to pick up little kids. You’ll just be filling the air with toxic fumes they shouldn’t have to breathe.

Don’t Miss: Ways to Save $20 – $50 Every Month on Gasoline

2-Drive at a constant speed.

The more you accelerate quickly and brake suddenly, the more fuel you use.

How should you start and stop?

⇒Don’t be a “jack rabbit.” Ease up to a stop sign or stop light then ease away at a moderate speed.

3-Drive the speed limit.

Obviously, you want to drive the speed limit to avoid getting a ticket.

Driving the speed limit will keep you alive, too, since speeding leads to so many accidents.

But driving faster than 65mph gobbles up gas, too. In fact, driving at a speed of 85 mph uses 40% more fuel than if you drove at 70 mph.

How fast should you drive?

⇒Stick to the posted speed limit.

⇒Drive 65 on the highway to use a lot less fuel.

4-Keep your car tires properly pumped up.

Not having enough air in your car tires can reduce the number of miles you get per gallon of gasoline by 3%. That may not sound like a lot, but it could amount to as much oil as is in the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Instead of destroy that wilderness, we can all simply keep our tires pumped up to the proper psi, or pounds per square inch.

When should you pump up your tires?

⇒ A good rule of thumb is to check the tire pressure every time the seasons change, so maybe four times a year. If you don’t know the psi, it’s easily found on a little sticker right inside the door jamb of the front driver’s-side door.

Keep a tire pressure gauge in the glove compartment of the car so it’s easy to check the tire pressure.

5-Change the oil regularly and get an annual tune up.

Maintaining your vehicle is important for lots of reasons. Cars tend to have a longer life if they are well maintained. They also run more efficiently, which means you do not have to buy as much fuel.

How often should you get an oil change?

⇒Read your vehicle manual, but most manufacturers recommend an oil change every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. You can find lots of coupons online for discounts that will bring oil change costs down to only around $20 bucks a pop.

⇒Tune ups are recommended annually.

6-Use air conditioning instead of opening windows.

You may think that opening the windows in your car, instead of using air conditioning, is a good idea. But it turns out that the opposite is true. Open windows increase the amount of drag, which means that open windows in a fast-moving car actually slow the car down, so you end up using more gas than you would if the air conditioning was switched on.

When to use AC?

⇒Use the AC when you’re traveling at speeds above 40 mph on the highway. You can use the lowest fan setting and keep cool air circulating to make it comfortable.

⇒Roll the windows down when you’re just driving around town at lower speeds.

⇒Use a windshield shade to reflect sunlight away from your car and keep internal temperatures cooler.

7-Carpool and share the gas – and the cost.

Carpools are a great idea. Not only do you save on the cost of gas, because you use your vehicle less frequently; you also get to chat with a group of friends during the journey.

8-Combine trips and use apps to shorten distances traveled.

If you do not plan your week effectively, you can end up driving a greater distance than required. If you need to go to the doctor and the mall, and they are both in the same direction, go to both on the same journey where possible. As a result, you drive a shorter distance and you save on the cost of extra fuel.

What apps are the best for creating gas-saving travel routs?

⇒Waze is popular, but Google Maps is great, too!

9-Park where you are

How many times have you driven around for a while, looking for a parking space that is closer to your destination? If you are able, it’s a much better idea to park in the first spot you can, and simply walk a little further. You end up saving money and time.

What apps make parking quick and easy?

Parking Panda

Park Whiz

Best Parking

10-Put your car on a diet.

Many people keep too much stuff in their car. Extra weight makes the vehicle heavier, increasing fuel consumption.

⇒De-clutter your vehicle and save money on gas. If you’re not going to use it, don’t keep it in the trunk or on the roof rack.

NOTE: Sponsors and partnerships like these allow us to bring you expert content at no cost to you. All editorial opinions expressed are our own. Thanks!

The post New Driver? The 10 Ways to Save Gas This Summer You Need to Know appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Be the hero of your house with these smart ways to save energy room-by-room.
Get the link to the live interactive guide pictured here below.

Trump doesn’t need to speak for you when it comes to fighting climate change. Even though he wants to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Accord, you can show him you disagree by practicing smart ways to save energy at home. How?

1) Continue to acknowledge that climate change is a real threat.

2) Do your own part to save energy.

We’ve teamed up with StarTexPower to bring you 18 smart ways to save energy at home. Just go to this live graphic and click on any room in the house. You’ll get three tips per room to help you save energy at home.

Smart Ways to Save Energy At Home

Keep in mind these important room-by-room tips:

In The Living Room

⇒Seal air leaks around windows and doors.

⇒Change your furnace filter every 3 months.

⇒Adjust your thermostat by 10-15 degrees, especially when you’re away at work or when you go to bed.

Of the $2,000 you probably spend on energy annually, $200 to $400 could be going to waste from drafts, air leaks around openings, and outdated heating and cooling systems, reports Energy.gov.

Save as much as 30% on your energy bill by sealing the leaks.

Remember that dirty filters can slow down air flow and force your furnace to work harder.

Adjusting your thermostat by 10-15 degrees for at least 8 hours a day can cut your heating bill by 5-20% annually.

In Your Bedroom

⇒Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioning. Fans topically cost only 1 cen per day, says StarTex, while making the room feel 3-8 degrees cooler.

⇒Hang insulating drapes to keep rooms cooler during the summer and warmer in winter.

In The Kitchen And Laundry 

⇒Wash full loads.

⇒Replace older appliances, including refrigerators
and washing machines, with Energy Star products

⇒Air dry dishes. Use clothes lines and drying racks to dry clothes

In the Bathroom

⇒Lower the thermostat on your water heater. For every 10 degrees you reduce the temperature, you can save 3 to 5% on your bill.

⇒Take shorter showers.

⇒Switch to water-efficient faucets and shower heads to enjoy the same quality but save energy.

Outside

⇒Plant deciduous trees – the kind that drop their leaves in the fall.

Planting on the west side of the house to create shade and help keep your house cool can reduce your air conditioning costs by up to 30%.

You can find more smart ways to save energy at StarTexPower.com. Look for their hashtag, #energylifehacks.

NOTE: Partners and sponsors enable us to bring you the expert content you want at no cost to you. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks!

The post 18 Smart Ways to Save Energy at Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Living in a condo in the city is actually more environmentally friendly compared to living in a suburb. The United States Environmental Protection Agency reports* that a person who lives in a downtown building uses only a third of the usual energy consumption of a person who lives in a typical suburban community.

So if you’re thinking of downsizing to a condo, or buying a condo instead of a house, that’s probably going to be good new for your pocket book, as you’ll use far less energy heating and cooling your home, and you’ll potentially reduce the amount of gasoline you burn since you may not have to drive as much. But apart from making the condo choice in the first place, what else can you do to save energy and water in your condo?

We’ve teamed up with Mondev Condos, which develops Montreal condos for sale, to offer this list of the 15 best ways to save energy and water in your condo.

Best Ways to Save Energy and Water in Your Condo

1. Install a low-flow showerhead. This ensures you don’t waste water unnecessarily every time you shower.

2. Think 1.6 gallons for your toilet. You don’t need a tank that holds several gallons of water to flush well. 1.6 is the accepted water-saving standard these days. Choose a water-saving toilet when buying new, or displace water in the tank you have using a plastic bottle weighted down with gravel. This way, you’ll use less water every time you flush the toilet.

3. Hang insulated drapes. By covering your windows with cellular blinds or blackout curtains, you’ll be able to lower your heating bills by reducing the amount of hot air coming in through the windows during the summer, and cold air coming in during the winter.

4. Insulate attic, walls, and crawl spaces. These are especially useful for outlets that face an exterior wall. If you put your fingers in front of the outlet, you will be able to feel cold air coming into the room if the outlet isn’t insulated.

5. Compost. Organize a community composting pick-up for your condo complex so all you need to do is collect your kitchen waste, then put it out at the curb for easy collection.

6. Place mobile draft stoppers near your door sill. If you can’t weatherstrip or insulate the door, at least put down a door stopper to block cold air from coming in.

7.  Insulate your windows. Use weatherstripping or caulk you can get at your local hardware store to seal leaky windows.

8. Replace old light bulbs with LED lights. LEDs are the most efficient bulbs on the market. Though they cost a little bit more, they save a lot more energy, and last longer, as well.

9. Switch off your lights and electronics if no one’s home. Often times, people forget to turn off the lights when they leave for work, or even when they’re away for a holiday. You can make this simple by installing sensors in your rooms that will automatically turn the lights off when no movement in the room is detected.

10. Choose ENERGY STAR appliances.  Refrigerators, stoves, microwaves, dishwashers, washing machines, clothes driers, most electronics, and even your HVAC system are all available in highly efficient models. Check ENERGYSTAR.gov before you buy.

11. Install a surge protector to avoid unnecessary spikes in energy use. Power bars also prevent phantom power with just one switch.

12. Repair any leaking faucets and toilets. Leaks make up 13% of home water usage. You can actually do this job yourself – check this video.

13. Install aerators on your faucets and showerhead so you can further save water. You will usually just need to screw it onto the faucet to avoid splashing a stream of water when you open the faucet.

14. Bicycle, Walk, Use Mass Transit. Depending on your proximity to city center, you might be able to get a bike-sharing station set up in your condo complex to link your community to other parts of the city by bike. Even without bike sharing, take advantage of your proximity to work, shopping and entertainment by riding your own bike, walking or using mass transit.

15. Create an organic community garden and set up a farmers market or CSA for your complex. Making it easy to grown your own organic food will save you money and trips to the grocery store. Getting a CSA to deliver pre-reserved bags of locally grown food to your complex will also cut down on how much grocery shopping you need to do while providing a reliable source of delicious fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, and in some cases, meats.

Improving the efficiency of your home will not only save you money and help protect the planet. It will also increase the resale value of your property when you finally sell.

*EPA: Location Efficiency and Housing Type: Boiling It Down to BTUs

The post 15 of the Best Ways to Save Energy, Water in Your Condo appeared first on Big Green Purse.

First and foremost, it will make it a healthier, more satisfying place to live. I don’t know anyone who says “My home is “green” – and I hate it!” Just the opposite is true. Homes that are painted with No VOC paint and cleaned with non-toxic chemicals have fresher, unpolluted indoor air – and that’s the air we breathe 90% of the time.

Second, living in a home that uses less energy and saves water will save you money – a lot of money – over the years.

Third, once you decide to sell, the return on investment at resale for green, sustainable spaces may be higher than in “conventional” homes that don’t offer organic landscapes, energy-efficient appliances, water-saving faucets, and a well-insulated attic.

But if your house is not particularly eco right now, what updates make sense, especially if you’re considering putting your house on the market sooner rather than later?

My rule of thumb is:

aim for improvements that make sense to your quality of life, are affordable, and are appropriate
for the area where you live.

For example, home sellers looking to target house hunters in D.C. – one of the most progressive cities in terms of sustainable trends – might consider smart windows that regulate climate due to the East Coast’s famously cold winters and hot, humid summers. 

We’ve partnered with Zillow.com to bring you this list of green updates that will increase home values while providing you with results you can enjoy as long as you’re living in your house.

5 Green Updates That Increase Home Value

1) Energy-efficient insulation

Many homes built before 1980 typically don’t have enough insulation. Unless your home is located in a uniquely mild climate, bringing it up to current insulation standards makes it comfortable and can cut heating and cooling costs anywhere from 10 to 50 percent. This image shows the five places most likely to need insulation in your home. To determine the suitable insulation for your climate, check out the U.S. Department of Energy’s ZIP code recommendations.

2) LED bulbs

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) save homeowners and renters an average of $50 when used instead of 15 traditional bulbs, according to the Department of Energy. Moreover, LEDs last 10 times longer than outdated incandescent bulbs.  ENERGY STAR LEDs cost only about $1 to operate per year, compared to traditional incandescent bulbs, which cost $4.80 a piece to run and produce the same amount of light.  Keep in mind, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and other fluorescent bulbs often contain mercury, so consult the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for proper care.

Don’t Miss: 7 Ways LEDs are Better than CFLs. 

3) Solar panels

Solar is here to stay, and it’s no wonder why. People all over the world are feeling the effects of climate change, and solar offers one of the cleanest alternatives to the fossil fuels that cause this global problem.

While solar installation can be costly upfront, there are all kinds of creative ways to finance it, like using tax credits, leasing rather than buying solar panels outright, and taking advantage of discounts made through community purchasing programs.  The average cost of home solar panels has declined almost 50% in the last decade, plus homeowners can claim federal and state tax credits to lower the cost even further.  Solar shingles are a less expensive option and blend more seamlessly into existing roofs, but work like solar panels by capturing sunlight and creating usable energy.

Get Solar Panels for 20-30% Off. Here’s How.

4) ENERGY STAR appliances, water heater and HVAC system

Without tearing down walls or hiring a team of workers, you can update your home simply by swapping out old appliances for ENERGY STAR -rated refrigerators, freezers, ovens, dishwashers, washers and dryers. Many utilities will provide a rebate when you update. They’ll also cart away your old appliance, and maybe even pay you to recycle it.

Choosing ENERGY STAR models when replacing your HVAC system or hot water heater makes sense, too.  Pick the most energy-efficient model you can afford at a size that’s not too big to meet your needs.

True Story: My Utility Company Gave Me $200 When
I Bought My New Energy-Saving Refrigerator.

5) Organic Landscaping with Water-wise Native Plants & Trees

Curb appeal can help sell a home and keep you smiling every time you make your way up the driveway. Beyond the clear aesthetic benefits of well-landscaped yards, strategically planting trees and shrubs can actually help with the cooling costs inside the home. Organic practices reduce the need for pesticides and fertilizers and builds healthier, more productive soil. Choosing native plants that do well in the amount of rainfall your region normally gets will reduce your water bill. Installing a drip irrigation system that delivers water to the plants that it can cut your water bill by 50%.

Want to be a little more ambitious? Check out this mini-guide we wrote just for you!

What updates have you done to your home to make it more livable and to increase its resale value? We’d love to hear from you!

The post 5 Green Updates that Increase the Value of Your Home appeared first on Big Green Purse.

On March 28, in 162 countries, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. locally, tens of thousands of people will take actions with their friends, family, neighbors and colleagues to help stop climate change. Baseketball great Bill Walton is even getting into the act! The event is called Earth Hour, and it’s become a global tour-de-force. We’re working with NRG Home Solar to make it easy and rewarding for you to join in and make Earth Hour count.

Background on #EarthHour

Earth Hour was started by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Australia. Originally, organizers encouraged people to turn off their lights in a symbolic gesture of support for reducing the use of fossil fuels. Burning fossil fuels emits carbon dioxide, a primary cause of climate change. Turning off the lights was one way to demonstrate our willingness to use less energy while switching to solar and other renewable fuels.

#EarthHour Today

Over the years, Earth Hour has become much more focused on actions we can take everyday that can have a large and beneficial impact on the planet. Rather than sit in the dark for one hour, people are using that hour to make a real difference at home, in their communities, and where they work.

It’s In #YourPower

This year, Earth Hour is particularly focused on reminding each and every one of us that we have the power to make a difference. Here are 7 things you can do in an hour that will help you save energy as well as reduce your electric bill. Why not pick one to make Earth Hour count?

1) Switch out 5 regular light bulbs for LEDs. LEDs last many years longer than a regular incandescent and use far less energy. You can get inexpensive LEDs at any hardware store, our Amazon store, or even in your local grocery store. Replace the lights you use the most – probably the ones in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room and hallway.

2) Install a new smart thermostat. Set your thermostat to moderate your heating and cooling temps so that it powers down while you’re at work or sleeping, and kicks in when you’re getting ready for work or come home in the evening. You’ll save energy and money for every degree of power you save.

3) Plug into a power strip. Most electronics use 40% of their energy when they’re plugged in but not turned on! In one hour, you can easily plug all your home electronics into a power strip that will stop your computer, fax machine, chargers, and tablets from using power when they’re turned off.

4) Learn more about solar energy. Should you put solar panels on your home? Use Earth Hour to find out. At the NRGHomeSolar website, you can learn how solar works and get someone to help you figure out if it makes sense for you.

5) Set up solar rechargers for smart phones and tablets. You don’t need to install solar panels to use mobile solar rechargers to power your smart phone, tablet, and MP3 player.

6) Write a letter to your elected officials. Use #yourpower as a voter to urge your elected officials to support policies that reduce use of coal and oil and shift to solar energy and wind power.

7) Talk to your community on Facebook and Twitter. Join the global #EarthHour #yourpower conversation on Facebook and Twitter. Post photos of how you’re spending the hour to your social media, and like and retweet the EarthHour photos and Tweets your community is sending out.

Pledge on Facebook to Qualify for $500 Reward

You can pledge to learn more at NRG Home Solar’s Facebook page. NRG Home Solar has teamed up with basketball great Bill Walton to get as many people as possible to take the pledge. If you do, you’ll automatically be entered into a drawing to win one of 10 Earth Boxes valued at over $500. Each box will contain:

a $300 Visa gift card

a Torch LED solar rechargeable flashlight

Torch solar rechargeable speakers

A seed bomb, and

A throw pillow

Plus, if at least 1,000 people take the pledge, NRG Home Solar will donate $20,000 to Grid Alternatives, a wonderful non-profit that helps low-income communities install solar collectors to help homeowners reduce heating and cooling costs.

Remember, you have the power to make a difference. This Earth Hour, put it to use!

NOTE: This post was sponsored by NRG Home Solar. We’re long-time advocates of solar energy and Earth Hour. Our editorial opinions remain our own.

The post Make Earth Hour Count Against Climate Change appeared first on Big Green Purse.

You’ve probably heard about something called a LEED Certified Home, but do you actually know what it is? LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a program sponsored by the U.S. Green Building Council. It encourages construction of buildings and, increasingly homes, that use energy as efficiently as possible and meet other environmental standards as well.

“As a general contractor, I’ve spent years in the construction of commercial and residential buildings. You name it, and I’ve built it (or at least something like it), and I can tell you this: most structures—from the materials, to the overall design, to the location itself—just aren’t all that “green.”

Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be this way. And with the help of LEED, increasingly, it’s not.

What is LEED?

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. It’s actually a rating system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that offers a standard against which green design can be measured. It does this by assigning a rating to any building reviewed.

The LEED rating is based upon factors such as:

* the sustainability of the construction site

* the renewability of construction materials

* water efficiency

* waste production, and

* indoor environmental concerns, like air quality and the availability of natural light.

 When all of the pertinent data have been compiled and considered, LEED assigns the building in question points in the different categories. Buildings receive a rating based on their overall score.  Those that rate spectacularly well in every category and earn a total of 80 points or more receive a platinum certificate. 60–79 points earn a gold certificate, 50–59 a silver certificate, and 40–49 total points a basic certification. Anything below 40 gets no certification at all.

Benefits of LEED

Most LEED homes come with built-in home automation technology that allows homeowners to save energy, water, and money by learning a homeowner’s habits and adjusting to those. Companies like Nest and others have led the way with groundbreaking home automation technology like programmable “learning” thermostats that can save us consumers money on our energy bills.

Builders and designers who adhere to sustainable practices and receive a high level of LEED certification benefit, too. Not only do they improve their own public image by demonstrating their commitment to the environment, but they’re also able to reap certain monetary rewards. Especially for those building large buildings or office or residential complexes, LEED certification can increase property values and decrease energy, water, and waste costs. Additionally, certain government programs offer rewards for buildings that are LEED certified. Overall, LEED is creating a climate in which eco-friendly design and green materials are gaining an advantage. 

Additional Value if You Own a Leed Certified Home

Given enough time, LEED should be terrific both for the world you live in and your pocketbook. In addition to saving energy, LEED certification of privately owned homes has been known to increase residential property values. Of course, the effect that it has on the value will vary from area to area, but even in locations where the demand for green housing isn’t particularly high, potential buyers will still be impressed by reduced utility costs associated with LEED construction practices.

Finding and Financing a LEED Certified Home

If you’re in the market, how can you find a LEED certified home? Your real estate agent or certain online sites such as Listedgreen.com might help you locate potential properties. Still, because they’re relatively new, existing LEED certified homes may be a bit hard to come by.

The good news is that building your own LEED certified home isn’t nearly as expensive as you might assume. For an additional 1 to 7% of construction costs, you’ll be able to create a platinum certified house from the ground up. Of course, you also have the option of renovating your existing home to make it more LEED compliant. This may be a bit more difficult for certain homeowners, given that some factors may not be alterable (location comes to mind), but there are nonetheless many ways you can upgrade your home if you’re willing to undertake a renovation. 

As a general contractor I’ve seen all sorts of buildings go up, but it’s only been during the last few years that people have really begun to take notice of the environmental and economic benefits these structures offer. The LEED certification program is a good way to judge just how “green” a building is. If you’re willing to invest a bit of extra time and money in the short term, you can get that same reassurance for your own property, and reap the benefits for many years to come.”

 David Glenn taps his 30 years of experience owning his own home-building business to review promising new technologies that offer consumers the opportunity to save energy and money and live greener lives. Connect with him on Twitter @davidglenn97.

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 Nevertheless, businesses are still wasting enormous sums of capital on energy.  In the U.S., it is estimated that just 14% of the energy we pay for gets used efficiently.  According to researchers working for the UK Government, businesses there are collectively wasting up to £7 million/$12 million USD each day on energy! [1] If we’re going to make progress in reducing carbon emissions and engineer a shift to cleaner, greener ways of sourcing power, it is clear that we need to look to energy efficiency first, with businesses leading the way.  Here’s how, courtesy of Secured Energy Bonds plc, the sponsors of this post.

Employees are Key to Saving Energy

  In the United Kingdom, the Carbon Trust – a leading global non-profit organisation dedicated to helping governments, businesses and the public sector speed up the transition towards a sustainable, low carbon economy – is calling for business managers to take control of bottom line waste.  How?  Tap their employees.  Research indicates that less than 25% of workers in the UK have been tasked with helping to save energy in the workplace and fewer than half are concerned about their employer’s energy spending.

 As a result, workplaces are missing out on annual savings of more than £300 million (almost $500 million USD) – savings which could be achieved simply by encouraging workers to adopt the type of behaviors that will lead to less energy consumption and greater efficiency.  Here are some typical savings:

·       Reduce business air travel by 5%: £128m/$213m & 1.5m tonnes CO₂

·       Reduce lighting by 10%: £55m/$92m & 164,000 tonnes CO₂

·       Reduce waste sent to landfill by 5%: £49m/$82m & 115,000 tonnes CO₂

·       Reduce small power use (e.g. kettles, photocopiers, monitors) by 10%: £39m/$65m & 190,000 tonnes CO₂

·       Reduce temperature by 1°C: £35m/$58m & 194,000 tonnes CO₂

 A survey of employees by the Carbon Trust has revealed that 60% of workers would be more likely to save energy at work if they were financially rewarded, and 58% would be more likely to do so if their actions were recognised. [2]

Surprisingly, only 22% of employees know what measures they could take to save energy, and a mere 16% are confident that they have the authority to do so.  Clearly, businesses need to embark on an employee engagement programme that explains what employees need to do, encourages them to look for opportunities to save energy, and rewards them for doing so.

 Any company that undertakes such a program will be richly rewarded in cost savings and increased employee engagement.  Furthermore, employees will feel good knowing they’re doing their part to help meet important goals in reducing the emission of carbon dioxide, a primary cause of climate change and global warming.  Britain is trying to reach its target of a 26% – 32% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020.  Greater efficiency through employee engagement is key to achieving this goal.

 Transition to Renewable Energy like Solar and Wind

 So, too, is transitioning to renewable energy sources.  The UK’s Climate Change Act calls for 15% of the nation’s energy to be derived from solar, wind power and other renewables by 2020.  Business and industry have a vital role to play in bringing about these reductions.  For example, Secured Energy Bonds plc recently announced a nationwide programme of rooftop solar projects in 22 English schools; the multi-site development will help reduce carbon emissions by around 560 metrics tonnes and will save the schools £1.4m/$1.7m in electricity bills.

 In most countries, meeting domestic needs accounts for less than half of all energy consumed.  That’s true in the UK too, where domestic energy consumption accounts for only 34% of energy used.  Business and industry consume the lion’s share at 43% while commercial and public premises account for another 18%.  Clearly, however much we adopt clean, green energy in our homes, targets to reduce carbon emissions and use energy more wisely are unlikely to be met unless the commercial and industrial sector joins in.

[1] http://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jul/22/greenbusiness.energy?gusrc=rss&feed=environment

[2] http://www.carbontrust.com/about-us/press/2013/12/bosses-miss-out-on-300-million-energy-and-waste-reduction-opportunity

 NOTE: This post was sponsored by www.energybonds.co.uk/, a subsidiary of CBD Energy Limited.  Sponsorships enable us to provide expert content at no cost to you.  Our opinions remain our own.  Thank you.

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What is an LED?

 LED stands for “light emitting diodes,” semiconductor devices that produce visible light when an electrical current is passed through them. This technology makes them far superior to incandescent bulbs, which waste a huge amount of energy generating light by using electricity to heat a metal filament until becomes “white” hot.  Until LEDs started moving into the market, compact fluorescents were the most energy-efficient option for consumers. CFLs are still a good choice, because they’re 75% more efficient than incandescents. But LEDs are better yet, because they’re even more efficient than CFLs, durable, versatile and so longlasting. Read on to learn more about these benefits.

LED Benefits

I have many LEDs in my home. Here’s what I like about them.

Durability: LEDs last a really long time. One LED can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, with some bulbs lasting as long as 100,000 hours – 11 years of continuous operation, or 22 years of 50% operation.  That means I don’t have to spend a lot of time changing bulbs. This is especially useful for hard-to-reach locations, like ceiling fixtures, wall sconces, and porch lights. Even if an incandescent lasts 1,000 hours, the LED lasts 100 times longer!

Save money: LEDs help reduce my electricity bill. Though an LED is more expensive to purchase, in the long run, it is much cheaper to operate. A quick review of prices at my local hardware store showed LEDs on sale for as little as $5.97 a bulb. The cheapest incandescents cost around a dollar a bulb. Let’s do the math: For an extra $5, you get a bulb that lasts 100 times as long! That’s almost $100 saved in light bulb costs, let alone the money you’ll save on your electricity bill. Imagine if you replace 10 incandescents in your home with 10 LEDs. You’ll save $1,000 just in light bulb purchases. That’s pretty hard to beat.

 Bonus: Many utility companies now offer their customers discounts when they purchase LEDs. Sunlite, the sponsors of the post, is giving away $1,000 of free LED products to one consumer who enters their Facebook contest here.  Anyone can enter!

 LEDs are cool. Yes, they’re “cool,” if you mean hip. But more importantly, they’re cool to operate. Unlike incandescent or halogen light bulbs, LEDs don’t radiate heat. This is especially important in the summer, when air conditioning sends electricity costs through the roof.

 No mercury. Compact fluorescents contain a very small amount of mercury. While usually not dangerous at home, CFLs add this toxic chemical to our landfills when they’re thrown away. LEDs are safe to use, and safe to dispose of.

 ENERGY STAR certified. The best LEDs available are also those that meet the high standards for performance and quality set by the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR program. You know from reading this blog that I’m a big fan of ENERGY STAR products because they are well-made, deliver reliable service, and help me save energy and money. ENERGY STAR LEDs meet more than 20 separate industry standards and procedures and have been tested by independent third-parties to meet their claims.

 Nice light. LEDs come in a variety of brightness and color options. Choose soft white/warm for kitchens, dining and living rooms, bright white for bathrooms, hallways and offices, and daylight for security, garages, and laundry and utility rooms.

 Versatility.  LED bulbs can be used in pretty much any lighting fixture you have. Living room table and floor lamps, kitchen and bathroom ceiling lights, recessed fixtures, porch lights, desk lights. Once you decide to go LED, you shouldn’t have a problem finding the right bulb to fit your need.

In the average U.S. home, lighting accounts for about 20% of the electric bill. Why not cut that down significantly by installing LEDs? You’ll start saving money immediately. And won’t it be great not to have the hassle of changing bulbs so often?

NOTE: Thanks to the Sunlite lighting company for sponsoring this post. Sponsors enable us to bring you expert content at no cost to you. Our editorial opinions remain our own.

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