Here’s how to tell which ones are the best – and the 5 places you should install them to use the least amount of energy and save the most money on your energy bill. And if you don’t have any bulbs, don’t worry.

Taking the Energy Star Pledge enters you into a giveaway for a terrific package of ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED LED Bulbs worth $50 (see more below).

Look for the ENERGY STAR Logo

The best LED bulbs are those that bear the bright blue and white ENERGY STAR logo.

The ENERGY STAR is a symbol of energy efficiency, set up by the federal government to help consumers and companies save energy

LED bulbs that earn the ENERGY STAR label are independently certified to save energy and help protect the environment. Here’s what that means:

LEDs that are ENERGY STAR Certified meet the program’s high-performance standards to save you the most energy and money while

providing the highest quality light.

So first things first: Whenever you shop for an LED bulb, above all, make sure the blue ENERGY STAR logo is on the package (just like it is on this one to the right).

PUT ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED LED BULBS IN THESE 5 LIGHTS

According to the U.S. EPA, the average American home, maybe like yours, has approximately 70 light sockets, many of which still use old-fashioned incandescent or halogen bulbs.

Understandably, you might not be able to replace the bulbs in all your lights at once. That’s why EPA has put together this list of the fixtures where you should replace the bulbs first.

Replacing your home’s five most frequently used light fixtures or the bulbs in them with models that have earned the ENERGY STAR can save you about $40 per year on your electricity bill.

Though you might spend that much money buying the new bulbs, after the first year, that $40 just builds and builds. In 10 years, you could save $400 (and that’s if you only replace the bulbs in five fixtures – what if you do them all??).

Take the ENERGY STAR PLEDGE!

That’s not only a terrific way to stop wasting money on lighting, it’s also one of the best investments in your home you can make. ENERGY STAR encourages you to #lightthemoment with certified LED bulbs in videos like this one:

NOTE: Many retailers, including Ace, WalMart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot, offer frequent sales that make buying LEDs extremely affordable. Look for sales and coupons that will save you even more money when you buy LED bulbs.

Even if you can’t or don’t want to replace all 5 bulbs, as least do one.

A single ENERGY STAR Certified LED bulb that has earned the ENERGY STAR can save nearly $55 in electricity costs over its lifetime.

TAKE THE ENERGY STAR PLEDGE

There’s so much to keep us busy that, despite our best intentions, sometimes we don’t get around to doing what we should or want to do.

That’s where the ENERGY STAR Pledge comes in handy.

I took the ENERGY STAR Pledge because I wanted to make myself a promise – that I would actually switch to LED bulbs. Here it is! (I pledged to replace 5 light bulbs, as well as to turn off lights when not needed.)

I’d like to ask you to take the ENERGY STAR Pledge, too.

It literally takes less than a minute to do, so no “I don’t have time!” excuses, please!

As an added incentive, taking the pledge enters you into our LED Great Bulb Giveaway for a chance to win ENERGY STAR Certified, high-quality LED bulbs worth $50 (you can decide what kind you want, up to $50).

All you have to do is snap a screenshot of your pledge (like I did with mine) and share it on the big Green Purse Facebook page.

How easy is that?

I hope you’ll do it right now!

POST A PICTURE OF YOUR ENERGY STAR PLEDGE TO WIN LED BULBS WORTH $50.

The post People Who Choose 5 ENERGY STAR Certified LED Bulbs Save More Money 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.

Do your Black Friday shopping spree plans include shopping for a clothes washer, clothes dryer, dishwasher or refrigerator?

If you’re buying appliances on Black Friday, whatever you buy, make sure they carry the ENERGY STAR logo. Here’s why, courtesy of Appliances Connection, a one-stop shop for appliances and a good source for suggestions on how to save energy.

Why ENERGY STAR? Cleaner Air, Lower Bills

After heating and cooling, our homes gobble up the most energy by powering our appliances. Clothes washers, clothes dryers, refrigerators, freezers, stoves and ovens all run on either electricity or, in the case of some stoves and clothes dryers, natural gas.

Most electricity is generated by coal-fired power plants. Burning both coal and natural gas releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. This CO2 creates a gaseous blanket over the earth that causes global warming and climate change.

Burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas also pollutes the air with smoggy particles that can make it difficult for people to breathe. Polluted air causes asthma and other respiratory problems and can increase the chances that someone will have a heart attack.

Appliances that carry the ENERGY STAR logo are independently certified to meet standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its many partners to ensure that appliances perform exceptionally well while saving energy and, in the case of clothes washers, water.

What difference does it make?

Let’s take just one example: Clothes washers.

By the way, many appliances now use this “high efficiency” label. But ENERGY STAR says that, “there are no standards for energy efficiency” associated with it. “Only products that have earned the ENERGY STAR are independently certified to save energy.”

If you buy a clothes washer that is labeled with both ENERGY STAR and the “High E,” make sure you use High E detergent.

Here’s a sample clothes washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR logo.

What Else Should You Look For When Buying Appliances on Black Friday?

• Size – In addition to the ENERGY STAR logo, consider how much capacity you need. If you’re a two-person household, do you need a machine with capacity for 12?
• Energy-Saving Options – Many machines can let you choose different cycles so you can air dry dishes or use a high-spin cycle with clothes to remove most of the water before you put them in the dryer. Dryers may come with moisture sensors so they will shut off when they sense the clothes are dry, rather than keep running for a certain amount of time.
• Ability to Recycle Old Appliances – Many utilities now pay their customers to pick up old refrigerators and air conditioners, then offer a rebate when the customer purchases a more energy efficient model.

Appliances Connection has compiled detailed buying guides that will help you save energy, water, and money as well as purchase the appliance that makes the most sense for you. They offer buying guides for pretty much any appliance you’re buying, as well as for bedroom furniture, mattresses, even sofas.

NOTE: Sponsors help us bring you expert content at no cost to you. We only work with sponsors who meet our criteria for providing eco-friendly products and services. Our editorial opinions remain our own.

The post Buying Appliances on Black Friday? Make Them ENERGY STAR. appeared first on Big Green Purse.

If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, what are your top concerns?

Noise levels? Color? Price? You might not even put “energy efficient” on the list! And if you do, you might not know how to figure out which dishwasher actually saves energy.

That’s a mistake.

We’re partnering with Constellation Energy to remind you why energy efficiency needs to be a priority when you shop.

We’re also going to tell you what to look for, including the #1 secret that will make sure you get the most efficient model to meet your needs.

But first, why bother?

Dishwashers and other home appliances use a lot of electricity. For most of us that still means we’re relying on polluting fossil fuels like coal for power. And you know what happens every time your local utility burns coal? The air gets dirtier, the atmosphere gets filled with more carbon dioxide, and climate change gets worse.

The less energy your dishwasher uses, the cleaner it is to operate. But that’s not all.

The more efficient it is, the more money it saves on your electric bill, too.

Constellation projects you’ll save up to $35 a year on electricity with a more efficient model – enough to pay for several boxes or bottles of dishwashing detergent.

Plus, an energy-efficient dishwasher offers another benefit that’s good for the environment as well as your pocketbook: it uses less water. Take a look at this graphic from Constellation:

And don’t even think that you can save more energy and water by skipping the dishwasher and washing all your dishes by hand! The EPA reports that a new ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher not only cleans dishes better and kills more germs. It uses less than half as much energy as washing dishes by hand and saves more than 5,000 gallons of water each year. That adds up to big savings, too!

So…how do you know which dishwashers are energy efficient?

The Secret is…Look for those that are ENERGY STAR certified.

ENERGY STAR is a program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to motivate manufacturers to build and sell highly efficient appliances like dishwashers. An appliance that bears the ENERGY STAR logo uses a LOT less energy and water than one that does not. According to EPA:

“Standard-size dishwashers that have earned the ENERGY STAR are on average 12 percent more energy efficient and 30 percent more water efficient than those that have not.”

Once you locate energy-efficient dishwashers that bear the ENERGY STAR logo, you can then compare other factors, like how quiet they are when they operate, and what other features they offer that will help you save energy. (Here’s a picture of my own dishwasher; the ENERGY STAR label is right on the inside of the door.)

You can also check the yellow Energy Guide label you’ll see on various machines to compare how much energy each machine is projected to use.

After you get your dishwasher home, Constellation says here’s how you can use it to save energy and water and still get your dishes clean.

For more excellent ways to save energy, visit Constellation here.

NOTE: Our partnerships enable us to provide expert content so you can live the green life you want. Our editorial opinions remain our own. Thanks.

The post Here’s the #1 Secret to Buying an Energy-Efficient Dishwasher 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.

Sunday, November 1, you’ll be turning back your clocks and turning on your lights a lot earlier to deal with the longer, darker nights. It’s the perfect time to replace the energy-wasting bulbs in the lights you use most with the best energy-efficient light bulbs available: compact fluorescents and LEDs.

Here’s a guide to help you figure out what bulb to put where – and how much money you’ll save when you do.

Download Here

NOTE: This guide is reprinted with permission from the Natural Resources Defense Council and Ecova.com. 

You can find LEDs and CFLs in hardware stores and big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s. We sell a variety in our Big Green Purse Amazon store, too. If you are willing to pay a little more upfront for LEDs, you won’t regret it because they’ll last so long. Whatever you buy, make sure they’re ENERGY STAR certified. Here are 3 worth taking a look at:

3-Pack from Feit Electric – They’re dimmable, last over 22 years, and use only 9.6 watts to replace a 60 watt bulb.

Hyperikon LED – Buy them singly or in a 4-pack. Also a 60-watt equivalent, with a soft white glow.

SunSun Lighting LED – This is a 40 watt equivalent that uses only 6.5 watts, so it will save more than 80% of the energy a traditional incandescent uses. It promises 25,000 hours of warm light.

The post How To Pick the Best Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs For Your Home or Apt. appeared first on Big Green Purse.

Here are links to 13 of the best eco labels in the market. What makes them so good? They’ve been defined by independent institutions or nonprofit organizations that have set meaningful criteria that companies must prove they’ve met in order to use the ecolabel in question. When you shop, look for these “third party” certifications to back up the claims a company makes regarding the environmental and human health benefits of their products.

NOTE: These ecolabels are among the best you’ll see when you shop. That doesn’t mean they’re perfect. They sometimes allow “wiggle room” for manufacturers, and they don’t take every possible impact into consideration. But don’t let perfect be the enemy of the good! The labels listed below are making things better, and driving manufacturers to reduce pollution, limit or eliminate use of toxic chemicals, and save energy. When we use them, we put the power of our purse to work to create support for strengthening the labels while helping to protect ourselves and our families.

Best Eco Labels

Organic – The U.S. Department of Agriculture collaborated with scientists, consumer groups, environmentalists and the agriculture industry to set standards for the meaning of the word “organic.” Products labeled “100 percent organic” must contain only organically produced ingredients. Products labeled “organic” must consist of at least 95 percent organically produced ingredients. Products meeting either set of requirements may display the USDA Organic seal on their packaging. Processed products that contain at least 70% organic ingredients may use the phrase “made with organic ingredients,” but may not use the organic seal. Processed products that contain less than 70% organic ingredients may not use the term “organic” other than to identify the specific ingredients that are organically produced in the ingredients statement. Overall, when it comes to food, the organic label, while not perfect, is the best indicator that no or minimal toxic pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics were used for growing and processing.

Green Seal – For more than 25 years, this non-profit, science-based organization has developed certification standards to minimize the environmental and health impacts related to cleaning products, coffee, paint, windows, even sticky notes. To earn the Green Seal, a product must meet rigorous evaluation and testing objectives, as must the facility where it is manufactured.

LEED – The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) label represents a green building rating system for the design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings. A program of the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED promotes a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in five key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

Forest Stewardship Council – FSC sets standards to ensure that forests are being managed in an environmentally responsible way, and that products like timber, paper and furniture are made sustainably. Look for it when you buy writing and copy paper, stationery, couches, chairs, dining room sets, flooring, framing timber, packaging and packing materials.

ENERGY STAR – This label, overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indicates homes and buildings, plus appliances, computers lightbulbs, copiers, printers, furnaces and many other products that meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines that help save energy and money and protect the environment.

Veriflora – This label is awarded to flower growers who do not use “extremely hazardous” or “highly hazardous” agrochemicals. The VeriFlora label also indicates that growers are converting to organic and sustainable crop production practices. The standard contains extensive water and ecosystem protection measures to ensure that farmers are not damaging surrounding wildlife or habitats. In addition, it requires growers to provide a fair, equitable, and safe workplace for their farmers.

Fair Trade Certified – This label (either version) demonstrates that the farmers and workers behind Fair Trade goods were paid fair wages and have opportunities for better health care, housing and education. The Fair Trade label is attached to coffee, chocolate, cocoa, tea, fruit, rice, sugar, spices and a variety of clothing and crafts produced in developing countries.

Certified Humane Raised & Handled – This label provides independent verification that the care and handling of livestock and poultry on farms enrolled in the program meet high-quality, humane animal care standards. These include access to clean and sufficient food and water; sufficient protection from inclement weather; and enough space to move about naturally.

Leaping Bunny is the certification program of the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics. The mark certifies that companies have not tested their products on animals during any stage of development. The company’s ingredient suppliers make the same pledge. Look for the Leaping Bunny label on cosmetics and personal care, household, and cleaning products.

Marine Stewardship Council – The Council’s eco-label indicates seafood that comes from fisheries that are striving to manage sustainably. Look for it on fish and shellfish, including fresh seafood sold at the counter, packaged and frozen seafood, and products like canned tuna, salmon, anchovies, sardines, and crab.

Demeter – This label represents the Demeter Farm Standard, which   indicates that a farm is organically farmed, GMO-free and also operated to promote soil fertility, animal welfare, conserve water, protect biodiversity, and managed to follow the cycles of nature. Look for it on wine, tea, juice, pasta, sauces, and many other foods.

NON-GMO Project Verified – This label indicates that products bearing it have been produced according to the best available practices for avoiding genetically-modified organisms (GMOs). It does not promise that a product is “GMO free” because there is always some risk that seeds, crops, ingredients and products have been exposed to GMOs somewhere along their growing or production cycle. It does, however, create a powerful incentive to seed breeders, farmers, processors and manufacturers to adopt practices that reduce use of GMOs while giving consumers a way to limit their exposure.

WaterSense – WaterSense is a label and program created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It’s designed to help consumers easily identify water-efficient products in the marketplace while ensuring product performance and encouraging manufacturers to create more products that help use water wisely. Look for it on indoor plumbing fixtures like faucets, toilets and shower heads, as well as outdoors in rain sensors, soil moisture sensors, and sprinkler systems.

RELATED

Green Shopping Guide Principles

Ten “Buy/Don’t Buy” Rules for Green Shopping

Free Newsletter: If you want regular updates on certified green products, make sure you sign up for our free e-newsletter. It’ll help you live the green life you want, and save money doing it.

The post The 13 Best Eco Labels To Help You Shop Green appeared first on Big Green Purse.

FIRST, WHY SHIFT TO LEDS?

Here’s what Helga has learned about LEDs.

Energy-efficient lighting technology is a great way to reduce pollution, help stop climate change, improve our health and help us save money. That’s especially true of bulbs that use LEDs, also known as light emitting diodes.

Reduce Air Pollution – LED bulbs help reduce air pollution, making the air healthier to breathe for kids and others who suffer from asthma, heart disease and many respiratory ailments.

Most household energy still comes from coal-burning power plants. About 12% of the energy we use at home powers our lighting, like ceiling fixtures, under-counter lights, and table and bedside lamps. An LED uses 70-90% less energy than a standard bulb, limiting the need to burn that much more coal.

Stop Climate Change – Speaking of energy, if every household replaced just one light bulb with one that has earned the ENERGY STAR, we would save enough energy to light two million homes for a whole year. We would also prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that of 550,000 vehicles. LEDs are a terrific solution to climate change.

Save Money – Any time we save energy, we save money. Though an LED bulb costs a little more up front, it saves a whole lot more during the life of the bulb. According to ENERGY STAR, a single LED bulb can save $80 in electricity costs over the lifetime of the product.

PLUS – LED technology is so efficient, one bulb can last as long as 22 years or 25,000 hours. That’s particularly convenient for hard-to-reach places like ceilings and outdoor fixtures.

Why Prefer ENERGY STAR- Certified LED BULBS? BETTER QUALITY, MORE SAVINGS!

Some LEDs claim to save energy but fall far short when it comes to what they actually deliver. ENERGY STAR means high quality and reliable performance, particularly in the following areas:

• Long Lasting: ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs are put through rigorous long term testing to simulate real life use and carry a minimum 3 year warranty. That’s why one LED bulb can last more than 20 years!

• Light Distribution: LED bulbs that have earned the ENERGY STAR will match the light distribution of the incandescent bulbs they advertise they are replacing.

• Color Quality: 6 different color metrics are used to make sure that consumers get the best color quality from the first day of purchase to after years of use.

• Dimmability: All ENERGY STAR certified bulbs must indicate on the front of the package whether or not they are dimmable. If they are, a list of compatible dimmers must be provided.

WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR AN LED BULB TO GET ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED?

All ENERGY STAR certified lighting products are subject to thorough testing and review before they can bear the label, including:

o Verified compliance with more than 20 separate industry standards and procedures

o Third-party testing of products off the retail shelf

o Rapid cycling of bulbs thousands of times to find early failures

o Testing to stress the products in operating environments similar to how you will use the product in your home

With 70% of U.S. light sockets still containing inefficient bulbs, the potential is huge for American consumers to find lighting options that save them energy, money and help protect the environment from climate change. LED bulbs are quickly gaining steam as the most innovative and long lasting alternative to incandescent bulbs.

WHAT DO ENERGY STAR-CERTIFIED LED BULBS COST?

ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs are experiencing dramatic changes in price. At some stores you can now buy an ENERGY STAR LED bulb for as low as $5 with in-store rebates. But remember, even if the bulb costs $10, it will save you $80 in reduced electricity costs over its lifetime.

HOW CAN YOU TELL IF A BULB IS ENERGY STAR-CERTIFIED?

Look for the label on the package. Here it is on the most recent LED I got.

WANT MORE INFORMATION?

ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that has been helping businesses and individuals save money and protect our air and climate through superior energy efficiency for over 20 years.

To learn more about ENERGY STAR certified LED bulbs, visit www.energystar.gov/led.

NOTE: I am a long-time advocate of energy efficiency and LED technology. I work as a consultant to help educate the public about the importance of buying ENERGY STAR-certified LED bulbs, but my expert opinion remains my own.

The post Look for the ENERGY STAR LABEL When You Buy LED Bulbs appeared first on Big Green Purse.

But guess what? As climate change increases, it is becoming more expensive to cool your home in the summer than heat it in the winter. Here’s a copy of my 2012 electricity bill, which shows how much electricity I use month to month and compares 2012 overall to 2011. (I have an electric heat pump for both heating and cooling). I use almost twice as much energy to cool my home in July and August than to heat it in November and December!

All of which is to say that, as we face another blistering summer, now is a smart time to think about insulating your home to keep hot air out and cooled air in.

5 WAYS TO REDUCE HIGH AIR CONDITIONING COSTS

The Mark Group, a company based in the United Kingdom but with offices in Philadelphia, Delaware, and New Jersey, is sponsoring this post to let you know what energy-saving options you can take advantage of right now. They include:

1) Home Energy Assessment – Is your attic leaking energy? Your basement? Both? Do your windows and doors need extra insulation? What about the cracks around your chimney? In 60-90 minutes, at no charge to you, the Mark Group will take a thermal photo of your home to help you identify where it makes the most sense to insulate.

2) Home Energy Audit – This is a more extensive analysis of where your home is losing air that’s been heated or cooled. It also tests and analyzes the amount of energy your appliances use. After the audit, you’ll receive a comprehensive home performance report that includes recommendations for energy saving improvements. The cost of the audit depends on where you live; both New Jersey and Pennsylvania help consumers offset your out-of-pocket expenses.

3) Air Sealing & Insulation – Heat rises in the winter and builds up in the attic in the summer. To save energy and money, seal gaps and cracks around the perimeter of the attic floor, where the interior wall studs intersect with the attic floor, as well as around recessed lighting cans, ceiling fans, and other openings. Once all the gaps are sealed, you and your energy advisor can figure out whether you need to add additional insulation to prevent conditioned air from escaping through the attic floor. You can follow a similar process to insulate your basement and crawl spaces.

4) Lighting & Appliances – Take stock of the light bulbs you use indoors and out. A variety of energy-saving compact fluorescents (CFLs) and LEDs can help you minimize the amount of money you’re spending on lighting. Plus, I love the fact that, once installed, many of these bulbs last for a decade or more. I’m too busy to keep changing light bulbs, aren’t you? Likewise, run appliances like clothes dryers, dishwashers and ovens in the cooler evening or morning hours when the heat they emit won’t be quite so noticeable – and send you scampering to crank up the AC even more.

5) Solar Hot Water and Electric – Is solar energy right for you? It depends on the home you live in, what part of the country you live in, and how much direct solar “gain” you can capture on your roof or in a system near your house. An energy audit can also let you know if you should consider solar and how much it will cost.

Summer or winter, insulating your home saves energy, increases your comfort levels, and helps you do your part to save energy and help reduce climate change. You can get much more information from the Mark website. In the United Kingdom, you’ll find them here. In the U.S., start here.

Even if Mark doesn’t have an office in your state or community, you’ll find the website highly informative, and you’ll be able to compare what they offer to similar companies that serve your neighborhood. Note that the Mark Group received the 2012 Super Service Award from Angie’s List. Whomever you do business with, make sure they are reputable, experienced, and affordable.

Full disclosure: The Mark Group underwrote this post in order to let me offer you insights on the importance of insulating your home any time of the year. ARS Rescue Rooter sponsored the helpful link to their tips on improving HVAC efficiency. The opinions expressed are my own. As you know from reading my blog, I am a strong proponent of energy efficiency and believe we should all do as much as possible to reduce the amount of energy we consume. Thanks!

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PLUS animation so vibrant and lively you’ll feel like you’re defending the forest, too –  rather than watching it unfold in 3-D.

That’s EPIC in a nutshell, a fantastic eco-blockbuster opening Memorial Day weekend. Thanks to Team ENERGY STAR, I was invited to attend the movie’s star-studded “green carpet” premiere in New York City – along with several of the celebrities who voiced the movie’s characters. Team ENERGY STAR hopes EPIC raises awareness about the importance of protecting the planet and stopping climate change, especially among kids.

EPIC puts it in a bigger context: of good vs evil,the need to safeguard the natural systems that protect life on Earth, and the importance of working together to make a difference. Says Ronin, the Leaf Men’s leader, “We’re all leaves on the same tree.” In other words, as individual as each and everyone of us is, we’re all living on the same planet. If we don’t protect it, who will?

But back to the celebrities. Before we get to the names you’ll recognize (hint hint: Amanda Seyfried, Colin Farrell, Aziz Ansari…), here’s a photo of the people who are the real stars to us green moms who were in the audience: the kids for whom the movie was made.

Though I left my children at home, several of the moms who attended the premiere with me had their kids in tow. Not to be outdone by our offspring, here we all are on our way in to the theater (from left: Lori of Groovy Green Livin, Shane of Environmental Booty, Tiffany of Nature Moms, me, and Leigh of Green4U.)

Said Lori, “The movie grabbed me from the start. The imagery was breathtaking-enhanced by 3D glasses. My boys were sitting in front of me and they didn’t move from beginning to end…One line I heard during the movie that hit home was “We all have the power to make a difference.” I have to agree!

Shane was captivated by the sheer awesomeness of the animation. “From the very first scene, I could tell that it was something different.  Throughout the entire movie, I just kept thinking to myself that the 3D imagery was so beautiful. That beautiful imagery, mixed with the soundtrack and many surprising action sequences, makes Epic the perfect, can’t miss, family movie.”

Leigh agreed that “EPIC The Movie is Epic! … it is like nothing you have ever seen before. The forest came alive in the scene and you were taken into the world that we live near all the time but never saw quite the this way in a movie. Epic is visually amazing but it also tells a great story.”

Tiffany captured everyone’s enthusiasm in her review: “I absolutely ADORED this movie,” she raved. “I laughed, I cried, and I was mesmerized by the images and story. My daughter loved it as well and is saying it is her second favorite movie of all time (after Wreck it Ralph). I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful animated movie actually. Blue Sky Studios and director Chris Wedge did a fantastic job creating a fantasy world hidden within our own world.”

Speaking of the director, after the premiere, we bloggers had a chance to sit down with him and some of the film’s stars, including Amanda Seyfried, the voice of M.K., the runaway girl turned heroine; Colin Farrell, who plays Ronin, the leader of the Leaf Men; and Aziz Ansari and Chris O’Dowd, the hilarious voices behind the snail and the slug. (Colin Farrell is 4th from left; Amanda Seyfried is the blonde next to him; I’m third from right in back row, with director Chris Wedge, the tall man in the blue shirt on the end of the back row.)

Harriet of Climate Mama joined us for the roundtable, where she pointedly asked the celebs how they thought we could get Hollywood to pay more attention to climate change.

“Chris Wedge (the director) reminded us that through social media, we are all very powerful. He suggested that if enough people remind the studios what we like and what we want to see, the studios will listen.”

Added Chris Wedge,

“The idea behind the movie was that we would go to a place that seems familiar to us, but we would see the magic inside of it.  And when I wanted always to get in touch with that from an emotional perspective, I thought about the times that I just walk into the forest, whenever I’m by myself, and just stop and listen and just feel it, because you can feel the presence of some kind of nature power going on all the time.

There’s a little movie going on with the squirrels that are chasing around and the things are growing out of trees, and it’s always happening, and you can feel the presence of that.

So, my hope was that a kid would go out and see like, wow, those birds making all that noise, that’s not just a sparrow chasing a crow away from its nest, it’s Leafman and Boggins that are fighting, that would be it for me.  There’s magic out there that we just don’t pay attention to.”

Recommends Leigh: “When you leave the movie and you are talking to your kids about the theme of the movie and the environment, use it as a time to talk to them about other environmental issues like climate change. What if there was a big storm in the forest at the end of the movie and the moon was blocked? What can we do to make sure the forest stays the way it is?”

“Have your kids write their thoughts down to enter the Team Energy Star contest for a chance to win great prizes,” she suggests. “Kids are so thoughtful and have such great passion for the environment, let them share it in the contest. Even if they do not want to enter have them go to the Energy Star website and learn more about what they can do to help save the forest we live in.”

They can see what some other kids think about the movie and ENERGY STAR in this fun video produced by the Boys and Girls Club of America, who took their cameras and questions to the green carpet, too.

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The post What Makes EPIC So “Epic”? Great Animation, Green Message appeared first on Big Green Purse.