NEWS
When you think about an eco friendly kitchen, water conservation, recycling, and increased energy efficiency may all pop into your mind. These are all significant factors for a healthy and environmentally friendly kitchen. Yet, many upgrades, like buying energy efficiency appliances, require you to spend money. There’s one huge eco friendly improvement that will actually save you money without costing you a dime: reducing food waste.
By now, many people have heard about the dangers of BPA, otherwise known as Bisphenol A. The most well-known source of this chemical is in plastic containers, many of which release BPA in our food and beverages. This chemical release is aggravated by significant temperature changes. The potential danger is why we have been warned not to microwave our lunch in plastic containers or freeze our water bottles for a colder drink.
Everyone is looking for ways to save some money these days. The economy is in the tank and the more you have to spend for essentials (like electricity and water), the less you have to spend on the things that really matter to you. When you add these needs to the desire to have nice appliances and do good for the earth, a lot of people feel like they’re forcing their budgets to burst at the seams.
Did you know that one of the main reasons for your inflated electricity bills is the hidden waste of energy in your home? Wasted energy amounts to throwing your hard-earned money down the drain. Fortunately, you can easily save money by making some smart choices and implementing energy efficiency methods at home.
A common misconception is that solar technology was created in the 70’s. Yet, solar thermal systems have been in use for centuries. In fact, they date back to Roman times when hot water flowing beneath the floors heated not only baths, but also the living space. This simple concept is still being used today in radiant flooring. Solar thermal uses are expanding to areas such as heating and even cooling. However, the main use for solar thermal today is still in generating hot water for the home.
With the rapid evolution of building science, there is growing concern focused on constructing durable structures that effectively manage moisture in the building envelope. Significant problems, ranging from air quality to mold, are arising due to the confusion about the proper use, installation and compatibility with the variety of new materials available today.
Who is the largest single U.S. consumer, one of the largest worldwide consumers, and a supporter of environmentally friendly products and services? Answer: the U.S. government. With $350 billion in annual spending, it is no surprise that the federal government makes a big impact with their massive purchasing power. Currently federal laws and executive orders require factoring in environmental considerations and sustainable practices in governmental purchasing decisions. Assisting governmental agencies, green vendors, and consumers is the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program.
There is an ongoing debate over the impact of manufacturing biofuels. Skeptics argue that using crops for biofuels divert resources away from human consumption, therefore causing a choice in whether the crops are used for food or fuel. This reasoning connects biofuels to global hunger issues. This is based on the claims of some food industry groups that more than a quarter of corn crops are being diverted from food to ethanol production and yet the U.S. corn supply has outpaced demand since 1989. Most people with any amount of human compassion would easily say that food is definitely a higher priority than fuel. Before we oversimplify the situation, let us take a look at the factors.
According to a recently published bulletin from California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) photovoltaic (PV) solar installations are increasing around the country, with some areas like California experiencing dramatic increases. Some reasons for this relate to perpetually increasing energy costs, rebates, federal tax incentives and a gradual decrease in the pricing of solar modules to smaller dealers, installers and DIY customers. Bottom line is that the cost per watt is becoming more affordable.
Many peo
ple now understand that improvements in energy conservation can yield substantial savings for home and business owners. The best course of action is typically an energy audit with a blower door test to see where the most cost effective improvements can be made. Improvements, such as sealing and insulation, can even be performed by the homeowner under the direction of an energy efficiency professional.
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