When people discuss energy savings and a way to reduce their electric bills during the heat of the summer there are several strategies that are usually mentioned. A few of the more popular beliefs are to run air conditioning during daylight hours then open windows throughout the evening, while others are in favor of setting their thermostats a few degrees higher than normal and keeping the home at a constant temperature so the compressor does not run as often. Even more will tell you that investing in a programmable thermostat is the best way to experience energy savings within a cool home, and although all three of these tactics will help save a little bit of cash over the summer the actual biggest money saver of them all is hardly ever mentioned.

The most cost effective way to cool your home throughout the summer is by utilizing energy efficient ceiling fans throughout every room within your residence. While these units do not necessarily cool or remove humidity, by keeping the air currents within the room constantly circulating it will give the feel of an air conditioner. Since warm air naturally rises, as long as your ceiling fan is spinning counter clockwise all of the heat will be trapped up near the ceiling and the cool air will be allowed to circulate freely, which means your air conditioning unit will have to work much less to achieve the same results it normally does. As the sun sets the cool air moving throughout your residence will continue to keep you comfortable even with the air turned off, so the combined savings can be dramatic when everything is taken into consideration. During the winter the same technology can be applied backwards, and by reversing the motor on your ceiling fans warm air will be forced downwards to provide comfort through the room.

The even more impressive news is that the newer Energy Star ceiling fans are so efficient that they require less power than what a standard 150 light bulb would drain. Bellacor, the authority in energy efficient products available for residential consumers, has some of these new models so reasonably priced that is it possible to place one in every room throughout the home, and since they also produce an average of 20% more circulation when compared to conventional ceiling fans your air conditioning will hardly ever be required during the spring and fall seasons. With only running the air for a few months during the hottest hours of the day in June and July, these models can save consumers hundreds or even thousands of dollars off their annual utility bills without sacrificing comfort or a decent night’s rest.

So the next time the great debate over how to save money during the summer comes up, hopefully you can now share the correct answer. Throw away those old power draining box fans, turn the thermostat up several degrees, and prepare to open the windows for several months out of the year to let the great outdoors flow through your home and keep everyone comfortable. Energy Star ceiling fans are definitely the way to go when it comes to saving money, and once their technology becomes more popular everyone will eventually make the necessary conversion to them.

Tip: For more savings on ceiling fans, look for Bellacor Coupons from CouponShack.com

Sok has been helping every day people save money since 2001. It began as a objective to learn how to save money with coupons for online purchases every now and then but has since evolved to a lifestyle. Now Sok spends his time, both online and offline, not only looking for coupons but also how to go beyond just coupons to get extreme savings on every day items. “Don’t under-estimate the value of a coupon”

Author: Sok K Verdery
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Make PCB Assembly

1. Always make sure you read the label of any product you consider buying. Never rely simply on packaging or advertising claims. Sadly, there are some companies who try to make a buck by marketing to those of us who want to do something positive for the planet. Such packaging typically uses phrases such as ‘all natural’ and ‘earth friendly.’ Reading labels can help you to get past the claims and to the heart of the matter to determine whether the product is truly earth friendly and worth the investment of your money.

2. Buy local items whenever possible. As fuel and energy prices continue to soar, the cost that is involved in transporting goods and items over long distances rise as well. You can help to change this by supporting local businesses and farmers.

3. Make the change to compact fluorescent light bulbs. The cost per bulb is now about $2 each. Although that is higher than incandescent light bulbs, you will find that you energy savings over time more than makes up for the difference in unit cost.

4. Change to cold water when doing your laundry whenever possible. Up to 85% of the energy expended when washing clothing is comprised of heating the water.

5. Change your shower head to a low-flow unit. These units do not cost much money and the money you save on energy and water will quickly pay for the small investment you make in this initiative.

6. Purchase a water filter and use that to purify your tap water for drinking rather than buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water more expensive but it also requires a tremendous amount of energy for its packaging as well as the resulting plastic container waste.

7. Begin giving some thought to the items you purchase. Every item you purchase can have an impact on the environment. To reduce the amount of impact you have on the environment, think about purchasing pre-owned items. You will likely be able to save money as well as reduce your impact on the planet. Buying items in bulk is another great way to have an impact while also saving money. When you buy in bulk, you help to save on packaging.

8. Recycle electronics to keep them out of the trash. Electronic items contain mercury as well as other toxics that can negatively impact the planet. First, try to keep your electronics as long as they are usable rather than investing in new upgrades frequently. When the items have reached the end of their useful life, instead of tossing them in the trash, recycle them responsibly.

9. When you need to buy a new item, spend the extra money to purchase an item or product that is high quality and which will last much longer. While high quality items cost more money in the beginning, you will spend less money over the long-term when the item does not need to be replaced as frequently. In addition, you will help to save on waste.

10. Finally, when you need to purchase a new appliance, look for appliances that are produced with energy savings in mind, such as Energy Star products.

Djuna Woods writes the popular blog Simple Ways to Help at http://simplewaystohelp.com where she discusses simple ways to help the planet that are cheap and easy.

Author: Djuna Woods
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Digital Camera News

When the temperature starts soaring in the summer months, you start noticing your energy bills soaring right along with the thermometer. You and your family need to keep cool, but the rising energy costs may be stressful to an already stretched personal budget.

This is a great time to remember all the ways you can make your home more energy efficient. There are small things you can do to help, such as:

• keeping the house a degree or two warmer,
• maintaining a consistent temperature on the thermostat,
• making sure all lights and fans are turned off when not in use,
• replacing traditional light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs,
• keeping windows and doors shut tight,
• and closing the blinds or curtains during the daytime.

There are also bigger investments you can make to help your home become more energy efficient. These investments can provide a bigger payoff in the long run. A few of these improvements include:

• installing new energy efficient windows and doors
• installing solar panels
• using energy efficient appliances
• following the ENERGY STAR’s recommendations for Heating and Cooling Efficiently
• installing a new metal roof

Metal Roofing is an energy efficient choice for your home, especially if you choose an ENERGY STAR certified roofing product. A metal roof reflects more of the sun’s energy compared to asphalt shingles or traditional roofing material. It also emits solar radiation back into the night sky.

These characteristics of a metal roof help prevent heat from entering your home through the attic and allow your air conditioning unit to do less work in order to effectively cool the house. This type of conservation addresses the root of our energy use and ultimately leads to burning less fossil fuels.

You can not only save energy with a metal roof, but you can save money by reducing energy consumption in your home plus you can help protect the environment by reducing your contribution to burning fossil fuels.

James Kenton is owner of Advanced Metal Roofing, a residential metal roofing company offering the exclusive MetalMan Roofing System. Every metal roof comes with a transferable, limited Lifetime Warranty, a 42% Energy Savings Pledge, and has the government ENERGY STAR seal of approval.

Author: James Kenton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty tariff

Most home improvement professionals offer their clients several money saving products that are also considered “green” products. This gives consumers the opportunity to not only make home purchases that are easy on their bank accounts, but also on the environment.

Making your next home improvement a “green improvement” will alter how you look at energy efficient products. You will be able to experience the value of environmentally friendly products that also develop your home’s livability and decrease the financial crunch. Many people think that going green is just some environmentalist trend with no real substance or benefit. But, by going green you are actually lessening the amount of unnecessary waste, while saving yourself money.

A “green improvement” is the kind of home improvement that lessens your carbon footprint. One way of doing this is by lessening your energy emissions, and using products made from recyclable materials. By purchasing products that will not need to be readily replaced is also helpful to the environment because it prevents excessive waste.

One great “green improvement” is the purchase of vinyl replacement windows. If you are considering ways to improve your home, you should start with your windows. Replacing your home’s windows can have a huge influence on your home’s insulation, curb appeal, and monthly energy bills.

What Kind of Window Should You Buy?

Be sure to consider vinyl as you are searching for your green replacement windows. With vinyl you will surely have windows that are energy efficient as well as beautifully-crafted and easy to maintain.

Receiving an ENERGY STAR approval is a great qualification to describe any vinyl window or window replacement contractor. Be sure to only purchase ENERGY STAR approved vinyl windows.

The United States Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency both take charge over ENERGY STAR with the intent to provide ways for businesses and individuals to keep their environment safe and buildings more energy efficient.

What Are the Benefits of Vinyl Windows?

A vinyl window is made to insulate your home. We learned that proper insulation is able to keep unwanted air out, and maintain a comfortable room temperature. That is exactly what vinyl windows are capable of doing in your home. A key to proper insulation is the R-value results. Since vinyl is made from PVC plastic, its R-value is quite high. This means that it is a notably good insulator.

The easy maintenance of vinyl windows is another great benefit. With vinyl’s durability, finish, and style, there is no immediate need for maintenance common for most wooden or aluminum windows. This also helps reduce your carbon footprint because windows are not being thrown out every several years, but over a much longer period of time.

If you’re wondering whether replacing your windows truly has a huge influence on lowering your energy bill, you should consider the information released by Remodeling Online. In 2009 they released a Cost vs. Value report that showed a 77.2 percent return on investment. You are looking at a pretty significant return! If that isn’t enough, Consumer Reports Magazine reports that a homeowner can save between 10 and 25 percent on heating and cooling bills simply by replacing outdated single-paned windows.

Some vinyl windows are so well made that they can protect your home from burglaries. Their strength can intimidate the burglar, and prevent him from entering the home after trying for so long to enter the home to no avail.

Once you’ve decided that you want to go green and use vinyl windows to replace your home’s windows, it is time to find a professional who can help. Your contractor should provide you with beautiful vinyl windows to help insulate your home and lower your energy bills. A contractor who offers a warranty is a contractor who believes in a product, and is exemplary of a trustworthy company.

Samantha Walton currently works as a web content writer for home improvement sites. She’s a college graduate with a B.A. in communication and a concentration in public relations. She’s aspiring to one day further her education with a seminary degree. Her experience ranges from internships in marketing and public relations, content writing for local television broadcasts, to writing and editing newsletters, fliers, and other content for her local church.

With Southwest Sunroom and Window Co. you can expect to install your replacement windows in Virginia. They offer Gorell windows that are ENERGY STAR approved, and include a 50-year transferable warranty. A one-year service warranty is available for those who receive replacement window installations.

Contact Southwest today to purchase the best vinyl replacement windows in Roanoke. Call today at: 1-866-713-8058.

Author: Samantha Walton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Advice on AdSense

My first suggestion would be to start slow. Start small with everyday things like sharing rides to work, walking or riding your bike to lower how much fuel you are consuming and lower your contribution to air pollution. Change the light bulbs in your home to the smaller fluorescent bulbs. Regular light bulbs can really increase your monthly bills and the newer ones will last a lot longer. This adds up to big savings for you over time.

Another approach is to do a little maintenance around the house. Start caulking any gaps around the doors and windows and seal up any opening. This will help keep out drafts that cost you money.

Another big tip is if you want to spend a little money – insulate, insulate, insulate! You will always make your money back on insulation. Having a well insulated home cuts down on those high energy cost in the wintertime. The more insulation, the less your furnace or heater will turn off and on costing you less.

One thing I hadn’t thought much about before was my appliances until my washer started to go crazy. If you have older appliances, they are probably eating your lunch in energy. It’s true! I couldn’t believe how much difference there was just in the ten years difference since I had bought my old one. You will actually save enough on your monthly bills over time to pay for a new energy efficient appliance. So if your spouse has been complaining about that old frig or washer, surprise them and replace it for them and save some money. (hint hint honey)

Of course, one of the most obvious “Going Green” changes that most of us have been exposed to since we were young is recycling. The bonus is that many vendors and manufacturers are making it easy for us. Watch for the recycling emblem when purchasing products. Buy more than one trash can so that you can separate out your paper, metal, glass and plastic.

These are all excellent ideas that you can utilize to start your “Going Green” lifestyle. Should you decide to pursue even bigger ideas’ there are many resources and a large amount of information available.

I started researching “Green Energy” and Home Alternate Energy as a way to save money on my electric bill. The result has been a driven need for more information and perhaps a way to indulge my passion to learn to market on the internet.

I also have a passion for my dogs Maddie and Rodeo and love to use my background in the pet industry to share information with you. Check out the following site for healthy dog food information.

http://www.love-your-dog-food.com

Author: Michelle Houser
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Healing food: natural way to cure cancer

Recent developments would lead us to wonder if enough people are committed to going green. Within the past year, graduate students of the University of Kansas School of Architecture, Design & Planning could find no buyers for two green homes. Even more remarkable is that the homes were selling for half their worth.

Every year, Dan Rockhill, a well-respected professor at the university, organizes the non-profit Studio 804 – a design/build program for architects-to-be. The homes sell cheaper than normal due to the donations from businesses as well as the student labor. These bright, new architects have produced award-winning, energy-efficient homes. Their latest project was an ultra-efficient house in Kansas City, Kansas.

Actually, Rockhill expects this green home – the Prescott Passive House – to be the first in Kansas to receive a certification from the Passive Institute (a green building standard demanding 90% less energy than the average home). The Prescott Passive House has been chosen already as ‘This Week’s Green House’ and is expected to earn top marks from the U.S. Green Building Council. Of course, the 2009 Studio 804 home received a first-class rating from the USGBC and that house is still on the market.

Naturally, economic conditions are not the best for home sales. Yet the reluctance of people to invest in ‘green homes’ is rooted in more than the economy. Home buyers say that they are committed to a green home. Builders have even noticed that trend and are incorporating green features into their buildings.

Yet many home buyers are not prepared to pay extra for a green lifestyle. You may think that is understandable with the state of the economy. In most cases, however, the cold shoulder been given to green is not based on available finances. Industry leaders have observed that some home buyers turn a blind eye to ‘green’ and put their money into eye candy like state-of-the-art countertops or Jacuzzis.

So, what about the green? Choosing a granite countertop over high-performance windows is like choosing the frosting without the cake. The stuff is sweet is but the fluff has no foundation.

Would I choose the ‘green’ over the ‘granite?’ Yes! The reality is, however, that some home buyers turn away from green of their own choosing. Other home buyers just want a roof over their children’s heads and they are not able to afford the granite or the green.

If you can afford to choose green, it makes sense to go for it. If you cannot afford “green,” that is society’s shame. Our world needs more affordable housing and it should be affordable ‘green’ housing. Demand and incentives will encourage builders to go ‘green’ and still maintain a reasonable rate for buyers.

Developers have to know that there is something good in it for them. I could appeal to the real estate tycoons and say – come on, build green, even if you make less profit. So, you make $1,000,000 less, but look how you will be helping everyone to live in a healthy and green environment. I could launch that appeal but the real estate market is basically about the bottom line.

Our society has to come to a point where “not being green” is viewed as a “totally unacceptable choice.” Over the years, we have seen awareness and education cause a total shift in certain attitudes in our society. We need to go in that direction with energy-efficient homes because ‘living green’ is worth any price.

Would You Pay Extra For A ‘Green’ Home?

CashbackBids.com – Realtors compete you get cash back and reduced commission.

Author: Ruslan Khor
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Canada duty rate

The term “carbon footprint” encompasses everything from exhaling and flatulating to anything made from or that uses fossil fuels, coal, or hydro-electric dams in production, shipment, or both. By that definition, everything on earth leaves a carbon footprint. That’s actually the fact upon which carbon dating relies. If ancient civilizations and dinosaurs had been as obsessed with their carbon footprints (carbon residue left behind) as we are told we must be today, there would be little if any evidence of their existence. Additionally, if carbon dioxide was the pollutant that the EPA declared it to be in December of ’09, then this planet would have been uninhabitable eons ago and you and I would not be here now to worry about it.

The real inconvenient truth (to Al Gore, GE, the EPA, et. al. that is,) is that unlike carbon MONoxide, which IS a man-made toxic gas, carbon DIoxide is NOT a pollutant. If you’ll recall your fourth grade science, carbon dioxide is what every land animal, including humans, exhales; while carbon MONoxide is one of the gases that comes out of the exhaust pipe of most internal combustion engines and natural gas appliances. Carbon MONoxide is why we’re told to have detectors for it in our homes so we don’t die in our sleep on cold winter days.

When you really analyze it, increasing greenhouse gases is exactly what the term says: green. In fact, greenhouse growers actually used tanks of carbon dioxide to speed up growth and increase production of plants. Having been in many a greenhouse myself, I can tell you they’re one of my favorite places to be. I breathe better and feel better in a greenhouse than in just about any other place.

Plants need carbon dioxide to live, so what could be greener than producing it? If we eliminate or drastically reduce carbon dioxide, aren’t we killing off plant life? What’s more, plants give us oxygen, which we need to live, so if we kill off plants, aren’t we killing ourselves? What exactly are the hyper-environmentalist carbon alarmists shooting for here? A depopulated desert planet? Kind of looks that way. It would seem that the exact opposite of their mantra would be true then: continuing to produce carbon dioxide is actually the green thing to do.

According to Al Gore and his buddies, other than figuring out a way to keep from exhaling, certain “green” alternatives are an imperative must: hybrid cars, CF bulbs, and solar panels. These are but three of the solutions I refer to as green-washed. They’re promoted to the general public as solutions to a pollution problem that doesn’t really exist, and then contribute at least as much, if not more hazardous pollution to the environment as the technologies they’re supposed to replace. Not that we don’t have a pollution problem – we most certainly do. But carbon dioxide and other so-called “greenhouse gases” are NOT it.

Let’s start with hybrid cars – one of which Al Gore had personally delivered to one of his three palatial homes, (none of which are powered by any of the alternative energies he’s trying to cram down our throats at great expense to us, the tax-paying public.) For all the fossil fuels that were burned to get it to his ostentatious Tennessee spread, he will never be able to drive that car enough miles to make up for the pollution that was created getting it to him, not to mention the pollution that was created just in the manufacturing process. And that rechargeable battery, 500 pounds worth in each vehicle, will never be a candidate for curbside recycling; not just for the sheer weight factor, but for the toxic chemicals it contains. And then there’s the electrical generation. Where’s that all going to come from? The same people who want to rip out all the dams, so that leaves what? Fossil fuel? Coal? (FYI, there’s no such thing as clean coal.)

While I certainly advocate for alternative cleaner fuels to petroleum, the fact is, there won’t ever be a truly clean and viable alternative as long as the industrial governmental complex continues to reap a 25% tax from oil revenue profits. The technology exists to run vehicles literally on water – and has for some time. But for now, there’s no tax and power structure to accommodate it, so don’t look for that anytime soon.

And then there are those compact fluorescent bulbs that we’re all supposed to be using since incandescent bulbs were outlawed by the Bush administration. At an energy savings of up to 2/3, this would indeed seem to be a great alternative to an incandescent bulb. By some estimations, compact fluorescent bulbs, while containing mercury that incandescent bulbs don’t have, actually reduce the mercury pollution from the single largest U.S. source: coal-fired power plants. Unfortunately, in the hands of the average consumer nationwide, (and dare I say, worldwide?) that savings may be greatly mitigated to the point of being disastrously UN-green.

According to the Federal Government’s ‘Energy Star’ website, the tiny amount of mercury in the bulbs — described as being the equivalent size of the ball point on a pen — can create harmful vapors if the bulb is broken.

Typical packaging on the bulbs simply states that they contain mercury and should be disposed of properly. But the labels don’t go into any detail about what constitutes ‘proper’ disposal or clean up if one breaks. The EPA recommends the following clean up and disposal guidelines:

1. Open a window and leave the room (restrict access) for at least 15 minutes.

2. Remove all materials you can without using a vacuum cleaner. Wear disposable rubber gloves, if available (do not use your bare hands). Carefully scoop up the fragments and powder with stiff paper or cardboard. Wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel or disposable wet wipe. Sticky tape (such as duct tape) can be used to pick up small pieces and powder.

3. Place all cleanup materials in a plastic bag and seal it. (That includes the rubber gloves you’re supposed to wear to do the clean up.) If your state permits you to put used or broken CFL’s in the garbage, seal the CFL in two plastic bags and put into the outside trash (if no other disposal or recycling options are available). Wash your hands after disposing of the bag.

4. The first time you vacuum the area where the bulb was broken, remove the vacuum bag once done cleaning the area (or empty and wipe the canister) and put the bag and/or vacuum debris, as well as the cleaning materials, in two sealed plastic bags in the outdoor trash or protected outdoor location for normal disposal.

Call me crazy, but I count a recommended FOUR plastic bags for the disposal of just one CFL. So now we’ve got highly toxic mercury enclosed in double plastic bags. (They have to be doubled, because as it turns out, plastic isn’t a very good mercury vapor barrier.) Do we really need more plastic bags deposited into the environment? Not to mention the rubber gloves, adhesive tape, and disposal of a vacuum cleaner bag, which may or may not be full and ready to be disposed of. What do you think the odds are that every single person who breaks or replaces a CFL follows these recommendations? Apparently not very good. Currently only 2% of these bulbs, broken or otherwise, are recycled or disposed of properly from residential sources. Exactly how is that more “green” than the incandescent bulbs that essentially get ground to powder and eventually disintegrate in a landfill?

One of my favorite “green” solutions is solar panels. I won’t even discuss the pollution caused by their manufacturing process, so let’s just stick to the consumer end. Solar panels are very expensive, but eventually they pay for themselves – just about the time they have to be replaced. Why? Because they’ve deteriorated and are no longer efficient due to…. wait for it…. EXPOSURE TO THE SUN! Yes, I know they’re “improving” on this technology, but we’ve heard that before. The “improvements” often come with their own set of pitfalls and pollution.

I know the title says “3″ things, but I have to include this. It’s one of my favorite ironic green-wash examples: the SC Johnson ad that shows the CEO standing between a landfill and an SC Johnson manufacturing facility. We’re supposed to be impressed with how environmentally conscientious this company is because they use wind, palm nutshells, and methane generated from the landfill to power their plant.

I suspect that if I had the time to do a John Stossel type expose’ on what all the facts really are, the picture would probably be much less “green” than the ad would have us believe. However, it isn’t really necessary to look that far or dig that deep to see the “green-wash” in this campaign. Just look at the products that are being manufactured in this green energy fueled plant: Windex, Pledge, Shout, and Scrubbing Bubbles. The combined ingredients in these products include petroleum distillates, solvents, ammonia, dyes, propellants like propane, isobutene, hydrocarbons, polydimethylsiloxanes, alcohol, detergents, etc. And that doesn’t include the packaging for these products, most of which are plastic bottles, (ie. petroleum products.)

The overriding message of the ad is that we can help “reduce our carbon footprint” and be more “green” if we switch over to or keep using products made by SC Johnson. We’re supposed to feel good that this toxic chemical-soup factory is powered by methane, thereby reducing greenhouse emissions. What happened to reducing our consumption of oil? Do we really need petroleum distillates, propane, (a by-product of petroleum refining,) and hydrocarbons to have clean windows, a clean bathroom, and shiny wood furniture? Wouldn’t it be greener if we just used vinegar water, baking soda, and (here’s a revolutionary idea) a plain dust rag?

Author: Vincent DiAngelo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Guest blogger

The heart of green interior design is to restore and reuse everything that’s possible. Today, there is a great variety of green floor options that allow you to refinish, sand, or paint without employing toxic materials. The main materials employed in green interior design are cork, bamboo, and eucalyptus, because no destruction occurs when taking them from nature. In the same way, there are woods that have been approved and certified by environmental groups as appropriate for construction and decoration because they do not carry the devastation of millenary forests.

Green interior design cares to the core. It even pays attention to what glues and finishes are eco-friendly, since these commonly contain toxic synthetic resins that are extremely harmful. Green design is all about non-toxic cleaners, polishes, finishes, refinishing, and adhesive products, resulting in better air quality and a healthier environment at home.

The idea behind going green is to use as few chemicals as possible in everything we use and in our surroundings, while living in harmony and taking advantage of the green exterior. So it is important to use a lot of glass windows, doors, and skylights to let in natural light, helping to lower energy consumption and to avoid moisture accumulation.

Nothing is more in today than concrete floors. They are used in different colors, textures, polishes, and patterns, and are not harmful to your health because they are free from glues and finishes with chemicals. Green kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces also showcase concrete counter tops that give a natural look and appear thoroughly modern.

Now there’s the option of recycled glass. It is very beautiful and can be found in many colors and forms to match your space and necessities.

Another important aspect of selecting a green design is in the appliances you choose. Besides budget, it is necessary to think about their functionality, style and energy efficiency. Select the ones that use less water, and recycle all your old appliances correctly. Ask for advice if necessary.

Green home designs provide for lots of ceiling and wall eco-friendly insulation throughout the entire house, turning your home into an energy-efficient one. Look for high performance windows and doors that help preserve energy very effectively.

The current global condition begs for smart choices in home interior design. Green design is such a choice, resulting in an economic and environmental advantage. Green enthusiasts think of future money savings, reduced exposure to toxic materials, and living in harmony with the environment, however, living green is not easy. It is a lifestyle that demands deep changes in your life philosophy and priorities, but it is worth it!

If you’re interested in this kind of interior design, research, ask, and learn all you can about it before deciding to implement it. Interior designers in Seattle are a great source of information and guidance, one that you should consider in order to go green all the way and in the right way.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention amelydesigns.com as the original source).

Interior design in Seattle – http://www.amelydesigns.com/

Author: Amely Wurmbrand
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Smiling shark

A green gourmet kitchen enhances you life by keeping you healthy and smiling, enjoying a great lifestyle. So here are my tips:

1. Choose the right gourmet fridge regardless of how much I love subzero and the quality of their products they have not caught up with the green trends and for that reason are not a good choice for green, I particularly love Liebherr fridges because they are such a green fridge and come in small sizes for small kitchens and half the price of subzero, made in Germany so green there is not a choice is the law so you are cover with those. other brands are doing good but I am just telling you the top greenest and this the winner

2. Now despite of the trend of induction cook tops and ranges your best bet for quality of living is still gas and the top of the list today goes for Wolf, and a New comer Bertazzoni, but is you really want to be gourmet Lacange, or Lacornue are the most gourmet, all this brands are great for the passion of food and using gas in a great way their capabilities are great. from 16000BTU to 500BTU meaning great melting chocolate and cooking hard

3. Ovens – The real revolution on the green gourmet kitchen I would say is the new Gaggenau steam oven they cook with no oil and keep everything with the highest nutrition, even the most strict eaters will enjoy the flavor

4. Cabinets – well in the northwest we have the option for local so In my priority list I will put Pacific crest a real model for Green, Sumner WA, Neils Kelly in Portland Or, and Henry Built in Seattle. How ever there are some Italian brands that are as green and as expensive they can be an option for stream line design and over all accessories,The most important is durability so transportation and a lot of other carbon foot print issues go with the long term and the beauty good quality things have. My clients thought that the prices were too much I took them to Ikea (semi Green) the durability is really and issue here so I much rather do less cabinets integrate more open shelving and why not a little antique piece to bring charm but keep the good quality as much as you can.

5. Accessories in cabinets – For a green gourmet cook the accessories are so important because they make lie easy, and I mean things and additions that you can install on your green cabinets to make them more efficient. I particularly like the Chef Pantry from Pacific Crest and the pull out options to see everything at once. Making smaller kitchens that are efficient is the best green option remember is about using less but better quality and for longer time.

6. Floor – we are talking gourmet green so easy to clean but yummy and warm at the same time you should check Ambiente 18″x18 Madala tile collection so if we thing of green ownership a tile easy to clean can help avoid harm chemicals that as so polluted so when thinking green thing also maintenance is not only material selection but how to keep them there for longer time I tried cork in kitchens and hard wood floors but if you are going to use it as for passion trust me a great looking tile is the way to go, we found great Tile in big formats like 24×24″.

7. Lighting – LED is the way to go and the rope light for the indirect lighting part of the ambiance and under mount cabinet light is the way to go. and also change bulbs for the dimmable Greenlite TM if you are using cans I love layering when it comes to light it should be the place with the most lighting options in your house because there is so much happening and the best parties are in the kitchen.

8. Counter tops – For gourmet cooks Slate scape with cradle to cradle certification from Ambiente and Novustone a great home version of the glass Counter top whee you can mix your own combinations of colors and inserts, find it at Norberry tile at the design center in Seattle

9. Scale – Did you know that one of the biggest reasons to change the kitchen is because it just does not fit your size. Maybe you are too tall, or maybe to short, if you love to cook and have to do it in a kitchen that is not your size can have lot of impact on you health specially on your back so Green is healthy you can vary the height of your counter up to 3 inches up or down and still be OK for most people.

10. Universal design – A kitchen without barriers is the best kitchen where people can flow, once again design is the key to a green gourmet kitchen. So if you are special as we all are you need special things designer for you, gourmet living is about enjoyment and good life, green is about health so let’s bundle. Baby boomers should set the trend now for what they need do not forget to add that to the list when remodeling a kitchen to be a green gourmet Kitchen.

Alicia Silva is a Green Interior designer specialized in helping people simplify their lives by applying design and making their environments work. http://www.Synergydesignstudio.com works in Seattle and Mexico City and the pacific Mexican coast doing Gourmet kitchen Spa Bathrooms and turn key furnishing in the pacific Mexican coast.

Author: Alicia Silva
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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According to an article by Dale Neal, “Video Touts Region on Green Economy,” in the February 22, 2008 Asheville Citizen-Times more than 80 green builders are based in WNC. In the 7-minute video, Neal mentions, titled “AdvantageGreen,” is directed by American Green TV’s Kurt Mann and discusses green building practices in and around Asheville, North Carolina.

The video features three WNC solar energy companies and highlights three major projects: FLS Energy’s installation of solar panels on a Greensboro hotel, Appalachian Energy’s installation of solar hot water systems on the roofs of Arby’s restaurants and Sundance Power’s installation of solar panels at Deltec Homes.

Simple Ideas for Living Green

Living a more earth friendly and healthy lifestyle is not as difficult as many people believe. Green building methods and alternative energy systems are increasingly affordable for the average citizen. There are even ways to make an existing structure more energy efficient whether it is a residential home or a commercial building.

Energy Star Efficiency Standards

One of the easiest ways to improve energy efficiency is to purchase products recognized by the Energy Star program. Energy Star is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and gives special certification to products that offer the highest level of efficiency in a particular category. All products certified must meet specific guidelines and are then allowed to carry the Energy Star logo. For more information about Energy Star, visit: http://www.energystar.gov/.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Natural light is the simplest way to save energy at home. Consider the size and location of all the windows in your home. Well-placed skylights or atriums also increase natural light and electrical efficiency. Although it is easier to make these considerations when building your home, you’ll be surprised at how quickly an investment in a smart, energy efficient renovation can pay for itself.

Energy Efficient, Green Living with Passive Solar and Passive Cooling

Passive solar and passive cooling are excellent strategies to maintain energy efficiency. Passive solar optimizes the use of heat-trapping materials. Many aspects of a home affect heating and cooling, even the direction it faces can decrease energy costs.

When choosing a passive solar solution, remember basic facts like homes facing the South are warmer than homes facing the North. Homes facing the East are warmer in the morning and those facing West are hotter in the afternoon. Passive cooling is facilitated by the wind in higher elevations. Mountain slopes facing away from predominant winds provide shelter and warmth. Slopes facing predominant winds are cooler.

Properly insulated walls, windows, roofs and floors are also crafted to attract or deflect the sun’s heat. Special window glazing can increase heating efficiency in the winter and shades or blinds affect cooling in the summer. The correct use of ceiling fans in the appropriate season can also improve energy efficiency.

Energy Efficient Landscaping: How Trees Support Energy Efficient Homes

The trees in your yard also support energy efficiency. In an article titled “Passive and Proud: Green Energy Ideas for Your Home,” writer and Northern California real estate agent Carolyn Gjerde-Tu of Discover David Homes, states, “Landscaping is another important consideration when thinking about energy efficiency. Deciduous trees (leafy in summer, bare in winter) provide wonderful shade for your home in summer, but allow the sun to help warm your home in winter. Plant these trees on the sides of your home that receive the most sun. Evergreens can also provide an effective break from chilling winds in winter.”

An Energy Efficient Initiative: NC HealthyBuilt Homes

NC HealthyBuilt Homes is an initiative supported throughout the state by the North Carolina Solar Center, the State Energy Office, the Asheville Home Builder Associations and the Western North Carolina Green Building Council (WNCGBC). According to the WNCGBC web site, wncgbc.org, the NC HealthyBuilt program promotes improved energy efficiency, indoor air quality and environmental accountability.

Energy efficient building also offers a number of federal and state tax advantages. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE), http://www.dsireusa.org is a comprehensive list of tax and homeowner incentives. North Carolina and Asheville information is carefully detailed in the database along with other cities and states.

Energy efficiency is a simple, affordable way to begin living a healthier, greener lifestyle. Whether you are building a new home or searching for a way to increase the value of your existing home, an investment in increased home efficiency is an investment in the future.

Charlie Ball has a background in residential, retail, and commercial development and his focus is in environmentally sensitive development that preserves settlers history and heritage. He and his wife Troy developed low density residential properties in the Austin area, incorporating conservation easements into their designs. Charlie has been personally involved in the design of Whisper Mountain, just outside of Asheville North Carolina, the site of the Southern Living 2008 Idea House. Visit Whisper Mountain at http://www.whispermountainnc.com or email info@whispermountainnc.com for more information.

Author: Charlie Ball
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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