Deck the halls this holiday by turning the spirit green. As we frantically get ready for family and the holiday bustle, our first order of business is turning our homes into winter wonderlands. This year I challenge you all to turn your holidays into a recycled green occasion. Below are my helpful tips to get your mind going green.
Dazzling the Tree:
All trees need beautiful ornaments so why not make them instead of purchasing new ones. Hand made ornaments are a hit this year because they can be crafted from everyday materials found around the home. Grab some glitter, glue and sprinkle away. This is a great way to get the family involved and turn this event into a tradition for years to come. Next, make sure your tree lights are LED lights. This will ensure the extra lights won’t take a damaging effect on your already high electric bill.
Cards:
Every year our holiday card list seems to get longer and longer and also very expensive. Instead of wasting your time, money and paper why not send an e-card. Most e-card services are free and you are able to customize your own holiday messages with photos.
Wrapping the Gifts:
Although we all enjoy opening those shinny little boxes under the tree, the moment only last a few seconds. So make sure you use holiday newspaper ads, recycled paper, or reusable bags.
The Perfect Gift:
This year find the holiday spirit by giving non-traditional gifts to friends and family that they will enjoy after the holidays. Gifts such as a free housecleaning, babysitting or even a nice outdoor picnic once the holiday bustle slows down. I know we all wish we could have a little extra help in our lives so a thoughtful gesture such as the ideas above will make hearts melt. Plus your pocketbook will thank you later. If you insist on purchasing a gift get a present that will be enjoyable and good for the environment.
Such gifts as:
Solar outdoor lights
Bamboo cutting boards
Eco golf tees
Organic baby clothes
E-readers
Solar electric system
Going green on the holidays is not as hard as we may think. I welcome others to post their green tips for the holidays. Together we can make this holiday cheer last a lifetime.
You can help save the environment even on your wedding day. By having a green wedding, you can enjoy all the elements of a traditional wedding while making sure that you are minimizing any harm to the environment.
The first major consideration is the number of guests you are inviting. It is great to have a big wedding but it is expensive as well. A practical move would be to choose special friends, family, and relatives to invite for your wedding. This will cut down your expenses and also reduce the carbon footprint because fewer guest will mean less travel!
Try to make use of local ingredients and hire a local caterer who has enough knowledge about how to produce those sumptuous dishes you want but from local produce. You are not only helping the environment but you are also patronizing the local growers by buying their produce. These foods are relatively healthier compared to those from other places that may have preservatives in them.
Why not wear a vintage bridal gown instead of a new one that may contain many synthetic materials. Or try choosing a gown that is made from organic cotton or hemp. The wedding dress is one the most important elements of your wedding so you will be proud, knowing that what you are wearing not only looks great but is also good for the environment.
Instead of importing out of season flowers from abroad, you can make use of the local grown blooms. Some couples even use flowers from their own garden! Another tip to consider is sharing flowers with another couple who has the same wedding date as yours. After the celebration, you can also send your flowers to some nursing homes instead of throwing it away.
For your wedding favors, you can give away flower seeds which will also serve as a lasting memento for your wedding as your guests can enjoy for a long time the blooms that will result from these seeds.
Perhaps the most significant impact on the environment is you choice of wedding venue. Try to have your wedding outdoors and during the day. Make sure you ask the venue important questions like whether they participate in recycling or conserve water.If you really want to have the biggest impact on your green wedding day choose a venue that utilizes solar electric.This would mean your wedding day would run completely on clean energy and help aid in the fight against global warming.
If you want to have an eco-friendly wedding that is sincere and genuine, you can check out Green Wedding. There you can find 101 tips on how to have the ultimate green wedding of your choice and a free green wedding e-book to help you get started planning your green wedding now.
Effective 1 July thru 30 September 2009 LADWP has implemented a new tier rate electric structure.The tier rate will affect residents that utilize LADWP by increasing their rates during some of Los Angeles hottest months.Under the new rate structure San Fernando Valley residents will have a new 3 tier rate plan to follow.The 3 tier plan increases rates as followed, usage under 500 kwh will be charged 12.36 cents per kwh, from 500-1,500 kwh the charge will be 13.86 cents per kwh and anything above 1,500 kwh will be charged 17.36 cents per kwh.The same plan will take place again 1 July 2010 thru 30 September 2010.This rate increase has left many homeowners upset but there is a solution available for many homeowners to protect themselves from rate increase and its solar power.
LADWP has a solar energy rebate program that benefits homeowners greatly if they take advantage of it and act NOW.The solar rebate program allows homeowners to receive a monetary rebate after a solar electric system has been installed.The rebate incentive helps homeowners by taking care of up to 44% of the cost of the solar electric system but the incentives do not stop there.On top of the LADWP rebate homeowners are also given a 30% federal tax credit on the system cost.With both incentives in place it allows homeowners to fully take advantage of solar energy and protect themselves from future rate increases such as the LADWP rate increase.
Father’s day is around the corner and the hunt to find the perfect gift is becoming harder and harder each year.If you have a father like mine that does everything and has everything the perfect gift is nearly impossible to find.As I embarked on my treasure hunt I came across some great green gift ideas for every father out there.Below you will find my top 5 picks for the perfect father’s day gift.
1.Solar Powered Cell Phone Charger
Many cell phone accessory companies are going green with their phones and accessories.As you Google solar powered phone chargers many different options are available to you.One of the latest solar powered cell phone chargers on the market is by Energizer called Energi To Go.This solar charger gives your iPhone that additional battery life that is well needed throughout the day.
2.Solar Hybrid Flashlight
For the dad that likes to spend his summer days in the wilderness a solar hybrid flashlight is the perfect gift.This solar hybrid flashlight is equipped with LED lights that are fueled by solar energy so buying batteries will be a thing of the past.
3.Electricity Usage Monitor
We all know growing up dad was always on us to turn off the lights or TV when not in use.An electricity usage monitor will allow dad to plug in and see how much electricity is being used, for how long and on what appliances.Great for dad’s that are looking to cut energy cost during summer time.
4.Eco Golf Tees
These eco-friendly golf tees are made from recycled wood and are biodegradable for those dad’s that are just learning and losing golf tees on the course.To really spice things add a free round of golf at his favorite location and this will surely bring a smile to his face.
5.Solar Electric System
If you really want to go all out and impress your dad you should consider either paying for a solar electric system or putting some money towards one for him.This will bring your dad to his knees especially since he can use that extra money saved every month towards all his other hobbies.This will be a sure way to repay dad for those 18 years of extra energy used that we all wasted by leaving lights, TVs and other electronic devices on.
Whatever it is you decide to do for your father on his special day make a change and start going green with those gift ideas.Lastly, remember not to go and buy him a card but instead send him an e-card.To all those father’s out there Happy Father’s Day.
A lot of people love to wait for last minute deals. Early bird specials seem nonexistent today but they certainly still exist. A few homeowners are putting off purchasing a solar electric system because they think it will be cheaper if they wait. For those who think they’re going to save a lot by purchasing later should consider the current rebates. For those who are unaware of the assistance from the government here are the deals; California residents may receive a state rebate of anywhere from 22% to 44% on the total solar home system cost, federal government will provide a tax credit of 30% on the total cost. In total California resident could be saving 55-74% on their entire solar electric system.
Solar panels can power everything that runs on electricity in your home. When considering the cost of a solar electric system don’t forget to account for what can be saved NOW with a solar electric system. These numbers may eventually add up to the discount you’re seeking in the future.
There are a few concerns facing a solar electric system. An example of a concern is new technology for solar electricity. The only things that could or will change with solar panels are the shapes and sizes. Aside from that energy is energy and if you buy it today it’ll still be energy tomorrow. Unlike computers and cell phones solar panels do not need new purchases every few years to meet newer technology needs. These are labeled concerns but in all reality these concerns have no comparison to the amount of money you can save with installing a system now.Protect your future, protect yourself from rate increase, protect your family and install a solar electric system.
Rising gas prices and global warming has awakened the world’s needs to alternative methods of getting around and living. If you’ve had the chance to visit a recent car expo you’ll notice a quite a few vendors are advertising and displaying clean air vehicles or electric vehicles (EV for short). There is a new demand for electric vehicles because they are becoming more efficient than they once were and because of rising gas prices. Electric vehicles were once thought of for only local commutes because the battery charges wouldn’t last longer than 30-40 miles, but now we see EVs going as far as 100 miles on a single charge.
Electric vehicles are not only good for financial reasons but they have zero emissions. Regular gas powered cars emit toxins into the air and are harmful to the environment. Electric cars only require electricity to run and thus do not emit anything into the environment. They also improve our noise pollution because electric cars are practically silent.
Homeowner’s who have invested in a solar home system and own an EV are benefiting even more. There will be no more gas bills, you simply plug in at home and use the electricity from your solar home system to charge your EV and house. Solar energy helps decrease our need for alternative energy that is bad for our environment. Pairing solar with an EV will make an impact on the environment that everyone will appreciate. For those who have not converted to a solar home system the government is offering rebates that make converting very tempting.
Electric vehicles will no longer be hard to find as major car companies will be producing electric vehicles. With greener technology in demand we can only expect a brighter future.
“Going green” has become a frequently used expression in the last couple years. Everyone is doing what they can to be more earth-friendly these days. But, “going green” isn’t just good for the earth; it can be good for your finances too. For example, changing over to a solar system for electricity frees you from the ever-increasing electricity rates that utility companies charge. The federal government has also placed a 30% federal income tax credit on residential solar systems.
In addition to tax credits for going solar, there are some available for a variety “green” house modifications. Tax credits can be claimed for energy improvements to homes, such as windows, insulation, and envelope and duct sealing. Below is a list of the other modifications homeowners can make to receive these credits:
• Adding insulation to walls, ceilings, or other part of the building envelope that meets the 2009 IECC (& supplements) specifications.
• Replacing windows and skylights, and exterior doors which are equal to or below a 0.30 U factor and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.30.
• Sealing cracks in the building shell and ducts to reduce infiltration and heat loss - these should be sealed so as to be consistent with the 2009 IECC.
• Window films certified by the manufacturer that the product meets the requirements of a “qualifying insulation system.”
• Pigmented metal roofs, or an asphalt roof with cooling granules must meet Energy Star requirements.
In some cases, taking these measures will not only help you save money, but your health may benefit as well. For example, most homes built before 1980
contain asbestos. Asbestos was used widely throughout the 20th century for a number of things, but it was mainly used for insulation due to its fire-resistant qualities. Unfortunately, exposure to asbestos is the only known cause of a rare and aggressive type of cancer known as mesothelioma. This type of cancer typically forms in the lining of the lungs and is very difficult to treat effectively. This is because mesothelioma symptoms don’t usually show up until about 15 to 25 years after exposure.
There are a number of other alternative types of insulation that can be used that are more eco-friendly than asbestos and don’t pose any danger to your health. The United States Department of Energy has a list of insulation “Energy Savers” you can use when making plans to remodel your home.
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” We’ve all heard it before and by now we’ve found some truth to it. All the non-believers will soon see the truth to that quote. Great things have been constructed from trash and even greater things are to come with the SMART Art Trash into Treasure competition. SMART is allowing submissions for the following forms of art: music, sculpture, photography, video, and functional items.
Art has inspired the world for centuries and now it’ll inspire a greener future. Art is one of the best ways to display innovative ideas. One great form of art is story telling and many stories talked about impossible technology that has become possible today. Harnessing the power of the sun was something ancient cultures only thought their gods could do. We’ve even been able to harness the power of the sun with solar technology. There are movies with sun powered and garbage powered cars which now exist because someone thought it and another person created it. We can do just about anything if we work together. This contest can only bring better things into our world by reusing waste.
Some people can’t imagine creating a masterpiece from waste and old junk. The results from SMART Art competition will show them otherwise. Tons of masterpieces have been created and inspired by waste. For example one of the most popular functional items seen today is the Spiral Island. Spiral Island is constructed of 100,000 plastic bottles, some nets, bamboo, and lots of sand. Rishi Sowa, a British eco pioneer and founder of Spiral Island, even incorporated solar technology to power an oven, waterfall, and pond. Solar goes with you anywhere and Rishi was able to harness the portability that you can only obtain from solar technology.
The ideas are limitless. Solar powering your entire project may even give you an extra edge in the competition. We hope to see a few entries for solar powered instruments, furniture, cameras, and other functional designs in this competition. Solar energy will reduce the need for other means of energy that are toxic for our environment. Imagine the fun that you could create with solar technology and recyclable products. There are designer lamps constructed of PET bottles and led lights. Maybe you could be the next Rishi Sowa and construct an artistic island or large habitable structure?
The winner of this competition will be able to participate in the Plastiki Expedition. The Plastiki is a boat composed entirely of recycled bottles. Its main mission is to inspire the world to rethink their waste. Waste has been recycled into wondrous things such as the Plastiki. The Plastiki has also incorporated solar energy to power their expedition. Most of the onboard electricity will depend entirely on solar power. The solar power used on the expedition will reduce the waste sent back into the environment because it decreases the need for oil and environmentally harmful batteries. This competition will have a positive impact on the environment as people go out pick up trash and turn it into a masterpiece or functional design.
Don’t limit yourself because these days everyone turns everything into junk. Show them it’s not junk. Show them a greener future.
A few weeks back I posted a blog in regards to Earth Hour 2009. We here at So-Cal Solar are strong believers in this cause and really want to get as much support as possible. Please take the time to check out the Earth Hour video. Also below you will find some great ideas on how to spend your 1 hour without any electricity:
1. Plan a romantic candle light dinner for two at home.
2. Turn your backyard into an evening picnic and watch the stars.
3. Call some friends over for a night of board games lighted by candles.
4. Take a nice walk around the neighborhood and see how many participated in earth hour.
5. Plan a bonfire at the beach with a loved one or friends.
Whatever you decided to do make sure it’s with no electricity and know that together we can make an impact.
Have you given up on watches completely? If so was it caused by the hassle of having to change the dead battery over and over? Remember how annoying it was to pop open the back of a watch and replace the tiny battery? Do not give up on watches quite yet! Thanks to solar power and the company FreeStyle there is a new watch, the Boiler. That’s right it is solar powered for your convenience. The power of the sun will revive your lifeless watch when every bit of juice has been drained. Never mess with changing dead batteries again. One charge for this watch will keep you on time for 12 months according to FreeStyle. If you use direct sunlight to charge the watch it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. 10 minutes of charging is 12 months of power! Even if you don’t get out that often this watch will charge under fluorescent lights, or you can just leave it by your window.
The Boiler also benefits our environment with its solar technology. With old watches you’d be tossing away the dead batteries and more than likely you’ll dispose of it the wrong way. If not disposed properly, dead batteries can and will break down and emit toxins. The toxins affect wildlife, water, and the soil. Eventually all of that affects us, so end the problem before it starts by converting our lives towards cleaner sources of energy like solar energy.
We give Freestyle a thumbs up on creating a fashionable but yet convenient solar watch.
