I believe we all feel that solar power is in its infancy and hopeful the cost to the individual homeowner will fall to the point of making it actually affordable and practical to the average American. Hope is nearing - in Australia.
They are half way through a three year research project on printing solar cells on flexible sheets which increases its diversity and applications. Homeowners could cover their roof or make their own solar-powered walkway lights. The idea sounds promising; let's hope the USA will be in the forefront or at least joint partner such research and development.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Watch Your Lumens
By now most of us accept the opinion that CFL lightbulbs save the user energy over the energy consumed with incandescent bulbs of the same wattage ratings, and CFLs have a greater longevity saving us money and the landfills precious space. It has been deemed acceptable that these CFLs have a tad of mercury, and recycling centers are supposed to be set up to recycle these special bulbs. Some stores like Lowes have bins to deposit your defunct CFLs.
A 75 watt incandescent is rated as equal to a 20 watt CFL. But are they equal? Not necessarily. Check the lumens -- usually in very fine print, unfortunately. Lumen is the actual light output. Find the CFL with the lumens you want then purchase the CFL with the lowest wattage with those lumens.
Should you run around your home and replace every bulb with a CFL, and donate the incandescents to a thrift store? Perhaps you are able to make that financial commitment , or just being prepared to replace one with the other is the most sensible route. Look around your home and see what the most popular bulbs are and get their CFL replacement now. As the incandescents burn out, you'll be ready with your CFL and can start on your energy-saving lifestyle. Minimally, consider initially spending the money to purchase a CFL to save yourself money down the line and help save your own environment. Dream as Green As You Can Be - Carolina Green!
A 75 watt incandescent is rated as equal to a 20 watt CFL. But are they equal? Not necessarily. Check the lumens -- usually in very fine print, unfortunately. Lumen is the actual light output. Find the CFL with the lumens you want then purchase the CFL with the lowest wattage with those lumens.
Should you run around your home and replace every bulb with a CFL, and donate the incandescents to a thrift store? Perhaps you are able to make that financial commitment , or just being prepared to replace one with the other is the most sensible route. Look around your home and see what the most popular bulbs are and get their CFL replacement now. As the incandescents burn out, you'll be ready with your CFL and can start on your energy-saving lifestyle. Minimally, consider initially spending the money to purchase a CFL to save yourself money down the line and help save your own environment. Dream as Green As You Can Be - Carolina Green!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Dream as Green as You Can Be
Is it still possible to be responsibly green with the economic downturn? Yes, it is, if only in your dreams.
Right now you may not be able to afford home improvements such as insulating your attic, adding a storm door/windows, or replacing your water heater with a tankless version. What you can do now is the research on green projects. Want to insulate your attic? There are plenty of reliable government sites to guide you in selecting what is best for your temperate zone and your home. Go on-line and visit Home Depot's or Lowe's web sites and see what they are offering in the way of attic insulation and figure cost. See if they are running any sales. It doesn't hurt to ask for the store manager and see what discounts they are willing to extend to you. Remember the tax credits up to $500 were extended by the Bush Administration starting with what you spend in 2009. This helps when you are planning your budget.
By researching and expanding your knowledge base you will be prepared when the time is right for you to go green. It may be sooner than you think.
You can start going green by doing things that don't cost you money. Opt Out to get catalogues, junk mail, credit card offers; cancel your subscriptions and start reading on line; you'll be going to the recycling centers with less and will begin saving raw materials, energy, and money.
You can start with a dream - your green dream.
Right now you may not be able to afford home improvements such as insulating your attic, adding a storm door/windows, or replacing your water heater with a tankless version. What you can do now is the research on green projects. Want to insulate your attic? There are plenty of reliable government sites to guide you in selecting what is best for your temperate zone and your home. Go on-line and visit Home Depot's or Lowe's web sites and see what they are offering in the way of attic insulation and figure cost. See if they are running any sales. It doesn't hurt to ask for the store manager and see what discounts they are willing to extend to you. Remember the tax credits up to $500 were extended by the Bush Administration starting with what you spend in 2009. This helps when you are planning your budget.
By researching and expanding your knowledge base you will be prepared when the time is right for you to go green. It may be sooner than you think.
You can start going green by doing things that don't cost you money. Opt Out to get catalogues, junk mail, credit card offers; cancel your subscriptions and start reading on line; you'll be going to the recycling centers with less and will begin saving raw materials, energy, and money.
You can start with a dream - your green dream.
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