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Posted on Jul 6, 2010 | Tagged in: weather , tips , green
It's not so easy to stay cool in the midst of a boiling Texas summer, and if May's record breaking high temperatures are any indication, staying cool without breaking the bank will require a little improvising for many families.
Ceiling fans, according to a Home Depot fan expert, “produce a 'wind chill' effect, allowing you to feel cooler regardless of the temperature. They're also efficient, consuming less energy on average than a 100-watt light bulb.”
Fans are not just useful in the summer! While it’s warm outside, you'll want to set your fan in "down-draft" mode, with the blades running counterclockwise, to circulate cooler air. But when the weather turns cold, just flip the switch and reverse the motor so the blades can run clockwise. This forces the warm air down. The directional switch is usually located on top of the motor housing, so you will need a ladder. Plan to pick up a few fans at the local home supply store and ask about home installation services!
Fact: According to the US Department of Energy, “Ceiling fan/light combination units that have earned the ENERGY STAR are about 50% more efficient than conventional fan/light units. This can save you more than $15 per year on utility bills.”
Posted on May 11, 2010 | Tagged in: tips , green
Did you know that on average, each member of your family use an astonishing 170 gallons of water every day? To put it into perspective, that’s the equivalent of about three full bathtubs! The good news is that there are plenty of opportunities for water conservation without the perceived inconveniences. Every gallon saved means more green - in your pocket and out our world.
Here are just a few simple ways to incorporate water conservation into your daily routine without feeling all dried up!
Install a low-flow showerhead. The new aerating showerheads can reduce the flow from 2.5 gallons per minute to as low as 1 gallon per minute, while maintaining water pressure because they mix in air. Then, shave just two minutes off your average shower time and you will save about five gallons every time you clean up. Check with your builder, new homes often come standard with this energy saving feature!
Posted on Apr 13, 2010 | Tagged in: green , events
With Earth Day almost upon us, it is important not to overlook the importance of incorporating locally grown foods into our Go Green plans. And, as it turns out Houston makes it is pretty easy! Eco-conscious restaurants and farmers' markets are sprouting up all around Houston, with menus ranging from spa fare to gourmet cuisine, all in an effort to use local or organic ingredients and recycled materials. The markets sell locally grown fruit and vegetables, locally raised meats, and locally prepared foods, eggs, honey and items such as handcrafted soap.
The Nationally accepted definition of a farmers market is usually defined as "local" as grown within 150 miles. But, as always, individual markets may operate under their own guidelines with respect to local, organic, or pesticide-free practices, so always ask before you buy! Here are just a few locally acclaimed restaurants and markets popular with Houston’s Eco-Foodies.
Posted on Mar 31, 2010 | Tagged in: Houston , green
Preceding Lights Out Houston, scheduled for Friday April 23, 2010, the City of Houston is also encouraging residents and business owners to join an estimated 1 billion people across the world in turning off their lights and conserving energy for one hour on Saturday night, March 27, 2010, at 8:30 p.m. during Earth Hour 2010.
Although many Houstonians participate in recycling, and local companies, such as Friendswood Development who are now building Energy Star homes, it is exciting to think about the potential for mass conservation that can be accomplished by the coming together of individuals, companies and nations!
According to Green Houston, commercial building participation totaled over 111 million square feet, representing more than $67,580 in savings on their electrical bill for that weekend alone! It is estimated that in the downtown area alone if just 50% of the non-essential lights routinely left on overnight and on the weekends are shut off, 8.4 million kw-hours a year can be saved. That is equal to nearly $1 million annually; which is enough energy to power more than 600 Houston area homes for a year.
Posted on Dec 5, 2009 | Tagged in: green , economy
Clean-tech and "green collar" jobs, or occupations that promote the wellness of the environment through the use of energy efficient and "clean" technology, are a topic growing in popularity and awareness in not only the U.S., but the global world. This global concern is one that greatly affects those involved in the energy industry, and inherently Houston.
Houston-based companies like Exxon Mobil, Shell, and Kinder Morgan are all taking these concerns seriously as they compete to be the most innovative and efficient in providing what today's concerned consumers expect: clean, green technology & renewable energy.
The Clean Edge, a green-industry research firm composed a list of the best metropolitan areas for clean-tech job activity, and Texas made the list twice, with the Houston/Galveston/Brazoria area at number 15.
Right now, the U.S. economy is creating approximately 1.3 million new "green collar" jobs a year (Challenger Gray & Christmas http://www.challengergray.com/), and by 2030, the number of U.S. jobs related to energy efficiency and conservation will hit 40 million (American Solar Energy Society http://www.ases.org). This progress will inherently create more opportunities for Houstonians to get involved through their work and contribute to the greater good.
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/26/news/economy/green.jobs.fortune/index.htm
