green home: 4 Energy-Efficient Renovations Homeowners Should Consider - 04/20/10 08:46 AM
4 Energy-Efficient Renovations Homeowners Should Consider
RISMEDIA, April 17, 2010
—HouseMaster, a home inspection organization, urges homeowners to be proactive in making energy-efficient home renovations in order to receive the rebates outlined in President Obama’s new “Home Star Retrofit Rebate” program, recently introduced in Congress. If passed, the proposed $6 billion program could reduce energy costs for middle-class families by hundreds of dollars a year.
HouseMaster provides the following easy check-ups every homeowner can do to optimize the energy efficiency of their home:
Windows and Doors Holes in windows and doors allow conditioned air to leak from your home and … (1 comments)

green home: Get Money for Recycling! - 04/07/10 09:31 AM
Get Money for Recycling by Libuse Binder Published on April 5th, 2010
The Internet makes it easier than ever to find people looking for something you don't want anymore, and several businesses and nonprofits base their entire model on the fact that there is still plenty of life left in that cell phone or computer. Photo:Flickr/KrissZPhotography
Looking for some spare change? With the many companies cropping up that offer cash or services in exchange for your used goods, it’s time to start thinking of recycling as the new couch cushions.
With a little effort, everything from books to cookie wrappers … (4 comments)

green home: Get rid of unwanted items-the GREEN way! - 04/06/10 09:37 AM
Around the Home – Get Rid of Unwanted Items the Green Way By Terri Bennet
 

RISMEDIA, April 3, 2010—(MCT)—Now is the time of year when many of us finally get around to tackling our biggest cleaning and organizing projects around the house. That might include cleaning out cramped closets, boxing up clothes, and even getting to that cluttered garage. Do your part to create a second life for your extra and outgrown stuff and keep it out of the landfill.
Clothing There’s just something satisfying about a clean closet. As you organize, you might have a lot of … (2 comments)

green home: Creative Ideas for Cardboard! - 02/02/10 07:48 AM
Gettin’ Boxy Plant it Cardboard is used to ship 90 percent of all products in the U.S. It’s a sturdy mainstay that’s easily reused and recycled. Non-toxic and biodegradable, recycled cardboard takes 25 percent less energy to manufacture products than the use of virgin materials to make new cardboard.
Water it Moving sometime soon? Have a lot of old junk that’s going into storage? Cardboard boxes are easier to come by than you may think, and you won’t have to dumpster dive to get them. Recycle your cardboard at home by adding it to your compost pile. Make sure to remove … (2 comments)

green home: 10 Minute Green Home Makeovers - 02/02/10 07:44 AM
10-Minute Green Home Makeovers by Amanda Wills
We know it’s not spring yet, and you’re still donning that oversize wool coat and chunky scarf. But we admit that we are still in a post-holiday funk and are in serious need of some organization and motivation.
So we took a room-by-room tour around our own homes to find the solutions the your biggest clutter conundrums, disposal dilemmas and decorating difficulties.
Living Room Problem: I have a truckload of defunct electronics. No it’s not a good idea to set that bulky 1980s television on the curb in hopes that your trash collector will … (2 comments)

green home: 8 Ways to Reuse Your Soda Cans - 12/01/09 07:45 AM
8 Ways to Reuse Your Cans by Amanda Wills
Your can of Dr. Pepper may be the perfect sidekick to your afternoon snack, but the 75 cents you paid at the vending machine may be more valuable than you think.
When recycled, that can produces enough energy to keep a 100-watt bulb burning for almost four hours or run your television for three hours. Even more interesting, because aluminum is a durable and sustainable metal, two-thirds of the aluminum ever produced is still in use today.
Earn yourself some fashion bragging rights with this easy-to-make soda can tab belt, the perfect … (2 comments)

green home: 8 Easy Green Thanksgiving Tips - 11/24/09 05:40 AM
8 Easy Green Thanksgiving Tips by Lauren Hasler
The holiday season is officially in full-swing, and Thanksgiving marks the beginning of big family dinners, extensive gift shopping and elaborate decorations.
But the season isn’t all turkey, stuffing and pie. According to RecycleWorks, from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, household waste increases by more than 25 percent.
So, start off your holiday season on the green foot by making a few small, eco-friendly changes this Turkey Day. It’s easy to get the entire family involved, have fun and decrease the burden on your wallet as well.
This year, opt for local and … (0 comments)

green home: Start Green-A-Tizing your home! - 02/17/09 02:21 PM
ENERGY SAVERS
According to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Americans spend more than $160 billion a year on energy. This energy-used to heat, cool, light, and otherwise keep our homes running smoothly-represents about 21 percent of the nation's total energy use. However, our impact could be smaller. Take the time to implement even a few of the following energy-efficient improvements, and the results could cut your total energy consumption by up to 30 percent.
ON THE ROAD
Drive safely-and not just when baby's on board. Any aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration or hard braking) wastes gasoline and lowers … (1 comments)