Follow the link below for some very easy ways to save energy, reduce your carbon footprint and green your lifestyle.
Here are some …
- wash laundry in cold water
- turn down the temperature on your water heater
- insulate your water heater
- use reusable shopping bags
- compost what you can
Via: Wise Bread LINK
Data centers use a lot of energy to power servers and in doing so generate a lot of heat. Additional energy is then needed to keep the servers and other equipment from overheating (air conditioning or chiller systems). Could the heat from servers be repurposed instead of cooled ?
According to a research paper (link below) “ … “data furnaces” could offer a lower carbon footprint … [in] home offices or office buildings. … servers could … become a primary heating system for these buildings …”
There are obstacle to overcome but in theory it seems to make sense.
What do you think ? Will there ever be a server farm in your apartment building / complex or office tower?
>>> To read the Microsoft research paper LINK
>>> Fujitsu is using a similar concept for heat reuse – using it to drive data center cooling systems LINK
Via: ZDNet LINK
Marriott partnered with Constellation Energy to manage “load response” for over 250 properties including those in the mid-Atlantic area and New England. This manages electricity usage in response to prices and / availability – while keeping guests comfortable.
In effect this is a“Load response is the reduction of electrical consumption in response to high wholesale electricity prices, system resource capacity needs or system reliability events. “
This ties in with Marriott’s sustainability programs. "… dramatically improve the energy efficiency of our hotels, saving an estimated 1.2 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually." 
Marriott will use Constellation’s VitruWattTM to “ … track electricity usage, bid directly into demand response markets and automate load curtailment strategies.”
For more information on VitruWattTM LINK
Via: Constellation Energy LINK
The nest self learning programmable thermostat solves an interesting problem. Programmable thermostats should be able to save lots of energy – but they are difficult to program. Thermostats no longer have the energy star rating as the energy savings did not materialize …. 
>>> nest programs itself around they way you live … analyzing when you adjusts the thermostat and using sensors to see if there are people in the house so it can determine when to lower the thermostat
“10% of all U.S. energy is controlled by thermostats. That’s the equivalent of 1.7 billion barrels of oil per year.” … so there is a lot of money and energy at stake …
The YouTube video gives more information …
Via: nest LINK
The statistics on waster are amazing … “Less than 10% of plastic trash is recycled … because of the massively complicated problem of finding and sorting the different kinds. …”
Mike Biddle has developed a solution to change that “ … developed a patented 30-step plastics recycling system … that takes less than a tenth of the energy required to make virgin plastic from crude oil. …” The process is sustainable, uses waste streams as a raw material, helps eliminate waste and reduces CO2 emissions … instead of oil.
See the fascinating TED video for details …on an efficient plant that can, and does, recycle any kind of plastic.
Via: TED LINK
Consultancy KPMG is committed to being green. With their Living Green program they have made significant progress in key areas such as reducing carbon footprint and waste between 2007 and 2010.
Notable achievements include " ...reduce ... carbon footprint by 25 percent... reduce waste by 10 percent ... Achieve ... (LEED) certification with 100 percent of new construction ..."Increase alternative transportation by 5 percent
Via: KPMG LINK
Research Frontiers, Inc's SPD technology uses suspended particles in glass to react to a small voltage to change from clear to nearly blocked. With voltage is applied the glass is clear.
This would allow for large glass windows for light and letting the same windows block direct sun to reduce A/C load and reduce UV damage to fabrics.
' ...provides exceptional control over solar energy..."
" ... ability of architectural smart glass to improve the energy efficiency of buildings by effectively controlling solar heat gain and harvesting daylight ..."
Via: Research Frontiers, Inc. LINK and LINK
United has a green sustainability program called eco-skies. Among the highlights of the program are ...
... over 300 planes with winglets that reduce emissions by up to 5% ... 3600+ service vehicles that are either electric or alternative fueled ... recycling over 3 millions lbs plastic and aluminum from flight service over a 5 year period ...
"First U.S. biofuel and synthetic fuel demonstration flights and signed letters of intent to advance cost-efficient and environmentally responsible alternative jet fuels derived from biomass feedstock ..."
Via: United LINK
The rubber industry is looking for alternatives to petroleum based rubber as pricing for petroleum is going up fast.
Researchers at Ohio State University, The University of Akron, Oregon State University, Cooper and Bridgestone are looking to see if the Russian dandelion is a route to rubber.
"... "Russian dandelion ... is being domesticated ... and produces high-quality natural rubber in its fleshy taproot. ... performance mirrors the natural rubber produced from ... Brazilian rubber tree ... "
Via: Ohio BioProducts Innovation Center (OBIC) LINK
Certain Honda Civics have an easy way to save fuel .... by pushing the ECON button. When pushed " ... the Civic's engine and other energy-consuming systems are automatically configured to operate more efficiently..."
Better fuel economy at the push of a button !
Via: Honda LINK
TD Bank recently opened a call center in Auburn, Maine that is 100% powered by green energy sources. The center is designed for US LEED Gold certification.
Among the green design elements / features are " ... plumbing fixtures that use 33 percent less water, drought tolerant plants ... a recycling system that will collect paper, glass, metal, plastic, cardboard, fluorescent lamps and batteries."
For more on the green features check out the link at the bottom of this post.
TD has also committed to going carbon neutral and is one of the largest US Banks to commit to being carbon neutral.
Via: Environmental Leader LINK
San Francisco's new Terminal 2 was retrofitted to be green by design. It is the first Airport Terminal in the US to achieve GOLD LEED.
Among the green features in the design were waste reduction (achieved by reusing or recycling all construction waste), reduced water use (achieved by a closed loop reclaimed water system for the toilets and urinals that is treated on site) and Greenhouse Gas - GHG - reductions (achieved by eliminating the need for airplane auxiliary power units by providing preconditioned air and power at the gate).
Via: SFO LINK
Passive homes are designed to be so energy efficient that they do not need to have normal heating and cooling systems ! There is an air exchange system that brings in fresh air but keeps the heat in the houses. This efficiency is achieved without compromising the comfort or looks.
" .... refers to a ... ultra-low energy construction standard developed over the past twenty years by the PassivHaus Institut in Germany. ..."
See video below for more about a home that Solar Knights upgraded to become a Passive Home.
Via: Solar Knights Construction LINK
and Smart Planet LINK
The other day while walking in the city I noticed an interesting large green sticker on a intercity bus. It was from the Green Coach Initiative and promoted the bus line's "support being and acting green."
What a great way to raise Green Awareness !
The University of Vermont with the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association launched the Green Coach Certification Research initiative. Companies that meet the standards are able to "Wear" the appropriate certification; such as the "Green Coach Energy Reduction CERTIFIED" label below.
There are a variety of stickers such as " meeting or exceeding ... 148 passenger miles per gallon ... and ... Offsetting carbon emissions by 80 through an endorsed carbon-trading organization".
Is your bus Green Coach Certified ?
Via: University of Vermont LINK
The Seattle Mariners have joined other professional sports teams to form the Green Sports Alliance, an organization that encourages professional sports teams to be greener and make reductions in their "... impact on the environment...."
Members are " ... urged to initiate strategies that reduce energy and carbon emissions, ... encouraged to promote their greening initiatives throughout their respective leagues and surrounding communities. ..."
The Green Sports Alliance has its HQ in Portland, Oregon; founding members include teams from MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA and MLS. For more on the Green Sports Alliance LINK.For more information on the Green Sports Alliance visit www.greensportsalliance.org.
Via: Seattle Mariners LINK
Portland, Maine has signed a deal with Ameresco to cut its carbon footprint. The project covers approx. 15 years and is to cost $9.4 million. The city expects to save $17 million over the life of the project.
What is unique about this engagement is that there is no upfront cost to Portland. "Ameresco will guarantee ... cash flows ... will exceed the cash requirements for the project, offsetting the costs ..."
Per their website ... Ameresco "delivers ... solutions on both sides of the meter ... leverage renewable energy and achieve ... sustainability goals for our ...customers."
Part of the improvements will be a 2,000 watt solar array at one of the schools.
The agreement covers 45 city buildings and 15 schools.
Ameresco is based in Framingham, Mass.
Via: Ameresco LINK
The Dow Chemical Company and Cobblestone homes have collaborated to build Michigan's FIRST Net Zero Energy Home. The home uses techniques like "...insulation, sealants, geothermal heating and solar generation."
The home is @ 3118 Summerhill, Bay City, Michigan LINK
This home showcases some cutting edge technologies ... but all homeowners can make a positive energy impact on their homes but choosing CFL or LED for lighting, and making sure storm windows fit ... and of course using the right amount of insulation.
Via: Vision Zero Home LINK
After building a very efficient building in Boulder, Colorado, the NERL is building an extension that is 17 % more efficient. How ? By looking at changes in available technology in the last year that can bring energy improvements.
One area for change was the windows. Those in Phase 1 are very efficient but still those on the southern exposure were cold ... changes made for Phase 2 included making them slightly smaller and increasing the thermal break to slow air infiltration that can cause temperature changes. When these savings are multiplied over 600 windows the energy efficiency is significant.
Improvements were made in the Phase 2 thermal storage system ... they found they could simplify the design ... instead of " ... interlaced structural concrete grade beams for thermal transfer .... " ... there just now just a " ....a large open concrete crawl space."Lastly each occupant is put on an energy diet of 55 watts / workstation. This goes a long way to keeping electricxity bills under control.
Follow this LINK and at the bottom of the page are details on other technologies used in the building.
Via: National Renewable Energy Laboratory LINK
Students act as doctors to diagnose and solve energy waste to reduce consumption and conserve power across the campus, targeting a net zero footprint. …
… “The House Energy Doctor program, started in 1986, is a course where graduate architecture students prescribe how buildings can save more energy. This semester, the UA Office of Sustainability suggested the students target the UA campus.” …
Via University of Arizona: Energy Use.
House energy doctor brochure (PDF).
Sprint is developing a standard for green phones called eco-criteria. Manufacturers who meet the standards will be able to use the eco-criteria symbol on the phone … scoring “points” for both Sprint and the manufacturer with the green community.
This is a natural extension of their other ongoing “green” initiatives.
The standard sets categories and as total point level required to be green. The categories are “Reduction of Environmentally Sensitive Materials (ROH), Energy Management, Lifecycle Management, Sustainable Packaging, Eco-Friendly Applications and Innovation.
Points are awared for " ... RoHS Compliance, low levels of PVC, BFRs, Phthalates, Beryllium ... Energy Star qualification ... High recyclability rate, recycling envelop included in box, standardized connector, recycled plastic or renewably sourced plastic content ..."
There are 115 available points and 70 or more are required for the eco-criteria logo.
Via: Sprint LINK
Thinkeco has a way to find the energy wasters in your house. Appliances are big power users and can even draw power when "off". Some refer to this as vampire poser draws.
We sort of know that many electronic devises are drawing power all the time but also realize that it is not practical to unplug all you appliances when not in use; or even to be sure which are drawing the most power.
modlet solves this problem.
" ... plug the modlet into an existing electric outlet and plug your appliances into it. ... use your web browser to wirelessly monitor and manage your power consumption."
It is expected that the modlet can save 10 - 120% on your energy bill and pay for itself in 6 months. It is expected to be available for sale on-line and else where this year.
Via: thinkeco LINK
What's a quick easy way to save money .... year after year?
Insulate !!
EcoBatt insulation is made from "bio-based" binders - not petroleum derived raw materials and is certified to GREENGUARD standards so it is safe for children and use in schools.
" ... reduces binder embodied energy by up to 70%, and does not contain phenol, formaldehyde, acrylics or artificial colors used to make traditional fiberglass insulation."
" .... combines sand ... renewable resources, post-consumer recycled bottle glass ... to create ... sustainable insulation…"
Via: EcoBatt LINK
Here are 10 quick things you can do to get your house in better shape for winter. Total time to complete is estimate to b e a weekend and costs are in the order of $100 making for a great return on time and investment.
Here are some highlights - "Change your furnace filters ... Insulate your pipes ... Caulk your windows ... Weather stripe your doors ... [get / install a] Programmable thermostat ..."
Do the ones you can yourself and save some money - consider a contractor if some arel. beyond your skill level. Each will make a difference to the environment and your energy bills.
While not on the list - do not forget to use CFLs or LED bulbs ... in my area (SouthEastern PA) they are reasonably inexpensive as they are subsidized (at least at the Home Depot) by PECO (local utility).
Via: SustainLane LINK
Here is a chgecklist (pdf format) from the University of Texas at Austin. lf, your team, your home, whatver.
While there is no scale or rating given the checklist offers a wide range of things to look at in your quest to be greener ... in your daily life.
Assess yourself now as a baseline and then in a few months to see what kind of progress you have made.
" ... self-assessment form covers offices, conference rooms, common areas, etc. "
Via: University of Texas at Austin Office of Sustainability LINK
Home Power Magazine is full of ideas on renewable energy for home owners and professionals.
" ... information exchange has helped create an industry with ... a common goal: reducing the use of polluting fossil fuels and replacing ... with the infinite supplies of renewable energy that surround us. ..."
Issues have covered subjects including " ... solar, wind, and microhydro electricity, energy efficiency, solar hot water systems, space heating and cooling, energy-efficient building materials and home design, ..." and more.
Via: Home Power Magazine LINK
Bank of America's One Bryant Park in Manhattan NYC has achieved LEED Platinum certification. This is a first for a US high rise commercial building - achieving LEED platinum.
" ... glass curtain wall permits maximum sunlight ... under-floor air delivery system ... power comes from an on-site cogeneration plant, which works in concert with an ice storage system ..."
The building reuses most all rainwater and sink water saving millions of gallons of potable water yearly.
Via: Bank of America LINK
SEPTA and Viridity Energy are working to reclaim and then reuse or resell the electricity generated by SEPTA subway and trolley cars.
Much the same as a hybrid auto using regenerative braking to charge a battery - this system sends the energy generated from braking subway cars back to the Subway power system for short term storage. This turns the normally wasted energy into a resource.
Viridity Energy 's solution will " ... allow SEPTA to recycle the energy created from the regenerative braking ability of trains and trolleys ... ". The braking energy will be stored in a large battery.
Benefits will include energy savings by storing the energy that can then be used to reduce SEPTA's draw from the GRID or even returned to the GRID for revenue during peaks use times. It is projected that energy savings will result in over 1,200 tons of carbon emissions avoided per year and helping " ... balance electric generation and electric load on the PJM interconnection ..."
Via: Viridity Energy LINK
Lennar builds the PowerSmart home in several states. These homes have efficiency and energy savings build it.
" ... PowerSmart home by Lennar. ... green home designed to save you money while ... saving the environment. ..."
Via: Lennar ™ LINK
Las Vegas is well known for the Strip and night life ... it is also becoming known for Sustainability.
Las Vegas has a number of sustainability initiatives underway ... the City's Sustainability Web site lists a number of information resources for learning about and implementing sustainability. Topics listed include Green Building, Recycling and Energy Efficiency.
There are also programs for low income families and incentives to build green (new or retrofits).
" ... pilot program with Green Chip ... to perform energy audits and retrofits for ... qualifying low income households ... "
" ... expanded its Green Building Program ... incentives to stimulate new green building construction and provide energy efficiency retrofits to existing buildings ..."
Via: Sustaining Las Vegas LINK
S
ometimes being green really is plain and simply easy -- low or now cost and with little downside. There are lots of little things that taken together, over time can really add up.
Check out these and other great idea from Earth911.com ...
Here are 3 ...
(1) Skip the drive through and park ... " ... every minute the average car engine idles, it emits 6 to 7 grams of pollutants into the atmosphere. ... " Taken collectively for say a millions cars over the period of a year and you reduce / eliminate over 700 tons of emissions. You also save a lot of gas and money ... and get some exercise !
(2) Pay your bills on-line ... " .. reduce your household’s paper consumption ... eliminate paper waste ..."
(3) Turn stuff off ... not just lights that are on when no one is in the room but electronics. Many devices are actually sucking power in standby mode and not actually "off". " ... Even a cell phone charger continues to use energy when plugged in, whether your cell phone is charging or not. ... " This often called phantom power users because many electronic devices are drawing power in standby mode and collectively that adds up. Save money, reduce the demand for power and keep the air cleaner. For your computer consider plugging all the electronics into a single power strip and with one switch you can turn off a PC, printer, monitor and other devices.
Via: Earth911.com LINK
GREENandSAVE has a Website and Blog with lots of good "green" information. In addition to tips to increase your "individual green-ness" there are links to many green items in the news including green job training.
Check out the Experts Tip section for lots of ideas you can use to save energy, money and the planet. Tips I found include ways to save water this summer and ideas for a greener Christmas.
... strives to inform the public about eco-conscious living, environmental matters, ... feature daily news, information and blogs ... mission is to expand readers’ awareness of environmentally conscious efforts ... and encourage participation."
Via: Green and Save LINK
Levi Strauss has taken a number of steps to make their jeans "greener" including minimizing the number of labels and the wording on the label.
This can help you - the consumer - save money and the environment by making less of an impact.
The care label suggests washing in cold water, line drying and giving to Goodwill so they can have another useful life.
" ... 58% of the energy and 45% of the water used during the lifetime of a pair of Levi’s ® jeans occurs during the consumer use phase ..."
Via: Levi Strauss LINK
The University of New Hampshire ranked in the top 5 percent in a recent DOE study for energy efficiency among a group of 180 colleges and universities. Comparing their energy expenditures to the average they save approx. $7 million per year in energy costs (and it gets cold in New Hampshire in the winter)
" ... in 2000. In our peer group, UNH was in the top five percent for energy efficiency. ... one of the most energy efficient colleges that offers 4 year programs through post-Doctoral research."
" ... on-going energy efficiency program for the past 25 years. ... energy awareness programs to encourage energy conserving activities ..."
Via: University of New Hampshire LINK
Microsoft Hohm is a free software application that lets you improve the energy efficiency of your home. You can add details about your specific home and see recommendations for improvements ... as well as how you compare to other homes in your area or across the country. 
" ... check your energy consumption and compare it to others around the nation. ... [to the left] ... heat map of the United States and the average Hohm Score per state."
Check out the BLOG for useful tips.
Via: Microsoft Hohm LINK
" ... Philly plant in Lowville, NY ... making to reduce our carbon footprint. ... almost ¼ of the Lowville’s total energy use now comes from alternative sources."
" ... converting the waste stream from Cream Cheese production (whey) into methane gas. ... replaces about 1/3 of the natural gas usage and prevents virtually 100% of whey land-spreading. Annual energy savings are approximately 87,000 mm BTUs, or enough energy to heat around 1,100 average sized households for 1 year. ... In early 2008, ... Lowville ... replaced its interior lights with energy efficient T-8 lighting fixtures. ... saves 1,350,068 KWH of usage per year. That’s enough electricity to light 2,164 homes for a year."
" ... In 2008, ... cut its total water use by 9%. ... [and] sent 33% less garbage to the landfill. ..."
Via: Kraft LINK
About a week ago I wrote about the cool roof project in Philadelphia [LINK]. The winning block was just announced ... the 1200 Block of Wolf Street.
The residents on this block showed tremendous enthusiasm and community spirit in their quest to become the 'Coolest'. Plus, every roof on the block is suitable for a 'cool roof' coating!
"In the coming weeks, ... this block ... receive its prize-an energy audit and energy-efficient upgrades, such as insulation, air sealing and a 'cool roof'! And we'll celebrate with a block party in June!"
" ... check out their winning essay!"
"Cool roofs reflect the sun's heat ... are about 50-80 degrees cooler than typical asphalt roofs and come in a variety of colors. White is the "coolest" because it most efficiently reflects the sun's rays. "
Via: RetroFit Philly LINK
" ... RetroFIT PHILLY "Coolest Block" contest ... with product and technology contributions from The Dow Chemical Company ... invites row home owners to enter to win energy-saving cool roof, air sealing and insulation upgrades for their entire block."
"... Greenworks Philadelphia goal is to retrofit 15 percent of the city's row home roofs, and the 'Coolest Block' contest is jumpstarting this effort," said Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter...."
" ... White cool roofs, ... bounce off solar energy to prevent it from being absorbed into the roof and house in the summer. ... they reduce the amount of energy needed to cool the living space and bring the cost of cooling a home down by as much as 20 percent."" ... cool roofs are a proven way to combat urban heat island effect. The roof's exterior is 50 – 80 degrees cooler on hot summer days, helping to lower high temperatures and improve air quality. ..."
Via: The Dow Chemical Company LINK
For those looking to be green and keep their carbon footprint as small as possible ... the question of what kind of shopping is "greener" - Local or On-Line?
" ... a study by Carnegie Mellon's Green Design Institute ... looked ... at Buy.com's e-commerce model, ... found ... online ... "reduces environmental impact with 35 percent less energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions than ... the traditional retail shopping model.""
"... this isn't going to work for every online retailer, or compare to every brick-and-morter store in your area, but still, these results are surprising."
" ... approximately 65 percent of total emissions generated by the traditional retail model stemmed from customer transport to and from retail stores."
Via: SustaineLane LINK
Idling buses and trucks waste lots of fuel and add to pollution. Can technology provide a solution ?
You bet !
" ... The Provider, a school bus operator in Brentwood, N.H., ... first embraced wireless navigation technology from Navman Wireless ... thinking that it could helps with better tracking the mileage and hours related to individual busing contracts."
" ... realized that excessive idling ... could be addressed and controlled with the technology. ... When an alert is triggered, dispatchers call the driver in question ... because idling wastes fuel. ..."
" ... Navman Wireless, says his company ... tracking 110,000 vehicles. ... Navman Wireless estimates that it saves about 552 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions across the fleet it manages. Most of those savings are calculated based on reduced fuel consumption."Via: SmartPlanet LINK
Intel's new design center in Haifa, Israel is LEED Gold certified. It opened in June.
Some of the highlights ...
"...received LEED Gold certification ... for ... Intel Design Center – IDC 9 – ... in Haifa, Israel ..."
" ... Intel's first certified green facility, IDC 9 is the first building in Israel to receive LEED Gold-level recognition."
" ... was built on land previously occupied by a parking lot to not damage any natural resources. ... "
" ... rooftop garden to enhance thermal insulation and prevent the building from retaining excessive heat ... A method for capturing and recycling condensate water from the air conditioning system for irrigation. ..."
Via: Intel LINK
Sunday, April 25th, 2010, I picked up several packages of CFL at my local Costco at a great price. In fact the price made it close to impossible to pass up.
$0.99 bought a four pack of 13 Watt CFL (60 Watt replacement) after instant rebate taken at the register.
$1.79 bought a four pack of 23 Watt CFL (100 Watt replacement) after instant rebate taken at the register. 
The package label indicates the 13 Watt last 13 times longer; save $369 per pack of 4.
The package label indicates the 23 Watt last 10 times longer; save $225 per pack of 4.
Nice deal - great way to save on your electric bills.
>>>>> Remember Home Depot collects CFL for safe recycling.
Via: Costcp LINK
UPS " ... put 200 additional hybrid electric delivery trucks to work in Austin, Houston, Philadelphia, Washington, New York, Minneapolis and Louisville. ... had 50 of these vehicles in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix; ... another 20,000 low-emission and alternative fuel vehicles throughout its fleet ... In all, about 1,000 of the fleet is hybrid while the rest are low emission types."
" ... will cut its fuel consumption by 176,000 gallons annually, compared with putting an equivalent number of new diesel trucks on the road. .. reduction in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions is about 1,786 metric tons, ..."
Via: Smart Planet LINK
Green Touch is a program at Alcatel-Lucent that focuses on green aspects of technology. " ... looking at how the world of telecommunications is responding to the urgency of preserving our natural environment. ... Green Touch ... a consortium of telecoms operators, manufacturers, universities and non-profit organisations with a mission to conceive and demonstrate the effectiveness of this revolutionary low-energy network - all within the next five years… "
To see the associated video follow the link and look for "Innovation at Work / Green Touch" LINK
Via: Alcatel-Lucent LINK
Do you hate to waste energy at home? How about when you travel? Some travelers are a little less energy efficient on the road then at home. Some hotels are helping to change that ...
I remember when I was in Singapore in 1990 and the hotel had a neat way to save energy. If you wanted the lights and A/C to work in the room you had to put the key chain (actually a block of plastic with metal at the bottom) in a slot by the door. This completed a circuit that "turned the power on" in the room. And when you left ... you took the key and off went the power.
Starwood Hotels Element brand has some interesting ideas to make your hotel room a little greener ...
" ... testing ... energy management system ... that curbs heating and air conditioning usage - the guestroom's biggest energy hogs, ... is invisible to the average customer and doesn't require guests to alter their behavior ... "
" ... motion- and heat-sensitive sensors ... detect when people leave their rooms or fall asleep inside, he said. ... automatically trims heating or air conditioning ... cuts energy use without radically altering the temperature ..."
" ... cut heating and air conditioning use by 47%, ... equivalent of about 50,000 pounds of CO2 emissions or about 2,500 gallons of gas ... "
Via: USA Today LINK
Ghost power users are devised that are "turned" off but still draw power. Included in this category are batter charges used for cell phones and the like.
Most people leave these charges plugged in all the time and they are "burning power" all the time. Feel the charger and it is usually warm .... wasting electricity.
"AT&T estimates their customers consume enough energy by leaving idle phone chargers in the walls to power 24,000 homes for a year. ... their new ZERO charger .... Available at the end of May ... will sense when it is not connected to a cellular phone and will block the power supply from the socket."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
... "energy improvements at TEMA’s manufacturing facilities include: Reducing total energy use by 19 percent per vehicle produced since FY2000 while expanding and adding new facilities; Reducing water usage by 20 percent per vehicle produced since FY1999 through no- and low-cost improvements; The installation of solar panels at the Huntsville, Alabama engine plant – the first Toyota plant in the U.S. to have one. The new five kilowatt solar panel generates enough energy to light four bays of floor space, or over 16,000 square feet; the equivalent of 80 60-watt light bulbs; At the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, the plastics shop reduced their shut down energy use by 83 percent from the previous year. " ...Via Toyota: Energy Star Award For Commitment To Environmental Excellence
Earth Hour 2010 is just a few days away.
Earth Hour is a symbolic way of supporting global action for the environment. For the lst few years folks all around the globe haves turned off their lights for one hour as a very visible show of support.
"Earth Hour 2010 will continue to be a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community. A call to stand up, to show leadership and be responsible for our future."
"Pledge your support here and turn off your lights for one hour, Earth Hour, 8.30pm, Saturday 27th March 2010."
Via: Earth Hour LINK
Darden Restaurants - owner of Red Lobster and other restaurant brands - is embracing the USGBC LEED Standards.
" ... launching a sustainable restaurant design initiative ... will require that all new restaurants be built to the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED standards ... need to be built following the LEED Rating Systems code when feasible."
" ... launching with eight restaurants that have been built, or are in the process of being built, to achieve LEED certification."
Via: FORBES LINK
Small day changes in our day to day activities can add up and make a real difference. Here are some tips from greenandmore.com via: EPA USDOE and EnergyStar.gov that can help save energy, water and other resources:
"Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room. (www.epa.gov)"
" ... microwave to cook small meals. It uses less power than an oven. (www.epa.gov)"
"Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can. (www.epa.gov)"
See LINK for the complete list.
Via: greenandmore LINK
GE has created a new water heater - a next generation - that saves energy by novel use of technology. Advanced (for a water heater at least) technology from other areas like sophisticated controls, hybrid modes and heat pumps can result in a very energy efficient water heater.
" ... GE rethought every aspect of this appliance from the ground up. ... can reduce water heater operating cost up to 62% and save $320 pe
r year ... "
" eHeat™ Mode (most energy efficient mode) ... [using a heat pump] removes heat from the surrounding air, heats the water ... Time required to heat water is longer in this mode, but should be adequate for normal demand households. ... Hybrid Mode (default mode) Combines ... eHeat with the recovery speed and power of standard electric. ... High Demand Mode ... higher than average water usage ... Standard Electric Mode ... faster than all other modes but it is the LEAST energy-efficient mode."
A control panel at eye level allows for easy access and control. Leave it alone or use it as needed to customize your hot water needs . " ... enables the vacation mode " .... system will drop the temperature set point to 50°F to save energy ... preventing the water from freezing ... automatically heats the water to the previous set temperature the day before you are expected to return. ..
."
The GeoSpring electric heat pump water heater is the first residential electric water heater with an electronic back-lit LCD display. The panel features a user-friendly control system located at eye-level to eliminate the need to bend down to the floor to adjust temperature settings. Changing the mode and temperature is as easy as following the on-screen menu. This easy-to-use electronic control panel offers both simplicity and flexibility, giving consumers as much or as little control as they like.
Via: GE LINK
leaders in sustainability and will leverage this integration team to identify projects, measure reductions, engage its supply base, and drive proper procedures into each GHG reduction benefit. ...
... "Selection -- Walmart will focus on the product categories with the highest embedded carbon. This is defined as the amount of life cycle GHG emissions per unit multiplied by the amount the company sells. To find the embedded carbon, the ASC reviewed the GHG emissions associated with all Walmart product categories. This approach ensures the project team focuses on the categories that have the greatest opportunity for reductions. Reductions can come from any part of a product’s life cycle." ...Via Walmart Stores: http://bit.ly/aBy2pX
Walmart has received constructive feedback from its colaboraters, such as The Environmental Defense Fund. For example, EDF reviewed the WalMart’s Sustainability Report and made these comments: We’d also like to see Wal-Mart present more data that allows readers to verify the information presented. For example, the limited data presented on improvement to fuel efficiency in the truck fleet – an area where we know that WalMart has made progress – leave room for confusion. http://bit.ly/dfdj3s
Continue reading "Walmart green supply chain opportunity wiil target carbon intense products" »
... "She said it's also important that people find ways to consume less energy by driving less, using solar power and insulating their homes. There are a very large number of things people can be doing on a small scale that give them benefits as well as reducing externalities ... " ...Via Indiana University: Virtues of collaboration, research freedom
Data centers are BIG energy hogs ... withe energy to run them, generating hot CPUs that then need A/C to be kept cool.
"... IBM, which continues to develop technology that could, one day, lead to zero-emission data centers. ... key ... lies in a new cooling technology that IBM is currently toying around with."
"High-performance liquid cooling allows data centers to operate with coolant temperatures above the free cooling limit in all climates, eliminating the need for chillers and allowing the thermal energy to be reused in cold climates. ..."
" ... thanks to this ... cooling technology, IBM has to use less energy than it otherwise would have ... system reuses about 75 percent of the energy initially put into it. It’s that loss of only around 25 percent that makes the whole thing so efficient."
Via: CrunchGear LINK
Ever wonder why office building always seem to be lit up at night ? Often if is because the lighting controls do not allow for fine lighting control .... lights are either on or off for the whole floor ... or a large portion of the floor. I recall this when I worked in office buildings past the automatic "lights out" time programmed into the lighting relays.
"Commercial office buildings are one of the main culprits of the current climate crisis ... consume large amounts of electricity and release excessive carbon emissions ... Adura Technologies has developed a mesh-based lighting system that is reducing costs and consumption inside buildings. The technology consists of wireless radios that plug into florescent light fixtures giving employees more control over their personal lighting space. ... also created a dual motion sensing-personal control system that is being used at UC Berkeley that allows students to break the hard-wired connection and control their lighting from their desktop PCs."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
Looking to add a green roof? Lots of building are now sporting green roofs. There are a number of environmental and economical reasons to green the roof. A green roof can even help get a LEED certification.
"Urban Heat Island Mitigation ... Green roof vegetation helps by cooling the air, slowing air movement and acting as a substrate for pollution to settle out and detoxify. ... Noise Reduction ... Plants, soil, and air trapped in the soil are great acoustic insulators. ... green roofs can reduce indoor sound by as much as 40 decibels ... Fire Prevention ... Succulent green roof plants help reduce the risk of fire. ..."
"Water Conservation/Reduction of Storm Water Runoff ... green roof systems acts like a sponge and absorbs excess rain water ... green roof systems can reduce runoff by up to 90+% annually ... Habitat Recreation
Plants and soil help recreate habitat for butterflies, insects, and songbirds. "
Check out LiveRoof for more information.
Via: LiveRoof LINK
FedEx is adding 51 hybrid trucks to its Bronx, NY faciltiy - making it FedEx's first 100% all-hybrid site.
" ... will pick up another 51 gas-electric hybrid trucks from Azure Dynamics ... Most of those trucks will be added to its Bronx, N.Y. station, which will become its first all-hybrid facility."
" ... Bronx location will have 100 hybrid trucks. FedEx has 325 hybrid trucks total."
" ... FedEx hybrid fleet has logged more than four million miles of revenue service since 2004. ... estimates that it has reduced fuel use by 150,000 gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 1,521 metric tons. ... received a grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for the latest round of hybrid trucks."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
"HP recognizes the important role that the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector will play in enabling carbon dioxide (CO2) reductions ... committed to reducing our own contribution to climate change as well as developing IT solutions that can help lower or reduce the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 into the atmosphere. ... In most countries, buildings are the largest driver for both energy use and CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions. The 160 million buildings of the EU, for example, are estimated to use over 40 percent of Europe’s energy and to drive over 40 percent of its carbon dioxide emissions ..."
"HP’s Intelligent Building Competence Center (IBCC) offers the BuilDog solution for the next generation of fully managed and optimized buildings ... manage a buildings heating and cooling and electricity use as well as security, facilities, inventory, telecommunications and more. Smart management ... can result in reductions of 25-35% (in cost) through optimization of the facility as well as resource use and purchase."
Via: HP LINK
It's always nice to save some energy (energy = money). Sometimes these are really easy low cost ideas. Check these out ...simple, easy and low tech ... 
" ... Put a timer on your hot-water heater ... no need for your hot water heater to keep running 24/7. ... if you're going away for a few days, turn your hot-water heater off altogether ... change the last of your old bulbs to CFLs. It's getting darker earlier, and than means we need more lighting. Be green and save energy. ... LED flashlights. ..."
Via: SustainLane LINK
Continuing the very green theme at SFO Airport ... you can also rent green cars ... and offers an incentive in the form of a rental discount for renting HYBRIDS.
" ... offers the nation’s first Green Rental Car program that rewards customers for renting “green” alternative-fueled vehicles. ... rent hybrid cars ... such as the Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Altima Hybrid or Toyota PRIUS will receive a $15 discount at the counter."
" ... estimated that more than 4,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year will be eliminated through the implementation of this program."
" ... 10 percent of the rental car fleet ... is comprised of high-mileage cars—such as the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Ford Focus—in addition to alternative-fuel cars. ... SFO hopes to increase the total number of these cars to greater than 15 percent."
Via: San Francisco Int'l Airport LINK
Data centers use lots of energy ... from electricity to power the servers to electricity to power the AC units to keep things cool ...
Some are looking allowing the temperature to be set a little higher ... a recent 5 year pilot with Toyota and IBM was able to reduce consumption by 10% by looking at inefficiencies in the system.
Read on for more ...
" ... by visualizing where hot spots and cooling inefficiencies existed and moving to address them, Toyota Motor Sales USA has been able to reduce the electricity demand ..."
"During a five-year pilot program ... Toyota was actually able to switch off two computer room air-conditioners even while maintaining a cooler ambient air temperature and reducing hot spots throughout its facility, ... relied on software from IBM Research called IMB Measurement and Management Technologies ... uses thermal readings from floor to ceiling ... and creates a three-dimensional chart that can be used to find power and cooling inefficiencies ..."
" ... assessment by Southern California Edison verified that these actions have helped reduce energy demand in the data center by more than 10 percent. ..."
Via: ZDNet LINK
Sometime low tech is the way to go ... painting a flat roof white can reduce the A/C load on a building and keep it cooler ...
This low tech solution " ... can act much like earth's snow covered poles; reflecting the sun’s light and heat as opposed to absorbing it ... keeps buildings cooler, reducing the problem of urban heat islands and saving energy (and money). ... we could counteract global warming simply by increasing the Earth’s total reflective surface. ...
"
" ... Changing from a dark shingle ... to a light-colored (titanium-based white or terra cotta red) shingle can cut air conditioning costs by up to 40%. Georgia has been a leader in pushing cool roofs, passing a state law encouraging the shift. ... other states and regions also provide incentives, and the federal government is considering adding heat reflectivity requirements to housing regulations. "
I heard about recycled blue jeans being used as building insulation at the 2009 Solar Decathlon in DC this past Saturday (Oct 10th).
"UltraTouch Natural Cotton Fiber insulation ... revolutionary patented manufacturing process that has created a superior and safe product. ... made from high quality natural fibers. ... 
DOES NOT ITCH and is very easy to handle and work with."
" ... contains no chemical irritants ... requires no warning labels ... no VOC concerns ... it is safe for you and the environment."
" ... meets 
the highest ASTM testing standards for fire and smoke ratings, fungi resistance and corrosiveness. ... contains 85% post-industrial recycled natural fibers making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to use a high quality sustainable building material."
" ... available to purchase nationally on The Home Depot website or through your local distributor."
Via: Bonded Logic LINK
Solar Decathlon 2009 is in full swing on the Mall in Washington DC.
With the US Capital on one end and the Washington Memorial on the other it is an amazing site. Sponsored by the U.S. DOE there are 20 houses showing what is possible with green technologies - using current off the shelf products and some very creative thinking.
Most of the teams are from US colleges with several international entries ... including Spain and Germany.
Given parameters of 800 sq ft there are some very creative solutions. Some stress extreme insulation, all have some sort of garden area, all have solar PV and some have solar hot water. Most interesting is the creative use of 800 sq ft ...
As of this writing RICE is in the lead ... thought the difference between top and bottom on the ranking is not all that great. Yesterday was very sunny so anyone with LOTS of PV was sure to get extra points ...
Look for more posts and some GREENTECHNOLOG pictures ...
Via: Greentechnolog.com LINK
... "To meet and exceed energy conservation guidelines, the 56th CES resource efficiency management office has written a base energy plan. The plan outlines new equipment being purchased and installed at Luke must be Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver certified, as well as meet the 30 percent reduction in energy consumption by federal agencies by 2015 relative to a 2005 baseline. One model for energy savings is the solar system on the roof of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service building, which produces more than 75 percent of the buildings electrical energy. The 56th CES has several energy savings projects in the works. " ...Via Luke AFB: Energy conservation prize
o
Change yourself - change the world. The No Impact Project " ... is an international, environmental, nonprofit project ... inspired by the No Impact Man book, film, and blog."
" ... empower citizens to make choices which better their lives and lower their environmental impact through lifestyle change, community action, and participation in environmental politics. ... Living low-impact provides a clear entry point into the environmental movement. ..."
Goals are to "Promote behavioral change .... Enable the public ... Engage people who are not already tree-hugging, bicycle-riding, canvas-bag-toting, eco-warriors ..."
Via: No Impact Project LINK
Learn more about Green building and design trends .... see booths, vendors, exhibits ... listen to seminars and speeches and see demonstrations.
Open to industry professionals on Thursday Oct 8th and the public on Friday Oct 9th at the Edison NJ Convention and Expo Center.
The Green Dude and Green Tech visited this same show earlier in the year in Philadelphia and found it both interesting and worth the time to attend ... we may try to get to this one as well ...
Via: GoGreenExpo Link
Lawrence Township joins other communities that want to promote green aspects of their community and are working toward that end ...
"Sustainable Lawrence is... dedicated to creating a sustainable community in Lawrence Township, NJ. ... community in which the present needs of all of its citizens are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs ... "
" ... policies and practices that ultimately ... Reduce ... fossil fuel dependence and wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals ... Reduce ... dependence on harmful chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances ... Minimize ... encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems) ..."
Via: Sustainable Lawrence LINK
Listen to Marc Porat, Chairman of the Board of Serious Materials, discus issues surrounding green homes ... from the Greentech MEdia's Green Building Summit ... how many can be built / retrofitted per year ... what does this do for energy savings and job creation ...
" ... Serious Material Chairman Marc Porat discusses the challenges associated with building "green" residential homes. He believes it's important for the green industry to persuade governments to mandate environmentally sustainable buildings in order to speed up construction."
Via: SmartPlanet LINK
It is amazing that there are so many energy using devices in our homes. What many fail to realize is that some devices, like TVs, and PCs may still be drawing power when "turned off".
You can save energy by changing the type of appliance - if old it may be worth upgrading to an energy efficient (Energy Star) model.
Sometimes you just need to "turn if off". Sometimes you can made simple substitutions like CFL for incandescent bulbs.
Read on for the 5 Big Energy Hogs in your home ... and how to ZAP them !
" ... Turn down your thermostat to 68 or 69 degrees in fall and winter, and to 76 in the summer ... Heating and cooling are the top uses of energy ... consider upgrading ... to Energy Star ..."
" ... for some homes, small appliances are the second biggest use of energy ... consider turning off your TV ... or ... put your electronics on a SmartStrip to prevent them from creating “phantom loads,” which draw small amounts of power ... even when items are turned off."" ... refrigerator runs constantly. It can pay off to recycle your current model and buy a new EnergyStar rated model."
" ... likely have an inefficient hot water tank ... tankless water heater ... save energy and money by not keeping water hot 24/7. Rather ... heat your water when you demand ... make sure your tank heater and the pipes supplying the water to it are insulated."
" ... swap out the incandescent bulbs in the most used areas of your home ... replace them with CFLs. Here’s a trick you may not have heard of for CFLs: once you’ve installed the fluorescent bulb, turn on the light and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. Doing so “burns in” the lamp, which improves its function, and its lifespan. ... dispose of them properly when they burn out in 7 years!"
Via: SustainLane LINK
Here are some energy saving tips from the New Belgium Brewery in Fort Collins, Colorado. Check out earlier posts about this GREEN and environmentally friendly brewery.
For the rest of the list, more details on the items listed and more info about this environmentally friendly brewery ... follow the link at the end of this post.
"Hang your clothes out to dry ... clothing-dryer is the 2nd-most energy consumptive household appliance after the refrigerator ... if you don’t have space for an outdoor clothesline there are indoor racks that are compact and work like a charm."
"Put on a sweater ... When the temperatures drop, ... put on some soft booties, and sip a steamy hot drink. It’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy."
"Drink tap water ... Shipping bottled water around the world in plastic bottles burns a heap of fuel, pollutes our air, and puts more plastic into an increasingly plastic-sheathed world. ... if tap water is not up to your standards, there are ... filters available at much more affordable prices than the cost of purchasing bottled water."
"Use your own shopping bag ... asked, “Paper or plastic?” say, “Neither, I have my own bags.”
Via: New Belgium Brewing LINK
Imaging a ZERO energy home. Sound realistic? GE thinks so !
GE's “Net Zero Energy Home” ..." ... combines GE’s most efficient appliances and lighting, GE’s new energy management systems, and GE power generating and storing technologies. ... together, the system will enable a homeowner to achieve net zero energy costs by 2015."
" ... the Home Energy Manager, the central nervous system for the Net Zero Energy Home. ... smart thermostats will also be introduced ... to work in tandem with the energy manager. ... plans to develop residential power generation products like solar PV and residential wind products that will also contribute to the net zero concept."
" ... respondents in the U.S. and ... in the U.K. say they are willing to pay an increased monthly rate for smart grid technology if there is a corresponding reduction in overall energy costs by 15 percent."
Via: GE LINK
I have this recollection from years ago that VW offering "Start - Stop" engines in the US. Basically the engine turned off at stop lights and fired back up when the accelerator was pushed. Automatic "Start - Stop" systems eliminate wasteful idling at lights and other stops.
Do you recall this in earlier VWs - from the mid 1980s?
In any case ... Ford is bring this technology to it's fleet over the next several years.
" ... start-stop systems ... shut down the engine to prevent idling ... in the US, only hybrids have that capability ... Barb Samardzich, VP of Global Powertrain engineering stated that over the next several years all Ford vehicles will get the auto-stop capability. Currently, only the Escape, Mariner, Fusion, and Milan hybrids have it here ..."
Via: autobloggreen LINK
Everyone is talking about the smart grid and how it will improve our energy delivery system. Every wonder just what the smart grid is ... and is not? It has "smarts" and sensors ... but what is it? 
"
... data flowing to consumers will be eventually be near realtime ... amount of their bill to date and their rate ... will be alerted during peak power demand so they can cut back their consumption and save money ..."
" ... benefits ... consumers can manage their consumption and defer appliance use to off-peak hours for rebates ... grid is better for the environment and utilities save scads of money building and running fewer power plants ..."
Check out this video for more information ...
Via: Smart Planet LINK
AOL's downloadable green toolbar offers a series of tips that change every few seconds as well as the ability to get quick searches and fees from, several green blogs like Green Daily and Green Resources ... you can also add Green Tech from Engadget.
During the install process you have the ability to make a few system setups (or decline if you prefer) that will ... "... save $25-75 per year (up to 100 kilowatts) by adjusting your computer to quickly go to Standby mode ... use up to 15% less paper by simply printing more on each page ... For some older monitors, using a darker desktop wallpaper saves more energy than lighter colors ..."
On the far right of the bar is an area that shows a constantly changing list of tips and tip of the day.
Via: AOL Green Toolbar Download Link
Here is an interesting non turbine wind power generator. I saw the idea for this in the TerraPass Blog; another one of the Blogs I follow.
See the link below for a video with the details ... basically the vibrating film causes a magnet to move between coils ... which is effective in light breezes ...
" ... Shawn Frayne, a 28-year-old inventor ... saw the need for small-scale wind power to juice LED lamps and radios in the homes of the poor. ...took a new tack, ... Frayne's device, ... is a taut membrane fitted with a pair of magnets that oscillate between metal coils. Prototypes have generated 40 milliwatts in 10-mph slivers of wind, making his device 10 to 30 times as efficient as the best microturbines. ..."
Via: Popular Mechanics LINK
You can only manage what you can measure .. the old adage about management ... applies to energy usage as well. A new Microsoft product, Microsoft Hohm, will allow individuals to monitor their energy usage and make changes based on recommendations to SAVE MONEY and ELECTRICITY. 
" ... Microsoft Hohm, a new online application that enables consumers to better understand their energy usage, get recommendations and start saving money. ... uses advanced analytics licensed from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the U.S. Department of Energy to provide consumers with personalized energy-saving recommendations. ... beta application is available at ...http://www.microsoft-hohm.com."
Not long ago data centers were concerned with maximum density and processing power. But as electricity cost have risen and supply becoming a gating factor - the data center is changing ..
" ... companies have become increasingly concerned over the state of the environment.... new generation of servers: machines that deliver more performance per watt a
nd, perhaps to a lesser degree, are built in a more environmentally responsible manner. Hardware makers are stepping up to meet the challenge, "
" ... HP, ... a new line of ProLiant G6 servers that, claims the company, deliver twice the performance of the previous generation of ProLiant servers -- while using half the energy. ... replacing servers purchased prior to 2006 with new HP ProLiant G6 servers, customers can slash their energy bills in half."
" ...HP is certainly not the only vendor touting the green credentials of its server hardware. ... AMD and Intel are working furiously to make CPUs that are high on performance and low on energy consumption."
Via: Infoworld.com Link
One easy way to save energy and money is to turn off the lights when no one is around. Older buildings often have lighting that can only control half or a quarter of a building's floor. That is why so often you see all the lights on in a large section of an office building at night ... one person working and all the lig
hts on.
Lightolier's iGEN is one way to fix this problem ..." ..flexible lighting control solutions, whether you are connecting a few luminaires in a private office or hundreds in a building-wide system. ...building owners and architects seek effective digital lighting technology for intelligent buildings and green building design... iGEN delivers the means and the materials for sustainable, cost-efficient lighting practices ..."
Via: iGEN / Lightolier LINK
... "first-ever Burlington County Energy Conservation Summit Tuesday, June 16th at the Palmyra Cove Nature Park Environmental Education Center. Speakers at the free event will explain energy-saving programs, grants available to fund program applications, and financing options to implement green initiatives. " ...Via Courier-Post: Energy Conservation Summit
One of the easiest ways to make you home more energy efficient ... and save on your heating and cooling bills is to insulate to the proper levels. A poorly insulated (or not insulated) house is just letting your heat or air conditioning pass through the house.
Recommended minimums for walls and ceilings are based on your geographic location ... LINK to see the appropriate R-Values for your location.
" .. high-efficiency thermal insulation and effective R-value. ... Reduce nuisance noise when used in walls. ... made from 85% recycled paper fiber. ... Support energy conservation programs focused on en
vironmental responsibility."
" ... forms a monolithic blanket of protection—blocking air infiltration and convection currents that are both primary causes of energy loss. ... ... remains consistent through a greater temperature and application range than that of loose-fill fiberglass, ... can increase a wall's fire resistance by 22-57%. ..."
Via: greenfiber LINK
Check out these links on GOOGLE.org for ways to save energy. Some are NO COST and others are eitehr low or moderate cost ...
Read on for more and to get the actual LINKs ... >>>
" ... Grist, Alliance to Save Energy, Department of Energy, Carbon footprint calculator, ACEEE, Home Energy Savers, Get a home energy audit ..."
Via: Google LINK
The former Strawbridge and Clothier flagship department store in Philadelphia is being remodeled in a green way. PA. REIT has posted window signs and made green dioramas in the store's street side display cases (most of the building has been closed for some time).
" ... bring together 16 state agencies in a former retail space, a 13-story historic building on Market Street, bringing renovations and modernizations throughout the space. ... the arrival of the state agencies will bring 750. employees to the Market East section of Center City, as the state consolidates agencies ... PREIT, which controls everything from the sub-basement to the sixth floor, will renovate vacant space to make room for retail on the first, second and third floors, while maintaining the historical aspects of the building and complying with LEED silver certification requirements."
Photos to follow ...
Via: Phila Biz Journal LINK
eBay has many green aspects to its business model ... including the basic eBay design - helping people sell unneeded / unused stuff ...
They are also greening their campus by making the most of available sunlight, using a smart irrigation system, recycling / using recycled materials, using SOLAR and designing for and achieving LEED ... ...
" ... newest building, in San Jose, California, was designed and built to the ... (LEED) Gold standard."
" ... automatic dimming system detects the amount of natural light ... and adjusts the electric light accordingly, resulting in an estimated 39% energy savings.... Recycled materials are used throughout, including 95% recycled structural steel, 38% recycled carpet tiles and 100% recycled workstation fabric. ... smart irrigation system ... monitors weather conditions, including forecasts, dewpoint and relative humidity levels to determine the optimal and most efficient irrigation pattern."
" ... a 650 kW solar installation at our San Jose North location ... 3,248 panels cover more than a football field of roof space and will take up to 18% of our energy demand at that campus off the grid completely."
Via: ebay Link
Comcast's HQ in Philadelphia is now LEED Gold certified ... and the tallest such building in the US.
Read on for more >>>
" ... received LEED Gold certification for the building's core and shell from the national organization. ... using 40 percent less water than a typical office building, with fixtures that save more than 3 million gallons of drinking water annually and waterless urinals in all restrooms that save 1.2 million gallons."
" ... a shaded plaza reduces the heat-island effect caused by pavement by 70 percent and ... low-E coating ... blocks 60 percent of heat while allowing in 70 percent of the sun's visible light, reducing energy used for air conditioning while using natural light to its fullest."
Via: Philadelphia Business Journal LINK
I was in Washington DC this past weekend and saw some small buses with the Smithsonian log on the side - promoting them as green hybrids. This prompted me to see what else our nations museum is up too in the green space.
Turns out quite a bit ... Read on for more >>>
" ... in 2008, 3.7 percent of our electricity came from renewable energy sources. ... reducing our carbon footprint [by]... 4.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases..."
" ... Smithsonian manages a fleet of over 700 vehicles ... As we finished 2008, over 76 percent of that fleet is now either hybrid electric or capable of working off of alternative fuels."
" ... have several people on staff who are LEED accredited professionals, ... design managers, architects and some engineers and are there to assist Smithsonian in seeking these LEED certifications."
Via: Smithsonianmag.com LINK
Here are some tips from Marcal Paper's web site for getting kids more involved in the green movement ... these ideas can be a fun way to educate kids and get them to start thinking green!
" ... CFL's (Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs). If every American replaced just one ordinary bulb for a CFL Compact Florescent Light bulb, ... save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year, more than $600 million in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gasses equivalent to the emissions of more than 800,000 cars. ..."
"... a reusable water bottle .... choose a stainless steel reusable water bottle that prevents harmful plastic or aluminum from leaching into the drinking water."
"... reusable grocery bags. ... saves using countless plastic bags ... keeps our landfills free of plastic bags which take up to 1000 years to break down in nature. ..."
" .... Compost your food and yard waste—make some clean, nutrient dirt!"
" ... time your showers and use a bucket to collect the cold water that runs while you're waiting for your shower or bath to heat up. Your garden and plants will appreciate it ..."
Via: Marcal Link
Check out this BBC video of a prefab house ... some neat ideas that make for green living ...
" ... One of the exhibits at the TED2009 conference is a pre-fabricated house that boasts state-of-the-art technology and a sustainable design that promotes a green way of living. ... Peter Bowes was given a look inside the home. "
>>> To see the video "Inside the new 'green' house" ... LINK
Via: BBC Link
The Green Thing is about showing you how becoming green and offering easy ways to achieve this. There are 7 things you can do ... " ... walk the walk, stay grounded, all-consuming, easy on the meat, human heat, plug out, stick with what you've got .."
"Green Thing is a public service that inspires people to lead a greener life. With the help of brilliant videos and inspiring stories etc. from creative people and community members around the world, Green Thing focuses on seven things you can do - and enjoy doing. ..."
Check out the cool video narrated by "green thing" that gives details to these 7 principles ...
Meet Green Thing from Green Thing on Vimeo.
Via: Green Thing Link
Go Green Expo for NYC (April 17 - 19) and Atlanta (June 26 - 28) are on the way. Go Green Expo has already been to LA and Philadelphia ...
The Green Dude and Green Tech both visited the Phila show and came away impressed by the information available. Among the neat things I saw were ... 
- solar powered garbage can ... when the trash level crosses a light beam it is crushed down ... it can be equipped with a wireless devise to alert you when full ...
- paper made from elephant dung ... used for business cards and fine writing paper ... 
- several manufacturers of dry cleaner garment bags ... you take your dry cleaning to the cleaners in these bags and they are returned in the same bag -- eliminating the need for plastic bags. There were several models available ... from organic cotton to bags made with recycled plastic bags (though a much heavier fabric).
>>> QUESTION to our readers ... I am considering getting one of the dry cleaner bags (permanent end to plastic bags) ... have any of you tried these and how hove your cleaners responded?
Via: Go Green Expo LINK
CFB have long been seen as an effective way to save energy - they produce more light per watt and last many times longer ... but not all that buy them have have been satisfied with their experiences.
Read on to le
arn more about getting the most from CFB ...
" ... to help ...become an informed consumer, we've outlined some facts and guidelines to assist you. ..."
"* CFLs have a slight warm up period of one to three minutes before reaching full brightness. ... slow start-up allows the CFL to maintain constant light output while it's operating. ... "
"* In a "hot" environment with little airflow around the fixture, the life of the CFL can be shortened because heat builds up. An example of a "hot" environment would be a recessed "can" ... "
"* CFL can appear dimmer than expected. You can avoid this by using the "Divide by 3 Rule." A CFL requires fewer watts than an incandescent to give off the same amount of light. ... recommend a 3:1 ratio instead. ... replace a 60 watt incandescent with a CFL that uses 20 watts, not 15 watts. ... "
"*Buy CFLs with the ENERGY STAR label. The label indicates that the product meets strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US EPA and the US DOE.""
Via: Lighting Research Center LINK
"Greenbuild365 expands USGBC's Greenbuild Conference to a year-round interactive green building learning portal. Educational opportunities ... are now available to anyone, anywher
e. It is through green building education, outreach, and the sharing of best practices that USGBC's mission of a sustainable built environment within a generation will be achieved."
"Resources ... are organized into four primary categories, [ALSO] ...Course Catalog – Search for USGBC's core LEED offerings, ... Green Bytes – Download short videos, podcasts and articles to expand your knowledge even while you're on-the-go. ... Greenbuild Expo Media Library – Watch videos of Greenbuild's keynote speakers ..."
Via: USGBC LINK
" ... Putting idle servers to sleep when they're not in use is part of University of Michigan researchers' plan to save up to 75 percent of the energy that power-hungry computer data centers consume.... Thomas Wenisch, ... and students David Meisner and Brian Gold will present ... on March 10 at the International Conference on Architectural Support for Programming Languages and Operating Systems in Washington, D.C."
" ... PowerNap, the plan to put idle servers to sleep, and RAILS, a more efficient power supplying technique. (RAILS stands for Redundant Array for Inexpensive Load Sharing.)"
"Data centers waste most of the energy they draw. The facilities are inefficient because they must be ready for peak processing demands ... typical industrial data center, the average utilization is 20 to 30 percent."
"While PowerNap would require a new operating system to coordinate the instantaneous sleeping and waking, most of the other technologies that would make this possible already exist, Wenisch says."
Via: University of Michigan Link
Continue reading "PowerNap for Data Centers Can Save Energy" »
Many (most??) people leave their electronics plugged in all the time ... many devices use power even when "turned off".
Here are some interesting facts about saving energy with electronics ...some are easy to do and others not ... so you can save energy.
" ... Set-top cable boxes and digital video recorders are some of the biggest energy hogs. Unfortunately, there's little consumers can do since television shows can't be taped if boxes are unplugged. It also typically takes a long time to reboot boxes. "
" ... computers, multifunction printers, flat-screen TVs, DVDs, VCRs, CD players, power tools, ..." all draw power even when "off" if they have clocks or remote controls.
"... each ... draws relatively little standby power, ...when added together, standby power can amount to 10% of residential energy use."
One easy solution is to use a "power strip" and turn it off when the items are not in use. At work I have a laptop charger, phone charter, monitor and other items on one strip and I turn this off at the end of the day.
CAUTION >>> DO not overload the power strip!
Via: Yahoo Green Link
It is very common to leave computers on all the time - even when not in use. 
Most PCs have a hibernate or suspend or sleep mode but many that do not use these features as they seem too complex. Eco Button makes this process easy and gives you an idea of how much energy and Co2 you are saving!
Read on to learn about Eco Button's one button solution >>>
" ... acts as a strong visual reminder and prompt ... sits ... next to your keyboard. ... connects to your computer via a USB cable. ... simply press the ecobutton™ and your computer is put into energy saving 'ecomode' ... simply pressing any key on your keyboard ... your computer instantly returns to where you left off."
" ... each time your computer is put into 'ecomode' ... software records how many carbon units and how much power and money you have saved ... you can use this data to help reduce your carbon footprint as well as your energy bills."
Via: ECO BUTTON Link
Continue reading "Eco Button - Energy Savings for your PC" »
Keeping data centers colder than needed is not just expensive - it is wasteful of energy and contributes to global warming - and just might cause equipment to not last as long as possible ...
" ... Albert Esser, vice president of datacentre infrastructure at ... Dell, ... datacentres could cut their energy bills by up to five per cent with no adverse impact on their servers' reliability by simply increasing the temperature of their server farms by five degrees."
"According to Dell, air being pumped into a datacentre can typically be as cold as 19 degrees centigrade, despite the fact that systems will remain reliable as long as the temperature is lower than 25 degrees centigrade."
Esser pointed to a recent datacentre rollout that Dell contributed to, where the temperature was kept at 19 degrees, resulting in a Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) ratio for the datacentre of 1.8. This means that for every watt used to power the servers, 1.8 entered the datacentres. However, when the temperature was raised to 23 degrees the energy efficiency of the facility improved significantly, resulting in a PUE of 1.3.
" ... Google has recently presented papers that shows that disk drives do not fail more often at temperatures of 75 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while BT is on record as saying "all modern systems will operate effectively and reliably between five and 40 degrees Celsius"."
One caveat ... "... if you have a cooling system failure and the datacentre is already pretty warm, you end up with a critical issue far more quickly, ... "
Via: computing.co.uk Link
So what is a "smart grid" and how does it differ from the current grid.??? >>> The current grid has little "smarts" or feedback to either power generators, distributors or end consumers. The "smarts" in the form of meters or controls allow monitoring of many points in between the generation plant and the end user to allow for more efficient distribution and control. Ultimately this can lead to reduced demand for new generation as you can better balance supply and demand. "Silver Spring Networks builds networks that enable a utility to ... improve efficiency, reliability and customer service while reducing costs. Built for real-time networking, open standards ... allows for continued seamless integration of new networking technologies while continuing to provide proven redundancy, integrity and reliability ... Network interface cards (NICs) from Silver Spring Networks are here today and empower endpoints that meter gas, water and electricity, and automate load-control devices ..." "Silver Spring Networks ... Smart Grid, known as a Smart Energy Network ... . addresses the challenges of running multiple applications and devices on a common networking infrastructure using multiple transport technologies, dramatically improving efficiency, lowering costs and ensuring the reliable delivery of services. ... more efficient grid could cut the growth rate of worldwide energy consumption by more than half over the next 15 years and drastically reduce carbon emissions."
Via: Silver Spring Networks Link
Google has some energy saving tips on their web site .... some are easy / low cost / DIY ... here they are for your review and use >>>
" ... Weatherstrip and caulk your windows and doors ... Cover your hot water heater with an insulation blanket ... Reduce the temperature of your hot water heater to 120F or less ... Install a low flow shower head ... Learn how to set power management on your computer ... Plug home electronics into a powerstrip and turn off when not in use. ..."
Via: GOOGLE Link
Cisco has developed EnergyWise, an approach to monitor, control and report on energy use across the enterprise.
With EnergyWise you can ..." Reducing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) footprint. ... Monitor the power of all Cisco network-connected devices, from Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices to IP-enabled building controllers. ... Report aggregated power consumption ... Optimize overall power usage ..."
Via: Cisco LINK
A common management axiom is you cannot manage what you do not measure ... same hold true for a home's power usage. Google may have a way to give us some insight to our energy consumption ..
Read on for more >>>>
"... developing home electricity dashboards for the future smart grid. ...to see your energy usage makes it easier to reduce it. ... near real-time feedback requires an advanced electricity meter known as a "smart meter." ..."
" ... many of today's smart meters don't display information to the consumer. ... working with national and state governments to ensure our energy policies encourage consumer information ... Google PowerMeter ... takes advantage of our scalable, secure IT architecture and our popular iGoogle gadget platform to show you your energy use in near real-time (and it's free to both utilities and consumers). But empowering consumers with energy information is too important to rely on just one provider, and we welcome and encourage other approaches."
See GOOGLE video >>>
Via: GOOGLE Link
Below are some ways to become a GREENER IT organization ...
" ... (*) ...telecommute. ... big green benefit is fewer people commuting, which means fewer cars on the road emitting CO2. (*) Virtualize your servers. ... (*) ... Begin using thin-clients. They use less power and require fewer materials to make. ...(*) greener hosting provider. Ask if they have solar or wind power, virtualized servers, carbon offsets, adaptive power (PDF), etc. I...(*) ... projectors in conference rooms. ... instead of printing handouts.
Via: TechSoup stock LINK
The 6th Renewable Energy World Conference is March 10 - 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
" ... Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America (formerly POWER-GEN Renewable Energy & Fuels) ... now in its 6th year ... offers a worldwide audience who will hear papers, panel discussions and presentations during technical sessions related to technology, markets, business strategies and policy covering the wind, solar, biomass, hydro, geothermal, ocean/tidal/wave, bio-power, bio-fuels hydrogen and energy sectors. ... Connecting 5,000 renewable energy power professionals with 300 exhibitors for three days of networking, new business negotiation and the exchange of important ideas and information impacting the renewable energy industry today.
Listen to why YOU should attend ... .
Via: Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America Link
PA has enacted a law to reduce truck idling - with the intent t o reduce pollution.
" ... intended to reduce unnecessary idling of large trucks throughout the state. ... It takes effect Feb. 9, 2009. ... Idling rules already are in place in Allegheny County and the city of Philadelphia."
" ... bill – SB295 – that imposes idling limits statewide. Diesel-powered vehicles weighing more than 10,000 pounds will be limited to idling for no more than five minutes per hour. Violators would face fines between $150 and $300.
"
There are exemptions - for now - for temperatures " ... lower than 40 degrees or higher than 75 degrees. ...temperature exemption expires May 1, 2010. ... expected that idle reduction technology will be more widely available. [then]."
" ... restrictions will not apply to trucks that exhibit a label "issued by the California Air Resources Board" that shows the vehicle's engine meets the optional NOx idling emission standard."
Via: Owner Operator Independent Driver Assn LINK
As part of their 2020 Low Carbon Roadmap .... PECO opened their first "green" building in West Chester (Chester County) Pa.
" ... $2 million, 8-month project to open PECO's first 'green building' at the company's service site in West Chester, Chester County. ... expected to use about 20 percent less energy and 40 percent less water. ... the use of reflective roofing materials; low flow water devices; recycled construction materials, ... energy efficient lighting, ... and more .."
Via: PECO LINK
PECO is installing a green roof at it's Phila HQ location at 23rd and Market Sts. The planned 45000 sq. foot roof will " ... reduce the summertime temperature of a dark roof by 60 to 80 degrees, saves on heating and cooling costs, and grows without conventional soil..."
" ... green roof development ... is part of the company’s recently-announced comprehensive environmental initiative with a range of programs over the next several years.
Via: PECO PECO
Continue reading "PECO Green Roof in Center Citry Phila, Pa." »
PECO is changing the lighting system at its skyline tower message board at 23rd and Markets Sts. The Message Board is well known to those in Philadelphia. They are replacing the current lighting system with longer life energy saving LEDs ...
" ... new, energy efficient LED lighting system with color and graphic capability. ... expected to be unveiled mid-summer 2009. 
" ... displaying community messages ... since July 4, 1976. ... the original Crown Lights electronic messaging board consists of a total of 2,600 individual bulbs. ... ... is 38 feet high, 148 feet long along the North and South ... and 71 feet long along the East and West side."
" ... will utilize the latest in LED lighting technology, ... is expected to use 20 percent less energy and provide several thousand dollars of additional savings in bulb replacement costs. ..."
VIA: PECO LINK
Now that it is cold and wintry, in the northeast at least, it is a good time to look at simple home energy saving tips and materials.
Check out Duck Products line of window films, switch plate inserts, and the like to keep drafts and the cold out.
Check out the video on sealing widows with plastic film ... LINK
Check out their website for more information on how to get started ... LINK
Via: DuckProducts LINK
Honda has always been known for its fuel efficient and low emissions vehicles ... it is now known for its LEED cetrified data center in Longmont, Colo.
" ... 61,000-square-foot data center, ... certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system for green building construction. ... selected building materials based on proximity to the data center's location and ... recycled 73% of the construction waste ... left much of the site undeveloped and replanted trees and shrubs indigenous to the area."
" ... administrators were ... advised to decommission unused equipment quickly and to use management tools to ensure that servers are optimally provisioned...."
Via: Informationweek.com LINK
It is time to inject some "smarts" into the nations energy grid. A consortia to be based in Austin, Texas plans to do just that. The smarter grid will be much more efficient and possibly delay / eliminate the need for additional power plants.
Read on for more >>>> " ... nonprofit organization, the Center for the Commercialization of Electric Technology ...made up of investor-owned utility companies, a high tech firm, and six public universities ... has set out to apply the latest in communication and information technology to the grid in the form of a "smart energy network," ... will make the grid more reliable and more efficient ..."
Via: AustinChronical.com Link
Want to make it a GREEN Christmas this yer? Wondering what you can do to be GREEN this holiday season?
Read on for more ...
"... LED Light ... switch from ... incandescent lights to LED (light emitting diode) ... and watch your energy bill and carbon footprint drop. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, ten incandescent Christmas light strands, running all night, produce 300 pounds of CO2, versus 30 pounds with LED lights."
" ... Rent a Tree ... The Living Christmas Tree Company in Portland, Ore., will deliver ... then return and pick up the tree after Christmas and deliver them to local parks, schools and other groups who pay $10 to have the trees planted on their property. ..."
Click the LINK below for lots more ...
Via: earth911.com LINK
" ... Christmas tree at 3rd and Poplar Streets in Northern Liberties [Philadelphia, Pa] is 40-feet-tall, and it's lit by solar panels ..."
" ... sponsored by the Northern Liberties Business Owners Association,... a nice twist for the neighborhood especially being a neighborhood developed by artists and folks that really focus on alternative methods ... after they're done with it, it will be chipped and used as mulch ..."
Via: KYW1060.com LINK
The Riverside Correctional Facility, part of the Philadelphia Prison System "... hopes to save money - and the environment - by using solar panels to provide hot water ...project will save about $1.1
million and 1 million pounds of carbon emissions over the anticipated 25-year life of the system."
" ... solar-powered system ... replaces traditional oil- and gas-fired water heaters. ... prison system and the mayor's Office of Sustainability provided about $665,000 for the project.
Via: CentreDaily.Com Link
Continue reading "Philadelphia Prison Installs Solar Panels for Hot Water" »
" ... SUBWAY® ... has made a commitment to do its part to save energy and help protect the environment. ... take the Pledge to Change the World by starting with ENERGY STAR. Change at least one light to an energy-efficient one or make other energy-saving improvements at home, ... small step that'
s already making a big difference."
"As one store, we can take steps to become more environmentally friendly. Together, with the more than 29,000-plus stores in the SUBWAY® chain, we can make a difference!"
Via: Subway LINK
Continue reading "Subway Restaurants Provides Energy Saving Tips" »
Ever wonder what the saving might be to switch from Gas to Oil or Incandescent to CFB? What different types of TVs "cost" in electric usage?
Check out these easy to use calculators.
Via: PECO LINK
Marriott International Inc has embraced going green. Read about what they are doing corporate wide to become more environmentally friendly.
" ... a brochure, printed on recycled paper, titled "Social Responsibility & Community Engagement," that outlines the company's environmental sensitivities. ... chief executive Bill Marriott blogs about the "greening of Marriott." ... travels to hotel groundbreakings to tout environmentally sensitive buildings and speaks regularly about his commitment to the subject."
" ... has installed low-flow shower heads and toilets at its hotels. It is moving to compact fluorescent light bulbs. It strives to reduce energy consumption year-over-year. At its headquarters cafeteria, Marriott is using biodegradable utensils made of potatoes. And by 2010, the firm hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million cubic tons."
" ... getting help from Conservation International, an on-the-ground protector of the environment that is now nudging companies ... toward meaningful green efforts."
Via: Washington Post Link
Via: Marriott Link
Many utilities are offering coupons with their bills for lower cost energy savings kits. One from PECO (servers Philadelphia and region) with electricity and Natural Gas (ex-Philadelphia) includes 3 CFB, Energy Tips wheel, faucet aerators, and other goodies.
Via: PECO LINK
See what BNSF is doing to develop a Greener inter modal freight port ...
"BNSF’s SCIG, will be a state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly, near-dock intermodal facility that will have 90 percent less emissions than traditional intermodal yards. ... eliminate millions of truck miles annually from the 710 and other local freeways, reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality, but it will bring hundreds of new, and good paying jobs to the local community.
Check out this You Tube Video Link
Via: BNSF Link
"Think of Green Festival™ as a walk through a sustainable community. ... Individuals along with business and community leaders come together .... Organizations and businesses showcase programs and products th
at restore the planet and all that inhabit it ..."
" ... the nation's premier sustainability event, where you will see the best in green. ... renowned authors, leaders and educators; great how-to workshops; cutting-edge films; fun activities for kids; organic beer and wine; delicious vegetarian cuisine and diverse live music. Shop in our unique marketplace of more than 350 eco-friendly businesses ..."
"Green Festival™ is the largest sustainability event in the world ... is the only green event that screens exhibitors for their commitment to sustainability, ecological balance ... offsets 100% of its electricity emissions with clean, renewable energy. ... walks its talk: each year it gets closer to being a zero-waste event.."
The next 2 GreenFestivals are:
Wasington, DC - Nov 8 and 9
San Francisco, California - Nov 14, 15, and 16
Via: GreenFestivals Link
Sometimes it is very easy to make changes in your daily activities that make your actions GREENER. Here are 10 things you can do to make your home or office greener.
"Shutting off the lights, powering down PCs and monitors, using coffee mugs instead of Styrofoam cups, encouraging use of mass transit, and other simple, common-sense steps can reduce consumption and contribute to a greener environment, making your company and your employees more eco-friendly. This video looks at ways businesses can spur green behavior on - and off - premises."
VIDEO -- could not get it to embed in this post ,,, it's a 3:41 min clip.
Via: eweek Link
Newly opened condominiums in the Western Suburbs of Philadelphia combine energy efficiency, LEED design standards, a green roof and is within easy walking distance of 2 t
rain stations.
" ... highly efficient energy and mechanical systems meet stringent environmental certification requirements ... making Pembroke North the first multi-family residential buildings to be registered for LEED-certification in the Philadelphia area ...".
" ... buildings have heating and cooling systems that employ heat pumps connected to extensive underground thermal pipe systems for tremendous energy efficiency. ..."
"LEED FEATURES ... High-Efficiency Window Glass ... Well-Insulated Roof and Exterior Walls ... Natural Light and Views ... Geothermal Heating and Air-Conditioning ... Tankless Hot Water Heaters ... "
Nearby Radnor Middle School also has a green roof ... that's 2 green roofs (at least0 in Radnor, Pa!
Via: Pembroke North Link
With all that us going on in the GREEN TECHNOLOGY space (new technology, alternative fuels, etc.) there are still PLENTY of ways to make an impact by saving energy. Not all are expensive and many are D-I-Y type projects.
Here are a few that deal with home winterizing - not to late for those in the northeast ...
"Weatherization ... cut your heating and cooling costs by 15 to 30 percent and increase your comfort at the same time."
" ... do-it-yourself energy audit. With a simple walk-through, you can spot many problems on your own. Learn how at http://www.eere.energy.gov"
" ... Use caulk or weather stripping to seal up any air leaks from window frames, baseboards, ... and other openings, such as pipes and wiring coming through ceilings, floors, and walls."
"When purchasing new windows and doors, look for the ENERGY STAR label."
" ... ceilings and walls are properly insulated. Learn more about insulating your home at http://www.eere.energy.gov and http://www.ornl.gov "
Via: ConEd LINK
With all we read about being green and sustainable - it often seems that you need to spend a lot of money "to get there". Well check out the quiz that Johnson Controls has at ingenuitywelcome.comThere are sections for your car, house and office. Lots of little things that can add up to make you more sustainable. It is pretty neat!
Take the quiz and see what you already know ... and what you might learn.
>>> Look for their 2 age add with the quiz n magazines ... an easy read!
Via: ingenuitywelcome LINK
