Green at Home

Living green starts at home!

 

You can make big steps for the planet by reducing your energy consumption, recycling, and utilizing green materials in your renovation projects.

 

And remember, health starts at home too. Plenty of clean water, a balanced, organic diet, and non-toxic health, beauty, and cleaning products make a huge impact on our quality of living.

 

Want to green your home today? Writer Amy Berridge has news on how to power your household on some good “green juice.”

Oil and Gas Prices Burning You Up? Switch to Green Power!

 

One of the easiest and most important things you can do to live a green lifestyle, is to switch to green power. According to the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, green power sales increased by about 20% from 2006 to 2007. That’s good news for the planet and for you, but we are no where near where we need to be.

 

Green Juice
Green power sources are renewable. They pollute less and help thwart climate change. Wind is the front-runner in terms of eco-friendliness AND price. Solar (sometimes called PV) is a good option too. Other contenders include biomass energy—power generated from crops like corn or switch grass—and landfill gas, better known as rotting garbage. Hey, it’s rotting anyway, why not use that gas for some good?!

 

Low-impact hydro-electric power is another great source. Small dams harness water flow without completely blocking rivers or streams. That keeps fish and other critters happy. While nuclear power boasts low carbon emissions, nobody knows what to do with the highly radioactive waste that comes from its generation. And if you think dealing with the waste is just a minor concern, imagine living in a house without toilets. Waste matters.

 

Where do I start?
If you live in the Maryland-DC area, switch your power over to 50 or 100% wind easily with Clean Currents, one of our Live Green Spots. It’s much more affordable than you might think. And if you switch to CFL light bulbs and energy efficient appliances, your electric bill might even go down! For other localities, check out the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Site. You’ll see the green choices available in your state, along with a description of what type of energy you’d be getting. Often times, all you have to do is contact your local utility to switch. And don’t worry, your lights won’t turn off when it’s not windy out. There’s a big electric grid that these producers feed into so your electric service will remain as reliable (or unreliable) as it always has been.

 

Clear the Air with Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
Want to do more? Support green power by purchasing Renewable Energy Credits known as RECs. Funds from RECs support producers of clean energy in places throughout the country. You can purchase RECs from our partner, Clean Currents. Click here to find out more and tell them Live Green sent you. Every time you buy RECs, the alternative energy market becomes stronger. So vote with your wallet, and say no to fossil fuels.

 

New Jersey-based writer Amy Berridge recharges her laptop using her sister’s solar power. A mandolin and guitar player, she recently played an Earth Day gig sponsored by a landfill gas generating energy company. She is a former staff writer for The Nature Conservancy whose work has appeared on The Weather Channel’s Forecast Earth web site.

 

 

Check these links to learn more about going green at home:

Another thought..

Thinking of throwing out all your old stuff? Why not take the bartering road? Follow this link to barter your own resources for things you need!

 

 
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