Microsoft Hohm - Energy Tips and Ideas

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. ... [above] ... heat map of the United States and the average Hohm Score per state."

Check out the BLOG  for useful tips. 

Via: Microsoft Hohm LINK

AT&T Adds 1,000 th Alternative Fueled Vehicle to Fleet

"AT&T ... deployed its 1,000th alternative fuel vehicle in its fleet ... latest deployment is part of a $565 million 10-year investment to replace 15,000 vehicles with fuel efficient models through 2018."

Of a total fleet size of over 77,000 vehicles ... AT&T spent " ... $350 million to buy 8,000 compressed natural gas vehicles over 5 years ... " and will spend "$215 million through 2018 to replace 7,100 fleet passenger cards with alternative fuel models ... estimates it will save 49 million gallons of gas over 10 years."


Via: SmartPlanet LINK

The GSA is renovating the 18 story federal building in Portland, Oregon.  Green features include a vertical green wall and reduced water usage with low flow fixtures and recycled roof water.

"... part of a $133 million renovation, the General Services Administration wants to grow “vegetated fins” on the western facade of the Edith Green-Wendell Wyatt Federal Building ... save energy year-round using one of Mother Nature’s own tools."

" ... will use 60 to 65 percent less energy than comparable buildings. That translates to an energy cost savings of $280,000 per year."

"Solar panels could also provide up to 15 percent of the building’s power needs. Energy use for lighting will be halved."

"... building in question was already slated for an energy efficiency upgrade, but funds from last year’s federal stimulus package stressed projects that were environmentally friendly."

Via:  SmartPlanet  LINK

PNC's "Green Wall" Featured in Its Green Building

 PNC is well known for their green projects ... one of their ads says they have more green buildings than any other bank ...

In addition to having green buildings - PNC now has a GREEN WALL.  " ... the largest green wall in North America ... 2,380 sq. ft., soil-based wall - similar in size to a doubles tennis court - features a variety of regional plants grown into living art on the south-facing wall of One PNC Plaza ... in downtown Pittsburgh."

" ... estimated that each of the 602 panels, with 24 plants in each 2x2 sq. ft. space, will offset the carbon footprint of one person. ... similar to a green roof, will help to cool the 30-story building ... wall is a fitting reminder that PNC is the world leader in green building ...".

" ... has more newly constructed buildings certified by the United States Green Building Council under its LEED® program than any other company in the world ... includes 64 trademark Green Branch® locations and two office buildings. About 20 environmentally friendly branches and two other major buildings are under construction or awaiting LEED certification."




Via: PRNewsWire LINK

If you can see it and manage it you can  control it.  Much like the speedometer on your car companies; are developing devices to help see home energy usage in real time.

" ...  EnergyHub's dashboard which it is testing out with three utilities in the U.S. .... gives people a way to quickly see how much electricity they are using at a given time. ... giving people regular information on their usage, they can cut electricity use between five and 15 percent ...".

"EnergyHub's system is being used in conjunction with smart meters in its initial trials but energy information can also be gathered by creating a wireless home-area network. The display has a Zigbee wireless chip that can communicate with a networked thermostat and smart plugs [left on photo] ... allows people to program appliances and turn down energy use during utility-run demand-response programs. .. is selling through utilities originally but expects the display and thermostat to cost about $250 and Zigbee-enabled plugs about $35."

Via: ZDnet.com LINK

Climate Savers Computing

Climate Savers Computing seeks to develop and manufacture / buy technologies that allow computers to use less energy when they are inactive. The numbers in the text below show that an incredible amount of energy can be saved, money can be saved and carbon eliminated from the atmosphere.

Does you PC have any energy saving tools ... and are you using them? Do you turn off your PC when not used ... does you monitor go into a reduced energy state after a set period of inactivity?

If so great!
If not ... WHY NOT?

Read on for more ...

" ... is a nonprofit group ... started in the spirit of WWF’s Climate Savers program ... demonstrating that reducing emissions is good business. ... to promote development, deployment and adoption of smart technologies that can both improve the efficiency of a computer’s power delivery and reduce the energy consumed when the computer is in an inactive state."

" ... participants ... commit to producing products that meet specified power-efficiency targets, and corporate participants commit to purchasing power-efficient computing products."

" By 2010, we seek to reduce global CO2 emissions from the operation of computers by 54 million tons per year, ... the annual output of 11 million cars or 10–20 coal-fired power plants ..."

"U.S. college students could save more than 2.3 billion kilowatt hours per year of electricity by enabling power saving features on their desktop PCs. ... annual savings of more than $200 million in energy costs and a 1.8 million-ton reduction of CO2 emissions ... equivalent to taking more than 350,000 cars off the road."


Via: climatesaverscomputing LINK

Serious Materials - Green Building Materials

Serious Materials produces a line of green environmentally friendly building products that help homeowners save energy ...


"... develops and manufactures sustainable green building materials that dramatically reduce the impact of the 'built environment' on the climate."

" ... aim for breakthroughs in product performance, without requiring changes in customer behavior or in how products are used – thus speeding market adoption."

" Serious Windows high-performance insulated windows and glass, which can reduce heating and cooling energy costs and emissions up to 40% ...QuietRock soundproof drywall & QuietHome Windows, which can reduce material use, GreenRock™, a green alternative to standard drywall ... uses 80% less energy to produce its core, resulting in 80% lower CO2 emissions. ... "

" ... manufacture products in ... Sunnyvale, California; Newark, California; Boulder, Colorado; Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. ... to create thousands of green collar jobs ... in the U.S. Products are widely available through building products dealers in the U.S. and Canada."

Via: Serious Materials LINK

Starbucks "Take the Mug Pledge"

Starbucks is looking to reduce the number of cups they throw away and to make their "to go" cups more recyclable.

(1) Starbucks offers 10 cents / cup discount if you bring your own mug. The image at the left shows the approx (as of June 23rd, 2009) number of mug users.

(1) Starbucks will serve your coffee in a ceramic mug if you are drinkng at the store.

Reusing our own mug - or asking for your coffee in a ceramic mug - reduces the number trees cut to make disposable cups and reduces waste when they are tossed in the trash.

>>> Clicking on the "Reduce your carbon footprint will increase the meter one number!

"100% of our cups will be reusable or recyclable by 2015. ... significantly reduce our environmental footprint through energy and water conservation, recycling and green construction. ... committed to making 100% of our cups reusable or recyclable by 2015."

" ... there are two ways you can help to reduce the environmental impact of our cups: ask for your beverage in ceramic "for here" or use a commuter mug "to go.""



I make it a point to bring my mug to Starbucks.
>>> Do you??
>>> If not, why not?



Via: Starbucks LINK

Thermal Energy Leak Detector

By now most of us know we need to insulate and / or caulk to stop air infiltration. OK ... how do you find the leaks?

In some cases it is obvious; when you can feel the draft ... but sometimes you need a little more help.

Black & Decker's thermal leak detector can " ... spot hidden energy leaks in your home ... Shine the light on the wall and set the reference temperature ... When the temp changes by 1, 5 or 10 degrees F (user adjustable), the light will change to red or blue to indicate a hot or cold spot ... "

"Energy Star states that plugging the leaks and drafts in your home can save up to 20% off your heating and cooling energy costs ..."



Via: Black and Decker LINK

Keeping Your Home Energy Efficient ...

In previous posts I listed some free and some low cost ways to save money / energy., Not everyone is able or willing to do some of these tasks ... yet they want to get the energy gains ... so what to do?

There are a number of services / handymen that will do these kinds of projects for you. I saw this one, Home Care Maintenance Services, while browsing the net ...

" ... HCMS home mechanics will come to you. ... preventive maintenance program lowers the total cost of home ownership, ... reducing energy consumption and utility bills ... maximizing the life of your home's components, equipment, and systems ... eliminating preventable failures and repairs ..."

Saving energy goes right to wallet in the form of less money spent! By not replacing appliances before their expected service life you also save money and reduces landfill waste.


Via: Home Care maintenance services LINK

greenfiber insulation

Insulating your home is one of the easiest ways to make your home more energy efficient in both the summer and winter. A poorly insulated attic allows heat to escape in winter and keeps the houses cooler in the summer.

green fiber insulation is made from recycled paper fibers ... "high-efficiency thermal insulation and effective R-value., ... permanent and proven fire resistance for the life of the structure., ... Reduce nuisance noise when used in walls., ... made from 85% recycled paper fiber., ... Support energy conservation programs focused on environmental responsibility."

An added bonus, beyond the recurring energy savings, is that you may qualify for a Federal Tax credit. For more details check
energystar.gov LINK




Via: greenfiber LINK

Low Cost Energy Saving Tips !

In an earlier post I wrote about some free energy savings tips. Once you have covered these basics it is time to move on to some that are, while not free, are low cost ... and further ways to save energy.

"Install low-flow showerheads and sink aerators, ... Seal and weatherstrip your windows and doors, ... Add ... pre-cut pipe insulation to exposed pipes, ... look for the ENERGY STAR® label, found on more than 40 different products, ... Replace your five most used light bulbs with ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent bulbs to save $60 each year in energy costs."



Via: Alliance to Save Energy LINK

Green your Fridge

Here are 10 steps / tasks you can do to green your refrigerator.

Greening your Fridge means saving energy, making food last longer, using green cleaning products, and saving money while you are at it ...

Some are easy and basically free ... others are more involved ...

" ... refrigerator consumes more energy than any other household appliance. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, the average American fridge uses around 1,383 kilowatt hours a year, which is 14 percent of your household's electrical needs ..."

" ... DITCH THE PLASTIC, UPGRADE (AND DOWNSIZE), FORGET ICE AND WATER DISPENSERS, FILL 'ER UP, MIND THE (EXPIRATION) DATE, KEEP IT CLEAN … NATURALLY, VACUUM THE COILS, CHECK THE SEALS, LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION, TAKE YOUR TEMPERATURE ..."

Here are some details ... see the link below for more ...

Replace plastic containers with glass " ... great reasons to switch to glass ... Glass keeps food and beverages colder, ... is an all-natural, recyclable material, ... can go from fridge to microwave to table without having to transfer and generate additional dirty dishes. "

Vacuuming the coils in the back of the fridge can save money by allowing the refrigerator to work more efficiently ..." refrigerator coils ... are ... dust magnets ... The more dust, the less efficient the fan is at removing heat. Twice a year, use a vacuum cleaner with a long brush attachment to clean thoroughly around the coils."


Via: vegitariantimes LINK