Energy Conservation | Being Green

Energy conversation "Being Green" is the practice of decreasing the quanitity of energy used. Efficient energy use can result in achieving a similar outcome, or reduced consumption of energy services. In addition, energy conservation may result in the increase of financial capital, environmental value, personal security and human comfort. Direct consumers (i.e individuals, corporations, etc.) of energy may want to conserve energy in order to reduce diverse environmental effects, energy costs and promote economic security. Our goal is to utilize and promote renewable energy (i.e. sunlight, rain, wind, etc.) or recycle products that can be multifaceted in their use thereby consciously taking responsibility for the health of our lives and the planet Earth.

Home Energy Audits

Conducting a home energy audit will assist in designating areas in your home that may cut your energy cost. The first step is to assess the wholehouse identifying which parts of your house use the most energy. By pinpoint those areas within your home you may begin brainstorming the most effective measures for cutting your energy costs. You can conduct a simple home energy audit yourself, you can contact your local utility, or you can call an independent energy auditor for a more comprehensive examination. For more information about home energy audits, including free tools and calculators, visit the Consumer's Guide or the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) consumer page. Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls, ceilings, floors, and crawl spaces. Visit the Consumer's Guide for instructions on checking your insulation levels.

Check for holes or cracks around your walls, ceilings, windows, doors, light and plumbing fixtures, switches, and electrical outlets that can leak air into or out of your home.

Check for open fireplace dampers.

Make sure your appliances and heating and cooling systems are properly maintained.

Check your owner's manuals for the recommended maintenance.

Study your family's lighting needs and use patterns, paying special attention to high-use areas such as the living room, kitchen, and outside lighting. Look for ways to use lighting controls—like occupancy sensors, dimmers, or timers—to reduce lighting energy use, and replace standard (also called incandescent) light bulbs and fixtures with compact or standard fluorescent lamps.

Once you assign priorities to your energy needs, you can form a whole house efficiency plan. Your plan will provide you with a strategy for making smart purchases and home improvements that maximize energy efficiency and save the most money. Another option is to get the advice of a professional. Many utilities conduct energy audits for free or for a small charge. For a fee, a professional contractor will analyze how well your home's energy systems work together and compare the analysis to your utility bills. He or she will use a variety of equipment such as blower doors, infrared cameras, and surface thermometers to find leaks and drafts. After gathering information about your home, the contractor or auditor will give you a list of recommendations for cost-effective energy improvements and enhanced comfort and safety. A good contractor will also calculate the return on your investment in high-efficiency equipment compared with standard equipment.

Indoor Gardening

As a means of economic resourcefulness, improving air ventilation and actively eating organic, indoor gardening has a variety of benefits that promotes green living. There are a number of steps that need to be taken in order to create the ideal environment for growing plants such as Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Squash, Leaf Lettuce, Green Onions, Green Beans, Radishes, Parsley and Cucumbers. We recommend making your own organic compost which can consist of a mixture of sawdust, wood chips, peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and vegetable waste. Adhere to the watering, fertilizing and lighting needs of your plant selection. If instructions state to water daily ensure proper drainage. Use a water-soluble fertilizer containing iron, zinc, boron and manganese, and follow label directions. Paint walls white to allow light to reflect onto your plants so they can absorb more energy. Air and humidity flow can be established by turning on an oscillating fan.