Installing and Choosing Energy-Efficient Doors

Selecting and installing an energy efficient door can help you reduce your electric bill, as well as keep your rooms at a more comfortable temperature without having to turn on the AC or the heater.  Ths is a great step in moving more towards green living.

Some door improvements cost a lot of money. For example, if you decided to completely replace your door, that's going to be a heavy investment. Other improvements, such as weatherstripping, are easy and inexpensive.

Here's what you need to know about installing energy-efficient doors.

==> What Kind of Door Should You Choose?

There are primarily three types of doors you can choose from: wood, steel and fiberglass.

However, if you want to conserve the maximum amount of energy possible, the best kind of door you can choose is a steel door that's wrapped in wood.

This kind of door will give you the great look that a wooden door does, while giving you maximum insulating power.

==> Weatherstripping: Even More Important Than the Door

Even more important than the door are the areas around the door.

Most heat in the door area doesn't escape from passing through the door. Instead, it escapes through the gaps under the door or the seams on the side of the door.

As a rule of thumb, if you can slide a piece of paper anywhere from inside the house to the outside of the house with the door closed, you have a serious air and energy leak.

Weatherstripping is the process of sealing up these gaps to make sure no heat or coolness escapes to the outside. You do this by sealing the bottom of the door and the seams along the door.

Weatherstripping costs much, much less than buying a new door and can have a much bigger effect. You can even do it yourself by going down to Home Depot and buying the weatherstripping supplies you need.

==> Understanding R Value

One final thing to understand about door energy conservation is "R Value."

Your R Value is how heat resistant the glass on your door is. If you have a door panel, glass doors or even just decorative glass on your door, a lot of heat can escape through that glass.

The higher the R Value, the less heat escapes. When you're buying your door, make sure you take your R value into account.

If everything else in your house is designed to conserve heat but your door has a low R value, you might want to consider getting the glass replaced.

Choosing, installing and leak-proofing your door can take several weeks. Remember that all the effort you put into it will pay off in energy saving in the future. You'll also be helping reduce your environmental footprint by using less energy.

Harcourts Green Living office opening

Living Green Living Clean xxxx

Buying a Used or Discount Solar Panel for Greener Living

One of the main drawbacks of solar panels is their cost. Recouping their cost can often take as long as twenty years. That means that you'll essentially have earned zero profit in twenty years - you only start saving money from that point forward.

Instead of buying retail-priced solar panels, a great way to get more bang for your buck is to invest in used or discount solar panels instead.

Here are a few tips for finding and acquiring below retail rate solar panels.

==> Talk to Realtors in High-Networth Areas

Look for areas where there are many homes with solar panels. If you can find homes for sale that have solar panels on them, so much the better. But even if you can't, talk to realtors in the area anyway.

Make them an offer to purchase any solar panel that's on a property they're trying to sell. Realtors often find that prospective buyers don't want solar panels on their home because of aesthetic reasons, or they just don't want the extra cost.

It's a burden on selling a home, which means it can often convert into prime opportunity for buying a cheap panel.

==> Look for Out-of-Date Models

Another method for finding used solar panels is to contact manufacturers and distributors directly and ask for older models of their products.

Often times when a manufacturer updates their product line, they'll try to sell off all their old products at discount prices.

In fact, if you can find a distributor or manufacturer who still has solar panels from two models back, chances are you'll be able to get a steep discount on those solar panels.

==> Join a Discount Buying Group

Buying just one set of solar panels can be quite expensive. However, if you're buying ten to twenty sets of solar panels, you can get a much better deal.

Naturally, you're not going to buy that many solar panels on your own. However, if you join a solar panel buying group, you can often buy these panels together instead and get a nice discount off the price.

==> Always Get the Panel Tested

Before you pay for a used or discount solar panel, make sure you have a trained professional test it out. Often times the manufacturer or installer will be happy to administer the test for you for free.

Also check the solar panels for any clear damage. Check both the front and the back of the solar panels. In some panels, damage to the back is actually much more important than damage to the front, so don't make the mistake of only checking the front panels.

Seriously consider buying a warranty for any used or discounted solar panels.

Finding discounted or used solar panels isn't as easy as buying retail, but you can save a lot of money doing so.

Fafco Solar Pool Heating Explained

Kat King of Mechanical Energy Systems in Canton, Michigan presents Fafco Solar Pool Heating - the future of all pool heating. Learn how Solar Pool Heating wo...

Living Green Living Clean xxxx

Oahu Solar Panels | 808-518-2772 | PV Installation Companies

http://www.mujeressolares.org/oahu-solar-panels-company/ Oahu Solar Panels | 808-518-2772 | PV Installation Companies Every solar panel is made up normally of a group of many solar cells...

Living Green Living Clean xxxx

Things To Consider When Purchasing an Energy-Efficient Roof

Energy-efficient roofs are a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, keep your home cool and save energy all at once. If your roof is getting to the point where it needs to be maintained anyway, getting energy-efficient roofing could turn out to be a lucrative investment.

Here are a few things to consider when you're getting energy-efficient roofs.

==> Rebates and Tax Cuts

At the moment, PG&E is offering a $200 rebate for every 1,000 square foot of energy-efficient roof installations. Various states also offer tax breaks.

You may also qualify for the Energy Efficient Tax Breaks with energy-efficient roofing.

The tax incentives vary from state to state. If you're on a different utility provider, talk to them about potential rebates. These can go a long way towards offsetting the cost of the roofing.

==> The Different Types of Energy-Efficient Roofs

There are a few different common types of energy-efficient roofs.

First you have metal roofing. These metal roofs are reflective and will divert the sun's rays from your house, effectively cooling your home without taking up any energy.

They're also extremely durable and can survive even in harsh weather conditions.

Next you have clay tiling. Clay tiles aren't as reflective as metal, but a special coating can be added to increase their heat reflecting capabilities.

Often times clay tiles can be made in a sustainable manner to help reduce your environmental footprint even further.

Finally you have membranes. Membrane installation is much easier than the other types and can even be done without a contractor. Unfortunately, the material is much more expensive than other types.

Membranes are often used on commercial buildings rather than residential buildings.

==> The Process of Getting Energy-Efficient Roofs

The best way to get top-notch energy-efficient roofs at a good price is to talk to several contractors before making your decision.

Get at least three different bids for the job before you make your pick. Make sure you talk to the contractor about what roof type will work best for your house.

Do you get the sense that this contractor is really knowledgeable about their craft? Remember, doing a roof is a big project. Only hire someone that you really feel you can trust.

Try to negotiate a per-job rate rather than a per-hour rate. Per-hour projects almost always go over budget.

==> Energy-Efficient Roofs: Wrap Up

In summary, getting energy-efficient roofs can be a great way to help conserve energy and save money. There is a significant upfront investment, but it'll more than pay for itself in the long run. This is especially true if your roofing needs to be replaced anyway. If you're getting a new roof, seriously consider making the extra investment to help your planet and conserve energy.

Green Living Tips for a Greener Home

Want to make your home greener without having to spend too much time and energy on it? There are a few simple things you can do that'll make your home more green literally overnight with very little effort.

Here are a few simple improvements you can make for a greener home.

==> Invest in Auto-Off Lights

Getting a light switch system that automatically turns off is a great way to save energy and help the environment.

This is an especially good idea if you have a hard time remembering to turn off the light or have children who aren't in the habit of turning the lights off.

==> Purchase Energy Saving Light Bulbs

Energy saving light bulbs use much less energy than the typical light bulb. They generate less heat and produce just as much light as your typical light bulb.

Yes, they are slightly more expensive than a run-of-the-mill light bulb. However, if you care about going green, this is a really simple way to do so.

==> Water Conserving Shower Heads

Water conserving shower heads are very affordable, easy to install and can help you save a lot of money on your water bills.

Essentially what they do is inject air inside the streams of water. It still feels like you're getting a full blast of water on your body when you shower, but you're actually using a lot less water.

==> Improve Your House's Insulation

Improving your home's insulation can save you a lot of energy in the long run. It might take a bit of upfront investment, but it'll easily pay for itself.

Insulation will help you keep the heat in during winter and the heat out in summer. It'll help you reduce both your air conditioning and heating bills.

Different kinds of homes and different climates work best with different kinds of insulation. Talk to a local expert to figure out your exact cost to benefit ratio.

==> Use Green Products Wherever Possible

There are many places you can opt to go green in your house. You can buy green dishwashing soap instead of commercial detergents. You can buy organic soap in your local Whole Foods instead of mass produced soap.

You can buy biodegradable plastics instead of plastics that clog up landfills. You can buy products made from recyclable products or which are themselves recyclable instead of products that contribute to our unsustainable waste growth.

These are just some of the many ways you can go green. Just about every room in your house can benefit from going green. Often times going green means not only helping the environment, but also saving money. It takes a little bit of effort in the beginning to set up your home properly, but the rewards more than justify the effort.

Help the Environment by Reducing Household Waste

Reducing household waste is everyone's responsibility. By reducing waste, you'll reduce your environmental impact, influence the people around you to do the same and improve the planet as a whole.

Here are a few ways you can quickly cut down your household waste.

==> Compost Instead of Throwing Out Foods

Did you know that compostable foods account for as much as 25% of our solid waste?

Instead of throwing away those carrot peels and orange peels, learn to compost them. It's not difficult. All you need to do is save up your compostable foods in a separate bin, then throw them into the dirt to compost.

It'll enrich your soil while simultaneously reducing your waste.

==> Bring Your Own Bags and Cups

Whenever you go shopping, bring your own bag(s) to avoid having to use a plastic bag. If you get your whole family in the habit of doing this, you'll save over a hundred plastic bags per year.

When you go out for coffee, make it a habit to bring your own cup. Often times coffee shops will even give you a discount or a larger portion if you bring your own cup.

If you swing by Starbucks every morning, that's 30 cups a month, 365 cups a year that you're saving the environment.

==> Buy Recyclable and Recycle

Check to see if the products you're buying are made out of recyclable materials before you buy them. If there's a choice between buying recyclable and non-recyclable, go with the recyclable materials every time.

Set up your own recycling bin and make sure your neighborhood recycles. If they don't, see what you can do about getting a recycling program set up.

==> Buy Whole Foods

Instead of buying pre-packaged foods, opt to buy whole foods instead.

For example, instead of buying canned tomatoes, buy whole tomatoes. You instantly save yourself a can.

Avoid canned fish, pre-packaged mushrooms, fruit packages, etc. and opt for their whole food counterparts instead.

==> Donate or Sell Old Stuff

Instead of throwing out things that have been collecting dust, make it a habit of donating them or selling them off.

Something that you might have no interest in anymore may be worth something to someone else at a garage sale or on eBay.

If you have things that aren't really suitable for sale, donate them to Goodwill or your local charity instead.

==> Buy in Large Quantities

A lot of things in the household will take less packaging if you buy in larger quantities.

For example, instead of buying many containers of small detergent boxes, buy one big box.

Whenever you see a choice between buying bigger or smaller, try to pick the bigger (provided that you will eventually use it all). You'll also usually be paying less per ounce.

These are a few of the many ways you can reduce your household waste and help the environment. Remember: the environment is everyone's responsibility. By reducing your waste, you're doing your part to help the planet.

Green Living Room Ideas

Green Living Room Ideas Green Living Room Ideas.

Living Green Living Clean xxxx

Making Living Green Affordable into the Future

Making green energy affordable and scalable is going to be one of the most important topics of the next century. Fossil fuels will run out - it's only a matter of time - and we need to be prepared for that eventuality when it happens.

How do we make green energy affordable? Let's take a look at the primary challenges, possible solutions and what you personally can do to help.

==> The Primary Challenges

The primary challenge of green energy is its cost. At the moment, energy invested into green sources yields a return that's anywhere between three to ten times more expensive than fossil fuels.

That's why there's so much more money to be made in fossil fuels than green energy. The return on capital is much higher.

The intermittent nature of green energy is also a big challenge. For example, wind doesn't always blow and the sun doesn't always shine, making wind and solar power difficult to handle consistently.

In order for wind and solar power to be competitive, there needs to be significant breakthroughs in battery technology, both in price and in storage capabilities.

==> Working Towards a Solution

How does one overcome these challenges?

Green energy venture capitalist Vinod Khosla has looked at the issue as a matter of experimentation.

In order to make green energy scalable, a new technology that's as profitable (or close to as profitable) as fossil fuels and coal needs to be discovered.

As long as green energy is only profitable when subsidized by governments, it won't take off to the scale of fossil fuels. The reason fossil fuels is such a huge industry is because so much money can be poured into it profitably. In order for green energy to get the same amount of investment, it needs to offer the same level of profitability.

Khosla views getting green energy to that level as a matter of stepping up to the plate and doing as many ambitious experiments as possible.

The assumption is that nine out of ten experiments will fail and only one will succeed. But the one that succeeds can have a big impact on the planet.

==> What Can You Personally Do?

Chances are, you're not a banker or scientist who's actively working in the green energy industry. How can you personally help progress our future?

There are a couple things you can do.

The first is to get involved in local politics to get more green energy subsidies. Yes, it's true that energy subsidies are not a scalable way to grow green energy.

However, the more money the green energy earns as a whole, the more money they'll have to experiment with. Subsidies might not be scalable, but they'll help companies get themselves to scalability.

Another thing you can do is to vote with your wallet. Buy energy-saving light bulbs, invest in home solar panels and buy a hybrid car rather than a gas guzzler.

Getting our planet to a green future doesn't happen overnight. It'll take major breakthroughs, but it'll also take a collective effort on all of our parts.