Showing posts with label energy efficiency. Show all posts
Showing posts with label energy efficiency. Show all posts
Thursday, October 24, 2013
One Guy With A Marker Just Made The Global Warming Debate Completely Obsolete
The Most Terrifying Video You'll Ever See
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Friday, May 10, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Earth’s Life Is Up To You
Isn’t it interesting how someone else can see our house with “fresh eyes”? We live our lives there, coming and going, without seeing what they can see. I can tell you, after spending thirty years as an interior designer, it’s true.
Fresh eyes are an important aspect of an energy audit. A trained eye can come in and see where we are losing heating and cooling; where we have formed a habit of wasting water; how we might change one small thing and save significantly on our gasoline usage.
A recent energy overhaul in Dallas had an amazing outcome. "We noticed an immediate improvement after the modifications were finished. Ever since, our air conditioner has run much less because it's working more efficiently. Before, on the hottest days the unit would run constantly. We can't wait to see our next month's energy bill and future bills because we know the work will pay for itself!" said Dorothy Williams.
The YouTube video showing black balloons being formed and released into the atmosphere is a great visual about the influence we’re having on our planet Every time we use energy, we are making carbon dioxide. It’s invisible, but it’s having a dire effect on our world. The carbon dioxide forms a barrier around the planet, keeping all the sun’s radiant heat. In the past, the heat dissipated into space, but since the industrial revolution, more and more heat is bound in our atmosphere, raising global temperatures.
We are all using way more energy than is necessary for a comfortable life and losing money. It’s not someone else’s problem anymore. We all have to take responsibility for our carbon footprint. Each of us, in our own lives, can make a difference in the world we leave our grandchildren.
Everyone has seen photos, videos and documentaries showing the effects. All the world’s environmental organizations are screaming “Help Us Stop Climate Change!” Are you listening?
Have you done the small but powerful things in your own home that will lessen your impact? Most are very easy, if you can see what to do. But sometimes, we are so accustomed to how we do things and the way our homes look and feel that we don’t realize how we’re losing money on unnecessary energy loss. Our habits blind us to small changes that can have a large effect.
Many of the houses I have seen have hidden gaping holes in them where energy is lost. They have cracks in the heating and cooling distribution system where age or pests have disturbed their integrity. Most houses, more than a few years old, were built with no thought to insulating electrical and plumbing accesses.
Although lots of people know that a reusable grocery bag or a hot water heater blanket is good for the planet, they just haven’t made the changes. Some people are still buying water in disposable bottles and not even recycling them. We have the power to change all this.
Visit your home improvement store this weekend and see what they have to offer. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for your most used fixtures. If you really want to do your part, get an energy audit for your home or business. It will make a big difference for our planet and for your bank account as well.
Sharon Goddard is the Green Lady (http://sites.google.com/site/greenladybiz), providing home and business energy audits, energy efficiency overhauls for homes, and green builder marketing. She has spent most of her life working for the planet. Most recently she put more than 8,000 individuals to work serving the community with programs she created. Sharon believes that we all have to do our part to stop climate change. If you’d like to follow her progress go to http://greenladyaudits.blogspot.com.
Fresh eyes are an important aspect of an energy audit. A trained eye can come in and see where we are losing heating and cooling; where we have formed a habit of wasting water; how we might change one small thing and save significantly on our gasoline usage.
A recent energy overhaul in Dallas had an amazing outcome. "We noticed an immediate improvement after the modifications were finished. Ever since, our air conditioner has run much less because it's working more efficiently. Before, on the hottest days the unit would run constantly. We can't wait to see our next month's energy bill and future bills because we know the work will pay for itself!" said Dorothy Williams.
The YouTube video showing black balloons being formed and released into the atmosphere is a great visual about the influence we’re having on our planet Every time we use energy, we are making carbon dioxide. It’s invisible, but it’s having a dire effect on our world. The carbon dioxide forms a barrier around the planet, keeping all the sun’s radiant heat. In the past, the heat dissipated into space, but since the industrial revolution, more and more heat is bound in our atmosphere, raising global temperatures.
We are all using way more energy than is necessary for a comfortable life and losing money. It’s not someone else’s problem anymore. We all have to take responsibility for our carbon footprint. Each of us, in our own lives, can make a difference in the world we leave our grandchildren.
Everyone has seen photos, videos and documentaries showing the effects. All the world’s environmental organizations are screaming “Help Us Stop Climate Change!” Are you listening?
Have you done the small but powerful things in your own home that will lessen your impact? Most are very easy, if you can see what to do. But sometimes, we are so accustomed to how we do things and the way our homes look and feel that we don’t realize how we’re losing money on unnecessary energy loss. Our habits blind us to small changes that can have a large effect.
Many of the houses I have seen have hidden gaping holes in them where energy is lost. They have cracks in the heating and cooling distribution system where age or pests have disturbed their integrity. Most houses, more than a few years old, were built with no thought to insulating electrical and plumbing accesses.
Although lots of people know that a reusable grocery bag or a hot water heater blanket is good for the planet, they just haven’t made the changes. Some people are still buying water in disposable bottles and not even recycling them. We have the power to change all this.
Visit your home improvement store this weekend and see what they have to offer. Buy compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for your most used fixtures. If you really want to do your part, get an energy audit for your home or business. It will make a big difference for our planet and for your bank account as well.
Sharon Goddard is the Green Lady (http://sites.google.com/site/greenladybiz), providing home and business energy audits, energy efficiency overhauls for homes, and green builder marketing. She has spent most of her life working for the planet. Most recently she put more than 8,000 individuals to work serving the community with programs she created. Sharon believes that we all have to do our part to stop climate change. If you’d like to follow her progress go to http://greenladyaudits.blogspot.com.
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, November 11, 2011
Who Ate The Economy...
A very simple, short explaination of what is going on in America and how we can change it. Use less oil/coal and share the pizza equitably.
Friday, December 10, 2010
The History of Fossel Fuels
What you do in your own life is the only thing that will help our world.
Monday, April 19, 2010
What are you doing for Earth Day 40?
Here's a suggestion:
Dallas Earth Fest
What: A street fair with food, music, avariety of acts and activities that take place on the event's two stages throughout the day. Face painters, balloon artists and more. Don't miss the Recycled Fashion Show which showcases some creative, cutting-edge designs made out of recycled materials. Teams of volunteers from a large number of downtown Dallas businesses participate in a range of downtown cleanup activities.
When: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Where: Pegasus Park, Dallas, TX
Take DART: Take DART Rail Red Line, Blue Line or Green Line to Akard Station to attend Earth Fest 2010.
Dallas Recycling Hotline: 214-670-4475. Recycling from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
There are many more options at http://dallas.about.com/od/arts/tp/EarthDay2010.htm
TEN SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO "GO GREEN" from DART -
1. Get it together: You can cut back on auto emissions by combining your errands into one sensible trip.
2. Refuel when it's cool: This reduces the potential for ozone formation. Also, never top off your tank and always ensure your gas cap seals properly.
3. Maintain your car: Regular maintenance is a little-known way to cut back on pollution. It also helps your fuel economy.
4. Avoid excessive idling: To combat this, try driving during off-peak hours. Also, avoid construction areas and drive-thrus.
5. Watch for smoke: Black smoke means there is too much gas in the air-fuel mixture, while blue smoke indicates the engine is burning oil and too many hydrocarbons are being released.
6. See the light: Dashboard warning lights alert you of engine problems or other malfunctions, which may have an environmental impact. Be sure to have them checked out by a mechanic.
7. Check for leaks: Act quickly if you notice an air conditioner leak. Chloro-
fluorocarbons pose a threat to stratospheric ozone.
8. Note your mpg's: Pay attention to a loss in fuel economy as this usually signals an increase in emissions.
9. Try an electric shave: Using gas-powered lawn equipment for one hour causes as much pollution as driving 50 miles in a car!
10. Go public: Instead of driving your car on nights and weekends, take the bus, hop on a train, ride your bike or here's a crazy idea - walk.
Want to make your home more energy efficient? Just watch this video for great ideas that will save you money too.
Dallas Earth Fest
What: A street fair with food, music, avariety of acts and activities that take place on the event's two stages throughout the day. Face painters, balloon artists and more. Don't miss the Recycled Fashion Show which showcases some creative, cutting-edge designs made out of recycled materials. Teams of volunteers from a large number of downtown Dallas businesses participate in a range of downtown cleanup activities.
When: Thursday, April 22, 2010
Where: Pegasus Park, Dallas, TX
Take DART: Take DART Rail Red Line, Blue Line or Green Line to Akard Station to attend Earth Fest 2010.
Dallas Recycling Hotline: 214-670-4475. Recycling from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
There are many more options at http://dallas.about.com/od/arts/tp/EarthDay2010.htm
TEN SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO "GO GREEN" from DART -
1. Get it together: You can cut back on auto emissions by combining your errands into one sensible trip.
2. Refuel when it's cool: This reduces the potential for ozone formation. Also, never top off your tank and always ensure your gas cap seals properly.
3. Maintain your car: Regular maintenance is a little-known way to cut back on pollution. It also helps your fuel economy.
4. Avoid excessive idling: To combat this, try driving during off-peak hours. Also, avoid construction areas and drive-thrus.
5. Watch for smoke: Black smoke means there is too much gas in the air-fuel mixture, while blue smoke indicates the engine is burning oil and too many hydrocarbons are being released.
6. See the light: Dashboard warning lights alert you of engine problems or other malfunctions, which may have an environmental impact. Be sure to have them checked out by a mechanic.
7. Check for leaks: Act quickly if you notice an air conditioner leak. Chloro-
fluorocarbons pose a threat to stratospheric ozone.
8. Note your mpg's: Pay attention to a loss in fuel economy as this usually signals an increase in emissions.
9. Try an electric shave: Using gas-powered lawn equipment for one hour causes as much pollution as driving 50 miles in a car!
10. Go public: Instead of driving your car on nights and weekends, take the bus, hop on a train, ride your bike or here's a crazy idea - walk.
Want to make your home more energy efficient? Just watch this video for great ideas that will save you money too.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Volunteer to Make a Difference 1house at a time March 27, 2010
We need your help to retrofit a senior citizen’s home near Fair Park. We will be replacing plumbing under kitchen sink, a dishwasher, two window units and broken window glass. We will be caulking, weather-stripping, insulating and weatherizing. And we’ll be installing a new dryer vent, rain catchment system, low-flow showerheads and CFLs. There’s a job for every level of expertise.Go to www.1houseatatime.org and submit your volunteer waiver to register. We will need about 50 volunteers that day, so we are happy to have your company’s green team or church group.
If you want an opportunity to help yourself and low-income families live more environmentally sustainable, financially successful and satisfying lives. If you have a building skill that you’d like to use in community service. Or if you would like to find out how to make your home more comfortable, saving money on utility bills and have a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. A Nurtured World has a great opportunity for you - 1house at a time. Come out Saturday, March 27th from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm and help us make a big difference.
Working with low-income homeowners, housing assistance providers, and volunteers, 1house at a timeTM reduces home utility consumption through home weatherization; new energy and water efficient appliances and HVAC systems; efficient water fixtures; rain barrels; and energy saving devices such as programmable thermostats and compact fluorescent bulbs as well as solar power and other green technologies. They make extensive use of volunteers to not only perform the work during retrofits, but for training, coordination and follow-up, multiplying the program’s impact in the community.
Volunteers are educated about the financial benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy practices. Everyone goes away with practices they can apply to their own homes and businesses. In 2009 A Nurtured World documented $11,788 in savings, 4,438 KWhr of electricity conserved, 64,050 gallons of water conserved and 7.05 tons of carbon dioxide reduced for houses completed in 2007 and 2008.
For their Work Events, 1house at a timeTM leverages local service agencies that provide assistance to the elderly and low-income community and taking advantage of the many rebates and services offered by utility providers. The program also encourages building material suppliers to donate in-kind needed appliances and fixtures and organizations to ‘sponsor’ homes and have team-building volunteer events.
A Nurtured World is a non-profit agency and supports the Work Events by receiving donations, sponsorships and grant funding. If this vision is what your company or church would like to support, go to www.1houseatatime.org to make a tax deductible contribution.
To volunteer your time or skills, email sharon@1houseatatime.org and sign up for the next event or call 972.466.2121 with questions.
Monday, December 7, 2009
1house at a time Work Event Sat 12-5-09, Austin
The EPA is doing a great job of making information about making your house more energy efficient (saving money $$$$$) easy to find. This link http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes gives you step by step information about what to look for and how to fix it.
This weekend in Austin, I participated in a Work Event where 1house at a time retrofitted a low-income homeowner’s home with caulking, weather stripping, new faucets, new low-flow commode, gutters and insulation. Thirty-six volunteers, mostly from Applied Materials in Austin, worked for only 4 hours and completely changed the family’s utility bills, not to mention their life!
Everyone learned what they can do to their own homes to keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and signed a commitment to do some work at home. What an inspiring accomplishment!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Who You Are Makes A Big Difference!
Are you losing money, using too much energy, wasting water or not taking action to green your lifestyle because you don’t know where to start?
Call Sharon Goddard 972.466.2121 (http://sites.google.com/site/greenladybiz)to schedule your home or business audit today!
Save money, save natural resources, shrink your carbon footprint and feel better about doing your part to help the planet. Learn how you can help others share in the solution!
Energy audits help homeowners and business owners determine how and where a house or building is losing energy.
• 100 point check list Inside and out
• What to do?
• Where to start?
Determine where you have problems. Find out where a little effort will go a long way. Create for yourself a cozier and healthier home. Establish for your company a more efficient and economical work space.
• Written recommendations
• Phasing for larger projects
• Recommendations for labor
• $200.00 for single family home
• $250.00 for company building
Call Sharon Goddard 972.466.2121 (http://sites.google.com/site/greenladybiz)to schedule your home or business audit today!
Save money, save natural resources, shrink your carbon footprint and feel better about doing your part to help the planet. Learn how you can help others share in the solution!
Energy audits help homeowners and business owners determine how and where a house or building is losing energy.
• 100 point check list Inside and out
• What to do?
• Where to start?
Determine where you have problems. Find out where a little effort will go a long way. Create for yourself a cozier and healthier home. Establish for your company a more efficient and economical work space.
• Written recommendations
• Phasing for larger projects
• Recommendations for labor
• $200.00 for single family home
• $250.00 for company building
Sunday, December 14, 2008
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