5 Home Energy Saving Tips

Saving energy at home means saving money, something in today’s not so good economy, we can all relate to.

5  simple home energy savings tips

Smart strips. Every day appliances consume energy even when they’re turned off.  Microwaves, coffee makers, computers, televisions, the list goes on and on.  Rather than let this valuable energy go to waste, plug your appliances and electronic equipment into a smart strip.  A smart strip is a strip of outlets with an off/on switch. When you’re not using the appliances and equipment, say at night when you’re asleep, simply turn the smart strip off. You’ll save thousands of watts each year.

If you have a fireplace, make sure the damper works well and is closed when not in use.  You can lose a significant amount of heat during the winter and cool air during the summer through an open fireplace damper.

Check doors and Windows. Some don’t seal well. Particularly if you live in an older home where the walls and floors may have settled and shifted.  Air can easily escape through cracks around your door causing your furnace or air conditioner to work harder thus wasting energy.

Passive solar. The sun is fantastic for heating and lighting our homes.  If your home has a southern exposure you can harness the power of the sun to heat your home in the winter and to provide daylight year round.  Eastern exposures can open the curtains in the morning to heat and light the home and western exposures can open the curtains in the afternoon.

Check your insulation. Too much insulation causes your energy to be lost through your windows while too little insulation causes energy to be lost through your roof or attic.

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Green Tip – (07/15/09) – Go Fluorescent

Compact Fluorescent. Compact fluorescent bulbs use significantly less energy, about 75% less.  The added bonus is that while these bulbs cost a bit more at the store, they last for years.  The average light bulb used in a high traffic area lasts 4-6 months.  A compact fluorescent bulb lasts up to 10 times longer.  This is just one simple way to help save energy in our homes. A few simple steps can save you hundreds of dollars a year and conserves energy.

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7 Valid Reasons Organic Meat is the Way to Go

Buying organic isn’t just good for our health, it is better for God’s planet.

7 reasons to buy organic meat

Green Poop. Manure on large industrial farms is for lack of a better word…pollution.  It’s a health risk that runs into our water supply and contaminates the land for miles around.  However, smaller Mom and Pop type farms that produce organic meat use the “green poop” to fertilize soil, the same soil they’re using to grow the grass and food for their animals.  They’re sustainable farms that manage their resources in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

Less chemical pollution and contamination. Organic farms do not use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers on the food they feed to their livestock.  Not only are the animals, and those who subsequently consume them, saved from ingesting harmful chemicals, the land isn’t contaminated with them either.

Conservation of Natural Resources. Industrial farms consume vast amounts of natural resources to keep their farms running.  They go through thousands of gallons of water each day and the processes to automate the processes consume large amounts of electricity and fuel.  Not to mention the cost of fuel to distribute the grain and feed for the animals. On the contrary, organic farms typically use about 70 percent less energy than industrial farms.  They’re about sustainability and renewable resources, not mass production, and are therefore generally more aware of their environmental impact.

Helps Local Economy. When you buy local and organically grown meat, you’re generally supporting your local farmers.  These same farmers employ local residents and you contribute to the overall quality of life for your neighbors.  Not to mention that you’re buying food that is typically fresher and healthier for you and your family.

No Antibiotics or Added Hormones. Industrial farms argue that they have to inject their animals with antibiotics to keep them healthy and they have to inject them with hormones to increase meat production.  Sadly, we consume the harmful antibiotics and hormones, then flush them into our waste treatment facilities where they become part of our water supply and our soil.  The negative heath and environment effects are only recently being realized.

Consumers Have a Voice. The dollar, and the consumer holding the dollar, is a powerful voice.  If we purchase organic meats, you’re helping to demonstrate to larger industrial farms what we expect from them.  They will in turn, eventually adopt more environmentally sound practices or go out of business.

Green Power. As we begin to make greener choices, others will follow and eventually a large impact will be made towards the positive.  For instance, if we make it a point to buy organic meat, we’re not only affecting the farmer who raises the livestock and the people they employ, we’re also being a better steward of God’s planet and feeding our family a healthier choice.

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Green Tip – (07/01/09) – Borrow

A great way to reduce is to borrow! Instead of buying new books, movies and CD’s, visit your local library and check them out. You can also borrow or swap with a friend. More options would be to download music from places like iTunes and renting movies from places like Netflix. Buying items like these from yard sales is also a great idea to reduce. Make the most of what you and others have. You can have monthly swaps of entertainment for the environment!

Reuse. Recycle. Reduce.

One green choice at a time makes all the difference for God’s planet!

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