Tag Archives: Going
Empower Yourself Going Solar
Article by Tina Metcalf You can take advantage of alternative energy – and brand yourself environmentally friendly – by signing up with your local utility if you live in Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico and Washington. There, alternative energy mandates allow utility customers to sign up to buy “green” energy from wind, solar, geothermal and even hydropower installations. For a few cents more than the cost of conventional energy sources like coal, natural gas and oil, customers can purchase alternative energy. Of course, there is no way of knowing for certain that you’re actually buying kilowatt hours from solar, for example, but you have the comfort of knowing that your few extra pennies will help maintain and expand green power options. Elsewhere in the country, even though green power isn’t a mandate, utilities do sponsor green energy programs, and you can participate in these by simply calling, or e-mailing, your provider. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory, or NREL, has ranked nationwide utilities in two categories, sales and customer participation. In the first category, the top utilities offering green power programs are: Austin Energy (Texas), Portland General Electric (Oregon), PacifiCorp (California) and Xcel Energy (Colorado, Minn.). In the second category, the top-ranked utilities are: City of Palo Alto (Calif.) Utilities, Lenox (Iowa) Municipal Utilities, Montezuma (Iowa) Municipal Light & Power, Portland General Electric, and Sacramento (Calif.) Municipal Utility District. Of course, if your area utility doesn’t offer green power, and state and federal tax incentives (like the Clean Energy Tax Stimulus Act of 2008) aren’t enough to make a your own personal rooftop solar program affordable, you can sign up with One Block Off the Grid, or 1BOG, whose volume pricing can reduce upfront solar installation costs by up to half. You can participate if you own your own home and are the client-of-record on the utility bill. You will have to commit to certain energy-saving measures, such as using compact fluorescent bulbs and using the dishwasher at night, but the solar bargaining collective, which started in San Francisco and now networks 20 cities, assures customers it can deliver a solar system for about $ 6,000 for a two-kilowatt array. 1BOG now operates in the following cities: Aspen, CO; Austin, TX; Bergen County, NJ; Berkeley, CA; Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; Las Vegas, NV; Los Angeles, CA; New Orleans, LA; Miami, FL; Oakland, CA; Portland, OR; Sacramento, CA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; San Jose, CA; Seattle, WA; Washington, DC. With the number of utilities and solar power companies participating in green energy programs, many of them incorporating solar or using solar as an exclusive platform, there is no longer any excuse for not going green. It’s a shame to waste a perfectly good sun. Cooler Planet is a leading solar resource for connecting consumers and commercial entities with local solar Installers. Cooler Planet’s solar energy resource page contains articles and tools such as our solar calculator to help with your solar project.
Solar Cells Going Up 4
Some cool Photovoltaic Solar Cells images: Solar Cells Going Up 4 Image by ATIS547 Solar Cells Going Up 5 Image by ATIS547 Solar Cells Going Up 6 Image by ATIS547
Want to Save a Ton of Cash by Going Green?
Going green is a great way to help out the environment because green energy does not cause any types of pollution. But how can you save a ton of cash by going green? By making your own natural power. This means building a wind turbine or solar panel somewhere around your house so that you will be producing your own energy. Once you are making your own natural energy you can eliminate up to 80% of your energy bill. Or even better, make some extra cash from your natural energy system. While building your own wind turbine or solar energy system can be extremely difficult, it can also be very simple. It all comes down to how you approach the subject. You can either try to research the building process of a renewable energy system yourself or you could follow a DIY green energy guide. There is also the option of having a renewable energy system installed, but that will run you anywhere from $3,000-$10,000. Out of these three options, following a DIY home energy guide will be your best bet. Not only will a guide make the process a whole lot easier, but you will also be saving thousands of dollars. You could realistically build your own green energy system over a weekend for as little as $200. Within a month your new natural energy source will pay for itself, and after that you will be saving hundreds of dollars every single month. And if you find just the right DIY green energy guide you could start earning some extra cash. I’ve come across one of the best DIY home energy guide available. But you have to be serious about saving a ton of cash. If you think this is you then click the link below. http://makenatural-power.info/ http://makenatural-power.info/
Going green with a restaurant franchise
Environmentally sensitive practices are becoming increasingly important for many businesses and restaurant franchising is no exception. The environment is a hot topic and the public is becoming more vocal about what they expect from retailers, manufacturers and service providers alike. Environmental issues which are foremost in the public’s mind, and which restaurant franchises must now take into account, include energy conservation, recycling and organic locally sourced food. In Britain, a government sponsored “Green Achiever Scheme” has been created to enable companies to demonstrate their environmentally friendly credentials to suppliers, customers and other bodies interested in green business. In the United States, federal tax incentives and recycling programs have been set up to facilitate those companies wanting to improve their green credentials. The number of restaurant franchises opting into such schemes in both countries has been steadily growing, as business owners take note of the public’s demands when it comes to the environment. Consumers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of their personal choices and, when it comes to opting where to spend their cash, are increasingly influenced by ethical business practices. Restaurant franchises have started to realize how important green credentials are to customers and investors alike. Environmentally friendly practices are gradually being introduced into every aspect of the restaurant franchising businesses. These practices range from installing solar panels, reducing carbon emissions and using non-toxic cleaning products to eliminating non-recyclable packaging and reducing the amount of all packaging used, filtering cooking oil for reuse and sourcing local, fair trade or organic produce. Although no official data yet exists on the number of green restaurant franchises, the green market is definitely growing, according to the International Franchise Association, the industry’s largest trade group. The association has seen an increase in inquiries about green restaurant franchises, as well as a bigger presence at trade events. The green phenomenon has been seen across the board, which is to say that existing franchises are becoming greener and also that new franchises are starting up who are basing their whole concept on being environmentally conscious. Although the green concept has been with us for at least 25 years, it is only in recent years that this trend has become mainstream. However, it would be hard to beat the eco-friendly credentials of one new restaurant franchise, which has taken the whole green concept to a new level. All of its fixtures and fittings are environmentally friendly, from seat cushions made from soybean oil to counter-tops made from recycled detergent bottles. Utensils are made from potatoes and containers from cornstarch, both of which biodegrade in 30 days. Ninety-eight per cent of all food served is organic and discounts are offered to customers who return pizza boxes for recycling. The building even meets environmental standards created by the US Green Building Council. Whilst this may be an extreme example of eco-friendly restaurant franchising, all the trends point to more businesses following eco-friendly policies. Jonathan Green writes articles on business start ups including opening a restaurant
Enigin Stay Competitive By Going Green – Energy Efficiency
Today, there is a heightened awareness of the damage that has been done to our environment. Many environmental campaigns and initiatives have brought our attention to the issues of global warming and climate changes. Here at Enigin, we have built our entire business around this one issue. Becoming more environmentally friendly. The challenge to reduce our carbon footprint is an ongoing one. While it’s clear that we are making progress, we are still far from winning the race. We must not rest on our laurels because it’s always easy to say that global warming is “somebody else’s” business. Perhaps “they” will do something about it. But there is no “they”. There is only “we”. We will only continue to witness positive results when we work together and playing our parts. It is everyone’s responsibility to take care of the environment. However, in business, everything comes down to dollars and cents. Businesses have to think about cost considerations and cash flow in order to stay relevant in the marketplace. In the harsh reality of the business world, some businesses may even be compelled to ignore environmental initiatives in order to maintain their current cost position. This type of business decisions may be questionable, and may arise out of ignorance. This is exactly where people like Enigin come into place. By helping companys to save money when being more enviromentally friendly, Enigin help not only to help reduce peoples impact on the enviroment, they give them motivation to stay that way through the one thing that all companys will listen to – their wallet. Fortunately, the tide is about to turn. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is setting programs to help businesses realize that they should (and must) go green in order to be sustainable. Businesses that are primarily powered by oil are emitting CO2 into the environment. As we all know, CO2 leads to global warming and undesirable climate changes. Responsible businesses should take steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Besides, oil is not a renewable energy source. The price of oil has been on constantly on the rise, putting pressures on many businesses. Those that do not know how to manage their resources efficient may be going the way of the dinosaur. There is no question about it – going green is the only way for a business to stay relevant and competitive in the long term. Ignorance is no longer an excuse. The EPA is running a voluntary program that provides its partners with tools and resources to help them go green. With the help of people like Enigin, businesses can utilize the new knowledge and tools to help them measure their green initiatives. For example, they can learn how to save up to 30% of their air conditioning costs. Since cost savings are now measurable, businesses have a strong incentive to carry out green initiatives. The business environment for the future will be about energy efficiency and energy management. Those who learn to do it well will be more than able to survive – they will thrive. Those who refuse to participate will eventually cause their own downfalls. As green companies lower their operation costs by going green, they are in a better position to offer products at competitive prices. Companies that refuse to adopt green initiatives cannot do that. As a result, they will lose market share to those who have taken action. Going green is not a one time matter. It’s an on-going effort. As technology continues to evolve and improve, businesses will be able to reap more benefits. In time to come, our environment will heal. Enigin PLC are an active member of the energy saving association, and you can read more about it on the Enigin ESA website page by googling energy saving association. They are also contributors to many other sites, and get talked about alot. Read the latest review on enigin by someone else.
Insider Going Green Energy Tips
Step one is to hire an energy auditor. We need to turn to the experts, to people who are best at it when we need something done. They could tell you about what is making you poorer by heating and cooling your home as well as other areas. If you are not sure where they are located then just run a google search. Perhaps you might consider looking up the yellow pages otherwise. These guys have got some high-tech tools which include infrared cameras, pressurizing fans, moisture meters and smoke blowers (or pencils). He might even get a brand new house fan fitted to the outside doorway. It creates pressure, holding out a smoke pencil could help you understanding where you are becoming poorer. He might want to use a moisture meter to figure out extra moist places of your house. High RH or Relative Humidity can make a home’s inhabitants feel uncomfortable and add to high energy costs. Second step is to find effective solutions. I have got a problem. You have found a guy to investigate it. Now is the time to fix it. Mostly he is going to suggest solutions. Sometimes you might be able to fix it yourself or at times you might need those experts to do it for you. It may be as simple as caulking gaps on the exterior of the homes siding with a good silicone sealant and adding insulative foam electric outlet sealers to go behind your home’s electrical outlet switch plates with plug in outlet covers to reduce drafts and air loss. Other more extensive energy saving features may aid in lowering fuel costs as well. Among these are adding attic insulation, Low E glass windows, high SEER HVAC system (13 or better), tankless water heater and Energy Star appliances. Couple example cases, this place had absolutely no insulation in the walls, though it did have a little insulation at the attic. On pier and beam with hardwood floors, there was no insulation underneath the home as well. On acting on the experts suggestion, believe it or not, the gas and electricity bills dropped down. It’s a perfect way to check your energy efficiency. This expert is going to help you determine how to modify your house into an energy effective place which conserves energy. She conducted another audit on this one model 2 story with zoned HVAC. There was one heater and an aircon unit at all levels. At this audit, she learned more about the way air flow works. Apparently if you leave the bedroom doors open, then the HVAC is going to work better. So if you get an expert, he is going to help you modify older homes in energy effective, even though they weren’t meant to be that way. For more great tips to save money by saving energy visit earth 4 energy. With the right motivation to reduce your bills by going green we enjoy working with others by revealing earth for energysecrets, which most people will never know.
Going Green Is Not Just For Big Business-You Can Grow Profits, Too!
The world of big business is making daily headlines by “going green” after discovering that what?s good for the planet is also proving good for business. IBM recently announced “Project Big Green,” a $1 billion initiative to reduce energy consumption by offering new lines of energy-efficient IT products. Wal-Mart is adding solar power to more than 20 stores. PepsiCo is buying renewable energy certificates to offset its carbon footprint. Even major banks and energy firms are being asked by shareholders to prove that they, too, are going green. It?s not just the biggest businesses that are attracting new customers and shareholders and reaping huge profits by “going green.” Small businesses also are growing eco-profits by embracing surprisingly inexpensive strategies to add value to their products, services and brand. Consider these innovative examples: – Bob Smith of Mad River Brewing Company in Blue Lake, California, has attracted positive publicity (and new customers) by promoting his efforts to reduce his small firm?s waste output and take other environmentally conscious steps. In turn, he has received welcome positive publicity from the press. “What PR budget? That is our PR budget,” he told the Albuquerque Tribune about “going green” to market his business. – In Florida, Natalie Kelly formed Home Therapy Cleaning Services, which uses only nontoxic, all-natural cleaning products for her home cleaning business. She used to sell aromatherapy candles from her home, she told the St. Petersburg Times, but today uses an aromatherapy baking soda blend to freshen carpets. Here?s what you can do: – Two inexpensive ways any small business or solo entrepreneur can go green are to change light bulbs to energy-efficient bulbs and use biodegradable cleaning products. – With that done, tell your customers and the media about these simple ways to go green. You will have just earned instant credibility as a green business, and also as a media resource for simple, effective ways to “go green.” – Many communities online and offline are forming networks to exchange energy-saving ideas for home and business. Form your own energy network, enlisting neighborhood businesses that will welcome another opportunity to show they?re going green, too. The plus for you is that you will have just positioned yourself and your business as a community environmental leader. – Copy what the New York Times called “Phase 2″ of the corporate response to global warming. Partner with an environmental group. Travelocity invites customers to donate an extra $10 to $40, which goes to the Conservation Fund to plant trees to offset the carbon used by a client to take a trip. Whole Foods invites customers to buy a $5 “wind power card” that goes to Renewable Choice Energy to build wind farms. What local environmental group can you partner with to promote on your Web site (and vice versa), to set aside a day that a percentage of profits will go to that organization or to make their fliers available at your business? – Make use of readily available, free information to hand out with your business literature or to make available in your office. For example, create a one-page flier on your letterhead inviting clients to calculate their own carbon footprint by visiting http://multimedia.wri.org/safeclimate_calculator.cfm. – Go deeper green! Attend a “green” conference in your community or region, and promote your attendance. (Go to Google.com and type in “green” and “conference” and your area to find out when and where they are scheduled.) Write a “green” article on simple ways you are going green and submit it to one of the dozens of “green” Web sites and blogs that invite reader contributions. It?s a great way to market your smart ideas and your business! Tushar Mathur We are all About Green at : Talking About Green and selling green products at : Buy Green
Do You Think That Going Green Is Just A Trend?
I have seen/heard numerous advertisement from HUGE companies boasting about how they’re committed to selling green products and all that jazz. Certain companies are challening us to use more Earth-friendly material, to use less than what we use now, etc. Do you think it’s just a marketing ploy on their part or do they really care? If you were not Earth-conscious before, has something suddenly inspired you to care? Is this “going green” thing just a trend or do you think people will actually start to care? If you have been Earth-conscious for some time, what do you think about the sudden push for conservation and recycling? As Americans, we’re the biggest consumers and wasters on the planet. We could make a huge impact…..your thoughts? Thanks for your answers!