http://www.neutralexistence.com/index.php/resources/ en support@NeutralExistence.com Copyright 2008 2008-05-16T14:57:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/reduce-the-flush/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/reduce-the-flush/#When:13:57:00Z I have a real quick one for you today, it is a little tip I learned on our forums. All you have to do is grab an empty 2 liter bottle (coke, sprite, tonic, whatever it doesn’t mater) and remove the printed plastic sheath. Now just fill it up with water and put it in the water tank on the back of your toilet after the next flush. Just drop it in the corner out of the way of the inner mechanics and this will save about 2 liters of water every time you flush the toilet because the watter in the bottle displaces its weight in water lowering the amount of water it takes to fill up that water tank. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-16T13:57:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/go-with-low-flow/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/go-with-low-flow/#When:15:30:00Z In an effort to save water, low flow faucets and showerheads can be easily swapped with existing high flow fixtures. This will not only help to conserve potable water, but it will help to reduce your hater heating costs because the water heater will not have to heat as much water, and this is especially true if you are using a tankless water heater. So, go to your Eco-Store and pick up a few low flow fixtures, they are really cheap and they will do a lot of good. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-15T15:30:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/green-your-clean/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/green-your-clean/#When:15:32:00Z Most moder day cleaning products are full of toxic chemicals which do clean, but are harmful to you and your families health. In the future, think about buying greener cleaning products like Clorox Green Works™ natural cleaners ro other such cleaning products. The Sierra Club just partnered up with Clorox in support of their new line of green cleaning products and considering how thorough the Sierra Club is about environmental issues, i am very confident that this is one of the greenest products on the shelves. There are many other natural cleaning products you can use such as baking soda, vinegar and boric acid all of which can be used to clean and disinfect. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-14T15:32:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/hang-em-out-to-dry/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/hang-em-out-to-dry/#When:13:06:00Z Washing and drying cloths can be a major drain on on electricity even if you are using Energy Star rated machines. During a hot summer like this one, why not take advantage of the hot sun and let it dry your cloths for you. If you were to air dry your cloths instead of using an electric cloths dryer for only 3 months out of the year, you can save over 350 pounds of CO2 emissions from entering the atmosphere and keep and extra $40 in your pocket. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-13T13:06:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/turn-the-ac-up-this-summer/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/turn-the-ac-up-this-summer/#When:15:22:00Z Adjusting your thermostat two degrees warmer this summer can save you about 2.5% on your annual energy cost. Also, adjusting your thermostat two degrees cooler in the winter as well, can save another 2.5% giving you a total annual savings of 5% on your energy bills. Some people are just not willing to give up those two degrees while they at at home, and there is a solution for them as well. Programmable thermostats can do all of the work for you, changing the temperature at preset times while you are either sleeping or away for maximum energy savings while not sacrificing comfort. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-12T15:22:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/see-through-photovoltaic-glass/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/see-through-photovoltaic-glass/#When:03:09:00Z I recently came across a very unique photovoltaic product, in fact it is quite amazing. A China based company called Solar 2008-05-12T03:09:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/quit-using-disposable-tableware/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/quit-using-disposable-tableware/#When:16:00:00Z My wife and I are entertaining tonight and she mentioned that she was going to use some Styrofoam/plastic tableware, but I just couldn’t let that happen. So, the deal was, that I had to do all the cleaning if we used our real tableware, and I agreed. Styrofoam disposable tableware is just awful for the environment, not only is plastic and Styrofoam made from oil, but they can take over 500 years to break down. So, even though you may have to use a little more water and elbow grease to clean your real tableware, in the long run it is worth it. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-10T16:00:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/make-your-own-ethanol-for-less-than-1-per-gallon/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/make-your-own-ethanol-for-less-than-1-per-gallon/#When:15:37:00Z With gas prices rising to record highs, individuals are looking for ways to cut that cost and one company are ready to give it to them. A California based company, E-fuel Corporation has just announced their newest product, a do-it-yourself home ethanol refinery. The Efuel100 home ethanol system is about the size of a refrigerator and can produce about 35 gallons of pure ethanol in just under seven days. While the company boast about how simple, cheap and effective the small refinery is, the simple facts just don’t seem to be adding up. The process requires massive amounts of sugar, water and about $1 worth of a proprietary yeast developed by the company. Approximately 350 to 490 pounds of raw sugar and about 140 gallons of water are needed to make one 35 gallon batch of ethanol. If you factor in the cost of the $10,000 refinery, the travel cost to pickup 400 pounds of sugar every week and water and electricity, I have a strong feeling that $1 per gallon is a pipe dream. As we have stated many times before, food based ethanol is a bad idea, even on a small scale like this. Chances are, this type of small scale ethanol production will only drive up the cost of raw sugar making the mini refinery less economical and disrupting food prices world wide. via Wired Biofuel 2008-05-09T15:37:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/use-rechargable-batteries/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/use-rechargable-batteries/#When:14:59:00Z Rechargeable batteries are better for the environment and better for your pocket book. Although rechargeable batteries are more expensive up front, they can quickly pay themselves off after just three to five recharges. Not only that, but by using rechargeable batteries, you are reducing the amount of toxic waste leaving your home. Check out GreenBatteries.com for the best prices on rechargeable batteries. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-09T14:59:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/buy-organic/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/buy-organic/#When:16:41:00Z Buying organic foods may be a little more expensive, but the environment and your health are worth it. Organic farming is better for the environment because it doesn’t use the pesticides and herbicides required by conventional farming. Not only that, but the lack of added chemicals and preservatives is beneficial to you and your families health. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-08T16:41:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/maintain-your-vehicle/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/maintain-your-vehicle/#When:19:15:00Z Many people do not realize that a well maintained vehicle will always get better gas mileage than a poorly maintained vehicle. From something as simple as replacing the air filter periodically and changing the motor oil every 3,000 to 5,000 mile to getting your fuel injectors cleaned, all of these things will help your car run as efficiently as possible. So, take your car in for a checkup and make sure everything is running smoothly. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-07T19:15:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/drive-less/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/drive-less/#When:18:47:00Z Considering that gas prices are continuing to rise, why not make an attempt to drive less. You may or may not be able to ride your bike to work, but you can definitely be more efficient with you car trips. Instead of making separate trips to run errands, why not bulk them all together and plan your route to use the least amount of gasoline possible, this will not only reduce your emissions and save money, but it will make your car last that much longer. So, make your car travel efficient and ride or walk whenever possible, hey its good exercise. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-06T18:47:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/keep-those-tires-inflated/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/keep-those-tires-inflated/#When:16:54:00Z With gas prices and pollution on the rise it just makes sense to do everything you can to make your driving less costly to the environment and to your pocket book. One of the most significant drains on gas mileage is under inflated tires. A tire which is only 20% under inflated can increase fuel consumption by over 10%. This can easily cost you about 3 miles per gallon and reduce your tires tread life. So, if you do not already have one, go and buy a pressure gauge (less than $1) and check your tires pressure every week when the tires are cold. Filling a tire is a very simple procedure that anyone can do and it will save a lot of money and reduce your toxic emissions. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-05T16:54:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/byob-bring-your-own-bag/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/byob-bring-your-own-bag/#When:23:13:00Z Instead of having to decide on paper or plastic when you shop, bring your own reusable bags so you don’t have to use either. Unfortunately, most places use plastic bags, and even though they have places where you can recycle them, they generally do not get recycled simply because it is too expensive. So, bring your own canvas bags and you will help to reduce virgin plastic usage. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-04T23:13:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/reduce-your-electrical-load-when-your-gone/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/reduce-your-electrical-load-when-your-gone/#When:17:57:00Z This tip may seem a little obvious, but when your are not at home turn off the lights, the computer, the TV, etc.. Not only that, but adjust the AC or Heater to use less energy while you are not there. What’s the point of having the AC cooling your home to 72°F when your not even there to enjoy it? Better yet, install a programmable thermostat so you don’t have to remember to adjust your AC/Heater when you leave for work or go to sleep at night, just set it and forget it. For equipment such as computers, TVs and DVDs, you can plug them all into multi-plug electrical surge protectors and simply switch off the surge protector while you are gone and eliminate those pesky phantom loads which eat up over 11% of your energy consumption. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-03T17:57:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/first-tesla-dealership-opens-for-business/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/first-tesla-dealership-opens-for-business/#When:14:28:00Z After many years of development, the long awaited Tesla all electric vehicle is now a reality. Tesla opened their first flagship dealership in Hollywood Thursday and plans to open the next dealership in a couple of months next to their home base in San Carlos. For those of you who know nothing about the Tesla, it is a high end all electric vehicle made primarily of carbon fiber and runs entirely on a 6,831-cell lithium-ion battery. The Tesla will go 225 miles on one charge and can be recharged in approximately 3.5 hours. The Tesla is fast too, this is not the electric car of yesterday, the Tesla gets from 0 to 60 in just under 4 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph. It is these stats which put the Tesla in the same category as Porsche and Ferrari however its $100,000 to $125,000 price tag makes it significantly more affordable than a high end Ferrari. The Tesla, of course, is not for everyone as the high price tag and the Hollywood location tends to lend itself to the more glamorous movie stars who wish to advertise their “greeness.” However, Tesla is planning to produce a more affordable family size electric vehicle and according to Snyder, head of client services for Tesla, “There’s a model in the works right now, a five-passenger sedan that will be styled comparable to the roadster but a lot roomier to accommodate families, and that is slated for 2010.” Until 2010, we will see the Tesla roadster being driven around by stars such as George Clooney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kelsey Grammer and even musicians such as Flea and Will.i.am. Via Yahoo News General 2008-05-03T14:28:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/new-wind-turbine-design-increases-efficiency-4-fold/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/new-wind-turbine-design-increases-efficiency-4-fold/#When:18:07:01Z A company called FlowDesign has taken a page from the aeronautical engineering field and designed a type of “Jet Engine” wind turbine. These new wind turbines are said to be able to produce four times more electricity than typical wind turbines. Not only that, but because of their design, they can be placed closer together because they do not disrupt the wind flow as much. Along with the better and more efficient turbine design, Flowdesign has also designed the transportation and installation methods to make this wind turbine even more efficient. This this type of efficiency increase in the design and production, we could see wind power being a better and cheaper alternative to coal. Flowdesign has been given $500,000 by a Massachusetts company to further develop their turbine design, the installation process and to streamline the manufacturing process. Check out the original article over at EcoGeek and you can see a very nice rendered video explaining how these new “jet engine” wind turbines really work. Wind 2008-05-02T18:07:01-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/change-those-lightbulbs/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/change-those-lightbulbs/#When:15:15:00Z This is probably one of the most repeated “going green” techniques, but it is worth repeating. Regular incandescent light bulbs use a lot of electricity and generate a lot of heat, which adds to your overall cooling costs. There are two basic options when it comes to energy efficient lighting and they are Compact Fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) and Light Emitting Diodes(LED) lightbulbs. Both have their strengths and weaknesses but are worth investing in; CFL’s have small amounts of Mercury, they last for ~10,000 hours cost between $4 and $10 and use less energy than incandescents; LEDs have NO Mercury, Last for ~50,000 hours, cost between $60 and $100 and use less energy than CFLs.  Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-02T15:15:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/plant-some-shade/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/plant-some-shade/#When:14:42:00Z Summer is right around the corner and it will probably be another hot one, at least for me, here in the south. One thing you can do this summer to cut down on needless heat gain is to plant a tree or tall bush to serve as a shading element. The west side of a structure gets the most intense heat during the day, so by planting a deciduous tree on the west side of your building or home, you will be providing shade in the summer, but still letting in heat and light in the winter when the tree looses its leaves. Also consider shading any exterior concrete as it will help to reduce the local urban heat island effect in your city or town. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-05-01T14:42:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/green-goes-on-vacation/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/begreen/green-goes-on-vacation/#When:14:21:00Z What does vacationing mean for those out there with a green conscience? Unfortunately for travel lovers, the ultimate in green vacations may simply be to stay home this year.  Little to no travel is the ultimate in carbon natural. But, if wanderlust has the best of you and your family, there are more and more ways every day to lessen your impact along the road. The most obvious and talked about of course is the carbon offset, where travelers pay a certain amount to an organization that “offsets” the carbon emissions generated from vacation/business travel by investing it in green ventures, like wind farms, tree planting etc.  (See other posts on Neutral Existence on offsetting travel.) Should you choose to offset, do your homework. There has been some controversy over the true ecological value of some of the projects benefiting from offset credits, and in some corners fraud has been reported.  Don’t let you good intentions get high-jacked by someone who sees only a different sort of green. That said, here are some other ideas and options to get you started planning a more neutral vacation. Creature comforts Travelers used to a certain level of luxury can breathe easy – many major hotel chains have made major commitments to greening their operations and properties, including Hilton and Marriott.  Even discount chains like Best Western, Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn and Travelodge have been busy greening their hotels.  Check out www.environmentallyfriendlyhotels.com to find a green hotel in almost any major city or resort around the world.  The site offers detailed information on how it ranks hotels, and what environmental programs they have in place.  For instance, Alexander’s Inn in Santa Fe, New Mexico uses non-toxic fertilizers in its landscaping, and powers its property with wind.  Disney’s Boardwalk Resort in Orlando has implemented a procurement system that requires amenities, fixtures, supplies, etc, are environmentally friendly. The Rain Forest Inn in Puerto Rico was built with recycled timbers. Love the great outdoors?  Enjoy Devil’s Thumb Ranch in Colorado – 5,000 acres of Wild West living to explore and appreciate.  Open all year, Devil’s Thumb uses geothermal heat to power its buildings and cabins from the inner power of the earth.  For an economically and environmentally friendly option, consider checking in with your state’s parks department.  Many offer low-cost, bring-your-own-amenities cabins in maintained park areas, where you can learn more about regional wildlife, flora and fauna.  Think of it as the vacation equivalent of buying locally grown foods. Want to explore American History? Hotels, inns and bed and breakfasts listed on the National Register of Historic Places are a great way to green up your vacation – after all, many of these exquisite properties were saved from the wrecking ball by someone or some group with the ultimate sense of “reuse and recycle.” Consider the Montclair Bed and Breakfast in Virginia, which engages in programs to save energy, reduce waste, and conserve water, or the Lenox Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay, one of the first offset 100 percent of its electricity use. There’s even hope in Sin City. The MGM Mirage’s City Center in Las Vegas, is said to be one of if not the biggest green building project in the country right now.  It will recycle more than 80 percent of its construction waste, and – in a city not always known for easy walking to other attractions – is building a walkway to the neighboring Bellagio. Waste and energy management on the road Toiletries have become a travel nightmare, considering flight regulations and the like.  If you’re traveling for pleasure, cut down on waste by packing full-size health and beauty products in your checked luggage, instead of using hotel-supplied items.  Make sure to pack them well to prevent leakage.  If you’re embarking on a road trip, taking your own shampoos, conditioners and soaps is a must. Avoid the in-room coffee maker – it’s actually more eco-friendly to grab some joe at a café or coffee shop. (Extra points – get the Fair Trade blend…) Buying coffee cuts back on electricity use in your room, and reduces the waste from all the individually wrapped and sealed coffee, filters and utensils. Most hotels and lodges now have in-house recycling bins, and some are now offering special in-room recycling bins.  Use which ever is available to recycle plastic beverage bottles and other items you’d recycle at home.  If you can’t find a good method, keep a bag in your vehicle (if you’re driving) and add items you can recycle upon your return home. Some hotels are investing in major energy saving devices – some you won’t even have to think about.  The Westin Convention Center in Pittsburgh has installed a lighting system that turns the lights off for you after your leave the room. It reads your key card to know when you’re not in the room, and automatically turns some lighting on for you when you return.  Carry a small night light in your luggage if you need some level of in room lighting during the night. It should go without saying, but it seems that even in this day and age, we need to hear it. DON’T LITTER.  Make sure to place all trash in provided receptacles as you sightsee and visit.  If none is provided, hang onto garbage until you can find one.  Put recyclables in the proper place as well.  Nothing ruins scenery and mars the environment like litter – ask any of the gazillion maintenance workers at Walt Disney World.  People today have a strange tendency to equate “big/corporate” with un-environmental, but one of the most consistent compliments about the House of Mouse over its decades of regaling visitors is that it’s virtually litter-free. Also, teach children to put trash in its place, and make sure nothing is ever tossed from your car windows. Think Finally, as with anything environmental, use your head.  If you’re considering eco-travel, be sure to think about your trip as thoroughly as possible.  Regardless of lodging, waste management and those types of amenities; is it really necessary for you to visit elephants and wildebeests in their natural habitat?  Or is that kind of travel really more invasive than necessary for animals that are already severely threatened by human existence?  Research the outfit offering your trip as closely as possible.  Look at practices related to transportation, energy use, and fair trade with locals.  Often, vacation packages labeled eco-something, sadly, are nothing of the kind. If you decide to trim your carbon contributions by kicking back at home, look for ways to enjoy it and foster a love of nature among your children.  Take nature walks.  Visit local and regional environmental centers to learn about wildlife.  Get a butterfly net and play catch and release with some of summers most beautiful visitors.  Plant a native flower garden, nurture it and watch it grow.  Fish. Bird watch. Grow your own vegetables and try out new recipes to show them off. Green Your Travel 2008-05-01T14:21:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/ease-up-on-plastic-consumption/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/ease-up-on-plastic-consumption/#When:14:16:00Z If you have been keeping up with our blog, then you are well aware that plastics are absolutely terrible for the environment. Not only are they made from oil, but contrary to popular belief, the majority of plastic products are not even recyclable. The fact is only a few plastic types actually get recycled and the majority of those are turned into secondary items instead of truly being recycled. So, the green tip of the day is to reduce your plastic consumption by buying less(or no) plastic goods or plastic packaged items. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-04-30T14:16:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/energy-star-standards-manditory-on-new-construction/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/blog/energy-star-standards-manditory-on-new-construction/#When:16:53:00Z I was looking around the internet searching for anything having to do with green building, sustainable living, etc.. and I came upon an interesting article over at the Washington Post about one county’s response to global climate change. Montgomery county in Maryland has been pretty aggressive towards reducing their environmental footprint, from using biodiesel in all of their city vehicles, providing tax incentives to home owners with solar, wind or geothermal installations and encouraging telecommuting programs for their employees. Now, city officials just passed legislation which would require all new single family homes built in Montgomery county to meet the federal energy efficiency standards known as Energy Star. Being an official Energy Star Partner we fully support this federal program and what they are doing to create better energy efficiency standards in products, buildings and homes. However, I am still on the fence as to whether or not I agree with this type of legislation, requiring these Energy Star standards to be met. Will this legislation help the environment? Absolutely, but at what cost? Will individuals with lesser income be able to afford these higher efficiency homes or will this new legislation hang them out to dry? I know that by using integrated design, these standards can be met with little or no cost increase, but that may not be the case for low income housing, which, incidentally would fall under this legislation. What are your thoughts on this type of legislation making Energy Star standards mandatory? Leave your comments below! Global Warming 2008-04-29T16:53:00-06:00 http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/stop-air-infiltration/ http://www.neutralexistence.com/resources/stop-air-infiltration/#When:13:40:00Z With summer just around the corner, many homes and businesses are at risk of loosing much of their conditioned air due to air exchange. When an air conditioned space is not sealed properly, the space will exchange its cooler air with warmer exterior air causing the AC system to work harder. Air infiltration is responsible for 20% to 40% of a structures heating and cooling cost. Click the following links for detailed instructions on how find air leaks and stop air infiltration. Green Tip Of The Day 2008-04-29T13:40:00-06:00