CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Save Money and Energy

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:30 -0700

We've all gotten better about ditching plastic bags and using CFLs, but there are plenty of other simple ways to be "green" and save money that we often overlook. One of these is to make a habit of only running full loads of dishes in your dishwasher and full loads of laundry in your washer and dryer. This is particularly true for your dishwasher, because most dishwashers don't have a "small" option. It'll save water, money, and energy, not to mention detergent. Stay tuned for more energy saving tips!
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How-To: Save Money and Energy With Your Pool

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 05:30:25 -0700

Do you love your pool, but hate your water and power bills? By increasing your pool's energy efficiency, you can lower your costs, while still enjoying your pool all Summer long. A recent LA Times article offered helpful advice for Southern Californians with pools, but the advice is equally relevant to those of you living in other regions of the country and world.

Check out four tips for saving money and energy with your pool when you read more.

Resurface your pool, especially if it is an older plaster pool, which degrades over time. Try a darker finish, which will help to heat the pool faster.
Upgrade your pool lighting to LEDs. Although LEDs cost $300 to $400 more than traditional lighting, they can last up to 10,000 hours.
Change the pump on your pool to a variable speed pump. Features such as on-demand use for the pump mean you'll save lots of money and energy - up to 75 percent on power bills, according to the article.
Try a pool cover. Pool covers will reduce water loss caused by evaporation, and will also help to keep your pool warm while it's not being used.

How-To: Go Green in the Kitchen Without Spending Money

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:38 -0700

So, you've learned how to go green in the bathroom without spending any money. But you shouldn't stop there! There's still more eco-friendly business to be done around the house. The kitchen is a hog when it comes to energy use and water consumption, so you should be particularly careful there. To learn some tips for going green in the kitchen without spending a penny, read more.

First of all, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but recycle! Learn what not to recycle and which plastics are recyclable.
Don't use anything disposable if you have a reusable alternative. That means, use microfiber towels instead of paper towels; porcelain or china dishware and utensils instead of paper or plastic; cloth napkins instead of paper napkins, etc.
Use your city's curbside compost.
Use your microwave instead of your stove top or oven whenever possible. It's more energy efficient. But, don't use plastics in your microwave, which can potentially leach chemicals into your food.
Do some Spring cleaning and organize your kitchen storage containers so that you're more likely to use it for leftovers. Cooking at home cuts down on wasteful packaging.
Use household supplies to make homemade and eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
Prevent phantom energy loads by plugging your kitchen appliances into a power strip.
Run your dishwasher on a full load, but not overloaded.
Use a tote bag you already own for grocery shopping instead of plastic bags.
Arrange grocery runs with neighbors or friends. It will make your errands more fun while cutting down on gas expenses. You may also be able to split bulk items with a friend, which will help you to save money. But obviously, don't shop unless you have to!

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Casa Verde: Keeping Safe With CFLs

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:46 -0700

The Sierra Club recently updated its website with some very helpful green tips, and there are some fantastic suggestions for going green at home. One tip that caught my eye was the safety considerations when disposing of CFLs. Since switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs is a great way to save energy and money, I heartily recommend making the switch (as does the Sierra Club). However, since CFL bulbs contain a small amount of mercury, it's important to dispose of them properly.

Here are the Sierra Club's tips for dealing with CFLs:

Don't throw CFLs in the trash; recycle them instead. Some manufacturers, like Osram Sylvania, accept CFLs for recycling. Retailers like Ikea and Home Depot also have take-back programs. Find your nearest CFL recycling center at RecycleABulb.com or consult the EPA's directory of recycling facilities.
If a bulb breaks, open a window and leave the room for at least 15 minutes. Keep children and pets away from the broken bulb.

Want to learn more? Check out this post to get additional CFL information.

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Casa Verde: Energy Saving Programs

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 07:45:02 -0700

A few days ago, I received an unusual thank you note in my mailbox and thought I'd tell you about it. PG&E, my gas and electric company, sent me a note thanking me for being one of 1.5 million residential and 80,000 business customers who had conserved natural gas this past Winter, a time when demand for energy is at its highest. Sweet, right? Well, that wasn't all. Apparently I'm part of its 10/20 Plus Winter Gas Savings Program, which returns additional credit to energy-saving customers, on top of what they've already saved by cutting back on heating use.
To find out all the details, read more.
For every one percent decrease in natural gas that I saved, compared to the average natural gas used at my home over the last three years, they gave me a one percent credit, up to nine percent. So if I reduced my usage by 10 percent or more, my credit jumped to 20 percent. A nice surprise, I must say. I appreciate that PG&E is doing its part to keep their gas rates low; they also offer a program which allows customers to balance out the greenhouse gas emissions from the energy they use, and they reward customers with $25 for every energy-smart air conditioning device installed. Although a 10 percent credit isn't the most impressive credit I've ever received, it is something, and we all know that money speaks louder words. So let's hope generous incentives become a trend among other utility companies - that is, until we can all grow up and save energy where we can by our own initiative. What energy-saving programs is your utility company offering? What programs would you like to see put in place?
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Casa Verde: 21 Eco-Friendly Home Improvements

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 11:02:22 -0700

I'm always looking for new ways to make my home greener, so thanks to Tdamji for pointing me to this list of 21 eco-friendly home improvements. (By the way, if you haven't checked out Tdamji's Minimal Harm - For the Love of the Planet group, I highly recommend it.)

This 21-green salute will help your conscience and your pocketbook, saving money and increasing your home's value. How many of these tactics do you use in your home? Tell me in the comments section below, or share some of your own ideas.

Consider installing solar panels. If you decide to buy some, consider used ones, as they are quite a bargain and even after as long as twenty years have been known to produce a good percentage of the power that was generated when they were brand new.
Replace all the standard light bulbs in your home with compact fluorescent ones. These energy-smart bulbs use 70 to 75 percent less energy than the incandescent kind and last up to ten times longer!
Roof improvements. Believe it or not, research indicates that roof color and the type of material used can help to lower attic temperatures. Light-colored tile roofs outperform the shingle ones when it comes to decreasing temperatures.
Install a motion detector outside to replace your outdoor lighting. Outdoor lights left on all night waste energy and disturb wildlife.

For the rest of the list, read more

Don't waste water. Check your home carefully for leaky faucets and get them repaired as quickly as possible. Use cold water when laundering clothes and adjust your clean threshold if you possibly can. Those jeans of yours can probably be worn a few more times than usual before washing them, and can't that towel be dried off at least one more time before throwing it in the hamper?
Install low flow showerheads. They are a worthwhile investment (especially if you live in a rented space, because you can take them with you). They cut down on water usage and save energy costs.
Create a compost pile in your backyard. Mix food wastes with dirt and use a shovel to turn the pile over every week or so to give it some air. Turn throwaways like eggshells, coffee grounds and spoiled vegetables into soil and garbage into something useful.
Install an aluminum-clad storm door. This type of door is energy-efficient and will help to insulate the entryway of your home.
Some considerations when heating and cooling our homes: Invest in a high-efficiency HVAC system that is Energy Star certified and install it in your home. This will greatly reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted. It will also shave your utility bill enough to make you smile reasonably broadly.
Clean out your air conditioner filters or replace them regularly. A dirty filter will hamper the airflow, costing you more to run your system.
Consider investing in and installing an automated thermostat. High-tech thermostats are well worth the cost, and what you spend, you will get back over time in lower energy bills.
Install glass doors for your fireplace. Glass doors are safer than fireplace screens. They also reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the chimney from your home.
Use power strips for your home computers. Even after you turn off your computer, power continues to flow to peripherals like printers and scanners.
Install more fans in your home. Ceiling fans can help reduce your family's dependence on air conditioning during the summer, and they are also helpful in the winter as they can push heat down from the ceiling.
Do an "energy audit" in your home and make a list of what needs to be done to get things up to "green par." Take that list to your online supplier or local hardware store and enlist their help in buying needed supplies.
Insulate your home. Doors and windows are two of the most obvious areas of concern when it comes to home energy conservation. Use weather-stripping.
Seal off unexpected trouble spots. Sometimes the less obvious spots in your home can be a source of energy loss and you will need to be thorough in order to seek out and destroy them! Check out the areas around light switches and electrical outlets.
Live by the code of the 3 Rs; Refuse, Reuse and Recycle. Keep these three things in mind whenever you buy, use or discard anything.
Stop a leak. Organize a "stop a leak day" on which everyone in your family tightens, insulates, replaces, caulks or does whatever else is necessary to make your home as "watertight" as possible.
Add insulation to your hot water heater. Don't forget that the standard water heater found in most homes is on all the time. Adding some extra insulation will save more energy than you would think and knock up to 15 percent off the costs of heating water.
Consider window tinting to reduce the glare of the sun. First of all, it will reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. Tinting will also eliminate up to 99 percent of damaging ultraviolet rays and reduce the fading of your fine fabrics and furnishings.

How-To: Eco-Proofing Your Laundry Routine

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:15:33 -0700

If you're concerned about your or your family's laundry habits, take a look at this list of tips for eco-proofing your laundry routine. Whether you're curious about laundry detergents, water temperatures, or green choices for washing machines, I've got you covered.

Wash your laundry in cold water. Pretreat stains to ensure that your clothes will get clean in one cycle.
Hydrogen peroxide is effective on blood stains, while rubbing alcohol is good for ink, and Vaseline will aid in removing lipstick stains.
Washing clothing in cold water has many benefits, including helping to reduce wear and tear on the fabric.
Most of the energy used to wash clothes is taken up in heating the water - yet another reason to run your load on cold.
If you can afford it, invest in an energy-efficient washer. If it says Energy Star on the label, it's guaranteed to save water, power, and money.

To get your full laundry load of tips, read more.

Get rid of the chlorine bleach. Instead, use a bleach alternative to get your whites white.
You can make your own laundry detergent that's guaranteed to go easy on the water supply and the planet.
If that's too much work, here's a good natural detergent. I'd also recommend detergents such as the ones from Method or this one from Seventh Generation.
Only wash clothes when you have a full load. It takes the same amount of energy to run smaller loads as it does a large load, and running large loads reduces your water use as well.
Switching from your dryer to line drying can save about $100 a year.
However, if you do use your dryer, always make sure that the lint trap is clean. This will help to save energy and will get your clothes dry faster.
If you use dryer sheets, you can actually reuse them.
Better yet, make your own dryer sheets!

How do you eco-proof your laundry routine?
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Ask an Expert: Cheap and Easy Home Improvement Projects

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:38 -0800

In October, I asked Lou Manfredini (better known as "Ace Hardware’s Helpful Hardware Man") to give CasaSugar tips on keeping your homes cozy and efficient during the Winter months. Lou had such great advice that I asked him if he could answer some other reader-inspired questions about home fixes and improvements. Check out his answers!

CasaSugar: What are some easy home projects that tool-shy readers should attempt to fix or upgrade their homes?

Lou: Simple things that can really make a difference are projects like changing and upgrading your furnace filters. Clogged filters will force your furnace to run longer which means more money spent on energy costs. And by upgrading to Ace pleated furnace filters you can trap 10 times more of the airborne particulate that flows through your unit than the standard blue fiberglass filters. Also at around $5-$6 a filter it’s over 50 percent less per filter than leading consumer brands. Another project is to change six of the most used light bulbs in your home to compact florescent light bulbs (CFLs), which will save you over $60 a year on electrical energy costs. You can also put a face lift on your kitchen cabinets with a small bottle of Howard’s-Restore-A-Finish and #0000 steel wool. This “face peel” for your cabinets will bring the life back into the wood. Finally, refresh your hardwood floors with Bona X Hardwood floor refresher. After you clean the floor you apply the urethane coating and spread it out with a synthetic sheepskin pad. Leave the home for about two hours and the shine will look brand new - no sanding, low odor, and it’s a waterborne product.

For the rest of Lou's answers, read more.

CasaSugar: What is the number one cheap and effective way that readers can change their homes, using Ace Hardware?

Lou: Paint, For about $25.00 a good gallon of Ace paint and a few tools can be purchased which will change the look of a bedroom or even a small kitchen or dinning room. Adding some color will creating a whole new look in the matter of a day or so. Another way that consumers can be more “green” is by shopping locally. We like to say that most of America is within 5 miles of an Ace hardware store, which are all locally owned and operated and help their community by giving back every step of the way. Not only are we competitively priced against the big boxes but I can say with 100 percent assurance that we are the most helpful place on the planet when it comes to your home improvement needs.

CasaSugar: Are there any painting tools that you recommend that would help make readers’ painting projects easier?

Lou: One thing to keep in mind when it comes to painting is that the quality of the tools you use as well as the quality of the paint is critical. If you have made the decision to paint yourself you will be saving hundreds if not thousands of dollars depending on the size of the project. With that in mind, buy higher quality brushes, roller frames and covers, ladders and so on. In this category you get what you pay for, and using cheaper tools will make the job harder and not give you the look you are trying for.

Check back tomorrow for the rest of Lou's tips!

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Home Away From Home: Be an Eco Chic Guest

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:45:37 -0700

Even if you're not sleeping in your own bed and eating out of your own fridge, you can still be an eco chic guest when you're home away from home — and that doesn't necessarily translate to skipping showers or toilet paper. I've outlined a few ways that you can be environmentally friendly when you're on vacation or a business trip:

Stay in a green hotel. Environmentally friendly hotels initiate programs that save water and energy and reduce waste, while saving money, and engage in many of the same activities you do in your casa verde. You can find them through the Green Hotels Association, Environmentally Friendly Hotels, AllStays, Green Hotel Review, and Eco Hotels of the World.

There's lots more to learn, so read more

If you find yourself at a hotel that doesn't have its eco-routine down pat, there are a few things you can do on your own part to green your stay. To begin, stop by the front desk and drop off this list of sustainable and money saving tips for greening your hotel. Tell them you like to support green hotels and you'd appreciate it if they looked it over.
As fun as it is to get free things, don't be tempted by the mini bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your hotel bathroom. The amount of plastic needed to maintain hotel bathrooms, if every guest were to take the travel size bottles, is . . . scary! B.Y.O. toiletries.
You've probably stayed a hotel with towel hanger cards, gently reminding guests to reuse their towels. This practice saves water, energy use by the dryers, and money spent on utilities. And, unless your hotel is using eco laundry detergent, it prevents toxic chemicals from winding up near your skin! This also applies to sheets as well. If your hotel does not have a sheet changing card out reminding you already, you can call down to the front desk and tell them you'd prefer not to have your sheets washed during your stay. You don't wash your sheets at home once a day, so it shouldn't be necessary while you're away from home. Of course, if you have a longer stay at a hotel, you can request that they wash your linens only once a week.
Unplug! Make sure to unplug any appliances in your hotel room while they're not in use. Many electrical appliances use as much electricity when they’re off as when they're on, so pull the plug! This applies to that mini-fridge filled with $9 water bottles that you'll never drink. Kindly ask the front desk if they'll remove any perishables from the mini-fridge, so you can leave it unplugged.
Do you really need the air conditioning on? Hotels tend to leave the a/c running to ensure guests are comfortable. But it's often unnecessary. Turn it off and open the windows!
Travel light on your footprint. Avoid hopping in the cabs standing outside your hotel. Instead, take five or ten minutes to acclimate yourself with the bus system or bike rental shops of the city or town you're visiting.
Watch your wallet in the gift shop. In cities with a major tourist presence, the gift shops are a huge industry, and in many cases the products you can buy there are not even made there. What's sentimental about that? Be careful what you buy there. Many products like shells, coral, leather bracelets, snakeskin, or wooden accents don't come from well-managed or sustainable source; look for Forest Stewardship Council or Marine Aquarium Council labels to be sure you're buying from a reputable source.

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What's Your Most Coveted Eco Upgrade of 2008?

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:15:27 -0800

If money weren't an issue . . . we'd all have houses decked out with solar panels and roof-mounted wind turbines. Alas, many of us don't have the extra money to retrofit our house with these energy-saving measures quite yet. But, if you could have any eco upgrade on your house, what would it be?