‘Green Technology’

3 AFFORDABLE Ways of Going Green and Saving Money on your Energy Bill

Often, when asked why they are not doing their bit in conserving their immediate environment by living a greener and more sustainable lifestyle, people answer that they simply cannot afford to go green because it’s just too expensive. In defense of these people, I have to agree that certain ways of going green at home and saving energy can seem extremely costly to the average income earner; HOWEVER, one does not need to convert one’s entire home into a free standing solar powered vessel that generates heat and electricity via solar panels and a solar water heating system in order to save energy.

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Fisker Karma: The Most Highly Anticipated Green Car


If you think your only real option for a green car that is also sporty and stylish is the $100,000+ Tesla, it’s time to think again.  Although more and more luxury and sports brands have been entering the arena of eco-friendly vehicles, it’s fair to say that most of them are taking baby steps.  Fisker Automotive, on the other hand, is playing it anything but safe with their new Karma, an electric luxury car that looks to give Tesla a run for its money.  And while you’re probably expecting German or Italian engineering to reside at the root of this automotive zeitgeist, you might be surprised to learn that this latest e-cell innovation has been produced in the good old US of A.  Is it too soon to hope for a turnaround in the auto industry?  Yes, probably too soon, but here are a few things to recommend this amazing green car.

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Go Green and Save Money with a Few Home Adjustments

Many people don’t realize what a huge impact even small adjustments in their home can have on their pocketbook and the environment. Sure, you block the draft under the door in the winter and try to remember to turn the water off when you brush your teeth.

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Green Transport: Customer Deliveries Are Matched With Transporters’ Extra Space

Green transport: Customer deliveries are matched with transporters’ extra space

The term green is something that is significant in our times. With the increasing awareness about global warming and carbon emissions, energy efficient vehicles and appliances are in great demand. Green shipping through u Ship is turning out to be the latest trend in this.

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The Inner Workings of a Wastewater Treatment Plant

The amount of waste water in our world in increasing. Due to industrial waste, agricultural run off and flooding problems, it is crucial to reclaim and recycle any water that is available for reuse. Technological improvements over the past fifty years have enabled water treatment plants to reclaim otherwise unusable water from almost any source.

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Green Home Building Guidelines


You might think that there is a lot more hassle and expense involved in building a home that conforms to your eco-friendly standards, but in truth, it is very similar to standard types of building in that the price and the level of difficulty depend largely on what you choose to use.  For example, the average home-builder might have to decide whether they want to install carpeting throughout the interior or pay extra for hardwood or stone flooring.  In the same way, the eco-friendly home will have options that change the price and construction schedule for the project.  While you will certainly want to take some time to research green options, you need not necessarily expend more than your own free time.  In any case, here are just a few guidelines to observe when it comes to planning and building your green home.

  1. Transportation of goods.  One of the major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions is the shipping industry.  If you want to do your part to dispel unnecessary exhaust, think about purchasing only local materials when building your home.  You will not only curb pollution by going this route; you’ll also support local business and you may even end up saving a few bucks in the process.
  2. Building materials.  Once you’ve decided to buy local, you’ll want to look at what is available.  You likely have access to natural resources like stone or wood, but you might not be able to find companies that embrace green practices in the process of harvesting these materials.  If this is the case you may want to consider opting for a substitute that is eco-friendly and can be found anywhere: concrete.  Insulated concrete forms can be used for the foundation, framework, and even the walls of your home.  They resist damage from insects, mold, fire, water, wind, and just about anything else nature can throw at your home.  Plus, as the name implies, this material has excellent insulating properties.
  3. Lighting.  While it might occur to you that installing energy-saving light bulbs is a great way to conserve, there is an even better way to cut back on illumination during the building process.  By opting for an open floor plan and including plenty of windows (possibly even skylights) in your design, you can ensure that your home enjoys an abundance of natural light so that the instances in which you have to flip a switch are significantly reduced.
  4. Utilities.  You can certainly practice to conserve by installing energy-saving appliances and electronics after the fact, but during the building process you have the unique opportunity to do more.  By opting for solar, wind, water, or other forms of alternative energy you can bring your energy usage down to practically (or actually) nothing.  This is good for your wallet as well as the environment, so that over time you can offset the initial cost of installation (which can be quite steep).
  5. Outdoor spaces.  People often see landscaping as an extra, but here you can do good things for the Earth, as well.  Strive to use native plants and look for those that are drought resistant (read: requiring less water to sustain).  You can even use your vegetation to save on energy use by arranging plants around the house to block sunshine in the summer and wind in the winter.

Sarah Danielson writes for Justin Doyle Homes, a custom home builder in Cincinnati since 1976 offering luxurious homes for every lifestyle.

Best Apps for Small Business

Whether you use an iPhone, Android, or some other smart phone for business purposes, you may not be getting the full benefit of your purchase if you haven’t downloaded some of the many amazing apps out there geared towards helping the small business owner.  Of course, the first thing that pops into your mind when you think of apps may be time-killing games like Angry Birds and Paper Toss, or internet crossovers like Google Maps or The Weather Channel (which can help in your everyday life).  Of course, Twitter and Facebook apps actually can be fairly useful if you use them for your business, but they aren’t necessarily helping you to manage operations.  So if you’re looking for ways to get the most value out of one of the many modern mobile tools you have at your disposal, here are just a few apps you may want to download (and write off) for your small business.

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AAA Announces Top Green Cars of 2011


The American Automobile Association has released a list of their top picks for the greenest cars of the year, following close on the heels of Kelly Blue Book’s official recommendations.  Unsurprisingly, the lists are similar.  Let’s face it: there just aren’t that many quality eco-friendly vehicles cruising our roadways as of yet.  But as gas prices continue to soar, we can probably expect that number to increase significantly.  So if you’re thinking that this might be a good time to start considering some of the options when it comes to greener vehicles (that will not only save you at the pump, but also cut your carbon footprint), then perhaps you’ll want to check out some of AAA’s approved green automobiles for 2011.

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The Option of a Homemade Electric Car

With the skyrocketing prices of fuel at the pump together with the many foreboding studies on global warming, many are now seeking other options on travel and transportation away from the fossil fueled internal combustion engine car. Before the mass production of electric vehicles went full blast, there have been many individuals creating homemade electric cars right in their own garages.

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Is it Less Expensive to Insure a Hybrid?


Life is more expensive than it used to be.  Let’s look at the facts: the recession is still ongoing, despite the fact that the government keeps telling us things are turning around; it now costs more than $200,000 to raise a child to the age of 18 (that doesn’t even include the cost of college, which, by the way, comes with a lot less scholarship opportunities these days); and of course, the price of gas seems to be going up and up with no end in sight.  On this last score, at least, there seems to be some relief.  With more companies producing hybrid vehicles (and tax incentives in place for those who buy newer plug-in hybrids this year), the attendant price tags for owning one have come down.  And by purchasing a hybrid, your cost at the pump can be greatly reduced (along with your carbon emissions).  Sadly, the money you save may go to insurance if you don’t get the right hybrid.  Here are a few things you need to consider before you purchase that Honda Civic hybrid.

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