Tag Archives: green

Green Carpet Cleaning Tips

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Looking for a way to keep your households clean, without the use of harmful chemicals which can cause undesired reactions in your pets or kids? There are a number of environmentally friendly carpet cleaning methods that use items that you more than likely already have in your household. These natural items help you maintain your healthy household without the harmful side effects of chemical cleaning agents. Using various natural methods can get rid of almost any common household carpet stain, from spilled juices and foods, to potty training accidents with your kids or pets.

The first natural item to use for green carpet cleaning is baking soda. While most commonly used as a leavening agent in your baked goods, or as a deodorizer in the refrigerator or laundry, baking soda is a powerful, but all natural cleaning agent that can help get rid of stains as well as freshen your carpet. You can pour baking soda directly over fresh stains to soak up any moisture and remove odors. Simply vacuum up the powder after a few hours or overnight. You can also sprinkle a light dusting of baking soda over the carpet in an entire area of a room prior to vacuuming to remove smells and refresh your carpet.

Another all natural cleaning ingredient is vinegar. Not only does vinegar remove hard water stains from your showers and faucets, but its acidic properties also make it an effective stain lifting tool. Use a spray bottle and brush to apply the vinegar to the affected area. Follow this with a warm water mist, or baking soda application. Make sure to only use white vinegar, as others may leave stains.

The last green carpet cleaning item that you can use in your household is club soda. The effervescent properties of club soda will loosen stains and other dirt and grime embedded in the fibers of your carpet. You can then dab the stain with a towel or terry cloth until the color is removed completely.

Using items that you already have in your household is a great way to get rid of unnecessary and harmful cleaning chemicals. Natural items such as vinegar and baking soda contain chemical properties such as acidity which will help fight stains, and absorb foul smells around your house. Opting for these green chemical free cleaning alternatives will help keep your household healthy and clean without the drawbacks of other commercialized products. You can use the above tips in a variety of combinations to find just what you need for your particular situation. If one method on its own does not take care of the issue such as using vinegar, you can add a second one such as using baking soda to complete the job.

This article was brought to you by Andrew Almendinger, an expert in carpet restretching denver.

The Growth of Green Construction

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Green LightbulbIn 2011, it has been reported that the amount of construction spending has increased 1.5%. Construction is beneficial to the economy for many reasons. There are several jobs and career opportunities that are necessary for completing a construction project. A construction site requires people with many different talents to perform different tasks. There are jobs from managers, accountants, and engineers to drivers and laborers. Cities that are in an economical growth are building houses, schools, factories, bridges, and many other industrial buildings

The Growth of Construction

The United States will build over $600 billion in new construction every year. It makes sense that the construction industry is in the top ten reasons for growth in the United States. With the continuous growth every year, the construction industry will have to train over 200,000 new professionals to keep up with the demand for construction.

Handling the Demand

The reason why the industry has to hire so many workers is because they need to build a new structure, prepare the site, or make modifications to the site that is already there. They also need to maintain, improve, and repair the structures. Constructions sites such as bridges and highways use a power grid to utilize less energy.

Interest in Green Construction

Green construction is growing in popularity every year. Buildings are becoming more environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Construction uses recycled products and products that will no harm the environment. Approximately one in every three architects will take on a green construction job. By dividing that down it can be estimated that green construction makes up for over 650,000 jobs in the United States. With the growth of construction this number is estimated to grow even larger as the years pass.

Manufacturing Green Products

Green products and jobs do not only affect the construction industry. The popularity of green products has helped the growth of manufactured products. Anything from windows and insulation to piping supports and structural frames and be constructed out of green materials.

Growing Green into the Future

Green construction represents a quarter of the construction going on in the United States. The amount of money in construction is expected to double by 2015. It has been documented that from 2009 to 2010 the green movement in construction almost doubled. Now more than ever, shopping malls, libraries, museums, hotels, hospitals and many other buildings are adopting green construction to create more sustainable buildings.

PHP (Portable Pipe Hangers) Systems/Design is the source for piping supports systems in the construction industry.  PHP Systems/Designs engineers equipment supports and rooftop support systems for energy effecient buildings and construction sites.

Five ways to ‘green up’ your workplace

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Making sure that your workplace and its associated operations are environmentally friendly is not only a good way to help you sleep better at night, knowing you’ve done your bit, it’s also an opportunity to save money for the business and of course show to customers and clients that your take corporate responsibility seriously. Most of the ways in which you can do this are relatively easy, and the key lies in making them standard procedure for all staff.

Wrap down
Packaging is often hugely wasteful, so bringing down the amount that you use for own products and day-to-day business can add up to a significant saving. If you’re not the sort of company that has products to package however, there is also the usage of things like postage bags and envelopes that can be used more sparingly.

Cut down
Cutting down on waste in the office is both essential and easy. Offices waste a lot of things like paper and stationary, and in most cases unnecessarily. Moving as many processes as possible to an electronic system should cut down on some paper usage, and fuel consumption can be reduced by opting for calls and video conferencing instead of face-to-face meetings where possible.

Use it again
After cutting down as much as possible, re-using and recycling what you can’t get rid of is the next step. In recent years recycling has become the norm in domestic situations, and it’s now more unusual if people don’t recycle everything they possibly can in terms of their household waste. Some companies are behind the curve in this area however, despite the fact that many office waste mainstays such as old computer equipment and used toner cartridges are accepted by a lot recycling organisations, as well as the usual things like paper, and food/drink waste from cafeterias and lunch-area bins. Different coloured bins for different recyclables is an easy way to prompt this sort of behaviour in staff.

Save your energy
With energy prices spiralling across the board, it’s not just the environment you’ll be saving when you reduce the power and heating that you use in the office. All electrical equipment should be powered off when not in use, ideally at the plug if this won’t erase any settings. Lights are also a big offender, and leaving them on through the night is a big no-no if not absolutely necessary.

Global thinking
Thinking about the impact your corporate purchases make on other countries and the eco-system as a whole is something that Is often overlooked, as it’s not just the immediate surroundings of the workplace that are affected by a company’s activity. Non-dyed toilet paper, lead-free paint and wooden furniture from sustainable forests are examples of changes in buying habits that could be made, and things like fair trade food and drink can go a long way to supporting not only the eco-systems, but also the fragile economies of some foreign exporters.

Daniel is a UK-based blogger who writes on a wide-range of topics including business, finance and green issues. He is currently working on behalf of cardboard box suppliers Rajapack

What is Double (and triple) Glazing?

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Double glazing is common in most modern homes these days.  Most people know that having double or triple glazing is a good idea from an energy efficiency point of view, but have you ever stopped to wonder how your double-glazed UPVC windows work?

Double glazing is a glazing process in which a window is made by two panes of glass with a space left between the panes.  That space is held open by some non-conductive spacers, and air (or inert gas, in the case of higher-end double glazing) is trapped in the gap. This air creates a layer of insulation, making the window more effective at insulating your home.

Double glazing must be airtight.  If you can see condensation between the window panes, this means that the seal is not working, and the entire window pane must be replaced.  It’s not practical to repair double glazing, so if you see condensation, don’t accept a simple seal repair, make sure that the entire window pane is removed and replaced.

Why Is Double Glazing So Useful

In most homes, more than half of the heat loss comes from standard, single pane windows.  Replacing those windows with UPVC windows that feature double or triple glazing can prevent a huge amount of that heat loss.  Many people see heating costs fall by ten or twelve percent as a result of getting double glazing installed.  Depending on your heating bills, you could see double glazing pay for itself over the course of a few years.

For the environmentally conscious, there’s a secondary benefit to reduced heating bills.  The less energy you use, the lower your carbon dioxide emissions.

As well as reducing energy usage, double glazing can also reduce noise pollution, and reduce internal condensation too.

Is Triple Glazing Worthwhile?

Triple glazing isn’t quite as common as double glazing, at least not yet, but it is becoming more popular. Triple glazing costs more than double glazing, but it is generally accepted that it’s more effective.

Triple glazed windows have much better insulating properties.  The rate at which heat escapes is measured using the “U-Value”, with lower values meaning slower heat loss.  Single glazed windows often have a U-Value of 5.  The earliest forms of double glazing had a U-Value of 3.  Today, double glazing tends to have a U-Value of 1.6 or 1.8.   While that might sound impressive, triple glazed windows often have U-Values as low as 0.65 – that’s only slightly higher than the U-Value of a wall!

This means that triple glazing is popular in passive or “zero-carbon” homes.  If you want to have a uniform temperature throughout your home, then installing double glazing will ensure that you don’t feel drafts or cold spots near windows.

Glazing technology is always improving, and it’s likely that in a few year’s time UPVC windows will be even more efficient than they are today.  However, the windows currently available more than meet any current standards for energy efficiency, so there’s no need to wait for them to improve even more.  You will still get great return on your investment if you buy double or triple glazing today.

The Future of Green Construction

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Green Construction Has an Impact on Home and FamilyOver the past decade construction has been going green.  Builders use greener products to benefit home owners and businesses.  These products may cost more to purchase, but they will save money on future power bills and the environment.  Constructions sites have to keep up with modern products because consumers want to either own energy efficient homes or work in environmentally friendly offices.  The future for builders is green construction and it is only increasing in popularity.

Double Pane Windows

Windows are an easy thing to change in a room to make a home or building more green.  Cheap windows may not seal as tightly as desired.  If the panes are thin, the windows will either let too much warmth in on a hot day or they will be too cool on a cold day.  A higher grade window will help maintain a desired temperature inside a home.  Upgraded windows will cut down on the amount of harmful rays that enter the home.

Tinted Windows

Tinted glass can also be purchased to keep the sun out.  Curtains and shades will also work to keep out the light; however, in an office building it is easier to get tinted windows for the employees.  Tinted windows are even commonly used on cars to keep glare out of the eyes of the driver.  A tint on a window will also keep the heat inside the home when the temperatures are colder outside than inside.

Skylights

Skylights are an environmentally friendly addition to the home because they reduce the need to turn on the lights during daylight hours.  They can be added to a kitchen or living room to add light without having to use the electricity or they can be installed in hallways or closets where there are not enough lights.

Green Construction

Upgrading the windows in a home or office will not only change the appearance and atmosphere of the room, it will also save the owners money on power bills.  A dark dreary office will turn into an uplifting work place by installing green windows.  A small home will appear bigger and brighter after skylight domes are installed in the roof.  These upgrades may seem simple or useless initially; however they will be beneficial for many years to come.  A window or a skylight dome are easy to install and they can be installed by a professionally in only a couple of hours.

VTECH Skylights is the leader in residential and commercial skylights and the best source for a skylight utilizing RIM Technology

Improving your Home’s Kerb Appeal

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Many people, when looking for a new home to buy, will immediately make a decision on a house based on its kerb appeal. The kerb appeal of the house is the view that potential buyers will get when they first look at the house from outside or when they first drive by. It is for this reason that it is very important for anyone wanting to sell their house to spend a little time considering the kerb appeal of their property and how to improve it.

It is easy to improve a property’s kerb appeal simply by spending a little time outside the front of the home and making home improvements. Admittedly, this can be very difficult for homeowners that view their home every day. Seeing faults can be difficult but it is vital to ensuring that the home will not be immediately written off by anyone who views the exterior of the home.

View your home as a potential buyer would

Before beginning home improvements to the exterior of a home it is important to try and look at a home as a first time viewer would see the house. Try and see and positive aspects of the front of the house and make a mental note to highlight these areas. Make a note also of any glaring faults with the front of the home and improve or minimise these areas.

Mould and mildew are two of the biggest problems with many home and these can instantly turn a person off buying a home. Mould and mildew do not look attractive. Although a home owner may grow accustomed to seeing such sights every day and may not notice them, be assured that a first time buyer will notice. It is just as important to make sure that any paving slabs are clean and do not have weeds growing in between the cracks.

Green is good

If your home boasts some of the latest green innovations like solar panels and double (or even better triple) glazed windows and properly fitted frames, these benefits will shine out to potential buyers looking to save on energy bills.

Tidiness can make a big difference

Making the front of the home appear neat and tidy is one of the simplest and most effective ways to improve the appearance of a home. Toys in the front garden or gardening implements will all make the outside of the home look untidy and disorganised. This may have a negative impact on how the viewers see the inside of the home also.

Another very effective way in which to improve the kerb appeal of a home is by making the most of the windows and the window frames at the front of the house. If these are shabby or look dirty then consider purchasing some new window frames. If this is not possible then ensure that all guttering around the house and all the window frames and windows are thoroughly cleaned and look great.

Overall, it is easy to make a big difference to the kerb appeal of a home simply by making small changes. Ensuring all window frames and guttering are clean, that the garden is neat and tidy, weed-free and all mould and mildew are cleaned away will ensure that any home looks the best from the kerb that it possibly can.

5 ‘Green’ States

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“Don’t blow it, good planets are hard to find.”  Boy isn’t that the truth.  Coming into the 21st century, the whole country seemed to wake up and realize that we need to take care of our planet.  It won’t be here forever.  What does being ‘green’ mean?  It describes a state that has low carbon dioxide emission, low smog/pollution, and strong energy efficiency policies.  So what states lead the pack in being green?  Check out the list.

Vermont

Vermont has the second smallest population in the United States. They also leave the smallest carbon footprint in the country.  They have a very high number of polices to reduce pollution and promote alternative energy. 

Oregon

Aside from pristine beaches, green forests and beautiful mountain ranges, Oregon is known for their bike friendly roads.  In Portland alone, there are over 200 miles of bike lanes.  And in Eugene, there’s over 30 miles of bike paths, and biking is the number one mode of transportation.  Oregon is very low when it comes to contributing a carbon footprint.

Washington

They don’t call it the Emerald City for nothing!  Seattle has more than 20 LEED certified buildings.  And Ballard (suburb of Seattle) has been dubbed ‘Green Ballard’.  They have many farmers markets and offer classes educating people on how to be greener.  Also, the state is leading in building homes with solar panels. 

Maine

Maine ranks 6th in the least amount of toxic waste and 4th in alternative energy.  Just about half of their energy comes from renewable sources.  A large amount of their energy comes from the woods and the wood’s waste. 

Hawaii

Tropical air and lush beaches, Hawaii brings a beautiful image to mind.  And they know it.  They rely heavily on tourism and are very aware of the environment.  They produce the least amount of toxic waste in the country.  And as far as implementing energy saving procedures, they rank 6th.  They are beautiful and green!

All of these states have many things to offer including coffee, pineapple, wine, skiing and beautiful scenery.  The fact that they are working to protect our earth is such a wonderful bonus.  Are you looking for a ‘green’ way to advertise your business?  Consider sending out Recycled Newspaper Pencils.  You can customize them with your business info too.  

 

Lisa Coronado is a web content writer for http://promotionalpencils.biz/index.php/recylced-pencils.html

 

Environmentally Friendly Cars

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 If you are looking to reduce your carbon footprint, or simply want to save money on gas, there is a new generation of cars being produced. Hybrid cars, or those who use electricity as well as gas, and other so-called “green” cars allow for better gas mileage and the first step toward the elimination of gasoline as a fuel source altogether.

Types Of Eco-Friendly Cars

There are many different varieties of car that don’t rely totally on gasoline as a powering source. When someone mentions a green car, they might be referring to:

Hybrid Cars:

A hybrid car uses electricity first, but will switch to gasoline after a certain amount of time. This reduces the need for gas and can improve the gas mileage of a car.

Electric Cars:

Electric cars rely totally on the powering of a battery to get the car where it needs to go. No gas is used and the driver recharges it just like someone would recharge a cell phone that had a dead battery.

Fuel-Efficient Cars:

A lot of designers are trying to get the most out of the traditional gasoline engine. Many smaller cars are getting 40 or more miles per gallon. There are even cars being designed that seek to make these cars more aerodynamic and get rid of factors that can reduce gas mileage and can get anywhere from 90-100 MPG.

Examples Of Eco-Friendly Cars

If you are thinking about shopping for an environmentally friendly car, you should know some examples of what to look for. One of the more popular hybrid cars out there is the Toyota Prius which is a compact car, and the Chevy Volt which can get up to 35 miles with just an electric motor, or can go up to 375 miles with just a single tank of gas if you want to use both.

How Hybrids Vary From Conventional Cars

A conventional car is going to rely on gas to get you everywhere, while a hybrid will use an electric motor to assist the gasoline engine. Depending on what kind of a hybrid you get, the electric motor could run the car on its own, or it could simply help the engine idle at a red light, or help with braking and other processes that can take away from optimal gas mileage. This is something to talk about with a dealer before purchasing a hybrid.

Brad writes about cars ona  daily basis. If you’d like to learn more about him you can visit http://cashforcarssandiego.com a company that will buy your previously owned vehicle.

Money-Saving and Eco-Friendly Household Supplies

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Modern society, for all of its consumption, has also become a more eco-friendly, earth conscious place. As a result, more and more people are looking into ways that they can “go green” in different areas of their life.

One area of your life that has the potential to be a little greener is your household supply closet. Here are some simple tips for getting more eco-friendly household supplies.

Purchase Store Bought “Green” Items

Thanks to the consumer demand for products with more “green” qualities, many brands are providing at least some earth friendly alternatives. Most of these alternatives are labeled in a blatant way, highlighting the methods that are used to achieve an eco-friendly status.

You can hunt down these products by visiting a local store and checking the different bottles for labels of this kind. If you’re willing to spend some time educating yourself, you can also check the ingredients of the standard products for more harmful ingredients, so you can avoid purchasing those cleaners.

If you don’t want to go on a hunt to find items like this, you can always visit a specialty store. One of the best types of specialty store is the online niche website. There are several niche websites that specialize in selling green products of this nature.

Make Your Own Cleaners

There are many high quality cleaners that you can make at home, using ingredients that you may already have. Some items can work as effective cleaners right out of the box. Baking soda can be used for scrubbing surfaces or as an air freshener. Vinegar can be used as a floor and tile cleaner.

Lemon juice can help get rid of grime. Washing soda can work as a powerful dish soap. Many of these items can also be combined, allowing you to make your own earth powered, low consumption, low cost cleaner.

Minimize Your Use

There are many ways that you can reduce the products you use to clean. One simple way is to reduce the number of cleaners you purchase and keep around the house.

Many all purpose cleaners, whether they are store bought or home made, can multi-task, eliminating the need for a cabinet full of unused cleaning supplies. Water conservation is also important during cleaning. Avoid letting the water run unnecessarily, and try to use less water in your mopping buckets or for scrubbing jobs.

You should also avoid one-use items at all costs. Paper towels, disposable napkins, paper plates, and plastic utensils are unnecessary forms of consumption, even if they’re recycled. Instead, use items like durable mops, sponges, and handheld vacuums to get the job done. If you ever do use the consumable alternatives, be certain that you recycle them.

There are many other ways that you can reduce your negative impact on the environment. Reducing general use and recycling, in addition to following tips like these, are just a couple of the methods you can use. Be sure to look into other ways that you can effectively go green.

Annie is an eco-consious and frugal blogger for Credit Card Finder, the money-saving app for credit card comparison. Read our detailed guide on going green by switching to an online credit card statement.

Go Green And Save Water Everyday

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Apartment living means you can still be a part of saving the planet by reducing in amount of water flowing from your faucets, shower heads and toilets. Every day be conscience of the water you use in the shower, while washing dishes and watering plants. Whether you live in an apartment in Denver CO or any other city and state, whatever you can do to reduce, reuse and recycle will be a benefit for everyone. Conserving just a small amount of water each day makes a big difference for everyone.

Install A Low Flow Shower Head

When moving into an apartment inquire about a low flow shower head (if there is not already one installed) to reduce the amount of water being used while taking showers. Turn off the shower when shaving or lathering up and limit the time you are in the shower. Another plus in this area is a tankless water heater that takes up very little space and heats the water as needed instead of a regular water heater that needs electric to heat water every day.

Turn Off The Water

Get in the habit of turning off the water when brushing your teeth, washing dishes and other small tasks like filling a coffee pot. There is no need to keep the water running after the pot is full, the excess will be wasted by running down the drain. When rinsing dishes use only the amount needed and no more.
Adjust The Settings On Appliances

Simple adjustments on your dishwasher and washer can save many gallons at one time. Pre-rinsing is sometimes not necessary when using a hot water setting. This should remove everything on your dishes when combined with the recommend amount of cleaner. Conserve water by washing a full load of clothes at once and using the correct amount of detergent. In addition washing in cold water will conserve electricity and money each month.

Reduce The Amount Of Water Usage In Your Toilet
Be eco friendly in the bathroom and save gallons of water each week. Simply place a (closed) container filled with gravel or small rocks in the toilet tank. This will conserve water by not filling the tank completely.  Since you are a renter this will not harm the toilet tank and the container can be taken out or replaced if need be.

Watering Plants

Rainwater is a great way to water plants, cleaning patio furniture and washing those muddy boots. If you have plants inside your apartment, simply place them outside when it rains. Placing a bucket or small pot outside to catch rainwater is another way to conserve water. Patio furniture doesn’t require water from a faucet when cleaning for storage. Just use the collected rain water and see the shine come back!

Think of other ideas to save water while living in an apartment. Anything that you can do to conserve water will bring down the cost for other yourself and the other tenants. You may even set a trend that others will want to follow. The simpliest thing(s) you do now will mean savings in the long run.

Randy Mosburg writes on a variety of subjects. He enjoys writing about green apartment Living in Downtown Denver.