Compact fluorescents lamps(CFL's) emit the same light as classic incandescents but use 75% or 80% less electricity. They not only help reduce your electricity bill, but also last much longer!
The US department of energy(http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/your_home/lighting_daylighting/index.cfm/mytopic=12060) says that CFL's last upto 10 times longer than classic incandescents and use just one fourth of the energy!
Priced at less than $3, here is a product with incredible energy saving potential! It seems costly compared to the $0.50 incandescent bulb, but given its energy savings and long life, the CFL saves money in the long run!
A CFL may not give the best results with all fixtures and in all situations(bedroom/dining room/study table etc). Its important to choose the right bulb and the fixture to ensure the performance and life of a CFL.
http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagid=609 and http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls has some tips to select energy efficient bulbs.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Friday, July 11, 2008
Green Idea of the Day 7 - Flush it Green!
Yep! Toilets have turned hi-tech and eco-friendly by reducing the water used per flush.
By U.S. federal decree, new toilets must flush with no more than 1.6 gallons of water(see http://www.toiletology.com/low-flow.shtml). But several new models feature dual-flush buttons that let you opt for a mighty 1.6-gallon whoosh or a gentle .8-gallon splash. Also available are models that use less than 1.6 gallons(Flushmate IV). Next time you install a toilet, make sure you think about low consumption toilets.
By U.S. federal decree, new toilets must flush with no more than 1.6 gallons of water(see http://www.toiletology.com/low-flow.shtml). But several new models feature dual-flush buttons that let you opt for a mighty 1.6-gallon whoosh or a gentle .8-gallon splash. Also available are models that use less than 1.6 gallons(Flushmate IV). Next time you install a toilet, make sure you think about low consumption toilets.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Green Idea Of the Day 6- Using Cold Water Setting on Washing Machines
Contributor : dhivya
Dhivya says:-
"When using the washing machine, choose the cold water setting rather than the hot water setting. This saves energy and cuts down on your bills a bit.
I actually googled this idea and found that this simple switch can cut down 80% of the energy used for laundry!"
Dhivya says:-
"When using the washing machine, choose the cold water setting rather than the hot water setting. This saves energy and cuts down on your bills a bit.
I actually googled this idea and found that this simple switch can cut down 80% of the energy used for laundry!"
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Green Idea Of the Day 5 - Save Printer Paper!
A lot of companies have recognized the importance of this and are advising employees to avoid printing emails unless necessary..
Some other simple ways to reduce Printing & the paper used are :-
a)Print only what you need - we don't need all the 20 pages of a document, if we are just going to read the first 10..
When printing for personal use you can try to avoid printing title pages - its an entire page with nothing but the title on it. We don't get any content out of it do we? :D Skipping those rarely read appendix sections can also save some pages. These are just some ideas and all of them may not apply to you. The point is - please avoid printing unnecessary pages.
b)As far as possible(especially if its for personal use) - try to take DOUBLE SIDED print outs. A whopping 50% reduction in paper usage with just one click of the mouse! Just remember to check Print Properties before clicking that "OK button"..
c)Select images wisely - Pictures are an important aid for reading but choosing them carefully not only saves paper, but also valuable printer ink!
d)Reduce Font Size - If you have no reading problems, font size 10-12 should be easy to read for you. Especially while copying content(yeah Ctrl-C Ctrl-V) from web-pages or copying content from multiple sources and printing, this can help reduce the pages needed.
e)Carrying & maintaining a small notepad/scratchpad - There are times when we want a person's name or address or things like that - we don't need to print an entire page for one line of text do we? What did people do, before the days of the printer? Thats right - they Wrote It Down! Maintaining a scratch pad is one way to do this.
A pocket scratch pad is even better and can also serve you as an organizer to remind you of things to be done for the day..
If you don't want to carry a scratch pad around, use your mobile phone to make notes. A lot of mobile phones allow you to maintain notes or atleast set reminders/alarms.
Pheww...Thats all I have for today.. Please let me know if you have more ideas to save paper or if you have any other Green ideas!
Some other simple ways to reduce Printing & the paper used are :-
a)Print only what you need - we don't need all the 20 pages of a document, if we are just going to read the first 10..
When printing for personal use you can try to avoid printing title pages - its an entire page with nothing but the title on it. We don't get any content out of it do we? :D Skipping those rarely read appendix sections can also save some pages. These are just some ideas and all of them may not apply to you. The point is - please avoid printing unnecessary pages.
b)As far as possible(especially if its for personal use) - try to take DOUBLE SIDED print outs. A whopping 50% reduction in paper usage with just one click of the mouse! Just remember to check Print Properties before clicking that "OK button"..
c)Select images wisely - Pictures are an important aid for reading but choosing them carefully not only saves paper, but also valuable printer ink!
d)Reduce Font Size - If you have no reading problems, font size 10-12 should be easy to read for you. Especially while copying content(yeah Ctrl-C Ctrl-V) from web-pages or copying content from multiple sources and printing, this can help reduce the pages needed.
e)Carrying & maintaining a small notepad/scratchpad - There are times when we want a person's name or address or things like that - we don't need to print an entire page for one line of text do we? What did people do, before the days of the printer? Thats right - they Wrote It Down! Maintaining a scratch pad is one way to do this.
A pocket scratch pad is even better and can also serve you as an organizer to remind you of things to be done for the day..
If you don't want to carry a scratch pad around, use your mobile phone to make notes. A lot of mobile phones allow you to maintain notes or atleast set reminders/alarms.
Pheww...Thats all I have for today.. Please let me know if you have more ideas to save paper or if you have any other Green ideas!
Green Idea Of the Day 4 - Avoid Plastic Bags
Contributor : filarial
I avoid plastic bags in super markets and when buying a limited number of items that I can carry with something called hands
I avoid plastic bags in super markets and when buying a limited number of items that I can carry with something called hands
Green Idea Of the Day 3 - Switch off laptops
Contributor:- Dhivya
Switch off those laptops- dont just put them in standby. When leaving work, atleast switch off your monitors. Switch off the air conditioning when you leave home...
I used to live in an apartment where all utilities (including electricity were paid) so me and my roomies would never switch off anything in the house. And that's a big no-no when it comes to conserving energy.
Switch off those laptops- dont just put them in standby. When leaving work, atleast switch off your monitors. Switch off the air conditioning when you leave home...
I used to live in an apartment where all utilities (including electricity were paid) so me and my roomies would never switch off anything in the house. And that's a big no-no when it comes to conserving energy.
Green Idea Of the Day II - Switch off the engines
Switch off the engines of your car/motor cycle when you are waiting! How many of us keep our cars/motorcycles running during those long signals? Or how about when we drop some one(kids at school, girlfriend at the mall etc) and spend a minute talking before we leave. Does the engine need to be on during the entire conversation? NO. Very easy to do isn't it? How much fuel would we save if we switched our engines off at every signal? Not much individually, but if many of us do it.... Think about it!
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