6 Tips to Save $$ and Reduce Energy Costs : Tip 2

2. Wash only full loads in your dishwasher (yet another reason to learn to pack them efficiently!), and if you have time, let them air dry by turning off the drying cycle manually—this can save 20% of your dishwasher's total electricity usage.

6 Tips to Save $$ and Reduce Energy Costs : Tip 1

Interested in saving the planet? How about saving $$? These days, the latter seems to be pretty important to everyone. So, thanks to Emily Hsiesh at Shine, I'm going to share 6 tips with you over the next several days to help you do just that. Plus, I think everyone agrees that working to save the planet is a pretty fantastic idea. So, let's get started!!


1. Check this: refrigerators suck up a whopping 20% of your household electricity use. Time to turn them down! Aim for somewhere between 38-42 degrees in the fridge, and 0-5 degrees in the freezer. If you've got an energy saver switch, make sure it's flipped on. Doors should be sealed tight: to test, stick a dollar bill between the gaskets and close the fridge door; if the bill is hard to pull out you're in good shape. If not, it's time to replace the gaskets.





Full

Garden Tip

Wait to fertilize spring-flowering shrubs and trees until after they have finished blooming. Early fertilization will promote green growth that hides blooms.










Information Courtesy of the NC Cooperative Extension





Visit www.BrittainMehler.com to search for properties surrounding Greensboro, NC!

Energy Efficiency Projects Get Funding Across NC

“Main Street” Energy Projects Approved for Recovery Funding
More than $330,000 in federal Recovery Act funds have been awarded to eight North Carolina “Main Street” communities to help with energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. The grants are the first distribution of money from the North Carolina Energy Program for the state’s Main Street initiative.
“North Carolina continues to use recovery funds for job creation and energy efficiency,” said Gov. Perdue. “These grants will provide service jobs for local businesses and help local communities save money on utility bills.”
The Main Street initiative seeks to boost economic development in small towns, including those in rural areas that have been designated by the N.C. Commerce Department’s Division of Community Assistance. A second round of grants is expected to be awarded during the first quarter of this year.
The North Carolina Energy Office, in partnership with the N.C. Main Street Center, awards grants to eligible local governments and/or nonprofit downtown revitalization organizations for projects totaling no more than $250,000. Grants are awarded to Main Street communities for energy audits and planning and policy work to support long-term sustainable changes for energy efficiency.
Local matching funds must be committed for implementation of grant awards on the basis of a minimum of one non-federal dollar for every one federal dollar from the N.C. State Energy Program Main Street Grant Fund.
Click here for the list of “Main Street” projects approved for funding in the first round.

Mecklenburg County Clean-Energy Company to Add 61 Jobs

SCR-Tech LLC, a leading national provider of cost-effective emissions control solutions for power plants, will expand and add an additional facility in Charlotte. The company plans to invest more than $12.4 million over the next five years in capital and lease payments for the expansion and for new technologies. During the next three years, the company plans to create 61 new jobs in Mecklenburg County. The announcement was made possible in part by a $90,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.
“North Carolina is a national leader in promoting clean, green technologies,” Gov. Perdue said. “Companies like SCR-Tech are expanding to tap into the emerging market for green-friendly products while enjoying our state’s top business climate and knowledge-based workforce.”
The 61 new jobs will pay an overall average wage of $49,372, not including benefits.
SCR-Tech is wholly owned by CoaLogix Inc., which provides innovative solutions for clean energy production with a focus on cost-effective emissions control solutions for the coal and gas-fired power generation industry. The company, with headquarters in Charlotte, currently provides selective catalyst reduction (SCR) regeneration technologies and SCR management services to reduce its customers’ environmental footprint.
For more information about SCR-Tech, including employment opportunities, visit http://www.coalogix.com.






Source: Office of Governor Bev Perdue

Where to recycle those un-recyclables

Guilford County residents can recycle much through the city and county recycling programs. But I often hear from people, “What about this? What do I do with yogurts cups, eyewear, packing materials, etc.?”

So in an effort to lend a hand, here is a quick initial hit list for those other items you're just not sure what to do with:

Yogurt cups and other #5 plastic: Most local recycling programs don’t seem to take #5 plastic, so what’s a struggling recycler to do? Through Preserve’s Gimme5 program, a partnership with Stoneybrook and Organic Valley, you can drop off those containers at any Whole Foods location or mail directly to Preserve. Preserve then recycles and turns into products like razors, toothbrushes and tableware.

Bottle caps: Aveda haircare has just launched their Recycle Caps program which encourages individuals and schools to take bottle caps, shampoo caps, ketchup caps or any type of threaded cap to an Aveda location and they will repurpose into new caps and containers.

Makeup containers: Through Origins, you can bring old makeup tubes, jars and bottles (any brand) to an Origins counter and they will recycle or use for energy recovery.

Eyeglasses: With over 250 million people suffering from poor vision worldwide, you can donate your old eyewear to OneSight. Search for a drop-off location such as Sunglasses Hut, or Sears Optical in your town and they’ll make sure it gets to someone in need.

Plastic Wraps: These include bread wraps, cereal liners, ziplocks, toiler paper and diaper wrapping, dry cleaning bags and produce bags. From a recent article at Simple Steps, major retailers like Barnes & Noble, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart as well as many local grocery stores have collection bins for these types of plastic bags and wraps.

Boxes: Just moved and have a mountain of boxes or are you looking for boxes? At Boxcycle, you can buy and sell used boxes in your local area. Just list your items and they take care of the rest.

Packing Peanuts: Uggh! How horrible is this when you open up the box. To help us out, the Plastic Loose Fill Council offers over 1500 drop-off sites so that these things can be reused again. Also, any Kinko’s Fed Ex, UPS Stores or other pack and ship locations are good places to recycle. Here’s also some other creative ideas on how to reuse these little buggers.

Though this may involve an additional trip, plan your drop off’s when you will be in the area and you’ll feel great about doing this, I promise. Luckily right here in Greensboro, we have an Aveda, Origins, Barnes & Noble and Sears Optical and Sunglasses Hut all in close proximity around Friendly Shopping Center.

And if you find yourself in a serious recycling emergency, check out Earth 911 and plug in your zip to find more local recycling options for all kinds of items.

By Jeanne Blaisdell
Special to goGreenTriad.com Writer

Plastic Solar Film

Solar technology is advancing rapidly. Although solar panels are still popular, new technology is likely to encourage more people to utilize green energy sources. Solar panels may shortly be replaced by solar film which is much less expensive, flexible, and has been shown to be more effective under different weather conditions. The film is not important but instead it is the ink that converts sunshine into energy. This ink is then merely printed onto the plastic film.


There are many solar advances that have taken place but to view this particular solar film shown printing above, go to www.konarka.com

Gov. Perdue Announces Plan to Create Green Jobs

Governor Bev Perdue this week announced her energy reform package to attract businesses, create jobs and promote a strong and sustainable green economy in North Carolina. She made the announcement at the SAS Solar Farm in Cary, which provides solar-generated power to Progress Energy.

"Developing our green economy is a cornerstone ofmy vision for North Carolina's economic future," Gov. Perdue said. "Creating green jobs and businesses is a key part of my JobsNOW initiative, and the energy reforms I am implementing will lay the foundation for North Carolina to lead the nation in green energy."

Gov. Perdue's energy plan refocuses state energy policymaking, makes strategic investments in North Carolina's green economy and increases green-collar workforce development.

"The state that gets green right will own the next 50 years," Gov. Perdue said. "I intend for North Carolina to be that state."

Governor Perdue's energy plan includes:

-Relocating the State Energy Office and state weatherization program to the Department of Commerce

-Reinvigorating the Energy Policy Council

-Establishing an Energy Investment Revolving Loan Fund

-Expanding the Green Business Fund

-Growing North Carolina's green workforce

-Investing federal recovery monies for other energy efficiency and renewable energy projuects in small businesses, communities and homes across North Carolina




For more information: http://www.governor.state.nc.us/NewsItems/PressReleaseDetail.aspx?newsItemID=404

DIY Household Cleaners Part 2

WHOLE HOUSE

All-Purpose Cleaner
1/2 cup borax
1 gallon hot water

Mix in pail (or use smaller amounts in a spray bottle: 1/8 cup borax to 1 quart of hot water) dissolving the borax completely; wipe clean with rag.

Floors

Wood
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 gallon warm water

Linoleum
1 cup white vinegar
2 gallons warm water

Mix in mop bucket, rinse afterwards.

Furniture Polish
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil

Mix and apply with a clean rag to dust and polish. Reduce the olive oil if wood looks too oily.

Metal Polish

Copper and Brass
2 Tbsps salt
White vinegar

Add vinegar to salt until you've created a paste. Adding flour will reduce abrasiveness. Apply with a rag and rub clean.

Stainless Steel
Baking soda
White vinegar

Apply baking soda with a damp cloth, using the vinegar to eliminate spots.

BATHROOM

Toilet Bowl
Baking soda
White vinegar

To clean and deodorize, sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, add white vinegar and scrub with a toilet brush.

Tub and Tile
1/2 lemon
Borax

Dip the face of the lemon half in borax to create a hand-held scrubber for dirty areas. Rinse and dry the surface afterwards.

KITCHEN

Countertops
Marble: Mix one Tbsp castile soap with a quart of warm water, rinse well, then dry with a warm cloth.

Other surfaces: half a lemon and dip the face in baking soda to scrub off residues. Follow up by spraying with glass cleaner mix (below).

Drains
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar

Add baking soda and vinegar to a pot of boiled water and pour down the drain, then flush with tap water. For more stubborn clogs, use a "snake" plumbing tool to manually remove blockage, or try suction removal with a plunger. To prevent clogs, install inexpensive mesh screen, available at home improvement and hardware stores.

Glass
1/4 cup vinegar or 1 Tbsp lemon juice
2+ cups water

Fill a clean spray bottle with water and either white vinegar or lemon juice; wipe with a rag or old newspaper.

Oven
Baking soda
Water

Sprinkle baking soda on surfaces, spray water, then let soak several hours or overnight. Rinse with water.

Stovetop and Oven Grease Remover
1/2 tsp washing soda
1/4 tsp liquid soap
2 cups hot water

Add washing soda and soap to hot water in spray bottle. Since washing soda is caustic, wear gloves.

LAUNDRY ROOM
Bleach alternative
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide

By Paul McRandle

DIY Household Cleaners Part 1

With all of the talk about green living, I thought I would share some information concerning keeping your home clean while staying green!

The healthiest, least-toxic cleaners you can find are the ones you make yourself. They're effective too: According to a study at Virginia Tech, spraying hydrogen peroxide and vinegar right after one another is just as effective at killing germs as lung-irritating, stream-polluting chlorine bleach. Here are a few easy cleaner recipes to kick-start your Saturday chores.

EIGHT ESSENTIALS
These eight items make up the basic ingredients for nearly every do-it-yourself cleaning recipe.

Baking soda: provides grit for scrubbing and reacts with water, vinegar or lemon by fizzing, which speeds up cleaning times
Borax: disinfects, bleaches and deodorizes; very handy in laundry mixes
Distilled white vinegar: disinfects and breaks up dirt; choose white vinegar over apple cider or red vinegars, as these might stain surfaces
Hydrogen Peroxide: disinfects and bleaches
Lemons: cut grease; bottled lemon juice also works well, although you might need to use bit more to get the same results
Olive oil: picks up dirt and polishes wood; cheaper grades work well
Vegetable based (liquid castile) soap: non-petroleum all-purpose cleaners
Washing soda: stain remover, general cleaner, helps unblock pipes; should be handled with gloves due to its caustic nature. Washing soda is usually found in the laundry aisle of grocery and drug stores.

Don't forget to pick up an empty spray bottle at the hardware store, and keep those old rags and used toothbrushes for wiping up and scrubbing.

Stay tuned tomorrow for cleaning solution recipes you can make at home!

By Paul McRandle

N.C. Senate OKs plastic bag ban in Outer Banks

By The Associated Press

RALEIGH — The leader of state Senate is starting at home with a bid to end the use of plastic grocery bags.

The Senate voted 47-1 on Wednesday for a pilot program banning plastic bags in Outer Banks counties. Starting in September, shoppers in Dare, Currituck and Hyde counties could take home their purchases in 100 percent recycled paper.

Senate leader Marc Basnight of Dare County said the measure would apply only to the three counties, but Republican Sen. Tom Apodaca of Henderson County said he hopes the ban spreads statewide.

Supporters said discarded bags are especially a problem on barrier islands that are heavily visited by tourists and where litter on the limited land space is more obvious.

Stimulus plan provides boost to green jobs

‘Everyone is predicting growth in this sector,’ says Obama’s ‘green adviser’

Coal companies are scrambling after federal subsidies for cleaner-coal technologies. View related photos

Charlie Riedel / AP file By Jenny Lynn Zappala msnbc.com contributor updated 6:20 p.m. ET, Tues., May 5, 2009 Environmentalists and labor advocates have contended for years that environmentally sound policies would create thousands of jobs — stockpiling arguments like firewood for the day when someone in Washington would light the match. On Feb. 17, the Obama administration tossed in $40 billion worth of matches. President Barack Obama’s $787 billion economic stimulus plan is intended to revive the economy, largely by putting people back to work. A hefty chunk of that money, $40 billion, is aimed directly at creating what the administration calls “green jobs.” “I know energy efficiency companies (and) weatherization firms are gearing up to take advantage of those recovery dollars,” said Van Jones, Obama’s special adviser for green jobs, enterprise and innovation at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. “Those dollars are moving out into states and cities. There is already a lot of activity ahead of the complete disbursement of those dollars.” Experts agree that the jobs are real, they’re nationwide and they’re multiplying. There are 750,000 to 4 million green jobs available in America, but “everyone is predicting growth in this sector,” Jones said. While some involve launching new products or companies, most green jobs are traditional jobs with a green twist. Energy efficiency, especially for building retrofitting, and renewable energy are where the most opportunities for immediate employment can be found, said Jones. “We have a Saudi Arabia of renewable energy in our country: solar, wind, smart biofuels, geothermal,” said Jones. “We know that renewable energy jobs across the country will be coming on line with more force. That includes solar energy in the Sunbelt, wind energy production in the Plains states and off our coast, smart biofuels in the Southeast and the Midwest, and geothermal everywhere.” Other hot spots to watch: Green manufacturing: using traditional manufacturing methods and factories to create new parts for green industries. Advocates believe automobile plants can be retooled to build wind turbines, solar panels and other green products. The smart grid: a coordinated, national effort to modernize the electric grid so it delivers electricity using upgraded digital technology to save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability. Green chemistry: the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green chemistry is doing chemistry the way nature does chemistry. Sustainable agriculture: a way of farming that produces food indefinitely, without causing severe or irreversible damage. Sustainable green retail: retrofitting existing retail businesses to accommodate shoppers’ demands for more environmentally friendly products and services. People know there are green workers in these industries, but no one can say how many or who is counting them. Right now, it’s easier to follow the money than the head count. As in the early years of computers or HDTVs, it takes time to sort out consistent definitions and standards in this new sector, said Jones. At present, there is no national consensus on what defines a green job, which jobs count, which industries are in or who is in charge of counting. “The administration is working on getting more clarity and consistency with regard to this question,” Jones said. “ Any time there is a new development in the economy, it takes a while before there are consistent definitions and standards in that new sector. … That is going to be one of the roles of the administration.”