Whether you drive a car, RV, motorcycle or bicycle, there may come a time when you need roadside assistance.  Why not support an auto club company that cares about the environment?   They even offer insurance, travel discounts and carbon offsets to help lessen your impact on the earth.  Memberships also make great gifts.

Better World offers home and auto insurance; discounts on rental vehicles (including hybrids and biodiesels), hotels, eco-tours and bicycle tours.  They even donate 1% of all revenues to environmental cleanup projects and consumer advocacy programs.

Curious to learn how much greenhouse gas emissions your vehicle is spewing into the air?  Try their carbon offset calculator.  You can even purchase carbon offsets there too.  Better World says, “Carbon offsets help neutralize the greenhouse gas pollution that is associated with the burning of fossil fuels. When you drive in your car or fly in an airplane, harmful gases (including CO2) are released into the atmosphere. Our Foundation carefully screens and selects offset projects that neutralize these emissions that are directly contributing to global warming pollution.”

Stay up-to-date on environmental happenings, like California’s plan to encourage electric car usage, with BWNews.  Better World also offers an e-Newsletter, “Kicking Asphalt” where you’ll find consumer advice, environmental information, and member discounts and savings.

Windows and exterior doors are, of course, necessary elements of any home, but if they are old and drafty, you may wonder about how to make them more energy efficient.  Whether you live in an historic home, or a home that has only single-pane windows, there are some relatively inexpensive and easy fixes you can do to reduce your heating bills this winter, reduce cooling bills in the summer, and make your home feel more comfortable year-round.  These steps will also reduce your carbon footprint by reducing greenhouse gases and pollution from burning fossil fuels to generate energy.  Plus, tax incentives are available for some measures.

• Weatherstrip and caulk gaps around existing windows and doors to reduce drafts.
• Close insulated drapes at night, as well as in those rooms that don’t receive much sunlight during the day.  Keep window treatments open during the day to allow sunlight to enter and warm up your living spaces.
• Trim overgrown shrubs and hedges that are blocking windows and preventing sunlight from entering your home.
• Place a special plastic film or sheeting over windows.  It reduces drafts by trapping air between the window glass and the film. This layer of air becomes an insulator and can almost double the R-value of a single-pane window.  The shrinkwrap variety is virtually invisible too.
• Advanced Energy Panels are another suitable choice and add two additional layers of glazing to your existing windows.  They are custom-made and mounted on the inside of your windows, so they don’t detract from your window’s appearance on either the outside or inside.  Made of polyolefin, they are made to last for years.
• Add storm windows and doors to reduce air movement into and out of existing windows and doors, and therefore reduce heating and cooling costs.  Exterior- or interior-mounting varieties are available, as well as low-E and UV-protection models.  The interior-mounted ones can easily be installed by “do-it-yourself” homeowners.  Storm windows and doors also reduce the infiltration of outside noise into your home.  Federal tax credits may be available depending on the models you choose.
• When it’s time to replace old windows and doors, opt for Energy Star rated models and receive tax credits too!   These new windows and doors will also screen out harmful ultraviolet light and reduce fading and discoloring of furniture, carpets and other items inside your home.  Special offers and rebates may also be available in your area.

photo courtesy of This Old House

Want to shed some light on that dark area of your home or commercial building without turning on the lights and driving up your electric bill?  A great solution is to install solar tubes, aka sun tunnels, which are easily retrofitted into existing buildings.  In fact, depending on the Energy Star rated system you choose, it may qualify for a federal tax incentive up to 30% of the cost!  Local and state incentives may also apply!

Normally with every flick of the switch, electricity is typically generated by burning fossil fuels, and pollution, as well as greenhouse gases are released.  By utilizing the power of the sun to lower electricity usage, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint and help clear the air.

Portland’s Office of Sustainable Development reports: “Like skylights, solar tubes bring natural daylight into interior rooms. Unlike skylights, solar tubes are inexpensive and unlikely to experience problems like rain leaks, heat loss, condensation or overheating, and are relatively easy to retrofit into an existing house.

A solar tube consists of a clear dome that collects sunlight into a highly polished and reflective tube that reflects the light down to a diffuser on the ceiling. The light has a natural quality and is sufficient to light a small room, hallway or staircase.”  Larger solar tubes or multiple units may be necessary for large rooms.

Solar tube options include:  diffusers, night time lighting, daylight dimmers and integrated bathroom fans.

A super energy-efficient solar tube will qualify for a federal tax credit if it has a U-factor and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient less than or equal to .30 and is installed between June 1, 2009 – December 31, 2010.

photo courtesy of Sunsational Skylights

It has been said by some scientists that the simple deed of planting trees (many, many trees) would significantly reduce the greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, that we spew into the air at an alarming rate on a daily basis.  The least we can do is try to save the trees already in existence.

The good news is that there are some simple actions that anyone can do to make a difference…stopping junk mail is just one of them, but an important step, since here in the U.S. alone, junk mail is responsible for the destruction of 100 million trees every year.

• If you don’t want to waste ’8 months opening junk mail over the course of your lifetime’, take a few minutes now to stop it.  EcoCycle.org shows easy ways to stop junk mail.   Also, sign a petition to stop junk mail.
• Whether at home or work, stop and think before printing anything from the computer.  Ask yourself if it’s really necessary that you have a paper copy of something that you can easily reference with a click of a mouse.
• When it is necessary to print, opt for paper with recycled content.  That which is labeled with a high percentage of ‘post-consumer’ recycled content is best.
• Recycle paper and cardboard.   Reuse paper whenever possible.
• Choose to buy recycled paper products such as tissues, bath tissue, napkins, paper towels.  Or, opt for washable linens to replace paper towels and napkins altogether.
• Sign up for e-statements and pay your bills online.  This works well for everything from bank and investment statements to credit card and utility bills.
• Read your favorite magazine or store catalog online instead of receiving paper copies in the mail.
• Plant trees around your home.  Not only does beautiful landscaping add to the value of your home, but proper positioning of trees will even reduce your heating and cooling bills and make your home feel more comfortable.  Evergreens provide a great windbreak to help block those cold winter winds.  Deciduous trees placed on the south and/or west side of your home will provide shade in the summer, yet allow sunlight to enter your home when the limbs are bare in winter.  Go even greener by planting native species.
• Buy wood products only from reputable sources where the wood originates from sustainably managed forests.  The ultimate verification of this is done through the independent, non-profit organization The Forest Stewardship Council.  Avoid exotic woods, unless they are FSC-certified, because harvesting these woods is devastating to the world’s rainforests and our global climate.

photo courtesy of Senior Brigade

If high-cost heating and electric bills are making this winter unbearable for you this winter, perhaps it’s time to consider clean, renewable energy options.  It’s a perfect time, since generous state and federal tax credits, rebates, grants, and loan programs are available for those who install solar energy systems, small wind systems, geothermal heat pumps, and residential fuel cell and microturbine systems.

These systems significantly reduce your fuel and electricity bills, as well as the amount of air pollution and greenhouse gases that result from your use of fossil fuels (oil, propane and natural gas), or from generating electricity.  (Half of the electricity generated in the USA is by burning dirty coal).

• Geothermal heat pump systems, or ground-source or water-source heat pumps, use the constant temperature of the earth as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature like conventional air-source heat systems.  A geothermal heat pump system is highly efficient, quiet, long-lasting, and requires little maintenance.
• Eligible solar energy systems include solar water heating and solar electric (photovoltaic) systems.  Solar water heating, or solar thermal systems, can be used in any climate and should drop your water heating bills by 50%–80%!  Photovoltaics use solar cells that capture heat from the sun and convert it directly into electricity.
• Small wind systems collect kinetic energy from the wind and convert it to electricity that is compatible with a home’s electrical system.   Small wind systems are one of the most cost-effective home-based renewable energy systems, lowering electricity bills by 50-90%!  Check out my previous post featuring several types of wind turbines.
• Residential fuel cell and microturbine systems use hydrogen and oxygen to cleanly and efficiently create electricity — producing water and heat as by-products.  Learn more here.

Federal Tax Credit details:

• 30% of the cost, up to $500 per .5 kW of power capacity for existing homes and new construction
• includes installation costs
• expires December 31, 2016

For additional incentives in your State, visit the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (DSIRE).

Visit EnergyStar.gov for more information.

photo courtesy of Alex Snyder

As I’ve previously mentioned, proper sealing and caulking around windows is a key strategy to make any place more airtight and help you save on energy costs.

Follow air sealing with one of the following options (some are eligible for tax credits or incentives — see manufacturers for details regarding eligibility):

• One inexpensive and easy-to-install option, perfect for renters and homeowners alike, is a plastic film or sheeting placed over the windows.  It reduces drafts (and heating bills) by trapping air between the window glass and the film. This layer of air becomes an insulator and can almost double the R-value of a single-pane window.  The shrinkwrap variety is virtually invisible.  It’s available from home improvement and hardware stores.
• Advanced Energy Panels are another suitable choice and add two additional layers of glazing to your existing windows.  They are custom made and mounted on the inside of your windows, so they detract from your window’s appearance on either the outside or inside.  Made of polyolefin, they are made to last for years.
• Storm windows are now offered in either exterior- or interior-mounting varieties.  Low E and UV-protection models are available too.  The interior-mounted ones can easily be installed by “do-it-yourself” homeowners.  Storm windows also reduce outside noise from entering interior living spaces.

photo courtesy of Innerglass Window Systems, an interior storm window company.

Solar pool heating systems consist of a solar collector, a filter, a pump, and a flow control valve.  “Pool water is pumped through the filter and then through the solar collector(s), where it is heated before it is returned to the pool.  In hot climates, the collector(s) can also be used to cool the pool during peak summer months by circulating the water through the collector(s) at night.” 

This equipment is suitable in a variety of climates, although there are some things to consider before purchasing a solar pool heating system.  A qualified solar thermal systems contractor will help you:  evaluate your site’s solar resource (how much of the sun’s energy reaches the area);  determine the correct size system considering your pool’s size and regional temperatures; the efficiency of the solar collectors and potential cost savings of investing in a more efficient type of collector; and adhering to local building codes and regulations.

Source:  Dept of Energy

Some states offer additional tax incentives too.  Visit the Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for more information.  Other ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and supplement your electricity needs with clean power, include purchasing green power from your local utility company or from companies that offer renewable energy credits.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that President Obama signed into law this past February offers significant incentives for homeowners who purchase renewable energy systems.

• Receive a tax credit of 30% of the cost of photovoltaic panels and solar water heating systems placed in service before December 31, 2016.
• Receive a tax credit of 30% of the cost of residential small wind turbines placed in service before December 31, 2016.
• For geothermal heat pumps installed before December 31, 2016, a tax credit of 30% is available.
• Receive 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, for biomass fueled stoves used for household heat or water heating.  The stoves must be placed in service in 2009 or 2010 and have a thermal efficiency rating of at least 75%.  The law defines “biomass fuel” as any plant-derived fuel available on a renewable or recurring basis, including agricultural crops and trees, wood and wood waste and residues (including wood pellets), plant (including aquatic plants), grasses, residues, and fibers.

To claim the tax credit for energy efficient products ” placed in service” in 2009, you will need to file the 2009 IRS Form 5695 and submit it with your 2009 taxes (by April 15, 2010).  Also, you must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement that proves the product or component qualifies for the tax credit.

Source:  EnergyStar.gov

photo courtesy of mjmonty

The tax credits are now in effect when these systems are “placed in service” between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2016.

• All Energy Star labeled geothermal (closed loop, open loop and direct expansion) heating/cooling systems are eligible for the tax credit.  Geothermal systems can also be fitted to provide household hot water too.
• All Energy Star labeled electric heat pump water heaters and all gas tankless water heaters qualify for the tax credit, although a $1500 cap is in effect.  Some of the most efficient Energy Star labeled gas storage and gas condensing water heaters also qualify for the tax credit.
• Biomass stoves, which burn biomass fuel to heat a home or heat water, will qualify for the tax credit, up to the $1500 cap.
• Photovoltaic systems, which provide electricity for a residence, qualify for the tax credit with no cap.
• Solar hot water systems certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) are eligible for the tax credit with no cap.
• Small wind energy systems generate clean electricity and qualify for the tax credit and are not limited to the $1500 cap.
• Fuel cells provide clean electricity through the combination of oxygen and hydrogen, a process that is two to three times more efficient than fossil fuel burning.  Those systems that have a capacity of at least 0.5 kW are eligible for the tax credit.

Visit EnergyStar.gov for more information.

Conserve to:

1. Reduce your electricity bills (keep in mind that 50% of electricity generated in the USA is from coal-fired power plants which negatively impact the health of miners and the environment. Burning coal also emits many by-products, pollutants, and greenhouse gases. In addition, our power grid is not very efficient in generation, transmission, and distribution of energy, so it takes more resources to generate power.
2. Reduce your heating bills.
3. Reduce air, water, and soil pollution which will result in improved health for children, the elderly, those with compromised immune systems or sensitivity to chemicals, and the general public at large, as well as for wildlife and the environment in general.
4. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming potential.
5. Reduce demand for nuclear power (and disposal of high-level radioactive waste), as well as for fossil fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas, & propane.
   

So, what are some easy things you can do to save energy?

1. Turn off lights when not needed.
2. When incandescent lightbulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) which use about 75% less energy and last about 10 times longer!  LEDs use even less energy and don’t contain trace amounts of mercury.
3. Plug your computer equipment and entertainment equipment into surge protector power strips.  This will not only protect your equipment from daily power surges and lengthen the lifespan of such equipment, but you’ll be able to turn everything off with just one flick of the switch before going to bed or when you’re away from home.
4. Properly maintain your heating system and appliances to keep them operating efficiently.
5. Wash your clothes in cold water since 85-90% of the energy used for the washing machine is to heat water.
6. Caulk and seal around windows, doors, and other drafty areas in your home.
7. Add inexpensive, insulating foam inserts to all outlets and lightswitches located on perimeter walls.

Learn more from the U.S. Department of Energy

photo courtesy of Alan Turkus