Guide To A Green Nursery

Guide To A Green Nursery
 by: Danielle Downs

When it comes to your infant, greener is safer. With so many chemicals in baby products, the best defense is a good offense. That means buying the right green choices from the start. To reduce exposure to potential toxins, remember that your baby is exposed to two environments that need protection: the immediate indoor environment and the world at large.

To get this done there are 2 strategies to follow

1. reduce indoor toxins by choosing non-toxic products

2. reduce global toxins and waste by buying less and buying used

KEEP IN MIND : Adult immune systems are able to fight off and eliminate certain toxins, but infants are still developing and especially sensitive. This is why it is important to check for hidden toxins. Follow this check list to have a safer, greener nursery!

1. Greener Paint

Choose a natural pain that is milk, soy, or plant based. These paints are labeled “Zero VOC” which means they have no volatile organic compounds.

No Lead Based Paint.

2. Greener Flooring

Wood and bamboo are natural choices for your green nursery floor. Make sure glues and sealants are zero or low VOC and non-toxic. Carpeting should be avoided as it often contains dangerous chemicals such as flame retardants and petrochemical stain repellents.

3. Greener Furniture

Avoid plywood and pressed board furniture which may contain toxic resins. Synthetic materials also may off gas and disrupt air quality. Well built natural wood furniture is the best choice. It is long-lasting and will withstand toddlerhood.

Consider buying real wood furniture second hand. It is easily updated with a coat of non-toxic milk paint.

4. Greener Bedding

Your infant will spent most of the day sleeping. Safe bedding is essential. Organic fabrics are now widely available in a variety of styles and colors to match any nursery theme.

5. Greener Hygiene

Soaps, diapers, powders, lotions, and wipes all come in direct contact with your infant’s skin. Read the label! If there is a warning, don’t risk it. Consider cloth diapering or making your own wipes. The cost savings is undeniable.

6. Greener Toys

Plastics leach BPA, phthalates, and more. Skip plastic toys or search for corn-based plastics. Organic cloth and wood toys are widely available as well as toys made from recycled materials.

7. Greener Feeding

Making your own baby food is easy and cost effective. Search for baby dishes and spoons that are made from safe materials such as natural rubber or silicone. Store baby food in glass jar or other non-leaching container.

Have questions about other baby items on your registry? Look for organic labels and read the product safety information.

For more ways to green your nursery and keep your infant and the planet protected, take the EcoQuiz at Going Green Today! You’ll get plenty of helpful tips to save you money and save CO2. You can even get a personalized eco-plan that is tailored to your green family’s needs.

Solar Ovens - Save More Than Money

Solar Ovens - Save More Than Money
 by: Douglas C. Hoover

Sun cooking with solar ovenS/cookers is an energy-saving, energy efficient, pollution-free way to do your share in reducing the effects of "global warming" and "climate change" taking advantage of the creations greatest source of in-exhaustible energy. As the world's population increases and nonrenewable sources of energy (e.g., forests) for cooking dwindle at a rate of 1 acre per second, or 86,400 acres per day and seriously damage the ozone layer through the burning of coal, the need to switch to renewable energy sources such as the sun grows ever more critical. Solar ovens are rapidly becoming a major solution.

The largest consumers of energy, second only to automobiles, are household appliances. Items such as stoves, ovens, and refrigerators account for 30 percent of electricity use in industrialized nations and 12 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. The use of solar ovens would have a major impact on energy consumption in the United States, since an estimated 5 percent of its fossil fuel consumption is dedicated to the cooking and distribution of food.

In developing countries, greenhouse gas emissions from cooking originate from sources other than fossil fuel, especially fuel wood such as charcoal, resulting in the deforestation of our forests. As a result, in recent years several organizations have been prompted to supply and train people in Africa, Asia, Mexico and Central and South America, in the use of solar ovens. These are regions where people have long depended on the now rapidly vanishing firewood supply. Sun oven cooking has significantly improved the lives of tens of thousands of people, allowing them to not only prepare nutritious food for their families but to purify drinking water, reducing water-borne diseases such as amoebic dysentery. Sun ovens also aid in the preservation (drying) of food.

One company, Global Sun Ovens, supplies individual ovens plus a larger one that cooks 1,200 meals a day, supplying food for entire villages, hospitals or orphanages. Just one of these Sun Ovens saves 150 tons of wood and 277 tons of CO2 greenhouse gas emissions annually. The solar oven is a viable solution to major environmental problem worldwide. For every BTU consumed from the suns energy is one less BTU consumed from our trees and fossil fuel supplies, saving not only our trees, but reducing the devastating impact on our environment.

A solar oven can be built from materials purchased from most grocery or hardware stores. Sun ovens can be used to prepare anything that can be made in a conventional oven or stove - from baked bread to steamed vegetables to an 18 pound roasted turkey. Solar ovens will not only do all of this and more, it is accomplished with zero emissions and no warming of our globe or heating up our kitchen and placing additional demands on cooling systems.

Nearly 75 percent of US households prepare at least one hot meal per day; one-third prepare two or more, according to the Residential Energy Consumption Survey. Imagine the impact made from cooking just one meal a day using the power of the sun

How To Produce Free Electricity at Home?

How To Produce Free Electricity at Home?
 by: Gary Ashby

Homeowners are inundated with rising expenses and discovering the newest way to produce free electricity using a magnetic power generator may be helpful in saving money on heating expenses. It differs from a solar powered type of generator. Unlike the solar, wind and water sources of generating energy, it is self-perpetuating and not dependent on external forces.

http://www.renewableenergysystemreview.com/download-magniwork.htm

It is built in a similar way, using three components that are used to make the other kinds of generators. The magnets and long-lasting batteries are used to generate electric power. I also learned to build my own DIY electricity system cheaply using a guide that I will share more about with you.

Big businesses and environmental proponents are eager to find new substitutions for oil. Although a few controversial remarks have been made about this new generator, there has not been a particular defect identified. The United States will benefit from using this alternative energy source. If there is more of it generated this way, there will be less dependence on oil from overseas. There is no limit to how much heating costs can be reduced.

The generator works by using magnetic forces. A physics expert named Maxwell discovered the law of electromagnetism and developed it for practical use. One of the magnetic generators can be built using parts purchased at a local hardware store.

Two opposing magnets create a force and the third magnet balances that force. Motion is perpetuated, thereby producing energy. It is long-lasting compared to solar, wind or water power.

After being introduced to the public in 2002, it grew popular in a short time. It can heat a house, run the washer and dryer and light up the entire building. This generator will give the other three types some competition. The manufacturers of those others are critical of this new one. Perhaps they are afraid of that possible competition.

DIY Solar Panels

DIY Solar Panels
 by: Rico Hunter

If you've been bogged down by the tremendous electrical energy bills you're receiving, it's time to take action. You are able to reduce your electrical energy bills by adopting very elementary steps.

This article will list a few simple, easy-to-do things to bring down your electrical energy bill.

Limited use: begin with the room you're seated in. If you were to accept a call in a different room or join your family at the dining room table, would you merely exit your room with no regard for the electrical appliances in the room? If you'd stop right there, and take a look around. Switch off all the appliances even if you were to return in 5 mins. Yes, even that will help. Every drop of water creates the sea.

An additional thing to attend to here is what you think of as an electronic appliance. Would you switch off the TV, put off the fan, but not the light bulb? Yes, you require light, but not now when you're exiting the room. Attending to these minor things will go a long way in boiling down the dreaded immense electrical energy bills.

Intelligent investments: Make some intelligent energy investments by substituting your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. These bulbs are an excellent power-saving investment.

Purchase energy saving gadgets. These gadgets monitor the energy supply to your household and use the minimum that's required.

Household appliance utilisation: Many of us complain that the electrical energy bill reaches the sky because of the amount of electric powered appliances we have in our households. However, the electrical energy bill isn't directly proportional to the amount of appliances you utilise but the manner in which you use them. Let us see how you are able to avoid the typical power-wasters.

• Utilise the automatic washer only if there's a full load of clothing.

• Keep the geyser on for the minimum amount of time.

• Keep the air conditioning at the minimum low or high temperature, just sufficient to keep you off the heat or the cold outdoors.

• Switch off the PC screen even when you take a 1 min break. It takes only a sec to switch on the screen again!

Yup, you have to adopt this way of life for saving energy at home and for the world.

Remember, reducing your electrical energy bill is equal to saving energy, thus assisting the world to save energy for our future generations.

My best advice; build your own solar panels and eliminate you electricity bill.

What Is A Solar Oven?

What Is A Solar Oven?
 by: Douglas Hoover

I saw my first solar oven a year ago. My first reaction was amazement and general disbelief that a box with attached shiny reflectors could capture enough sunshine to develop a cooking temperature of 350 degrees inside the 19 inch square box and maintain it all day long by simply shifting its position to the sun every hour or so. The person demonstrating the cooking power of the sun actually cooked a five pound chicken with potatoes, onions and carrots in just one and a half hours.

Not only was it the tastiest chicken ever, it was incredibly juicy and succulent! The sun oven captures the short waves of the sun and turns them into heat energy inside the oven. The rays of the sun do not dry out the food; in addition, the carbohydrates in the food are caramelized, creating a unique taste unlike any other method of cooking. The sun oven is air tight so the moisture cannot escape allowing the food to become dry.

The second food I tasted from the solar oven was fresh baked bread. It was fantastically moist and sweet from the carmelization effects and literally melted in my mouth, along with the soft creamery butter. If I tried to describe the chocolate chip cookies, you would no doubt believe I was exaggerating their rapturous texture and sinful flavor! See I told you!

You guessed it: my wife and I bought one for our motor home, or rather two of them. On Christmas Eve we cooked a six pound chicken with carrots and onions, and in the other oven a pot of rice and corn muffins. Yes, we are hooked. At first I decided that the solar sun ovens were a practical thing to have, not only to save energy, but we would not have to run the noisy, stinky diesel generator to operate the electric oven on board the motor home. However, it wasn’t long before I realized how fantastic food tastes from the sun oven compared to a convection oven. It didn’t take me long before I was cooking every meal except for the midnight snacks or meals on cloudy days.

I soon discovered that the majority of sun ovens are actually used by home owners to save on energy bills. In addition, their popularity is due to convenience and because the food tastes better. Food will never burn scorch or over cook in a solar sun oven. In the summer people heat up their houses when they cook and bake in their conventional gas or electric ovens. Then they expend additional energy to cool the house back down with air conditioning. With the sun oven you simply place it on a patio table, pop in the food in, adjust its position with the sun once or twice, and like magic, it’s meal time.

Prices of solar ovens range from $250 to $400 with the average sun oven paying for itself through energy savings before the warranty expires. Beside the obvious benefits of sun oven cooking, there is another side benefit: the oven is a basic stand-by survival appliance in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. You will be prepared with an alternative, energy-free means of cooking your daily meals without the need of charcoal, kerosene or propane, all of which can become scarce in a disaster.

Give a solar oven a try; you will undoubtedly be glad you did.

The Best Solar Sun Oven

The Best Solar Sun Oven
 by: Douglas Hoover

If you have not heard of solar or sun cooking and baking, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Cooking with the sun has been around for quite some time. The first documented research and successful results of solar cooking or baking was in 1767 by a French-Swiss physicist, Horace de Saussure.

It was not until the past decade that a more concerted effort has been made to develop an oven/cooker that would effectively utilize the energy of the sun for this purpose. Until the recent overwhelming increase in the cost of nonrenewable fuels such as fuel oil, gas and natural gas, there has not been a sense of urgency to find alternative sources of energy. Now there is more emphasis on greenhouse gases produced from burning fossil fuels, coal, wood and petroleum products.

In the past, electric power and natural gas have provided a cheap and convenient source of energy for powering or stoves and ovens, eliminating the need to pursue alternative sources of energy such as the sun. No one can deny that the earth is going through a change in climate, whether caused by man or a natural reoccurring cycle. If man is the cause of climate change through the "Greenhouse Gas Effect," then it would behoove us to do our share in preventing further damage to our ozone. We can reduce the size of our individual carbon footprint by cutting back on our consumption of nonrenewable resources.

One way to accomplish this is by utilizing the sun's energy through the use of solar panels and by baking and cooking a portion of our meals with a solar sun oven or cooker. Anything that can be cooked in a conventional oven can be cooked in a sun oven. From the moment a sufficiently designed solar oven is placed into position, pointing at the sun, it will reach 300 to 400 degrees F. within 25 minutes. If the solar oven has the proper reflectors and insulation, it will more easily maintain a constant temperature, even on a partly cloudy day, resulting in a more efficient appliance.

Some amazing facts about the sun oven are:

o You cannot burn food using the sun's rays to cook with.

o There are no "hot spots," so the food needs no stirring.

o You never need to add additional water to what you are cooking.

o Food does not dry out as it can in a conventional oven.

o Food cooks more evenly in a solar sun oven/ cooker.

o Vitamins and nutrients are not diminished cooking solar.

o You cannot overcook food using a solar sun oven.

o Sun baked; steamed or cooked food tastes much better.

o The fuel source is free and non-polluting "green energy".

In conclusion, the main factors to be aware of in choosing the best sun oven are:

o Should be warranted for a minimum of 10 years.

o Should be able to reach and maintain 300 to 400 degrees F.

o Should be well insulated and not be warm to the touch on the outside.

o Should utilize reflectors for maximum energy control.

o Should incorporate a tempered-glass oven door to protect food and hold heat.

o Should be easy to clean and maintain.

o Should be lightweight and portable.

o Design should allow oven to be tilted to receive the sun without spilling food.

Sun cooking can be economical, fun, healthy and nutritious, enjoyable and kind to the environment. Join the hundreds of thousands of people around the world in over 128 countries that have discovered a new way of cooking and a new way of living cleaner. Solar is the future, if it is not already too late.

Make Your Own Biodiesel – Part 1

Make Your Own Biodiesel – Part 1
 by: Yoni Levy

Three choices

Anybody can make biodiesel. It's easy, you can make it in your kitchen -- and it's BETTER than the petro-diesel fuel the big oil companies sell you. Your diesel motor will run better and last longer on your home-made fuel, and it's much cleaner -- better for the environment and better for health.

If you make it from used cooking oil it's not only cheap but you'll be recycling a troublesome waste product. Best of all is the GREAT feeling of freedom, independence and empowerment it will give you. Here's how to do it -- everything you need to know.

There are at least three ways to run a diesel engine on biofuel using vegetable oils, animal fats or both. All three are used with both fresh and used oils.

1. Use the oil just as it is -- usually called SVO fuel (straight vegetable oil);

2. Mix it with kerosene (paraffin) or petroleum diesel fuel, or with biodiesel, or blend it with a solvent, or with gasoline;

3. Convert it to biodiesel.

The first two methods sound easiest, but, as so often in life, it's not quite that simple.

1. Mixing it

Vegetable oil is much more viscous (thicker) than either petro-diesel or biodiesel. The purpose of mixing it or blending it with other fuels is to lower the viscosity to make it thinner so that it flows more freely through the fuel system into the combustion chamber.

If you're mixing veg-oil with petroleum diesel or kerosene (same as #1 diesel) you're still using fossilfuel -- cleaner than most, but still not clean enough, many would say. Still, for every gallon of

vegetable oil you use, that's one gallon of fossil-fuel saved, and that much less climate-changing carbon in the atmosphere.

People use various mixes, ranging from 10% vegetable oil and 90% petro-diesel to 90% vegetable oil and 10% petro-diesel. Some people just use it that way, start up and go, without pre-heating it (which makes veg-oil much thinner), or even use pure vegetable oil without pre-heating it, which would make it much thinner.

You might get away with it with an older Mercedes 5-cylinder IDI diesel, which is a very tough and tolerant motor -- it won't like it but you probably won't kill it. Otherwise, it's not wise.

To do it properly you'll need what amounts to an SVO system with fuel pre-heating anyway, preferably using pure petro-diesel or biodiesel for starts and stops. (See next.) In which case there's no need for the mixes.

Blends with various solvents and/or with unleaded gasoline are "experimental at best", little or nothing is known about their effects on the combustion characteristics of the fuel or their long-term effects on the engine.

Higher viscosity is not the only problem with using vegetable oil as fuel. Veg-oil has different chemical properties and combustion characteristics from the petroleum diesel fuel for which diesel engines and their fuel systems are designed.

Diesel engines are high-tech machines with very precise fuel requirements, especially the more modern, cleaner-burning diesels (see The

TDI-SVO controversy).

They're tough but they'll only take so much abuse. There's no guarantee of it, but using a blend of up to 20% veg-oil of good quality is said to be safe enough for older diesels, especially in summer.

Otherwise using veg-oil fuel needs either a professional SVO solution or biodiesel. Mixes and blends are generally a poor compromise. But mixes do have an advantage in cold weather.

As with biodiesel, some kerosene or winterised petro-diesel fuel mixed with straight vegetable oil lowers the temperature at which it starts to gel. (See Using biodiesel in winter) More about fuel mixing and blends.

Blueprints For A Magnetic Generator

Blueprints For A Magnetic Generator
 by: Alvin Mites

The internet is full of people making claims about the fantastic and often unbelievable. The idea of creating a device that can power your home seems to be close to that level.

The truth is that this is a genii that has made it out of the bottle many years ago. First with Nikolai Tesla creating a number of inventions based on similar technology of using magnets to create power without the need to use a fossil fuel back in the 1800's. In the mean time the technology has improved and now can be completed by anyone ready to read step by step instructions.

His notes are rather obscure and difficult to follow if you are able to find them at all.

Today if you want blueprints for a magnetic generator then they are available in easy to follow steps. Soon you can be building your first table top model, which will be able to amaze as it powers a light bulb without needing a battery or being plugged into an outlet. From there you can scale up, it will take some work and a little bit of tinkering though the reward can be powering your home for years to come without the need for a power bill.

The trick is in the permanent magnet configuration, it has been found that when you create an array of permanent magnets in just the right configuration then you end up with an excess of energy being produced. Which can then be harnessed as electrical energy or mechanical energy depending upon how you choose to use it.

If you are ready to power your home without needing to pay another power bill then download a copy of the e-book blueprints for a magnetic generator. This site will provide you with all the information you need to build your electricity generator.

Home Solar Panels- The Importance
 by: Janick Janish

Would you like to reduce your expenses at home, particularly electric bills? Well, it would be a nice idea for you to invest in home solar panels. Decades ago, this has been introduced, but only few took their way into it. Not until economic crisis, people already deemed that home solar panels could be truly a great help to make their expenses a bit lesser than what they are used to.

Keep in mind, the thermal energy comes out for free and the sin is the only way to have it. So, why not make your own way to use it and help yourself minimize your expenses? Actually, various solar panels could be used in order to achieve home solar panels. These special panels are comprised of the semi-conductors that are working with the solar cells. There will be a huge area of P-N junction in diode created. Moreover, when the solar panels have the contact in the solar energy, it could now produce electrical energy. Using solar energy could get mixers, geysers, and heaters to work. As a result, you could find radical reduction into your monthly bill for electricity.

On the other hand, the economical do-it-yourself kits are always available and only involve a reasonable small investment. Such kit is capable of assembling the kit on its own and significantly reduces the investment. Panel repair is facilitated once you kept some essential tools at hand. Usually, these kits supply the entire items needed for the installation. These kits have all of the small items like poles, screws, bolts; solder gun, plywood, meters and the complete manual.

Installing home solar panels could surely reduce 90% of electric expenses. You could surely drop off the grid by simply installing different DIY solar panels. You will certainly notice the change right after the week you have installed it.

Home Solar Panels- The Advantages and Disadvantages

Home Solar Panels- The Advantages and Disadvantages
 by: Janick Janish

These days, lots of people are turning their way on using solar panels. It is truly gaining more and more popularity due to its durability, efficiency, and friendliness for the environment. On the other hand, right before you use home solar panels, it would be a good idea for you to consider its pros and cons first.

Pros

Unlike the fossil fuels, solar energy could never run out. It only means that the energy which is generated by the sun could never be exhausted and will always give unlimited solar energy or dispersion. It is considered to be the biggest advantage of solar energy. Thus, if you install this type of system into your house, you could ensure yourself that you will have enough electricity right at your dispersal.

If you also install solar panels, you could have the best economic option right after the initial cost for the set-up. Practically, there is no need for you to pay more. The solar energy is free and could also free you from monthly electric bills too.

Cons

Since the home solar cell panels need the sun to shine brightly on them, when you are on a place which has less sunlight, this could be a difficult thing. It specially happens in the northern hemisphere wherein certain places do not actually see sunlight for about 6 months at stretch. Similar problem has been faced by people throughout monsoons.

Another disadvantage is that, the charge for initial installation of the home solar panel systems is high. It is a large drawback of the solar panel systems installed at homes. With such, lots of people choose to stay away from this system due to its affordability issues.

Knowing the pros and cons of home solar panels could help one out in deciding whether they have to take home solar panels or not.

Heating Control Systems

Heating Control Systems
 by: Sam Braidley

Did you know that, in order to be able to control the temperature in your house, you don’t have to turn on and off your heater? A temperature control system can do this job for you and more accurately than you.

The temperature controlling devices are based on a thermostat, a heat-sensitive switch, which is the basic control that regulates the temperature of your home. It senses the temperature level in your home compares it with the set value and turns the heating system or air conditioner on or off so that you can maintain the desired temperature in your home.

The system definitely brings a lot of comfort for the household since the house would never be too hot or too cold. The temperature controlling device is going to ensure that the temperature you set in the system is maintained all the time.

In addition to this, you can have your system turned on or off at a desired time. Think that your heating system is turned on when you are still on your way back home from work or it is turned off a few hours after you go to sleep. This way you are not going to have to turn your heater fully on to make your house warm in a short time and waste fuel or you are not going to have to operate your heater all the time in order to have a warm house for only a few hours.

If you have a humidifier device in your house, you can even connect it to the control system so that you will be able to have the same level of humidity at all times. The device connected to the system will measure the humidity level and just like the controller device compare it with the set level and turn the humidifier on or off.

A control system does not only sense the temperature of the air. You can use it for your hot water, too. You can set your hot water temperature at a level of your choice and the system will prevent overheating, thus too much fuel consumption.

A temperature control system is a perfect device to maintain comfort and save fuel. You can never imagine how much extra fuel you spend while manually adjusting the air or water temperature in your house. Once the heater is turned on, it starts to heat air or water and without a controlling device you can only realise that it became hot after it is too hot. During this time your heating system already spends lots of extra fuel and causes loss of comfort in the house.

If you want to know more about Home Heating Controls and what services we offer, you can contact us here.

Waste Management in Sydney

Waste Management in Sydney
 by: Michiel Van Kets

Watch the news on TV, read the newspapers and look online and you're sure to see some news update or article about the state of the world and the drastic effects lack of waste management is having upon it. However it doesn't do any good just being aware of it, each of us has a duty to help reduce waste by recycling and re-using whenever possible.

For those industries dealing with waste management then business has never been better as more people are demanding effective and environmentally friendly waste removal methods and recycling of products. With the increase in interest in green issues, recycling has become an everyday occurrence that affects every person, household and business.

Many households now have a specific bin for rubbish and at least one more for recycling, in some progressive areas separate bins for paper, glass and plastic is common. As well as taking the time to sort through their rubbish the public also do their bit by looking out for those brands that use recycled packaging, and taking their own bags along to carry shopping home. Everyone is becoming more aware of what they can do to reduce their carbon footprint and this in turn forces businesses to take action.

Sadly there are still millions of people and companies all over the world that have yet to understand the impact throwing your trash in a landfill has on the environment, and millions more who do understand but it pleases them to do nothing about it. It has taken decades of public awareness programmes and educational literature to make people start to take responsibility for the environmental disasters that have been caused by lack of waste management and recycling.

Australia is one country that is working hard to educate the population about proper waste disposal and how even the smallest gesture can have a positive effect and reduce the yearly output. Re-using paper and buying products with eco-friendly packaging may not seem like much but if everyone does it, it can add up to a substantial difference.

Sustaining green and healthy surroundings to ensure our children experience a good quality of life is a mammoth task that gets more difficult as the number of people moving into its borders increases and industries expand. In Australia it's a difficult challenge that's central for any environmental management company. E-waste removal is a big issue at the moment as electronic products become more disposable and as they contain a considerable amount of waste such as lead, cadmium and mercury are particularly hazardous.

Luckily there are leading firms dealing in waste management Sydney who have risen to the challenge and come up with inventive and original ideas for recycling services, including skip hire and waste removal. Aiming to divert materials away from landfills and send it for recycling they offer the double advantage of reducing the amount of trash in landfills and creating a greener environment.

Cities produce tons of different kinds of waste and have set up various methods to cope with it, many of them involving recycling plants. Organic waste is the largest group produced and includes all types of food, paper and wood, biosolids, manures and sludge's, much which was headed towards landfills. With the potential for disease it causes big problems for public health and the environment as it contributes to the emission of greenhouse gases. There are various solutions to reduce this type of waste in Australia, including reprocessing garden organics or green waste into mulch and compost.

Also produced in vast amounts are materials from the construction industry such as cement, bricks, tiles, concrete, timber, and plasterboard. These are separated and re-used for roadbase and garden and pathway material. A large amount of e-waste from electrical and IT devices, including computers, monitors, televisions, mobile phones and printers, is recycleable, collection services for recycling in Australia send the products to special plants where it is dismantled and re-used.

Going Green With Wind Turbines

Going Green With Wind Turbines
 by: Adam King

Wind Turbine Energy: A New and Green Alternative

When people think about finding green sources of energy, they often turn to solar power. While it is true that solar energy is a clean alternative to using traditional fuels such as gas and electricity, it is not the only green option available. Wind turbine energy is method of generating energy that is not new in theory since there are many who know how to generate electricity using wind. However, wind turbine energy is still a new form of powering an entire home.

Wind Turbines vs Solar Panels

Both solar panels and wind turbines generate power that can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels. Since solar energy and power generated using wind turbines is clean and easily renewable they can both be used by people who are looking for ways to reduce their carbon foot prints by reducing the amount of fumes that are emitted into the atmosphere. It is believed that if the planet turned away from traditional forms of power such as oil and coal the greenhouse affected (the warming of the Earth's climate) could possibly be reduced.

The problem is, people who are interested in clean power do not know whether they should choose solar power or wind turbines. When making your choice think about your climate. If your home does not receive direct exposure to the sun on a regular basis, you might want to consider wind turbines. Remember, the energy stored by solar panels is depleted as electrical appliances are used, so if you are not able to constantly renew your solar energy wind turbines are the best, green, alternative.

Saving Money With Wind Turbines

The cost of installing a home wind turbine might be enough to discourage many homeowners. Since using wind turbines to fuel homes is still new, manufacturers and installation specialists have not had enough time to develop cheaper ways to build and install wind turbines. Having a wind turbine installed for private use can cost from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

The final cost is determined by the amount of energy you and your family will be using since this will influence how much power your wind turbine will need to generate. However, it is important to remember that after the wind turbine is installed you will have a limitless amount of energy at your disposal. Once a wind turbine is working you will no longer have to worry about paying monthly electricity bills which will save you thousands of dollars each year. In fact, your wind turbine should be able to pay for itself after only a year or two.

Going green is a choice that will help you and the environment. By switching to turbine fueled energy you and your family will be able to drastically decrease your monthly electricity costs. Also, switching to wind generated energy will help the environment by reducing the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere. You might also be able to further help the environment by starting a conservation trend in your neighborhood

DIY Energy Savings - Quick & Easy Tips

by: Gretchen Marks

Here are 5 things you can do to successfully reduce your home energy consumption and save money in the process courtesy of Washington Energy Services in Seattle, Washington:

1.Seal the leaks around windows and exterior doors. This is easy to do, and will help your home keep the heat in. Caulk, spray foam or use weather stripping and it will have an impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills. Don’t want to fuss with this – contact a handyman, or a reputable window, insulation or painting company. Many of them provide this service.

2.Fix your insulation situation. Insulation is typically the #1 way to save energy in your home. According to the Department of Energy (www.ornl.gov) “heating and cooling account for 50 to 70% of the energy used in the average American home. Inadequate insulation and air leakage are leading causes of energy waste in most homes.” And according to EnergyStar, you could “save up to 10% of your total annual energy bill” just by sealing and insulating.

3.Clean and seal heating ducts. Almost 20% of the air that moves through your duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. Over time, ducts can sag or collapse. Vermin and other animals can chew holes in crawl space ductwork. Ducts can also come apart at the seams. When this happens, any air that should be going to the rooms in your home is instead being wasted by ending up in your attic, your walls, or under your house. If duct tape was used on your ductwork originally, it's best to have it replaced with aluminum or foil tape. Traditional duct tape deteriorates quickly. Metal seams should be cleaned and then sealed with duct mastic, which doesn't crack. It creates a permanent seal.

4.Let your equipment breathe. Your heating and cooling systems depend on a flow of air to maximize their efficiency. Homeowners can take easy steps to help – change the furnace filter, and check for leaves/debris around an outside heat pump or air conditioner. A clogged air intake outside or dirty indoor furnace filter limits air flow to the equipment and causes it to function inefficiently. It can eventually lead to costly breakdowns and repairs. This is similar to changing the air filter in your car. Electronic filters typically need cleaning at least twice per year and paper filters need replacing. Check your product warranty for your manufacturer’s specific instructions.

5.Open those registers. Many people close floor registers to push heat into certain parts of their house. Since about the late 60's the products installed in homes have been forced air furnaces. These are designed for a specific amount of air to flow thru the furnace while operating. The ductwork is designed for this amount of air also. When air registers are closed it reduces the airflow and allows heat to buildup in the system. That heat has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is up the flue and out of your house. Closing 1 or 2 registers is fine in rooms that get too hot. Keep as many registers open as possible so your furnace can operate at maximum efficiency. This is the same for heat pumps and central air conditioning. Airflow is key to efficient heating and saving money.

Not sure where to start to make your home energy efficient? Consider a home energy audit. A certified audit uses the latest technology to analyze your house, measuring heat loss, combustion and air leakage. An audit will show you how your home uses and wastes energy. This will help you prioritize what you can do to get the most energy savings. Learn more about audits at washingtonenergy.com.

Sources:

Department of Energy - http://www.ornl.gov/sci/roofs+walls/insulation/ins_01.html

Energy Star - http://www.energystar.gov/

Communication With Your Infant

Communication With Your Infant
 by: Joseph Nedrich

We are now living an age in which conversing with one another is fast and easy. We can contact someone from everywhere with our cell phone, we can text and e-mail and instant message friends family and fellow workers. Because of emoticons we no longer need to try and figure out the tone of the penned word, the little smiley or sad face let us know, yes conversation has never been easier, that is until you have your first baby. Regrettably they are not delivered with emoticons. New mothers must figure out just what is wrong with the little one just from the sound of his cry. Don't allow any person tell you this crying thing is easy to figure out, it's not and it can take a while to figure out just what your baby is saying to you. Here are a few things to keep in mind to assist you learn to understand your new baby's communication.

First remember this world is brand new for the newborn baby. When he gestating , he or she did exactly what he wanted when he wanted and he or she felt safe and sound in the small restrained space. Now he is in a enormous New World and has to wait for someone else to feed him, change his baby diapers, and on top of that he spends his waking hours trying to learn new things. No wonder he sleeps a lot. So do not get all nervous that you have not developed a sleeping and eating schedule that is the exact same each day. You'll get there as he gets used to this new worlds.

Many new moms think they should instantly know why baby is crying. Because they can’t figure it out the minute the child is born they get nervous and tense. Your newborn can pick up the tension and tension and it can make him uncomfortable. The only way he can express is discomfort would be to cry, which makes you even tenser. You see the vicious cycle you are making. Unwind and know that you are a good mother and that extremely soon you will know what each and every cry is and communicating properly with your baby.

A big part of communication is trust. Your child has to understand to trust you and the greatest way you can assist him do that is by picking him up when he cries. For years individuals said that if you picked up your baby when he was sobbing that you would spoil him. Which is incorrect; when you pick up your crying child you are letting him know that you're there to meet his needs, that he can believe in you. That's why infants stop crying a lot as they get older; they then know that you are there to fulfill his needs. Also as they get older they have the capacity to begin to calm their selves down.

The last thing you are able to do to help communicate along with your child is always to give him a protected environment to reside in. The world that your infant is residing in seems very big to him, so make it smaller and much more comforting. Your baby is most comforted inside your arms. When he's not within your arms, swaddling is a excellent method to make him really feel secure. You can find swaddling blankets on the market, but a regular receiving blanket will work as well.

Just like with any relationship, you and infant will get to know each other really well. Soon your baby will become a lot more relaxed with his environment Soon just your simple touch will calm him. He just needs to be reassured from time to time that you simply are there to take care of him.

An Introduction to Stroller Accessories

An Introduction to Stroller Accessories
 by: Bradley McBride

When you've got a baby, it's essential to have the ability to move them simply from your home to doctors appointments or to run errands; nearly all parents use baby strollers for this purpose, which works out very well for both you and baby. However, you also need to think about the stroller accessories you will want which you could easily add to the buggy or that comes as an add-on accessory. Take into consideration how you plan to make use of your stroller, which will help you find the accessories you require to make your life easier.

Stroller accessories will actually enable you get the most out of your new baby stroller. Read our post to finding the most functional stroller accessories to help make your life easier

You'll discover lots of the stroller accessories especially useful to you especially if you intend to go to the playground or have a day out, since you can select cup holders and trays to make it better to give your baby munchies and drinks along the way. There are lots of strollers with pockets, which are extremely practical for necessaries along the lines of diapers, wipes and baby food.

Other stroller accessories consist of mesh bags that fasten to the stroller that may be used as a diaper bag or anything else you might want to have onboard when running odd jobs or going to the park for a run. If you plan to be outside a good deal along with your little one, obviously, you want to keep his or her fine skin protected, for that reason, you may want to include a bigger umbrella that easily folds whilst not in use, for the reason that it will keep the infant out of the sunlight.

With regards to the inside of the stroller, you can find several stroller accessories which will make your life better. These include harnesses and straps to keep the child in the right position for the maximum comfort. Since newborns tend to slip and do not have the strength to reposition themselves, the straps and harness keep them comfortably positioned.

Many newer strollers that are meant for traveling have other stroller accessories like having the seat of the stroller change into a car seat. These are complete strollers and makes life much better for you space-wise as opposed to trying to use a car seat while in the car and folding and fitting the stroller inside the car at the same time.

In terms of stroller accessories, you will have plenty to choose from because the strollers of today have a mission to make your existence as a parent a great deal simpler than it had been 50 years ago. Therefore, take into consideration the ways in which you propose to make use of the pushchair, or buy one which includes add-on accessories that you may acquire should you afterward find you may need them. Strollers have changed a great deal since the days of clunky and heavy buggies that did not fold and were not lightweight for traveling, today you have a far wider range.