What It Means to Go Green

Going green is a phrase that is being tossed about a lot these days. It seems every day there is a new story about a company going green or about new products that help you to go green. The idea of going green is something that many people are familiar with, but that they do not know a lot about.

Explaining the Concept

To go green means to do things that are more environmentally friendly. The reason why it has become a major concept these days is directly related to the fact that we are becoming more aware of the problems we face by continuing to do things without regards to the environment.

There are many examples of how our way of living has started to damage the environment. There is the fact that natural resources are starting to deplete and one day, possibly in our lifetime, we will run out of the resources that we are so dependent upon. By going green we are able to learn to live without being dependent, wasteful and without causing further damage to the environment.

Simple Green Moves

Going green is not even that difficult. Many manufacturers have made greener versions of their best selling products. For example, there are a nice range of environmentally friendly cleaning products on the market. There are also organic foods on the market that are grown and made using environmentally friendly production procedures. It isn’t even just small product changes, though. Going green can be done on a larger scale, too.

The new hybrid vehicles on the market that use a combination of electric and gas to cut down on the amount of gasoline used and the pollution produced from operating the vehicle. There are also new forms of gasoline on the market that are made from renewable sources, like corn. These things have a very large impact on the environment. They reduce pollution and also make us less relent on oil.

There are also ways to make your home greener. There are companies that will come to your home and convert it to hybrid power. Most common, is solar power, which uses the sun as energy. It allows you to run your home off of solar power and use your electric in limited amounts. Again, this helps to reduce pollution and the use of oil.

Benefits of Going Green

Going green is wonderful for the environment, but that is not the only benefit. The biggest benefits to you is that going green can save you money and help you keep your family healthier.
Using green products in your home to clean or buying organic vegetables is great for the environment, reducing pollution and other benefits, but it also is safer for your family. Your family is not being exposed to chemicals and other agents in products and foods that have been proven to be harmful. You are reducing your family’s risk of getting sick with just small changes.

Going green can also save you a lot of money. Using solar energy, for example, can really cut your electric expenses. Solar power is free. Once you have the equipment in place to capture that energy you never pay an energy bill.

Going green is something that is right for everyone. It is becoming the new way of life. We have come to a point where we have to start taking better care of our environment so that it is still around for our children, their children and so on.

May 05, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Tax Tips: Save Some Green by Going Green

It is said that there are only three things in life that you can never escape, no matter how hard you try – change, taxes and, finally, death. Well, that being the case, you can always get the better deal off these things than to be frustrated about your lack of control.

Let’s start with the taxes – the thorn in the side of so many income earners, home owners and prize winners. Did you know that you can actually save on your taxes come April 15 by adopting a greener lifestyle? You may think of it as getting one over the IRS while doing your share for the environment. You can decide which gives the most personal satisfaction.

First, you can undertake basic home improvements. The trick is using products with the Energy Star label. For the uninitiated, the Energy Star is the international standard adopted by countries in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and the European Union countries for rating energy efficient consumer products. Said products can range from computer items and kitchen appliances to insulation and other materials for home improvements.

Products with Energy Star labels save 20 to 30 percent on energy costs. The best thing, however, about the products is that you can avail of tax credits of up to 30 percent on their costs but not more than $1,500. For example, if you purchased water heaters and storm doors with the Energy Star label for $5,000 in cash, you will be able to refund $1,500 in tax credits, if you qualify, that is.

Second, you can get a step up in these tax credits by undertaking major home renovations. Sure, you will be spending a greater amount of money but you will also be able to avail of higher tax refunds when the time comes for them.

There are a few criteria before you can be eligible for the tax refund. The most important of these criteria is that your major renovation should be able to generate electricity, which means that only the installation of wind turbines, solar panels and geothermal heat pumps will qualify as tax refundable.

The good news is that there is no ceiling to the amount of the refund in terms of the dollar amounts. The cap is on the percentage rate of the refund, which is set at 30 percent of the total cost of installation. For example, if your newly-installed solar panels cost $10,000 total, then you may be eligible for a $3,000 tax credit on your tax returns.

Third, you can purchase a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Yes, the federal or the state government provide for a tax credit if and when you lose your old clunker, sentimental value or none. For example, the Chevrolet Volt will cost $40,000 on the tag. This price will go down once the maximum tax credit of $7,500 for green cars is put into the equation.

Indeed, it is not necessary to demolish your home and then build a new one to make it more energy efficient. It is, however, one of the ways to go green and save on taxes but not everybody can do it especially in the housing bust. Often, all you need to do is start with the small things and build your green lifestyle from that point.

May 05, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Home Going Green Tips: Installing Energy Efficient Windows

Passive solar energy is one of the best ways to conserve energy in your home. Lest you think that you have to demolish the whole house just to make it part of your house, you have another think coming. Actually, you only need to install energy efficient windows to enjoy the energy and non- energy benefits of passive solar energy. Well, of course, you many have to deconstruct windows but the benefits will definitely be worth the time, trouble and dollars spent on the project.

DIY or Professional

And speaking of dollars, you may want to install the windows yourself so as to save on the costs. This is all well and good if and when you have the necessary skills, techniques and tools to undertake the job on your own.

However, if you are not in any way qualified to make the window installation project on a do-it-yourself manner, just refrain from doing so. You will only be bringing grief unto yourself – jagged walls, broken windows and personal accidents, all of which will boil down to greater costs when you have aimed to lower your electricity bills.

Instead, you should contact a skilled professional to do the job for you. Keep in mind that improper installation can allow cold air to pass into the rooms, insects to enter and pester the occupants and the windows to be damaged from the added moisture.

Energy and Non-Energy Benefits

Energy-efficient windows provide for both energy and non-energy benefits as discussed below.

Your indoor climate   will be stabilized. As a result,   your energy bills will be lower, your dependence on the main grid will be   lesser and your carbon footprint on this planet is reduced. This is because these windows allow heat   to stay in winter and the cold to stay in summer, thanks to their special insulation   properties. As such, you can spend   winter or summer in more comfort with very little, if any, additions to   your heating or air-conditioning bills, respectively.
You can   avail of rebates and tax credits on the installation of these   windows. Ask your state and local energy   authorities for said benefits.
Your sun-exposed   furniture and drapes are better protected from the fading effects of   sunlight as these windows filter out the ultraviolet rays. Of course, such a filtering action also   means that your skin is protected from these harmful cancer-causing rays   of the sun while you are relaxing inside your eco-friendly home.
Your home   will be better protected from the noise coming in from outside   sources. This is because of the   inherent sound insulation of these energy efficient windows.
Your house   will have extra protection against burglars and other intruders. These windows are made of multiple   panes, which make them harder to break.   Such a feature also means lesser glass breakage during windstorms,   fires and earthquakes.

You can purchase energy efficient windows from retailers and building contractors. Be sure to ask for warranty on the windows as well as professional installation service, both of which are very important in enjoying the benefits of these eco-friendly windows.

May 05, 2010 | 0 comments View Post
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