Let’s all leave
GREEN FOOTPRINTS
wherever we go
in the world...
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WELCOME to the first edition of our monthly newsletter, The Green Scene. For those interested in solar power and other renewable products and practices, we wanted to start the year off with an opportunity to GET GOING GREEN — or, if you've already begun your own green life direction, perhaps we can help by offering a few more suggestions...
Did you know that 83% of Americans call global warming “a serious problem?” AND say it’s our responsibility to stop it? But many of us don’t know where to begin to help alleviate this gigantic problem. In reality, there are dozens of opportunities right in our own homes that we can use to make a positive change.
Small changes by everyone can create a huge, positive difference in the environment.
To help get started, we have researched and complied a SHORT LIST of 25 of those small and large opportunities — AND all can easily be applied to both WORK and HOME. Check off those you already do, and start applying the ones you don't TODAY!
- Change light bulbs to CFL or LED — save 50% or more on energy and they last 5 times longer!
- Heat your home to 68 degrees in winter and 72 degrees in summer — reduce both at night (for each 2 degrees you adjust you save 6% on energy bill).
- Weather strip doors and windows — or replace with dual glazed.
- Use smart plugs to shut off power to appliances, and unplug unused appliances or devices. (The US spends over $4 billion dollars annually on stand-by energy in homes and businesses.)
- Upgrade your water heater with a solar powered system or go with a tankless system.
- Run a full dishwasher, rather than cleaning dishes by hand — YES, it actually uses less water!
- Turn off the tap while brushing teeth or shaving.
- Use cold water for doing your laundry.
- Check insulation in attic to make sure it’s adequate — full insulation can save as much as 20% on energy costs.
- Put insulating shades on your windows, especially south-facing windows — keep drawn in summer, open in winter.
- Shut off all lights when leaving a room — this will save you 5-10% on energy bills annually (electric bill $100 month, you save $120 per year).
- Shut off computers and monitors every night.
- Get an energy audit for your home or office — this is a free service offered by your utility company.
- Recycle everything possible — dumpsites and many cities have bins for plastic, glass, metal and batteries.
- Use “green” cleaners and cleaning methods: vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, and borax will do what the chemically based cleaners do.
- Reduce or eliminate lawns — plant shrubs and groundcover that is drought resistant and requires little water to survive.
- Filter your water instead of using bottled water — it is much cheaper and eliminates much of the 30 billion plastic bottles tossed in the US yearly.
- Create a compost heap to throw leftover food into — cuts down on garbage being put into land fills and turns into great fertilizer for your flowers/garden.
- Use recycled products: paper, napkins, toilet paper, greeting cards and tissues.
- Use reusable plates, cups and utensils — do not use/buy Styrofoam.
- Recycle printer cartridges at office supply stores (Office Depot, Staples, etc.) — it helps the environment AND you can get $credit for them.
- Buy certified carpeting, furniture and other household goods. FSC, SFI and Greenguard are items made with sustainable manufacturing processes.
- Select low VOC paint for your next paint job — it is a low emission product, sold at Home Depot, Lowes, as well as other places.
- Patronize companies that are making efforts to be environmentally friendly — buy local so things don’t have to be shipped into your area.
- PASS IT ON! — These tips are meant to help you, your family, your friends, your co-workers... Forward this email to friends, family and people you work with!
Contact us today for your
FREE Site Evaluation!
775-884-3140 or info@solarsolutionsunltd.com
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