I have not been real consistant this month with my articles here. After we start the new year I will be better. Today I want to share some useful information regarding clean up.

1. Remember the tree, gift wrap and packaging are all recycleable. My recycling usually will not fit in my weekly bin, so I keep a separate large bag just for the holiday packaging. This can rest in the garage or on the side of the house until the following week when there is more room again.

2. Proper tree preparation for recycling. No ornaments, lights or other decorations may be on the tree. Check your local pick up instructions regarding whether or not to put it in a bag.

3. If wrapping paper is removed nicely, it can make sense to keep it for next year. Reuse is best for the environment if you are able and other materials like cloth or bags are easier to reuse.

4. Bubble wrap and packing peanuts can be reused. If not by you, then by someone searching Craigslist or Freecycle. Mailing centers such as The UPS Store and Mail Boxes Etc. will also accept them.

Happy Holidays!

- Brad

I have already covered why on-line shopping is better for the environment. Here is an opportunity to take advantage of free shipping!

Dec 17 is official free shipping day. Over 600 merchants are participating including the following favorites:

1-800-Flowers
Adidas
American Eagle Outfitters
Borders
Brookstone
Chefs Catalog
Eddie Bauer
JC Penney
Kiehl's
Levi's
Macy's
Nike
Nordstrom
Pottery Barn
Sears
The Body Shop
Timberland
Toys R Us

Make sure you double check and don't just take my word for it.

For the first time, U.S. homeowners can buy solar panels off the shelves from a major retailer, *-(this assumes that Fry's electronics and Harbor Freight are not major retailers, and that they have not been selling solar panels for 5 or more years now)-. Akeena Solar Inc. last week announced that its Andalay AC panels are available at 21 Lowe's Home Improvement stores in the state of California. The panels, which were recently honored with a 2009 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Product award, are featured as part of Lowe's Energy Center at the stores.

The Andalay AC system is fully integrated with built-in racking, grounding, wiring and micro-inverters. Andalay panels also have built-in inverters that produce household AC power, so there is no high-voltage DC wiring. *-(The built in inverter is a new feature as far as I know)-

Andalay AC systems use Suntech panels and Enphase micro-inverters. Andalay modules are UL listed and CSA certified. Akeena said that Andalay AC panels produce 5 to 25 percent more energy output compared with ordinary DC solar panels.

*-(I find it interesting that the higher output is listed as a range, wasn't there a controlled setting to determin the output value with some degree of accuracy?)-

For the whole article, follow the related link below.


* My comments injected into the article.

While it may not seem like architecture would have a significant energy impact, it does. If you really stop to think about it, something as simple as the direction a building faces and the layout of the most used rooms in relation to the direction will make a huge difference in lighting, heating and air conditioning requirements.

This building is an example of a simple efficient form that can save considerable energy, reducing environmental impact. Color selection is a separate topic.

SAKO Architects have challenged traditional Chinese architecture by constructing an energy-saving residential complex that is rotated by 45 degrees from the north-south axis for increased daylighting.

Follow the related link for more images.

Well, this cold snap is something else. I know if you watch or listen to the news, you have been reminded to cover or insulate your outside water lines. However, I'm reminding you again, did you do it?

As for conservation, water is still at drought levels. We can not let this become an out of site out of mind issue. We consume less water for our yards in winter, some water is replenished by rain, but our water account is so far overdrawn that it will take many storms to catch up.

We need to continue to be diligent and frugal with our water use. This should simply be our habit and ultimately our way of life.

Leaks are an easy way to lose lots of water and they are often easy to fix. One way to check for leaks is to follow these simple steps:

1. Turn off all water inside and outside, (not at the meter).
2. Read your meter.
3. Note your current reading
4. Wait 15 to 20 minutes and see if the meter has moved.
5. If the meter shows usage you probably have a leak.

Remember, these simple efforts add up and benefit your budget over time and the environment right now.