I thought we could all use some good news this close to a major holiday. According to the Associated Press, the climate conference data reflects the US has reduced CO2 emissions 1.8% over the 1990-2007 time frame.

This is good, but we are not leading the pack, although we are one of the largest groups to make an improvement over that time frame. Lets keep up the effort and maybe even boost it a bit knowing that it does matter and it does get noticed.

You can view an interactive map and see how we compare by following the related link.

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.