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The average American family spends $1,900 a year on energy bills, much of which goes to heating and cooling our homes. Consumers can save as much as 20 percent annually on total energy costs – and reduce their environmental impact – by following four simple recommendations from the government’s Energy Star program.

These four steps will help you “H.E.A.T” smartly while reducing home energy consumption and environmental impact this winter:

* Home Sealing. Seal air leaks and add insulation – paying special attention to your attic and basement, where the biggest gaps and cracks are often found. This will keep warm air inside where it belongs and help your equipment perform more efficiently.
* Equipment Maintenance. Dirt and neglect are the number one causes of system failure. Get a check-up of your heating system to make sure it’s performing efficiently and safely. Clean or replace your system’s air filter to help lower energy bills and maintain better indoor air quality.
* Ask for Energy Star. Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing products. If just one in 10 households bought Energy Star qualified heating and cooling products, the change would keep 18 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions out of our air.
* Thermostat Use. Install a programmable thermostat to save energy during times when you’re home or away. When properly used, a programmable thermostat can save as much as $150 a year in energy costs.

There is also an easy way for businesses and other organizations to save 10 percent or more on their energy bills this winter: turn down the heat. Many businesses operate their heating systems 24 hours a day, even when no one is using the facility. If businesses cut back just one hour of operation out of every 12, their energy savings could equal about eight percent. If every business in the United States saved 10 percent on their energy bills, Americans would save about $10 billion and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 15 million vehicles.

Posted under Finance

The Environmental Protection Agency announced today that the requirements for computers to achieve an “Energy Star” rating will increase next year.

Under the new specifications, only the most energy-efficient computer related equipment will earn the Energy Star label, representing the top of their class.

The new requirements include improved efficiency across all modes of a computer’s operation, and require use of highly efficient internal and external power supplies. The new specifications go into effect on July 20, 2007.

If every computer purchased by businesses meets the new Energy Star requirements in effect next year, businesses will save $1.2 billion over the lifetime of their new computers, equal to lighting 730 million square feet of U.S. commercial building space each year.

Government agencies buying Energy Star will also garner big savings. If the government sector buys only computers that meet the new Energy Star requirements, this sector will save nearly 1.4 billion kWh and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2 billion pounds each year.

On average, Energy Star qualifying computer equipment will be 65 percent more efficient than conventional models.

Computers were the first product to qualify for EPA’s Energy Star in 1992.

Posted under Products

Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

Here is what you can do at home:

SAVE ENERGY

• Use the Energy Star program (www.energystar.gov) to find energy efficient products for your home. The right choices can save families about 30% ($400 a year) while reducing our emissions of greenhouse gases. Whether you are looking to replace old appliances, remodel, or buy a new house, the can help. ENERGY STAR is the government’s backed symbol for energy efficiency. The ENERGY STAR label makes it easy to know which products to buy without sacrificing features, style or comfort that today’s consumers expect.
• Turn off appliances and lights when you leave the room.
• Use the microwave to cook small meals. (It uses less power than an oven.)
• Purchase “Green Power” for your home’s electricity. (Contact your power supplier to see where and if it is available.)
• Have leaky air conditioning and refrigeration systems repaired.
• Cut back on air conditioning and heating use if you can.
• Insulate your home, water heater and pipes. Keep in mind that every trip adds to air pollution. Learn more at It All Adds Up.
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with Natural Resources Conservation Service.

REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE

• Practice the three R’s: first reduce how much you use, then reuse what you can, and then recycle the rest. Then, dispose of what’s left in the most environmentally friendly way. Read the tips below and explore the Consumer’s Handbook for Reducing Solid Waste

Reduce:

• Buy permanent items instead of disposables.
• Buy and use only what you need.
• Buy products with less packaging.
• Buy products that use less toxic chemicals.

Reuse:

• Repair items as much as possible.
• Use durable coffee mugs.
• Use cloth napkins or towels.
• Clean out juice bottles and use them for water.
• Use empty jars to hold leftover food.
• Reuse boxes.
• Purchase refillable pens and pencils.
• Participate in a paint collection and reuse program. For information on handling household solid waste, visit www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/citizens.htm.
• Donate extras to people you know or to charity instead of throwing them away.
• Reuse grocery bags as trash bags.

Recycle:

• Recycle paper (printer paper, newspapers, mail, etc.), plastic, glass bottles, cardboard, and aluminum cans. If your community doesn’t collect at the curb, take them to a collection center.
• Recycle electronics. More information is at www.epa.gov/ecycling/index.htm or www.epa.gov/reg3wcmd/eCycling.htm
• Recycle used motor oil (read an EPA brochure in PDF format).
• Compost food scraps, grass and other yard clippings, and dead plants.
• Close the loop - buy recycled products and products that use recycled packaging. That’s what makes recycling economically possible. Learn more at epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/muncpl/buyrec.htm

For more Help Web Earth Day tips, visit:

Beading Help Web blog

Posted under Health