The Debate Over Implementing Solar Power In Your Home

(Photo by Jeremy Levine Design)

Homeowners now have a myriad of options for switching some, or all, of their power consumption to solar. Solar panel systems have grown in popularity, but whether or not they are smart financially depends on several factors including one’s location, average power consumption, and anticipated time at one’s residence.

In this post, we delve into the details to help you make a decision in the ever-growing world of solar power.

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How Much Solar Costs in Your State
(Infographic via One Block Off the Grid)

There are many states in which you can go solar (full purchase price) for around $10,000. This number depends on a number of factors including state, local, and regional incentives. Looking into your state’s tax breaks and rebates, is a good first step. According to 2011’s numbers, the national average cost is at $17,000.

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What You Could Save Every Month

Your monthly savings with solar depends mainly on the cost of power from your regional utility companies. Places like New York, where electricity is expensive, will give you added monthly savings by switching to solar.

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What You Could Save Over Time

A common worry is that solar panels won’t last long and when investing thousands of dollars into such an energy solution, that is understandable. Most solar panels will last you at least 25-30 years. Your long term savings can be over $20k, after 20 years. In Hawaii, where electricity prices are extreme, one can expect to save approximately $64,000 in 20 years time.

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How Long It’ll Take To Pay For Itself (State by State)

The amount of time it takes for your investment in solar panels to be returned depends on several factors. The biggest factor is how much electricity costs in your state. The more you’re saving each month with solar panels, the quicker your investment will pay for itself. For example, if you live in a state where electricity is cheap, like Alabama, solar panels may not be a good investment. It would be like buying an expensive hybrid car, when gas was .99 cents a gallon. If you know you will be staying in your home longer than the number of years it will take to pay for itself, then solar panels may be an investment you should consider.

Note: These maps are based on averages. And don’t show detail about solar rebates in all the states.

SOURCE: US homeowner solar estimate tool results, 2001. Energy analytics powered by Clean Power Research.

About the Author
Bahram Nasehi is a Vice President and partner at Dulles Glass and Mirror. He is instrumental in the developement and manufacturing of custom cut glass products including wall and bathroom mirrors, vanity mirrors and glass shower doors.

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Elena White is the founder and editor of  Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother.  Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

4 Eco-Friendly Tips to Beautify and Personalize Your Home Office...surround your home business with a personal, earth-friendly image

Home office (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There are a few very simple ways to add a personal touch to your home office—while doing your part to protect the environment at the same time! Multipurpose tools for your home office, such as sustainable products, recycled organizational baskets and office materials, and reclaimed office furniture can still serve as ideal office tools for brainstorming, posting to-do lists, organization and office decor, while doubling as eco-friendly tricks to cut down on things like paper waste and plastics use, and adding an eclectic, vintage feel to your home office.

Plus, if you want to convey an earth-friendly message, office tools like glass whiteboards and recycled paper and file folders will keep your office neat and organized, while boasting eco-friendly benefits over using multiple paper notebooks, chalk boards, and cork bulletin boards.

Check out the following 4 ways that can help you customize your home office with personality and eco-friendliness in mind:

1. Incorporate non-paper surfaces for brainstorming

Glass whiteboards, traditional whiteboards or chalk boards instantly remove clutter from your office space. You know what tends to happen when you work from home- the clutter in your small office space starts to make its way into other parts of your home (like your kitchen table and your living room)—and suddenly you can’t get away from work! Tools like whiteboards or chalkboards offer you a space to scribble all of your multimillion-dollar ideas, your appointments, goals, etc., and they also reduce paper waste by eliminating the need for paper notebooks and calendars, scrap paper, and even sticky notes. Large, mounted writing surfaces keep everything where you can find it, and when not in use, they fade into the background without cluttering your home office like a stack of paper or books would do.

2. Use technology to your advantage

The right technology will also help save paper waste, plastic waste and so forth in your home office. For instance, instead of creating paper charts, graphs and graphic images for your clients, try using video and digital files as samples. A digital file emailed to a shared server can serves as an instant collaborative medium, including project management software, like Basecamp, that features a shared calendar able to take appointments for all to see, a space for collecting and sharing valuable research notes, a video upload for sharing slide-show presentations and corporate videos. Not only does technology save space, it’s earth-friendly, and saves time searching for things that you need to do your job!

3. Use reclaimed office decor and furniture

Not only will clients instantly notice that your office uses reclaimed furniture and office supplies—like desks, chairs, lamps, computers or laptops, etc., but the use of recycled office supplies says: "my company cares about the environment"! Having a greener image is very positive as far as building your business persona. By incorporating recycled flooring, wall covers, technology, and office furniture into your home work space, you are building an office with an interesting and eclectic story, and you are telling your clients that you are a caring company that doesn't waste the earth's resources in order to pad your own pocketbook.

4. Utilize recyclable materials and technology

If you consider the typical office space, there is a ton of plastic and paper waste. Common office tools like traditional whiteboards tend to deteriorate after a few years due to a “ghosting” effect (or a chemical breakdown in the surface after extended marker usage) and cause chemicals to be released into the office air; however, swapping those for recyclable alternatives and utilizing environmentally-friendly gadgets, will ensure your home office is completely free of plastic, paint and chemical adhesives that emit toxic vapors over time. It will also ensure that when you are finished with office supplies, they are either passed along to another office or recycled completely. It's nice to know that our waste won’t end up in a landfill site, isn't it?

About The Author

Angela is a writer, guest blogger, loving wife, and mother of two beautiful twin girls and a standard poodle named Morty. She graduated with her Master of Arts Degree in English from the University of North Carolina. During her time at UNC, she wrote a number of children's short stories that focus on a set of curious twin sisters and their dog (go figure).

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Elena White is the founder and editor of  Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother.  Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

Earth Day 2012: Let's Make It More Than A One-Day Celebration!

Satellite view of earth superimposed on crumpled paper. Português: Vista da terra a partir de um satélite sobreposta a um papel amassado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Earth Day has always been one of my favorite holidays, especially given its history. The first Earth Day was the brainchild of an activist during a UNESCO conference in San Francisco in 1969. The City of San Francisco officially sanctioned Earth Day the following year in late March. Earth Day as we know it now, however, was pioneered by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970. Now, Earth Day is considered the most widely celebrated secular holiday in the world. In 2007, over one billion people participated. While this is certainly impressive, it's important to think of Earth Day as not just any other day that we gather and express our concern for the environment. Rather, we should consider the holiday a springboard that motivates us to take further action. Here are a few ideas for doing just that:

1.      Join an environmental activist organization.

There are tons of environmental organizations out there, and each one of them has different focuses and concerns. By joining an environmental organization, like, say Greenpeace or Earth Day Network, you'll have the opportunity to donate to an important cause, volunteer your efforts, and otherwise make a difference.

2.      Write to your congressman about a specific environmental concern.

The first Earth Day celebrated in April of 1970 was considered a resounding success, mostly because the number of people involved with the holiday demonstrated to legislators that voters cared about the environment. Much landmark environmental legislation was drafted and passed around this time. While everything we do in our personal lives to protect the environment counts, actions taken at the policy level will have much more far-reaching effects. Research an environmental problem in your community, and write to your local congressman expressing your concerns. Even better, try spearheading a letter-writing campaign among your loved ones and colleagues.

3.      Pledge to reduce your personal consumption this year and beyond.

Personally, every Earth Day, I don't make any purchases, and I try to walk or cycle, instead of using a car or any other energy-consuming transportation. Of course, it's not possible to do this all year round, but going on an extreme consumption fast for Earth Day is a good starting point to help you reduce your consumption as much as possible going forward.

4.      Make a "green" reading list to educate yourself about environmental problems.

Even though you may want to help out with the environment very much, it's important to consider theory before action. That is to say, it helps tremendously to be informed about environmental problems and environmental activism before or while participating. A few years ago, I made a long green reading list that I'm still trying to finish. Some of my favorites include Bill McKibben's Deep Economy: The Wealth of Economies and a Durable Future, Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, and Paul Hawken's Blessed Unrest.

Earth Day is fast approaching, and we are all very excited about celebrating in some park or university green in the sun. But more than that, let's make Earth Day mean something. Let's make a real difference.

Author Bio:

Maria Rainier is a freelance writer and blog junkie. She is currently a resident blogger at First in Education where she writes about education, online colleges, online degrees etc. In her spare time, she enjoys square-foot gardening, swimming, and avoiding her laptop.
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Elena White is the founder and editor of  Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother.  Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

Guest Post: The Most Eco-friendly Printers

Most people, if they have a choice, want to have it all. They would want to have printers that are both great at printing and easy on the planet. But is it possible to have it all?

In short, yes. There are certain things consumers can look for which ensure they are buying the most eco-friendly printers with the highest tech specs around. Generally, inkjet printers use less energy than laser ones, on the whole, and all-in-one printers are more energy- efficient than having a separate printer, scanner, fax machine and copier.

There are also international certifications and programs which highlight the eco credentials of printers. The EPA issues the Energy Star certification to products that use less energy than similarly priced products or, if the energy-saving products are more expensive than comparable products, the amount of money saved on energy bills will make up the difference in a relatively short time. The European Union (EU) has enacted the RoHS directive, which restricts the use of six hazardous materials (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBBs and PBDEs) in the manufacturing of electrical equipment.

Dell 1235cn

The Dell 1235cn is a multi-function color laser printer that is Energy Star certified and RoHS compliant.

In addition to its eco-credentials, it prints, copies, scans and faxes. It can print up to 17 black and white pages per minute and 4 full-color pages per minute, and it can print 2400X60 dots per inch (dpi).

HP Officejet Pro K8600

The HP Officejet Pro K8600 is an inkjet printer with some really impressive eco-friendly specs. Because it is an inkjet printer, it can use up to 50% less energy and up to 70% less in supplies and packaging than laser printers. One of the reasons it uses less supplies is because of its ability to automatically print on both sides of a page.

It can print up to 35 pages per minute, whether the settings are in black and white or in color. It prints up to 4800x1200 dpi.

Samsung SCX-5530FN

The Samsung SCX-5530FN is a multi-function laser printer which is EcoLogo certified. The EcoLogo program was developed by the Canadian government but is now recognized around the world. It is similar to the Energy Star certification in that it compares products in the same category and awards the certification if the products meet strict criteria. The awards are also verified by independent third parties to ensure the products meet international standards.

This machine prints, faxes, copies and scans, and it prints up to 30 pages per minute – while printing on both sides of the page. Additionally, it prints images at up to 1600 dpi.

Xerox ColorQube 8570

Xerox has a good track record in producing eco-friendly printers and printing supplies, and it maintains its reputation with the Energy Star-certified ColorQube 8570. This printer uses cartridge-free solid ink, which uses up to 90% less waste and 30% less energy consumed. It can print on both sides of the page, and it also studies its user’s operating patterns to optimise the printer’s energy use and productivity.

As for its printing specs, it’s pretty impressive in that department, too. It can print up to 40 color pages per minute at 2400 dpi, all whilst using 40% less energy than its predecessor, the Phaser 8560.

Canon PIXMA MP530

Canon has launched a Generation Green initiative, which aims to make their products more eco-friendly, from the beginning of the manufacturing process to the actual use of the products. To that end, they have produced the PIXMA MP530, which prints on both sides of the page automatically. It also features individual, transparent ink tanks, so they can be refilled individually, which helps reduce the amount of wasted ink.

It is an all-in-one, like many of the other printers on this list, so it can print, copy, scan and fax. It can print up to 29 black and white pages per minute or 19 color pages per minute, and it can reach a print resolution of up to 9600x2400 dpi.

As this list shows, it is possible to find electrical appliances which are both high-tech and eco-friendly. With a little research and some clear consumer labelling, it is possible to help the Earth while taking care of business in your home office.

Author Bio: This post was written by Clickinks, an online distributor of cheap ink cartridges that carries a variety of products for top printer brands. Visit Clickinks.com to find the right ink to suit your printing needs, whether you're looking for Canon ink, like the eco-friendly Canon MP530 ink, HP ink cartridges, such as the HP OfficeJet K8600, or any other brand!

Elena White is the founder and editor of  Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother.  Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.

An Early Spring: 14 Ways To Make Your Home An Allergy-Free Zone

Pollen... (Photo credit: igor_nz)

Although there are officially 12 more days until Spring, it feels like it is already here. Warmer than usual temperatures, as well as, the extreme and severe weather that go hand-in-hand with them, (tornadoes, anyone?) abound. The plants, trees and just nature in general (humans included) are confused by the unseasonably warm temperatures. This is great for those who hate the winter cold. Unfortunately, it also means that allergies are becoming not-so-seasonal anymore.

In my previous post about Spring allergies, I mentioned that an estimated 54% of the American population has a reaction to at least one allergen (a substance, often a protein, that causes an allergy, such as pollen or dust). Indoor allergens like dust mites, mold, pet dander and mildew can be problematic year-round, but pollen is probably the major cause of spring (outdoor) allergies.

Here are 14 ways that you can minimize allergens in your home, with little to no money at all:

1. Dust everything! I'm talking windows, book shelves, furniture, air conditioning vents- all the things that collected dust and/or mold during the winter months. 
2. Use a microfiber cloth which are eco-friendly, in that they reduce the use of cleaning products and paper towels or other disposable products, while efficiently removing dust, allergens and bacteria.
3. Change your sheets and pillowcases often. This will help prevent build up of dust, pollen, etc.
4. Wash your bedding, pajamas, and clothing as often as possible in hot (at least 130° F) to get rid of allergens. Pollen tends to stick to fabrics, which means you can leave allergens from your clothes on your furniture, sheets, pillow, etc.
5. Protect your mattress by using an airtight, dust-proof, plastic cover.
6. Take or wipe off your shoes: Estimates show that we track as much as 85% of the dirt in our homes in from the outside on our shoes or paws of pets. The EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) specifically recommends that shoes remain outside the house. However, if going shoeless is not something that the whole family is willing to do, try getting them to wear house shoes, flip-flops or socks that are solely worn inside the house.
7. Get clean! Take a shower after you've spent time outdoors to cut down on the amount of allergens that you bring into your home. 
8. Use saline eye drops or cool water to rinse your eyes after you've spent time outside. This will soothe irritated eyes and remove any clinging pollen.
9. Stay inside, or at least minimize the amount of time spent outdoors, when pollen counts are high. Peak pollen times are usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. You can receive up-to-date pollen information for the U.S. by visiting the National Allergy Bureau's site.
10. Keep the windows in your home shut, especially on days when the pollen counts are high. Also, avoid fans that may draw pollen indoors.
11. Replace/Clean Air Filters: Most of us change our air filters, but not often enough. If you want to reduce dust levels and extend the life span of your air conditioner and maintain its efficiency, the most important thing you can do is change the filter of your air conditioner or furnace once every 3 to 6 months. HEPA filters are considered the most efficient filters available, but need to be checked monthly since they can become choked up very quickly and can hamper the airflow if they become too clogged. Electrostatic filters probably offer the best combination of value and efficiency. They can cost twice as much as a good quality disposable filter, but you can just wash them with water when they become dirty, and reuse them (very eco-friendly)!
12. Vacuum 2-3 times a week to remove allergens from the floor and furniture.
13. Keep your pets off the furniture, especially the bed. Pollen can cling to your cat or dog after it's been outside.
14. Decrease humidity levels by running the AC or using a dehumidifier. Humidity levels tend to rise with temperatures, so make sure that you maintain levels between 35%-50%. This will help prevent the growth of bacteria and mold.

For more helpful tips on coping with Spring allergies, please check out 10 Tips For Dealing With Spring Allergies.


Elena White is the founder and editor of  Life The Green Way, corporate sustainability coordinator at her day job, and a "rurban" wife and mother.  Learn more about her here and follow her on Twitter at @Lifethegreenway.