Guest Post: Achieve a Greener Lifestyle at Home

The importance of saving energy is continuously increasing along with the cost of living. Minimising our negative effects on the environment is a requirement that is being progressively pushed upon us as a nation. There are many ways in which a homeowner can help contribute to supporting a much greener environment, however making these changes to your whole family’s lifestyle may seem a daunting process. Here we look at simple ways in which to achieve this ideal environment by altering only small aspects of each room in your home and ultimately resulting in smaller household bills.

Starting with the kitchen, the most reliable way of reducing electricity bills is by purchasing energy efficient appliances. There will be alphabetical efficiency ratings on equipment most commonly used such as dishwashers and cookers which should be clearly displayed for you to gain an easy understanding of their sustainability. Simple tasks such as dishwashing and doing the laundry can make a difference by ensuring you only wash when both the machines are fully loaded, therefore reducing the amount of usage. Make the most of nice weather by hanging your clothes on the line outside instead of using the tumble dryer, and if you hand wash your dishes, fill up a bowl instead of leaving the tap to run.

The living room is a sure haven for energy wasting appliances. Make sure televisions, computers or any game consoles aren’t left on standby when not in use, and instead turn them off completely at the plug. Recycle any old or unwanted electrical devices or pass them onto someone who could make use of them to reduce waste. Turning down your thermostat by just a few degrees can also save you a handful of money each year. Closing doors and keeping heat within the room will make up for any warmth lost through this.

Small changes to your bathroom routine can prove valuable in saving energy, but are sure to become second nature once put into practice. Turning off the shower when unnecessary to be left running and following the same practice whilst brushing your teeth in the sink are simple ways in which to save water. Modified flushers have also been designed to reduce the amount of water wasted when you flush your loo, and are not a pricey purchase.

There are even possibilities within the roofing of your home so don’t over look the potential for yet more energy saving ideas. Solar PV panels are an investment that will secure long term benefits for many reasons. There is a feed-in-tariff which you can earn money from depending on the size of your panel and how much energy they produce. Despite the high start up cost, the process of turning solar radiation into electricity is a sure way of cutting down household bills and ensuring a more eco friendly lifestyle.

Low energy light bulbs can be used all over the home and furniture made from a sustainable source is a good alternative when purchasing decor. These simple substitutes confirm that the changes aren’t complicated and with a few handy tips like the above, you could be well on your way to a much greener living!

This article was written by Alexandra, an experienced blogger for Solvis Energy Solutions who provide a high quality service and free energy solutions.

Guest Post: Ways for College Students to Stay Green on Campus

If you're a teenager, there's a pretty good chance that you grew up in a home that at least recycled. That's because over the past 20 years or so, the "go green" movement has become bigger than ever before. From recycling plastic to purchasing hybrid cards, people are becoming more actively aware of the fact that our planet needs our support.

So, if you're a college student, it makes perfect sense that you may want to know ways that you can take the eco-friendly movement a bit further by finding out methods that can keep you "green" while you're living on campus. Honestly, the list is pretty endless, but here are a few to get you motivated.

Be paper conscious. If there was a Top Five list of people who use the most paper, college students would undoubtedly be on it. From books and notebooks, tests and term papers, you definitely have a lot to write and type about. In the effort to not consume a lot of paper, here are some things that you can do: purchase used textbooks (or you can even rent them at sites like BookRenter.com or Chegg.com); buy recycled notebooks and paper (you can find them at Office Max, Staples and even Target); print on both sides of the paper and when it comes to faxes or things that need your e-signature, Google Drive and HelloFax have now merged. You can actually send 50 faxes a month per free through their service. Drive less. OK, if you live on a college campus, this is one that should be really simple to do. The less you drive, the less emissions there are in the air and that's ultimately good for everyone. If you don't live on campus, why not consider carpooling a couple of times per week or riding your bike or the bus? If you're still not sold, look at it this way: It's a great way to pocket some gas money and get a bit of exercise in the process (even if it is just walking to your bus stop).

Watch the water. Did you know that an average shower (of about 5-7 minutes) equals out to 15-25 gallons of water being used? So, in the water category, the first thing that you can do is take shorter ones and if you live off-campus, invest in a low-flow shower head. There are other steps that you can take as well that are water-related. How about getting a recycled water container rather than purchasing bottled water (think about all of the plastic that is being used!) and again, if you live off of the yard, putting a water filter on all of your faucets? Oh, and remember to do what our mothers taught us since we could reach the sink: Turn the water off when you're not actually using it (like while you're brushing your teeth, for instance).

Buy used. Being a college student means that you have to budget, probably more than you ever have before in your entire life. It also means that you'll be socializing more than you ever have too. You'll probably have more dates, more athletic events, not to even consider Homecoming. This means that there can be a real temptation to spend more time in the mall. Why not "go green" by going used, instead? Craigslist, eBay, yard sales and thrift stores may sell second-hand items, but they're also cheaper. The extra perk is that there's a huge chance that when you walk into a room, you won't see 10 other people with your same outfit on (used oftentimes is synonymous with one-of-a-kind!).

Conserve energy. It's late and you've been studying for you masters in social work online for hours. That's hours with the lights on, hours with your PC plugged in and hours of electricity being used. There are things that you can do to conserve all of that energy. Replace your light bulbs with compact fluorescent ones. Use your laptop instead of your desktop (desktops use about 60% more energy) and unplug whatever you're not directly using/needing at the time (including cell phone chargers). The earth will thank you for it and when you get to a place of paying your own electricity bill on a monthly basis, so will your wallet!

SIGG Announces Winners of Design Contest

I told you about the SIGG Design Contest here. Now they have announced the winners!

Over a span of seven weeks nearly 2,000 spectacular designs were submitted from 78 countries. The SIGG team, along with guest judge and savvy eco-influencer Sarah Backhouse of Future360, combed through every submission to determine which designs would be produced in the next official SIGG collection.

Here are the winners: SIGG Design Winners

All SIGG bottles are 100% recyclable and contribute significantly to reducing the global carbon footprint. Every year, SIGG launches a new design collection of SIGG bottles, two of which have found their way into the permanent exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City.

Guest Post: Going Green Can Also Save You Green

Many people are looking to become more environmentally friendly each day. You can make some renovations to your home that will not only make you green, but also save you money every year.

Conducting a major home renovation can be expensive. However, when it comes to making green updates, many projects will not only improve the value of your home, but also result in some long-term savings. If you have been thinking about making changes, but do not have the funds to get a project started, you may be able to tap into your home's equity with a VA or FHA refinance to free up some extra cash.

Green appliances

One of the most popular green projects is scrapping your outdated appliances with updated energy-efficient units. Appliances account for roughly 18 percent of your annual energy bill. If any of your appliances are more than 10 years old, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends replacing them. Look for the Energy Star seal. This means that those products meet strict standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy.

Many appliances currently on the market use 10 to 50 percent less water and energy than older models. While replacing all of your appliances may seem costly, the long-term savings can make this move worth every cent and more.

Monitor your home's temperature

Nearly half of your home's energy bill comes from its heating and cooling. Ensuring these systems are working to the best of their ability is critical. This includes keeping them clean during times of heavy usage. If dust or other debris is clogging the air intakes, it can make the units work harder than they have to.

If your furnace is out of date, you should consider investing in a new one. Modern furnaces consume 25 percent less energy than those designed before the 1990s. By installing a programmable thermostat to constantly monitor the temperature of your home, you can also ensure the systems are conserving power when no one is home.

Replace fixtures to conserve water

There are many simple ways to save water, such as taking shorter showers or turning the water off while you brush your teeth. However, there are certain amenities you can install to take it a step further. A low-flow toilet uses half the water of a traditional toilet. In addition, installing aerators on all your faucets can cut down on your yearly water use by 50 percent.

If you think refinancing your home loan can help bring your house up-to-date, contact a Freedom Mortgage representative to start working on an application.

Guest Post: Eco Friendly Backyard Design Tips

As you approach winter's end, take the opportunity to mark this spring as the year you began to practice serious strategies for eco friendly living. You can "go green" nearly anywhere these days, at the office as well as at home. Or, as the snow melts, start right in your own backyard. Here are five design tips you can implement to create a more environmentally conscious backyard:

Planning. Consider the seasons as you begin to plan. Strategically planting plants and trees with temperature and weather fluctuations in mind helps you create a more eco friendly backyard by controlling energy costs in summertime as well as winter. If you plant deciduous trees, they will provide shade when the sun is at its hottest, but by the time the snow falls they will have lost their leaves, allowing sunlight to warm your house. Create a roof of live vines above your patio to keep you nice and cool during the heat. Planting wisteria provides a beautiful flowering canopy that enhances your backyard through its lovely odor.

Recycled building materials. Practice using your artistic capabilities by gathering up materials that would probably be discarded to decorate your backyard. Colored glass can be shattered and used to create beautiful mosaics. When building a deck, purchase wood from lumber yards that are approved by the Forest Stewardship Council. The FSC makes certain that sustainable forestry standards are practiced, especially when you are considering Cumaru decking. You can also purchase composite lumber made from recycled wood products.

Other recycling options. Use that bag full of lawn clippings collected after you mowed the lawn as mulch, which helps protect your plants from any temperature fluctuations that occur during the year. When removing old concrete from your sidewalk or patio, don't throw just throw it away. Do a quick search for businesses in your area that will take the concrete off your hands and recycle it as an alternative to crushed stone that can be used for future landscapes uses.

Watch the water! Most people over-water their lawns. When making your planting plans, group plants that require similar amounts of water next to each other so you can water your backyard at different intervals. When selecting an irrigation system, be sure that the one you ultimately choose contains water efficiency or water saving features built in, such as the ability to automatically adjust its watering times to coincide with changes in the weather. Use a low volume sprinkler to prevent water waste and too much runoff.

Use native or edible plants. When you visit a plant nursery, select plants that will thrive in your backyard. That way you won't use too much fertilizer or over-water them attempting to keep them alive. If the plants you nurture are edible, use them in your recipes. Grow your own basil instead of purchasing it at the store; nibble on home-grown carrots as a healthy alternative to fatty snacks. And think how satisfied you'll feel when you serve guests a salad comprised of vegetables that you grew yourself!