Project: Greenify

A Comparison of 8 great Programmable Thermostats

bounceenergy — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:01:30 -0500

If you ever visit our main blog, you might have seen our article earlier this week where we analyze the various pros and cons of 8 top programmable thermostats on the market today.

While we tend to like The Nest Learning Thermostat the best, the ecobee Smart Thermostat and the Honeywell Wi-Fi Color Touchscreen RTH9580 look to be quality products as well.

What are your thoughts on programmable thermostats? Do you have one in your home? Do you think that they help you save money or use energy more efficiently?

How does your Garden Grow? (Part 1)

bounceenergy — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:01:45 -0500

Hey, it’s May! While folks in Texas have already probably finished raking and tilling their gardens, New York and Pennsylvania gardeners are still watching out for that last final frost.

For residents of New York State, nailing the date you should start your spring garden depends almost entirely on elevation. Valleys, like the Hudson and along Lake Erie and Lake Ontario tend to have their last frost at the end of April or early May, while the mountain ranges like the Chautauquas, Catskills, and Adirondacks tend to keep frosty until the end of May.

Pennsylvania is less scattered with final frosts occurring in late April/early May in the south and southeast counties. As you move further north (and higher in elevation), frost lingers on until May or even June in the upper reaches of the northern Alleghenies by Kinzua Bridge State Park.

For the most part, at about mid-May, it will be time to set out your seedlings to harden them up for planting your outside garden. We keep our garden in flats on our porch next to our house in Pennsylvania, just in case a scattered frost comes along. The petunias, however, are ready and already rockin’ the sunshine.

Meanwhile, we’ve got a lovely head of lettuce growing in the little greenhouse.

In another part of the garden, the onions have been planted in their two tidy rows. Over in last year’s tomato and pepper patch, we’ve decided not to till this season.

Last year’s straw mulch still looks good enough to keep the weeds down this year, so we decided to give it a whirl once again. Here’s hoping it helps control blight as well!

Thinking about planting trees or shrubs now for next year? Look up your hardiness zone by zip code at ArborDay.org.

How is your garden growing in 2013? Care to share any pictures?

5 Fun Green Gifts for Green Moms on Mother's Day

bounceenergy — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:01:53 -0500

What better way to impress that Earth-loving matriarch of yours this Mother’s Day than by giving her a special gift that honors her love for the environment? Thankfully, there are plenty of options that are as good for the earth as they are for your green Mom, so we’ve put together a list of 5 great green gift ideas to help with your shopping. Hopefully, you’ll find that one of these is perfect for your mother.

Head to Toe Body Kit

With their industrious behavior and life-giving ways (all that pollen spreadin’), bees certainly evoke a green image. Burt’s Bees has taken advantage of that conception by creating natural beauty products that will leave green Moms feeling sweet like honey.

The Head to Toe Kit is an excellent green gift at only $13, and it comes with 6 different natural beauty products, each making it worth every penny you’re spending on Mom. The kit includes a chamomile deep cleansing cream, hand salve, milk and honey body lotion, body wash, coconut foot cream, and beeswax lip balm. The real beauty, however, is that each of these products lacks the Earth-harming chemicals that many other beauty products contain.

A Pair of Naya Shoes

Naya is a shoe manufacturer committed to the practice of being as green as possible. The company seeks out only the most environmentally friendly materials to use in its products. With summer just around the corner, green Moms might like a pair of these cute sandals or wedges this Mother’s Day, especially if she’s a shoe-loving fanatic. Naya shoes range in price from about $30 to $170 on Amazon.com.

A Jute Bag

Jute is known for its strong natural fibers, so many environmentally friendly bags are often made from this plant. Options I’ve seen made from this product range from commonly used reusable shopping bags and beach bags to fancy handbags that green Moms will surely adore. A stylish green gift like this ranges in price from minimally affordable to high-end designer handbag price. The Fischer & Aniston jute cross bag shown above sells for $39.00.

Grow Your Own Vegetable Garden Kit

If your Mom has a green thumb and a green conscience, helping her start a vegetable garden might be just the ticket this Mother’s Day. It can be something that brings the family together during the planting process and when the fruits of all that labor are later reaped around the dinner table. But if a full-fledged vegetable garden sounds like a bit too much work, maybe a simple organic salad kit is all that is needed to please any green Mom’s dreams.

The gourmet salad kit featured from bambeco.com is only $20, and it comes with seed packets to make a perfect gourmet salad. The kit includes seed packets “for a gourmet lettuce blend, chantenay (pencil) carrots, deep purple bunching onions, mesclun greens mix, and yellow pear tomatoes.” And if space is a concern, these seeds can be planted in either your home vegetable garden or a small window planter.

Furthermore, this great green gift comes with recipes for delectable meals. Additionally, the seed packets are packaged in a recycled steel container so that Mom will know she is doing her part by leaving less of a carbon footprint on the environment as she enjoys this thoughtful gift.

Soy Candles

A soy candle is a great green gift idea Mother’s Day if your green Mom loves a good candle. These candles from Soy Terrific are easily affordable, too. The range in size from 5oz jars to 26oz jars and in price from $7.95 to $22.95. Not only are they made from organic soy, but they are also scented with all-natural fragrances that are sure to make green Moms happy. They will also help keep her healthy as she enjoys her favorite scents as soy candles don’t produce the nasty soot made by regular wax candles when they’re lit.

mothernaturenetwork: The best trees for urban (and suburban)...

bounceenergy — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:03:02 -0500

mothernaturenetwork:

The best trees for urban (and suburban) yards

The world needs more trees. Here are recommended varieties for planting.

In conjunction with our great post about lowering your electricity bill by planting a few trees, I found this great article about the best trees to plant in urban (and suburban) environments.

Simply put - trees are great!

unconsumption: Turn a worn or outdated hardcover into an...

bounceenergy — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:02:24 -0500

unconsumption:

Turn a worn or outdated hardcover into an awesome portable art studio with this recycled book art kit tutorial that Shaunte shared on Crafts Unleashed.

More: MAKE | How-To: Recycled Book Art Kit

I am really digging this upcycling project - turn a battered hardcover book into an art kit!

earth911: Check Out the World’s First Mass-Produced, Upcycled...

bounceenergy — Wed, 01 May 2013 15:03:07 -0500

earth911:

Check Out the World’s First Mass-Produced, Upcycled Clothing Line

Wow! Not only are these clothes striking and on-trend, they’re made completely out of upcycled materials.

According to the article, “These items are made using 70 percent less water and 64 percent less energy per garment than typical manufactured clothing and create 40% less production waste.”

data-for-breakfast: If you replace the 45 light bulbs in your...

bounceenergy — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:02:20 -0500

data-for-breakfast:

If you replace the 45 light bulbs in your home with LED lighting, you will see significant savings on your monthly energy bills. LED light bulbs have average lifespans of 50,000 hours, only need 6-8 watts of electricity to run efficiently, and cost about $42 a year to operate. In fact, if the entire country makes the change, energy costs will go down by about $265 billion, which eliminates the need for 40 new power plants. Find out more about the amazing benefits of switching to LED bulbs in this infographic from Delande Lighting.

Check out this awesome infographic explaining the benefits of switching to LED lighting for your home or business.

mothernaturenetwork: The best trees for urban (and suburban)...

bounceenergy — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:01:44 -0500

mothernaturenetwork:

The best trees for urban (and suburban) yards

The world needs more trees. Here are recommended varieties for planting.

On the heels of our planting a tree to save electricity post from earlier today, here’s an excellent list of tree varieties separated into urban and suburban environments.

Planting Trees can Help you Lower your Electricity Bill

bounceenergy — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:03:09 -0500

Homeowners! Want to pretty up your yard, improve the value of your property, and reduce how much electricity you use? We suggest planting a few trees.

According to a recent survey from the US Forest Service, placing two 25-foot tall trees on the eastern and western sides of your home can reduce up to 25% off your electricity bill. It also helps to plant a few shrubs to complement those trees to create what’s called a “micro-climate” that can reduce ambient air temperature directly around your home.

What’s that you say? It takes awhile for a tree to grow once it’s planted? Well, sure it does – but you can also start with a nursery tree that’s 5 feet tall, and there are varieties of poplars that grow between 8 and 15 feet in a year.

We’d also like to recommend the Arbor Day Foundation website as a place to learn exactly what sort of tree will grow best in the soil around your home.

For more helpful information on tree care, read “When To Call A Tree Surgeon” over at Project: Greenify or visit the original version of this post at Bounce Energy Blog.

Poplar Tree image courtesy of Dano.

Going Green to Save Money and the Environment

bounceenergy — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:01:24 -0500

We’re told that it’s important to go green for the good of the environment. And while we definitely do believe this, it’s important to understand the inner workings of how much money you can save by investing just a little bit up front into reducing your carbon footprint and overall impact on the environment. For a more detailed run-through of these steps, check out the original article at Bounce Energy Blog, but let’s examine them in brief here.

Learn to be Energy Efficient at Home

Using less electricity and using that electricity smartly just makes economic sense. According to the DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) the average household in 2012 spent $1,945 (about 2.7% of income) on residential energy consumption for heating, cooling, appliances, electronics, and lighting. That’s down from the peak 4.3% in 1982.

Invest in Energy Efficient Devices

The options are endless. Whether you install CFL or LED light bulbs that will last months and years longer than regular incandescent bulbs or purchase a high-tech programmable thermostat and Energy Star certified appliances, you’ll use less electricity than before and have better quality materials in your home.

Check Your Transportation Habits

This might be the hardest option for Texans – we love to drive, and we love nice cars. However, since the average American drives 240 miles/week in a car that gets 20 mpg , each of us is burning up about 12 gallons of gas total week and making 228 pounds of CO2. Instead, talk to a few of your co-workers about carpool possibilities or check out the bus schedule for your area. Changing your transportation habits will cuts emissions, help improve some folks’ health, reduce wear on your vehicle, and can save you thousands of dollars annually on gasoline and repair costs.

Different Ways to Dispose of your Trash

While recycling has been an accepted practice for years, the idea of composting has only recently started to receive traction in everyday life. If you have any sort of yard space, then you should be able to set up a small location where you can compost your food scraps, instead of just throwing them away. If more people recycle all their household plastic, metal, and all paper, plus compost all yard waste AND kitchen waste, it is possible for an average family to produce a single 30-gallon bag of garbage each month. This will save you money on kitchen cleaning supplies and reduce the amount of waste going to a landfill.

Use Green Energy for your Home

The easiest option if you’re extra lazy? Just sign up for a green energy plan from your retail electricity provider. Instead of using electricity from fossil fuel-based sources, you can use electricity that comes from 100% renewable sources.

In the end, if you really want to make an everyday difference, just follow the 3 R’s of Green Living: 1) Reduce how much “stuff” you use; 2) Reuse everything that you can; and 3) Recycle what you can’t reuse.

mnneditors: Considering composting? We’ve got the dirt on how...

bounceenergy — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:01:26 -0500

mnneditors:

Considering composting? We’ve got the dirt on how to get started — plus, what you can compost and what you can’t!

The science of compost

How to start a compost pile in 4 steps

81 things you can compost

30 things you should never compost

How to become a composting guru

We’d also like to add two of our old articles to this great list about composting tips:

mothernaturenetwork: Video: How to build a rain barrel Since...

bounceenergy — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:02:17 -0500

mothernaturenetwork:

Video: How to build a rain barrel

Since we’ve written about recycling rainwater in the past, we’ll never pass up the chance to talk up constructing a good rain barrel for use in your home..

ecolivinginspiration: It’s actually quite easy to reduce your...

bounceenergy — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 13:01:39 -0500

ecolivinginspiration:

It’s actually quite easy to reduce your carbon footprint with your online activities!

Learn more.

For those of us who are digital natives or just do all of our work online all day, these are 7 excellent tips for reducing electricity usage in reasonable, sustainable ways.

Our faves? Unplugging chargers when not in use (Hello, Energy Vampires!) and simply turning off lights and devices when not in use.

The 5 “Greenest” Presidents in US History

bounceenergy — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:01:27 -0500

When John and Abigail Adams moved into the White House, the first lady complained that there weren’t “enough lamps and lusters so there were candles stuck about for light.”⁽¹⁾ While an exact figure is not available, estimates suggest the average electric bill at the White House currently exceeds $200,000. Poor Abigail would probably faint! She didn’t even have indoor bathrooms, since those didn’t come until the reconstruction projects authorized by the Theodore Roosevelt administration circa 1902.

When you compare the early efforts presidents made to conserve natural resources with today’s challenges, it can be difficult to identify which leaders were champions. However, a few do stand out above the rest.

1) Home Green Home: George W. Bush

Although his public policy on fossil fuels might suggest otherwise, President Bush definitely appears to have a conservationist’s approach in his personal life. According to David Heymann, the architect/designer for his Crawford Texas ranch, the modest home he and Laura built is an excellent model for building with the environment in mind⁽²⁾. Below are a few key points that highlight the most notable features:

The house is comparatively small, roughly 4000 square feet
The design incorporates remnants of Leuders limestone purchased locally. The thick slabs provide mass to enhance the geothermal heating and cooling system, reduce transportation energy costs, and make use of an otherwise “landfill-ready” pile of discards
25,000 gallon rainwater storage system
Gray water collection system for irrigation purposes
Passive solar features

2) Lyndon Johnson and National Parks

In a special address to Congress on February 8, 1965, Johnson urged Congress to join him in moving the nation toward creating more beautiful open spaces for the growing population to enjoy. He posited that funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund would help him achieve making the 1960’s a “decade of Parks-for-America” As part of the project, he proposed buying lands to develop 12 parks across the nation for recreation. He also addressed concerns that strip mining destroys the natural environment, the impact of highway construction on the natural landscape and converting excess military land holdings to public access.

3) Richard Nixon and the EPA

While Johnson opened the door toward beautifying our nation’s urban and rural spaces, the Nixon administration actually created an agency that would have the power to substantially impact how and what corporations did, as well as the footprint they left behind. Many believe that Nixon originally decided to get behind the conservation movement as a purely political device. Regardless of his motivations, creating the Environmental Protection Agency proved to be a pivotal moment for our country. In the years since its inception, the agency has addressed everything from protecting groundwater to monitoring carbon emissions and more.

4) President Grant and Our National Park System

Credit for our national park system as it stands today should be shared by a number of presidents. President Grant signed the first bill that would set aside natural resources for recreation on a national level. He signed the National Park Act on March 1, 1872. Although his predecessors had set aside land, his signature redefined the underlying concept of conservation. Prior to his signing of the bill, natural resources were generally perceived as raw materials like coal and iron. Passage of the National Park Act created an opportunity for conservation efforts geared toward protecting lakes, canyons, mountains, and rivers.

5) Jimmy Carter and the Department of Energy

Carter created the Department of Energy in 1977. He focused his attention on conserving energy by exploring alternatives to fossil fuels, specifically solar energy, which is one hundred percent renewable and sustainable with the proper equipment and self-constraint. He had solar panels installed at the White House as part of his efforts to encourage citizen participation. He also encouraged everyone to dress warmer and lower their thermostats in order to decrease electricity usage, which would lead to lower fuel costs and reduced dependence on foreign oil.

Resources for more information:

Statue of Liberty image courtesy of Dominique James.

Richard M. Nixon image courtesy of History in an Hour.

Ulysses S. Grant image courtesy of Chuck893.

Jimmy Carter image courtesy of Children’s Bureau Centennial.

natureconservancy: New life. Happy Earth Day from Bounce...

bounceenergy — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 16:08:37 -0500

natureconservancy:

New life.

Happy Earth Day from Bounce Energy!

Check out some of our other Earth Day posts from our other outlets:

We recap our April 2013 Earth Day efforts.
Go On a Picnic!
Check out today’s excellent Google Doodle for Earth Day.
Recycle some old floppy disks.

Drive Green with the 11 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars of 2013 by EPA Class Size

bounceenergy — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 10:01:23 -0500

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its complete list of 2013 automobile picks for “Best in Class” fuel efficiency. While all eleven winners ranked high on fuel economy, there are a variety of characteristics making each one unique. The various reviews from popular consumer rating agencies used adjectives like fun, quirky, sleek, well-designed, roomy, quiet, quick-charging and high value to describe the cars. So, if you’re looking to purchase a fuel-efficient, eco-friendly car so you can drive green this year, there is definitely something for everyone.

Two-Seaters

A pair of fully electric smart cars appears on the list of the most fuel-efficient cars for 2013 According to the smart car website, these compact, fun-to-drive vehicles are among the least expensive cars to own if you want to drive green, as both models boast an average 107 miles per gallon.*

Electric Drive Convertible

Electric Drive Coupe

With an average driving range of 68 miles per charge, this bundle of joy is great for local jaunts and short road trips, while the recharge time using a personal home charging station is roughly six hours.

Toyota Claims Three Spots in the Best in Class Ratings

This year, Toyota claimed three spots on the EPA’s list, and the Scion iQ EV was awarded the highest fuel efficiency rating at 121.* The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the Toyota Prius V drove away with the award for the best midsize car and best midsize station wagon, respectively.

Scion iQ EV (four-seater)

Toyota claims the iQ electric vehicle was designed to meet the needs of commuters. With a maximum range of fifty miles per charge and a speedy three-hour recharge window, it is easy to see why this fuel-efficient mini-compact is popular with students and carpool enthusiasts.

Toyota Prius V Hybrid

The Prius V Hybrid is once again a winner. Consumer Guide rated the Prius V Hybrid 6.6 on a scale of 10. They rated fuel consumption as 10; however, this model only scored a 4 for acceleration and scored 5 in three categories: quietness, details and controls. At less than $30,000 (with many options), this value-packed ride comes with above-average cargo room compared to some other autos in the class. Front passengers also enjoy plenty of room to stretch out for a comfortable road trip.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Edmunds describes the Prius Plug-in Hybrid as “halfway between a full-electric and a hybrid car”. Reviews praise the increased range and superior fuel efficiency. The limited total-electric range prevents more enthusiasm, but a quiet, comfortable riding experience and plenty of standard features make the Prius Plug-in a value-packed choice in the midsize class for those who want to drive green.

Ford’s Triple Play

Like Toyota, Ford also has three fuel-efficient cars in the lineup this year. Ford offers two different hybrid models and one totally electric model to customers looking for ways to cut back on fuel consumption. All three offer superior fuel efficiency, along with many features and upgrade options.

Both the Ford C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid and the Ford Fusion Energi Plug-in Hybrid have 4 cylinder, 2.0 liter engines, and automatic (CVT) transmissions. The Ford Focus Electric has an automatic transmission (CVT) and a 107dW AC Induction motor.

Ford Focus Electric-Compact

According to Ford, many of the features in the new Focus Electric go beyond simply high fuel efficiency. This vehicle is extra eco-friendly, complete interior fabric is crafted using 100 percent recycled materials, and the foam used to pad cushions is a bio-based product that comes from plant seed oils.

While this is a premium choice for folks who want to drive green, we did notice a slight discrepancy between Ford numbers and those issued by the EPA when it comes to fuel consumption. Ford claims a rating of 110 miles per gallon_, while the EPA listed the number as 105.*

Ford C-Max Hybrid Midsize

When Jeff Sabatini from Car and Driver test drove the new C-Max in December of 2012, he went in comparing this midsize to “the other one”, the Prius V. While Sabatini reported that driving this car is definitely fun, he did find a few things that prevented him from “falling-head-over-heels in love” with the electric newcomer. He reported that unless you drive very slowly, you can’t get the promised fuel efficiency, as what he observed was less than the Prius V test produced.

On the positive side, Sabatini reports that in a test against the Prius for all electric speed, the C-Max beat Prius by twenty miles per hour. Fans of the Mitsubishi Expo LRV will probably like the body style of the C-Max.

Ford Fusion Hybrid-Midsize

Beyond a respectable fuel efficiency rating, the new Ford Fusion Hybrid has style. Reviewer Daniel Pund (Car and Driver) called it ritzy. This is one car that has all of the attributes of a comfortable sedan in an eco-friendly package stylish enough to turn heads. This year’s model has a smaller battery pack and a rear seat that folds down which allows for added trunk room.

Subcompact Winner

Mitsubishi i-MiEV

This rear-wheel drive hatchback has a total electric driving range of 62 miles. With a recharge time of 7 hours, it does take longer than many cars on the list to get ready for another trip. The combined fuel efficiency shows an average of 112 miles per gallon equivalent - with 126 miles per gallon in the city, and 99 on the highway.*

Small Station Wagon

Honda Fit EV

Features for this small station wagon include a rear fold-down seat, five-passenger seating, and a roomy interior cabin. Thought limited release options are available at this time, according to Honda, the Fit comes with standard safety features that include six airbags and special connectors for child seats in the two second row positions.

Large Class Tesla Model S

Closing out this list is Tesla’s Model S. This large sedan sets the mark for quality and performance in the eco-friendly electric car market. Premium accessories and features are why MotorTrend chose the model S as their 2013 Car of the Year in all classes and styles.

*Fuel mileage is computed based on formulas that convert electric usage to a gasoline consumption equivalent for comparison

Top Tesla Model S image courtesy of Jurvetson.

All other images courtesy of fueleconomy.gov.

7 Ways Your Family Can Go Green and Reduce Energy Consumption

bounceenergy — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:01:28 -0500

Is your family looking to ‘go green’ in 2013? Well, you’re not alone – many people have growing concerns about the state of the environment, especially as stories about future oil shortages and global warming are featured prominently on the news. Others may be more concerned about the potential monetary benefits that can come from reducing usage of natural resources. And then there are the moms and dads wanting to help their kids be more conscious about their environment so that things are better when they become adults. Whatever your motivation might be, here is a list of seven ways you can help your family get started on the path to green living, complete with specific tips for teaching your children about living a ‘green’ lifestyle.

1) Hold monthly family meetings. Your family should gather together regularly where everyone discusses much energy was used in the home, the consequences on the utility bills, and how everyone can reduce that usage. Many utility companies offer the option of receiving print outs showing where and how the energy provided was used. Use this service to work with the family to brainstorm more ideas to decrease bills. For example, if the air conditioning is a tremendous drain in the summer, place one person in charge of making sure it is shut off completely when the family leaves the home.

2) Introduce children in the family to the Energy Star Kids site. It is an interactive site that teaches children how to be a part of the ‘green’ movement. Encourage them to use the site to develop ideas that the entire family can use. When they come up with a new idea, help them develop the steps to be the leader in guiding the family in taking action on the new project. When children feel intimately involved and in charge of something, they will value it even more.

3) Use cold water to wash all clothes. For most items, contrary to popular wisdom, hot or warm water is not necessary. For those ready to take it a step further, drying clothes on a clothesline instead of in a dryer can help reduce costs even further. To teach children about helping to take care of the family as well as about the importance of energy saving, encourage them to help hang clothes on the clothes line. They can race to see who can get their basket done first!

4) Turn off the water. Make sure everyone in the family turns off water while doing tasks such as brushing teeth or washing a face. Many people have the tendency to leave the water running, but this can end up wasting gallons by the day. It is a simple habit that even children can remember.

5) Use curtains, especially in the winter. By pulling down curtains over the windows, families can reduce the amount of heat that can escape through windows and help to further insulate the home. In the summer, curtains can also help reduce the amount of direct sunshine, which can further heat up the home. Encourage children to pick out curtains for their own rooms and explain their importance.

6) Replace regular light bulbs with energy-efficient bulbs. CFLs and other new light bulbs use far less energy and last much longer than the older incandescent bulbs. Some estimates say that each bulb will save $92 in electricity over the course of the bulb’s lifetime. Follow these changes up by encouraging family members to turn off lights. Since turning off lights saves the family money, children can be rewarded with a nickel or dime every time the turn off the lights in an empty room. Encourage them to also look for other ways to save energy, such as turning off appliances and unplugging those that are not regularly in use.

7) Make sure the home is properly sealed. Many homes (especially those built before modern insulation techniques were introduced) tend to have many areas that are prone to drafts, particularly around doors and windows. Properly sealing these cracks with caulk, replacing doors and windows that do not fit properly, and upgrading to energy efficient when possible can do wonders for insulating the home. This will help reduce the energy needed to heat and cool the home. Encourage children to learn about construction techniques from over the years. They can learn about the old log cabins to the modern homes built today. Have them think about some of the problems that older materials may have created, such as drafts and lack of insulation.

There are many steps that families can take to help reduce their energy usage. Excessive energy consumption is not only potentially harmful for the planet, it can also cost a family an unnecessary amount in utility bills. No one likes to throw money out of the window, but that is precisely what many people end up doing. By beginning to enact just a few of the ideas off of the list above, households can begin to reduce their energy consumption, saving money and helping to save the planet.

Walmart targets 600 per cent increase in renewable energy use by 2020

bounceenergy — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:01:48 -0500

Walmart targets 600 per cent increase in renewable energy use by 2020:

Retail giant pledges to generate or source seven billion kWh of renewable energy a year by the end of the decade, saving it $1bn a year

Say what you will about other Walmart business practices, but it’s hard to find fault with the company’s plans to increase its use of renewable energy by 600% over its 2010 usage. This increase is planned to be completed by 2020, with a projected $1 billion in savings a year once these green improvements are fully in place.

What are your thoughts on Walmart’s plans?

earth911: We love this idea! You don’t need a farm to grow your...

bounceenergy — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:01:44 -0500

earth911:

We love this idea! You don’t need a farm to grow your own food. Here are several crops you can grow at home!

17apart:

Recycle those old colanders!

Upcycling + Home Gardening = Fresh fruits veggies for everyone!

And we’re a fan of this great list that shows us how to grow potatoes, strawberries, cucumbers, and 7 other examples of tasty produce at home and with relative ease.

It's Magic! 13 Vegetables that Regrow Themselves

bounceenergy — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:01:42 -0500

Courtesy of the fine folks at Buzzfeed, we wanted to share this excellent list of 13 vegetables that just happen to regrow themselves with just a little bit of water and some gardening know-how.

The list is separated into 3 sections representing 3 levels of difficulty: 1) Doable; 2) Feasible, but Not Easy; and 3) Feasibly Only if you’re some sort of Plant Magician with lots of Time and Patience.

Each vegetable comes with a link to specific instructions on how you can regrow the plant in the comfort of your own home (and even inside your kitchen). Our favorites include the “doable” romaine and carrots, the “feasible” celery and onions, and the “plant magician” sweet potato and ginger.

Which vegetable would you most like to regrow? Have any others you could include?

Article Source: Buzzfeed

Header Image Source: kids.mom2madre.org

Sweet Potato Image Source: cherylsgardengoodies.wordpress.com