Kevin Kelly -- Cool Tools
Kevin Kelly -- Cool Tools: "I have lived on a boat since I was 13. We have tried just about every way of heating water (including one kettle at a time on a wood stove). Since boats usually don't have room for a big water heater, nor the natural gas hookup, we usually had a hardly-functioning on-demand propane water heater. They were infernally breaking down. However these 'instantaneous' water heaters have finally come of age due to market pressures, so now you can buy a highly efficient mainstream tankless heater for home use.

I now have a Bosch Aquastar 125HX. Not only is it smaller and more efficient than any water heater that uses a tank, it gives endless hot water at good pressures, and has worked flawlessly in a marine environment for the last three years on my houseboat. This water heater instantly lights up a propane heating system automatically the moment I turn on the hot water, yet it does not need a power cord (important if your power goes off, or if you aren't on the grid). It does this by cleverly generating electricity from the water pressure in the pipes to spark a piezo igniter.

There is a whole Aquastar line from large ones for multi shower households, to the smaller ones like mine. Some are made to work in line with solar radiant heating, some with propane, some with natural gas. I really like the HX model because it works with no outside power source or pilot for ignition, making it very efficient, safe and reliable. They cost more than standard water heaters (mine was $550) but they pay for themselves fast in power bills since you don't have to keep a large tank of water heated all the time; you only make hot water exactly when you need it."

[via Eric]
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 7:40 PM (0) comments

 
Tips for "Green" Holiday Shopping
Tips for "Green" Holiday Shopping: "Tips for 'Green' Holiday Shopping

The Environmental Stewardship Committee at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health has some tips for shoppers who want to help the environment by conserving resources. “One of the best ways to take good care of the environment is to vote with your dollars and buy products that are environmentally friendly,” said Cindy Parker, MD, MPH, a research scientist and a member of the School’s Environmental Stewardship Committee.

Gift Ideas
Avoid gifts that will be thrown away, use excessive packaging, or are made from environmentally sensitive materials, particularly tropical wood such as mahogany, teak, or rosewood.
Buy gifts made from recycled materials or use natural materials such as unbleached cotton or beeswax.
Choose durable, energy-efficient gifts that use wind-up power or use rechargeable batteries. Give energy-saving products such as florescent light bulbs or low-flow shower heads.
Give recycled gifts such as antiques, family heirlooms, or personal items.
Give non-material gifts such as tickets to an event, dance lessons, spa visit, or membership to a museum or gym. Offer your time for babysitting, dog walking, or car washing.
Make edible gifts such as breads, cookies, dried fruits, or nuts. Package them in reusable tins, baskets, jars, or decorative bags or boxes. Sew, knit, or paint a homemade gift. Tape a personal message for family and friends.
For kids, consider giving an environmental excursion, such as whale-watching or camping trip or make a gift to charity in a loved one's name.

Shopping
Combining multiple shopping trips or sharing rides with friends, family, and neighbors saves fuel.
Shopping for gifts online reduces energy consumption and air pollution. 
Use your own reusable bags for shopping or combine purchases from different stores into one bag.

Gift Wrapping
According to the Use Less Stuff Report, Americans increase their trash by 25 percent each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s—approximately 1 million extra tons of trash per week. If every household reused just two feet of ribbon each year, the resulting 38,000 miles of ribbon could tie a bow around the Earth. 
To wrap your gifts, buy recycled wrapping paper or add a personal touch by using old maps, sheet music, newspaper comics, or colorful ads from old magazines.
Use useful items for wrapping such as scarves, dish towels, or handkerchiefs. 
Use popcorn or newspaper for packing and reuse your packing materials. You can also reuse boxes, baskets, bags, and tins. Old cards can be recycled into gift tags.
Send e-mail holiday greeting cards. According the Environmental News Network, Americans send 750 million greeting cards each year. They estimate that a 10 percent reduction could save an estimated 30,000 trees.

Decorating
Buy a living Christmas tree and plant it outside after Christmas. Make sure you dig the hole before the ground freezes.
If you do buy a cut Christmas tree, take it to a tree collection center so it will be recycled for mulch for use in city’s parks and does not become part of a landfill.
When decorating the tree, minimize the size and amount of electric lights to save energy. Use decorations like strings of popcorn or dried cranberries, which can be fed to birds after the holidays.
Operating lights for no more than six evening hours a day keeps energy use and costs under control. Timers are a simple and safe way to turn lights off. For safety, always unplug lights before going to bed or leaving home. 
Use energy efficient lighting. LED light strings use one-tenth the energy of incandescent lights. New “icicle-style” lights use more lights per linear foot than regular light strands and use more energy.

Entertaining
Set out containers to collect bottles and cans for recycling.
Use regular dishes instead of disposable one. If you must use disposables, use dishes made out of recycled paper.
Donate leftover food to local food banks and shelters.
Turn down the heat a few degrees before guest arrive. All those bodies will warm up the room.
Avoid using disposable cameras for pictures."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:56 PM (1) comments

 
The Green Shop - environmental products for a sustainable future
This site has a good section on gifts.

The Green Shop - environmental products for a sustainable future
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:55 PM (0) comments

 
GreenChoices - Gadgets Section
This is one of the best comprehensive environmentally friendly sites I've found in a while. Definitely worth checking out. It has categories for all kinds of ways to help the environment including environmentally friendly vacations.

GreenChoices - Gadgets Section: "Quite a lot of gadgets are ingenious but not that useful. If you can do something without a special device it is greener not to buy one. The gadgets listed are intended to be genuinely useful additions to a green household, things that actually save energy or water, or make living green easier."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:53 PM (0) comments

 
5 ways to winterize your home - Jan. 13, 2004
5 ways to winterize your home - Jan. 13, 2004: "5 ways to save on heating costs

No matter how cold it gets, you can stay warm and still save money.
January 13, 2004: 11:27 AM EST
By Jeanne Sahadi, CNN/Money Staff Writer

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Temperatures have gone way down and heating fuel prices are going way up. If you haven't already, it's time for you and your home to bundle up.


But there's a lot you can do to nip those heating costs in the bud. You can still pay less for your heat, saving 20 percent of your overall bill or more, if you take a few low-cost steps to insulate your home.

Step 1: See which way the wind is blowing

If you grew up with cost-conscious parents, you probably were told to put on your sweater every time you complained the house was cold. Now that you're paying the bills, their words seem like wisdom. But if you identify energy leaks in your home, you may be able to give the sweater a rest without jacking up your thermostat."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:52 AM (0) comments

 
This Thanksgiving, Give Something Back To The Environment - Environmental Defense Offers Tips For A 'Greener' T
Environmental Defense - PRESS RELEASE: This Thanksgiving, Give Something Back To The Environment - Environmental Defense Offers Tips For A 'Greener' Thanksgiving: "This Thanksgiving, Give Something Back To The Environment

Environmental Defense Offers Tips For A 'Greener' Thanksgiving

(11 November, 2002 -- New York)  Before eating the big meal and watching the big game, Environmental Defense would like people to consider a few simple steps to protect the environment while enjoying their Thanksgiving celebration.

'This is the time of year when people are thinking about all they have to be thankful for, so it's the perfect time to take easy steps that will help the environment, which has given us so much,' said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense.  'For example, when preparing for Thanksgiving dinner, remember to buy food items that use the least amount of packaging and look for packaging that contains recycled, post-consumer content.'

'If there are a lot of leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner, use this holiday as an opportunity to start composting food waste, and consider donating extra food to a shelter.  For leftovers, stock up on reusable food containers that can save resources all year long,' said Krupp.

'When shopping for food, look for meat and poultry items raised without the routine use of antibiotics.  With the USDA's new organic labels, holiday shoppers will find it easier than ever to select a turkey that is antibiotic free.  This practice can help preserve the effectiveness of important medicines by not contributing to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, which is caused in part by the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture,' Krupp said. 

'Try not to use disposable utensils, plates, napkins or tablecloths during the holiday weekend,' said Krupp.  'Bringing out dinnerware and flatware for Thanksgiving dinner is a tradition that is also good for the environment.'"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 11:00 AM (0) comments

 
Removing Household Odours and Smells - Nature's Way with Alan Hayes - The Northern Rivers Echo Newspaper, Lismore
Removing Household Odours and Smells - Nature's Way with Alan Hayes - The Northern Rivers Echo Newspaper, Lismore: "Household Odours


During winter most homes are kept shut tight to prevent cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.


However, it also means that household odours, which can usually escape through open windows, remain, leaving air stale and sometimes offensive smelling. One reader had such a problem and was looking for a simple chemical-free solution to eliminate stale odours in her kitchen and said: 'At this time of the year when it is cold, all the windows are kept closed. My family complains if I even attempt to let a little fresh air in. However, I've noticed that the house always has an off-smell during winter, especially in the kitchen. What natural solutions can I use to get rid of the smell?'


Cooking odours are one of the main culprits that cause unpleasant household odours. They, along with all those other nasty smells, can be quickly eliminated. A cup of rosemary vinegar, or any herbal vinegar, placed close to the stove helps to eliminate cooking odours. However, an easy to make air-freshener spray is one of the simplest ways to combat cooking smells and to freshen up a room. Not only will it make your surroundings pleasant, its natural disinfectant and antiseptic properties will help to eliminate airborne bacteria and virus. A big plus at this time of year.


To make your air-freshener spray, first choose from any of the following essential oils, listed in descending order of their antiseptic powers: thyme, clove, lavender, peppermint, rosemary and eucalyptus. Then dissolve thirty to forty drops of your chosen oil in 10 millilitres of methylated spirits and add this to a pump-spray bottle containing 500 millilitres of distilled water. Shake well to mix and use, whenever needed, on a fine mist setting."
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:59 PM (0) comments

 
handyhints
handyhiints: "Learning to control and protect your environment.


Spring Cleaning
All-Purpose Cleaner
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
2 teaspoons borax
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups hot water
Combine the washing soda, borax, and soap in a spray bottle. Pour in the hot water (it will dissolve the minerals), screw on the lid, and shake to completely blend and dissolve. Spray every 6 inches or so of surface once or twice, wiping off the cleanser with a rag as you go. For tough dirt, leave the cleanser on for a few minutes before wiping it off. Shake the bottle each time before using.
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in a labelled spray bottle


Soft Scrubber
Use it on the bathtub, sinks, Formica countertops, and the shower stall.
1/2 cup baking soda
Enough liquid soap or detergent to make a frosting like consistency
5 to 10 drops antibacterial essential oil, such as lavender (optional)
Place the baking soda in a bowl; slowly pour in the liquid soap, stirring all the while, until the consistency reaches that of frosting. Add the essential oil (if using). Scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface, and rinse.
Shelf Life: Make only as much as you need a time; natural soft scrubbers dry out.


Mould cleaner and Inhibitor / Tea Tree Treasure
Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a long way. Unless you have frequent mould crises, this mixture can last for months.
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. The strong odour will dissipate in a day or so.
Shelf Life: Indefinite
Storage: Leave in a labelled spray bottle"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 10:56 PM (1) comments

 
ThisisLondon
ThisisLondon: "Be green and allergy-free
By Anastasia Stephens, Evening Standard
31 August 2004

A new study has found that children exposed to gases emitted by household cleaning products and furnishings are four times more likely to suffer from asthma. Most cleaning products, carpets and paints contain abrasive, toxic and irritating chemicals - but what are the safer alternatives?"
- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 8:57 PM (1) comments

 
Green Thanksgiving - plan now.
Click here for the full article

As Nov. 25 fast approaches, some environmentally oriented non-profit organizations and companies would like to remind all holiday revelers to think "green" as they prepare for this favorite of celebrations.

"This is the time of year when people are thinking about all they have to be thankful for, so it's the perfect time to take easy steps that will help the environment, which has given us so much," said Elizabeth Sturcken, a policy analyst for the Environmental Defense Fund.

To help you keep the Earth in mind before, during and after turkey day, here are some tips to consider from the EDF:

When heading to the supermarket, don't forget to bring along a reusable canvas or string bag for carrying out your groceries.

If possible, buy turkeys that are grown without the use of hormones and antibiotics.

Shop for items that use the least amount of packaging, and look for packaging that uses recycled and post-consumer content.

Whenever possible, purchase produce that is grown locally, since less energy is expended to transport it to your grocery store. Look for organic foods as well.

Though big Thanksgiving feasts can translate into a lot of cleaning up, don't be tempted by plastic utensils or paper plates, napkins and tablecloths. Not only is it much more festive to use your favorite plates, silverware, napkins and tablecloths, it also means that less waste ends up in the landfill.


Don't forget to recycle as much as you can when cleaning up over the long weekend, including glass, aluminum and plastic beverage containers, as well as tinfoil used in cooking.

Be sure to stock up on reusable containers to store your leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner as well as after other meals year 'round.

Consider donating your leftovers to a shelter for those less fortunate.

If you plan to keep your leftovers, be sure to have plenty of reusable food containers on hand for after the meal. "Stock up on reusable food containers that can save resources all year long," said Sturcken.


Don't forget to add Thanksgiving food scraps to your compost pile. If you do not have a compost pile, now is as good a time as any to get started.

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. "Considering the usual Thanksgiving traffic, public transportation may be the quickest way to get where you are going, while minimizing pollution," said Sturcken. "If you take the car, carpooling is the best way to go, and a good way to spend time with family and friends."

- posted by Chuck Eesley @ 4:07 PM (1) comments