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Going True Green Blog:

Please use our SEARCH BOX above to find a specific subject. Also use our ​Membership link to receive access to valued benefits.  This GTG Blog started on Earth Day 2013. Also see our "blog" style postings dating back to 1995 from our original two websites, as well as articles written and published since 1982 at our link Yesteryear Articles & Blogs.

See the Back Story - Blog Preface

Fruit of the Vine

6/27/2018

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wine, grapes, going green, going true green, grape vines, grape jam, eating grapes, amish, peaceful valley, pergola, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, LED, LEDs, red grapes, patio, Peaceful Valley FurnitureGrapes abound on my Pergola made by the Amish
Five years ago, within my budget of little time and money, I began working on building a patio with a grape vine overhead. My entire backyard project is ten years in the making and I am still working toward completion.

Nevertheless, this year I should enjoy the fruits of my labor on the patio section and I believe my Grandfather would be proud. I planted two grape vines 5 years ago, one is
 Swen Red grapes for eating and the other, Bluebell for making jam. 

I selected these two vines for their ability to flourish in my zone of weather patterns and to have organic grapes that have several medicinal values. The parts to my wooden Pergola kit were custom made to size by the Amish. The ordering and coordination was done through the Peaceful Valley Furniture store in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The customer service and workmanship was impeccable.

wine, grapes, going green, going true green, grape vines, grape jam, eating grapes, amish, peaceful valley, pergola, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, LED, LEDs, red grapes, patio, Peaceful Valley FurniturePeaceful Valley's Pergola
So while my grape vines where growing along my new fence, the Pergola was delivered at the end of August and pouring the cement footings was paramount before the weather turned cold at night. I didn't have the time to complete the top of the Pergola until November and the sand for the patio stones sat all winter long in a pile.​

I installed Bistro style lights across the Pergola's top and each light bulb you see in the image to the right uses only 1 watt of electricity. They are LED bulbs and they are operating off of Solar electric power. The entire set of lights consumes a total of 15 watts of electricity, but is providing a light level equivalent to 375 watts of old style Edison incandescent bulbs.

wine, grapes, going green, going true green, grape vines, grape jam, eating grapes, amish, peaceful valley, pergola, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, LED, LEDs, red grapes, patio, Peaceful Valley FurnitureFirst crop of Bluebell grapes
At the end of last year's growing season I had a small crop of grapes, however the night before harvest, the birds, squirrels and cats had a war. Despite my Owl facsimile, the next morning I found all the red eating grapes gone. Not one was left. The squirrels must have torn open my netting, the birds ate the grapes and cats ate some birds. The patio floor told the tale of a brutal scene. Smashed red grapes with squirrel and cat foot prints stained the stone, bird feathers were everywhere and a torn off bird's leg was left behind. For some reason, most of the Bluebell grapes survived and I was able to make a few jars of jam.

This year after the arrival of the patio table and benches, all made from 100% recycled plastic, many friends and family have expressed their enjoyment of the ambience created under the grape vines. Almost everyone has asked me why not grow grapes for making wine? My Grandfather made wine with his grapes and I remember all the work involved. So I am leaving the wine making to the professionals. The only thing left for me to do is buy a stronger netting before this year's harvest.

Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
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Sustainable Payback With Solar

6/12/2018

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Above Data is tracked, recorded and presented by Tesla Incorporated
Three Years, Eight Months ago... I went with Photovoltaic Solar Panels for producing electricity at my house. This month I saved the complete amount of my cost to install the panels. The reasons for my fast Three year and Eight month Return on my investment starts with having an energy efficient house. The actions I have taken to live a more sustainable life and have a very energy efficient house took about 12 years prior to implement. Nevertheless, these energy efficient actions taken are NOT rocket science. The estimated "reach" of 1.7 million people who can access my Going True Green blog posts know that obtaining optimum energy efficiency isn't difficult when you have all the facts and done within your own budget of time and money. With my energy efficient house and solar panels, I have not had an electric bill above the 9 to 13 dollars per month service fees from my Electric Utility.

The second reason for the fast payback is due to my research and evaluation of many Solar companies. (Several of the companies that I did not go with are now out of business or their suppliers have bowed out) Product performance was also key, knowing where the products were manufactured, who installed what components and comparing the costs between Lease programs or buying.

The third reason is because I was confident enough with my knowledge of Solar to be one of the first to take the leap ahead. The timing was perfect because the best offers were being made as well as the best tax credits. I did a Lease Program that offered a 33% discount on the total cost if I pre-paid the twenty years of lease payments up front. I then received a tax credit from the Federal Government and the State that was equal to half of my up front cost.

So when I reached a savings of $6,000.00 this month, I had a full Return on my investment. In fact, I have been producing more electricity than I consume, thus suppling power back onto the Grid. Yes, I have AC cooling the house and the lights (LEDs) are on at night. As I took action to live a more sustainable life, I have saved money, energy, our environment and all without making any sacrifices. I am living healthier and happier as I try to present the educational facts through my GoingTrueGreen.com and EnergyHotwire.com websites that provide assistance to everyone who visits. 

One additional note... Since installing Solar on my house, several neighbors followed and the value of my house has increased.


Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!​
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    Bill Lauto, Environmentalist, Energy Consultant
    Bill Lauto came on the scene in 1981 to present facts and teach details about how we can save our environment without making  sacrifices. He demonstrated how correctly implementing the technology we already obtained in 1981, allowed us to save Money, Energy and Earth. He voice was one among the few who taught green facts long before anyone else talked about sustainability. 
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