"Communication without truth is only an illusion of accomplishment.To find truth, we all need multiple sources of input." L.J. Williams, 2008  Updated Blog Post - From EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments!
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 NY City's Christmas Tree The truth about having a True Green Christmas for the 99% of us in 2011 is we can't. Nevertheless, we can take actions toward a GREENER Christmas and feel good about doing so. Below are some reminders about things we may already know and perhaps some new information we can use around our own home this season. Do whatever actions possible as a family, with friends, or just help spread the knowledge while having a good time saving energy, money, and our planet.  Custom Home Made! MAKE YOUR OWN GREETING CARDS Sending cards to family and friends with a few sharing words is a positive action when done a little at a time. Start early and never try to do this alone in one or two days. Do a little every other day or so, but start on December first every year and take as long as three weeks to get the task done. Let us be creative this year by making our own cards or send a photograph card printed with Eco-friendly ink. The bottom line: - Try to be Greener by buying cards made from Tree FREE Resources, such as hemp. - If we are making our own cards, use recycled paper or recycled card stock. Reuse old envelopes or again make our own with Tree FREE Resources. Please try to avoid using plastic or plastic sparkles. I am very concern about all these little pieces of plastic getting into our air and water. They never go away, just keep breaking down to smaller and smaller pieces. - Also remember that this custom look always give a warm and individual feel to our Christmas greetings. - Let's use environment friendly inks when writing out our cards, printing them or printing photos. HOW TO SHOP FOR THE HOLIDAY FEAST We all heard the jokes about the Check-Out person asking us if we want paper or plastic. This year let's bring our own cloth bags that are reusable. Some food stores will even reduce our total food bill by FIVE cents for each bag we bring!
Better still, with today's world using digital scanners, read about the new and upcoming SHOP and Carry® Food Wagon! The bottom line: - The first best action to take with shopping is walk. If we can, walk to the food store, if we must drive a vehicle at least take the one with the best gas mileage. - With using Reusable Cloth bags, just remember they get dirty and if some food leaks, eggs break, or meat packages drip, bacteria can grow. Throw the reusable bags in with the next load of wash and visit our website's Blog posts to learn more about saving energy when washing clothes:   Shop & Carry® food wagon - Publications have given estimates for the number of plastic bags used in the USA each year. Would you believe 100 Billion? Most of which ends up in a land fill, blocking storm drains, harming marine life and becomes litter upon our lands. Very few are recycled. Also many city councils are passing ordinances that ban disposable plastic and non-recycled bags. The newest city to lead this march in the right direction is Rye, New York. As of December 7, 2011 all checkout counters in the city of Rye can no longer have plastic bags. Reusable Cloth bags are better than paper because of the manufacturing burden on our environment with making paper bags. - A much better way to shop green is with a Shop and Carry® food wagon! No bags Needed at all! Check it out.  Give Thanks SHOPPING FOR ALL THAT FOOD We are very fortunate to have so much food available to us on a regular basis. We must stop taking this fact for granted and take more time to be thankful. In addition to that, we have to make time to realize how we can be saving and making a difference.  The bottom line: - Stop buying foods that have to be shipped thousands of miles to get to us. Buy from local farmers who take pride in growing organic produce or sustainable meats. - Organic and local fresh foods have been shown to taste much better and are healthier for us. - Showing support by buying from local farmers (within 200 miles from where you live) helps our own local economy and we help to reduce the carbon footprint just by shopping smarter.  GIFT GIVING If we have yet to read the short story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, please do so. In fact, the digital download of this story would be a great gift for any friend or love one. William Sydney Porter used the pen name O. Henry and the story behind the story is that he wrote this at Pete's Tavern on Irving Place in New York City. Without giving away the whole story and the plot twist at the end, a newly married couple deal with buying each other a Christmas gift without money. The story will put things into perspective and a lump in your throat. Perhaps a visit to sit in the booth where Mr. Porter wrote his short story would be a great gift to do with family and friends. Pete's Tavern is the oldest remaining bar in New York City and has a amazing history. (When going, remember to use public transportation in New York City.)
The bottom line: - A simple gift from our heart is worth a million times more than a big expensive product. Just spend a little time thinking of the person we want to get a gift for and we will know what would be best to give. - Charitable gifts made in someone's name has a low carbon footprint and will not only put a smile on the face of the recipient, but benefit other people in need. For example: * Have a tree planted in a U.S. National Forest for a person who loves nature and the outdoors * Know someone who loves animals? A donation can be made to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) where the recipient can choose the animal with a Gift Adoption Card * We also can give a gift through World Vision (worldvisiongifts.org). Alex Trebek from the TV game show Jeopardy, is involved with this organization. The donation in a love one's name can bring clean water, farm animals, Honeybees, a plow, seeds, a sewing machine, a bicycle, an education, art and music, job training, tools, clothes, safe homes, bibles in a child's own language, soccer balls, medicine, and stop exploitation for people around our world in need. - Also at home donate our time and talents to others. Ask or call our neighbor who is elderly if they need anything from the post office or supermarket when we make that trip. Help out at our church, we may be surprised to see how many outreach programs are operating or ask about starting a program yourself. - Help out at our local soup kitchen, meals on wheels, or be a BIG Brother or BIG Sister. - Create your own coupons such as: * Three nights or days of free babysitting for parents to have "date nights" again * Perhaps cooking lessons for a grandchild from a grandparent * Twelve free back massages, for our spouse * Free snow shoveling for anyone * AND give ourselves a gift by always doing things like helping to carry items up stairs for other people or holding doors open for strangers - Consider a "coupon" from fast food places to hand out to those who are poor and homeless. Yes, just being aware of our surroundings as you walk down Main Street USA. Pay attention to the details and unfortunately, we will see someone who needs our help, even here in America. WHEN BUYING GIFTS, BUY GREEN If you are going to buy a gift, get one that helps with the Three Rs: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse. For example, a reusable mug or cup can help our environment and save energy. Buying bottle water is the worst and the most costly all around. Learn how a reusable mug and distilled water can make a powerful difference at our GoingTrueGreen web site.  Water Distiller = Money Saved! WRAPPING THOSE GIFTS Everyone in the family has opened their gifts, what remains is two 30 gallon sized plastic bags filled with ripped, torn, and soiled (perhaps some eggnog spilled) wrapping paper that isn't recycled. The bottom line: - The majority of wrapping paper and boxes get thrown out. This is a tremendous waste all around. From wasted energy to filling up landfills. - Reuse old wrapping paper, bags, and boxes from prior years - Remember the Three Rs: Reuse old holiday cards by tearing off the cover image and using them as gift name tags for next year. Thus Reducing the need to buy new name tags. Recycle the back half of the cards. - With Styrofoam, peanuts, and air filled plastic bubbles remember these Do Not break down and decompose in landfills. These items can be used over again each and every year. When they are no longer usable, then visit Greenpages.org to learn where the closest drop-off center for these items are locally.  THOSE DECORATING COMPETITIONS Television shows, comedians, and perhaps even us have made jokes or wonder about all the over-the-top decorations and lights used on some houses. Yes, we all need to remember the real reason for Christmas and keeping Christ in Christmas is easy after we see Jesus’ real face and full passion on the Shroud of Turin.  The bottom line: - Our electric bill will go sky high if we go over the top with lights. - If we are putting lights up outside our house to whatever degree, use the new LED lights to save energy and money. An approximate savings of at least 60% should be seen between old incandescent decorative lights, up to 7 watts each and LED lights that use only half of one watt to 2 watts each. Realized savings can be as high as 90% - Remember Charlie Brown's Christmas tree and the real reason for Christmas? Simple is better for most people, so try to stay away from all those Blow-Up Decors that use fans and lights.  HOLIDAY TRAVEL Many of us travel to see friends and visit family during the holidays. When leaving our house or apartment for a few days or longer, we can be Greener by unplugging electronics that always draw electricity even when off. The bottom line: - The majority of electronics, including games, cable boxes, and TVs are on Standby Mode even when off. Our electric bill is about $10.00 higher per month just for having the cable box and video game plugged into the outlet! - Unplug these items when going away for two days or more. So by pulling the plug or shutting off the Power Strip we are saving 100% on that electricity consumption.  LOGO from our old EHW website If you have suggestions on how we can make Christmas more environmentally friendly, please contact us. UPDATE NOTE: Membership now at GoingTrueGreen.com Updated Blog Post - From EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! Once again, Bill Lauto, an Environmental Scientist will be speaking on saving money, energy and Earth for Starflower Experiences in their Green Living Seminars. As per the flyer below, December 8, 2008 will be the presentation date. For more information please contact Starflower Experience at 516-938.6152 or go to Starflowerexperiences.org Thank you.  Updated Blog Post - Published Article from EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments!
So what is the issue? Not enough light!
First thing if you have a 150 watt bulb, the proper energy saving bulb replacement is a 32 watt compact fluorescent. The 32 watts gives off 150 watts of light and only comes with the standard medium size socket. Medium socket or a/k/a Edison socket. If you have the "Y" socket adaptor with two 150 watt bulbs over a work space for maximum light, then consider changing the two 150 watt bulbs to two 32 watt bulbs. Make sure you have the room to fit the spread of the two 32 watt bulbs going in your "Y" socket.   65 Watt Fluorescent Another option is to remove the "Y" socket and use just one 65 watt bulb that has a Medium socket to go in your medium base socket on the ceiling. Don't order a Mogul size socket by mistake. WARNING: Make sure the length of the 65 watt bulb or any other larger size bulb doesn't come down so low that you risk banging something into the large bulb when moving things about. Lifting a broom handling or moving boxes off shelves can easily bang into the large bulb and cause it to break. To know what to do if an energy saving bulb breaks visit our article: Evacuate the House. To help find who sells the 65 watt and larger bulbs, visit our article Something for Everyone. WARNING: The above photo provides info for a Table lamp. You must make sure that your table lamp can hold these bulbs with a wide distribution of weight so your lamp doesn't fall or get knocked over. Make sure you have room to spare within your lamp shade for the "Y" shape bulbs to fit. You DO NOT want the top tips of the bulbs touching or within one inch of your lamp shade. The above info in the photo can also be used to determine if this step will work in your ceiling socket. Also NOTE warning paragraph above. I need more light!If you are using two 150 watt bulbs with a "Y" socket adaptor and still don't have enough light, then you can receive more light from one of the following options: Use a larger energy saving bulb when feasible:  The above bulbs are with a Medium socket that is standard in domestic houses. A larger Mogul size socket is also available for commercial use, but the length of the bulbs will be a little longer and they are also wider. Now you can also increase light output and have an easier time finding these bulbs in a store by using Two (2) 40 watt bulbs and your "Y" shape socket. These two 40 watt bulbs will total 80 watts but give you 400 watts of light. They sound more efficient than the 105 watt bulb in the Chart above (80 watts giving you 400 watts of light, instead of 105 watts providing 400 watts of light), but be mindful of the Lumen output. Each 40 watt bulb gives off 2,400 Lumens of light, thus the total for two 40 watt bulbs in the "Y" socket is 4,800 Lumens. 200 Lumens less than that 105 watt bulb. Also check and compare your needs to the measurements in the image above. While the article above tells about "Y" socket adaptors in ceiling sockets, the photo on the left shows info for use in a Table Lamp with a lamp shade. If this is your situation, make sure your have room to spare within your lamp shade for the "Y" shape bulbs to fit. Need to buy a "Y" shape socket adaptor and the local Hardware store doesn't have one? Try your local Electrical Distributor. What are my SAVINGS? (for example) If you are using 300 watts over your washer & dryer 5 times a week for 4 hours at a time and pay .14 per Kilowatt Hour, you will save the following every year after using two - 32 watt bulbs that total 64 watts instead of two 150 watt bulbs that total 300 watts:
TOTAL 1 year electric cost for two old 150 watt bulbs, totaling 300 watts: $ 44.00 * TOTAL 1 year electric cost for new lights: $ 9.00 * SAVINGS per year: $ 35.00 / Cost to buy two 2 new 32 watt bulbs: Approx. $ 16.00 PAYBACK on Investment: About Half of one year! (6 months) Learn to calculate your own electric bill. (*Above numbers rounded off) Updated Blog Post - Article on EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com Blog Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! Sharing OLM's Church bulletin from April that gave an update on the energy saving work we did together. The cost savings is presented and a breakdown of the details are shown so the Church's community can share the positive accomplishments. Thank you.  Updated Blog Post - Published Article from EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! We have all seen regular sized light bulbs, but little do most of us realize that unfriendly monster sized light bulbs lurk over our heads in the most un-expecting places. Have you ever looked up when sitting in your Church? How about the lobby of your children's grammar school? Perhaps you never noticed what hangs in the electric socket of the utility closet in your office building, but there is a good chance that an unfriendly monster bulb is right over your head! The next time you are under a light, take a look up! If you see one of these...  Unfriendly Monster Incandescent Bulb
 Fixtures In A House Of Worship 1.) First contact the necessary people... Perhaps the example of numbers above showing savings on the electric bill will prove helpful.  Remove 300 watter! 2.) Remove (in this photographic example) the 300 watt incandescent bulb with a larger Mogul socket base... These bulbs are also made with a Medium or Edison base socket.  65 Watt Energy Saver Fluorescent or Now Use LEDs! 3.) Put in a 65 watt energy saving bulb that gives off the same amount of light as the old 300 watt bulb... NOTE: Make sure the 65 watt energy saving bulb has the same size Mogul socket base, gives off the same warm COLOR of LIGHT that you want, and will fit in your fixture.  Replace Fixture's Lens 4.) Put fixture cover back on Sizing Notes: 65 watts = to 300 10.24 inches tall 3.54 inches wide Mogul Socket YES, other Sizes are available! Updated Blog Post - Article on EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com Blog
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! Below is a sneak peek copy of OLM's bulletin that will be handed out on Sunday. The Pastor speaks of work we did together to help lower the energy costs for the school and church.  Updated Blog Post - Published Article from EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! Why it Took Over Twenty-Five Years for Energy Saving Bulbs to be Available to the General Public on a wide scale distribution level.
(Article continued from three {3} columns above)
light bulbs that they produced. In 1982, the word around the industry was that it cost only "seven pennies" from raw material to supermarket shelf to make a 75 watt bulb. A bulb that sold for $1.15, or around .85 cents when on sale. A bulb that burned-out after only 750 hours of use, thus guaranteeing repeat business. So why would a major manufacturer make an energy saving bulb that would last 10,000 hours and kiss goodbye all those profits from an inefficient incandescent light bulb? This was a product with a huge mark-up and who would care that it was so grossly inefficient? The incandescent bulb is so inefficient that out of the 100% of electricity used to operate the bulb, 90% generates heat! Only 10% of the electricity consumed produces light! Nevertheless, the new SL-18 light bulb would have to wait five years before any sustained interest would materialize. Even during the twenty anniversary of Earth Day back in 1990 when the third generation energy saving bulbs were available, they still were not readily available to the general public in stores. These new energy saving fluorescent bulbs saved you money, but their price tag scared people away. Stores were not about to pay sales people to learn the facts on these bulbs and then explain to each and every customers how this more expensive bulb was actually less money in the long run. After all, a homeowner was not going to buy a case of these bulbs, just one, and to spend ten minutes trying to educate a shopper on the spot for the sale was not worth it. The end results: years had to pass, patents had to expire, educated consumers had to prevail, demand had to increase, the price of oil had to go up, corners were cut to make cheaper versions of these energy saving bulbs, quality had to be sacrificed for prices to come down, and thus valuable time to save energy and money was lost. So by now you have all read or heard how much can be saved by just changing one light bulb. We have been saying that for over 25 years. Can you imagine how much we and our country could have saved if this was all perceived back in 1982... Just water under the bridge now and the water isn't that clean. Updated Blog Post - Article on EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com Blog Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments!  An Old Incandescent Bulb Below is a question I received via email from an Energy Hotwire member: Does changing over to energy saving bulbs also save on the Air Conditioning electric bill?  Money, Energy, and Earth Saving Light bulbs Yes, it does!
When you shut the lights you not only save on the electric bill, you also save BTUs for your air conditioning. Approximately 3.4 BTUs are saved for every watt no longer in use and not giving off heat. There are 12,000 BTUs per ton, thus using more efficient lighting will make the indoor environment more comfortable and save even more on the electric bill when the air conditioning is calculated in. Visit our other GoingTrueGreen.com web pages for more information on energy and money saving light bulbs, such as LEDs. Just use our SEARCH BOX at the very top of each GTG web page. Updated Blog Post - From EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! The following Compact Fluorescent ENERGY SAVING LIGHT BULBS are available. The chart below breaks down the wattage, size, shape and light level output. Please Note that the Higher the wattage, the Taller the bulb! All bulbs are with Medium Base Socket: CS = Also made with Candelabra Socket Base MS = Also made with Mogul Socket All bulbs are Warm (incandescent) color: C = Also made in day light COOL color P = pink Y = bug light H = holiday red, green, blue or black light. D = Also made to work on Dimmer Switch W = Also made for Wet Locations R = Also made for Rough Service (1 LED listed)  Click on Chart to Enlarge for Easier Reading Updated Blog Post - Published Article from EnergyHotwire.com to GoingTrueGreen.com
Bill Lauto, at GoingTrueGreen.com Environmental Scientist International Sustainability and Energy Consultant Contribute your comments! |
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