85% likely to reduce energy consumption in 2010

The website Environmental Leader recently highlighted a survey by Tiller LLC with really interesting findings: about 85 percent of those polled said they were at least “somewhat likely” to reduce household energy consumption next year, while 84 percent said they expected to recycle more. So make a New Year’s resolution to reduce your energy use!

3 easy ways to start reducing your energy use include:

1) Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. This is the easiest way to use less energy – just like mom always told us.

2) Switch to energy efficient Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) Bulbs. The technology has come a long way, and there are CFLs in just about every size and shape and brightness to meet all your household needs. These CFLs only use about 1/4 the energy and last up to 10 times as long, often paying for themselves in one year. Look for the Energy Star label. A Green Irene Eco-consultant can help you pick the right ones for the right applications.

3) A few degrees make a difference. In the summer, set your AC to 78 degrees when you are home and 85 degrees when you are away. In winter, set thermostats to 68 degrees when you are home and 55 degrees when you go to bed or leave the house. If you install a new “simpler to program” thermostat, you only have to think about these adjustments once.

Don’t forget to get your kids involved! An innovative and kid-friendly website, http://www.greenallowance.com, has launched, which provides practical ideas and customized assignments for kids — showing how they can save energy and, in turn, save money. Kids are encouraged to make a deal with their parents to share the savings on their electric bill – savings that are calculated and programmed to show up on their home computers every billing cycle.

There is so much more that you can do! Taking the little steps will add up to big steps which will make a difference for the environment and save your family money.

If you’re in the northern or central New Jersey region, contact me for more information on ways to conserve and save through Green Irene’s Green Home Makeover or Green Office Makeover services. For other areas, contact your local Eco-Consultant, and begin taking steps toward reducing your energy consumption today!

Barry Dambach
Green Irene Eco-Consultant
barry.flemington@greenirene.com
http://www.GreenIrene.com/BarryFlemington

Is Your Water Filter Getting All The Bad Stuff Out? A Green Irene’s Story

In New Jersey American Water’s 2008 report for Somerset County and surrounding counties, drinking water met all standards. Unlike in 2007 (see my previous blog post) there was no detectable tetrachloroethylene and only 0.6 ppb of tricholoroethylene. NJAW reported levels of manganese and sodium higher than the MCL, though this is not generally considered a health issue, as our bodies need these nutrients. NJAW also sampled 51 homes. In one home, they found excessive levels of lead, and in one they found excessive copper (both from plumbing in the home).

After reading the 2007 water quality report, I was concerned. I ordered a water testing kit online. I sent in water samples and got my water analysis report within a couple of weeks. The test detected acetone in my water, at a level of .08 mg/L. There is no national standard for the amount of acetone allowed in drinking water, so NJAW does not have to report it. Low levels of chloroform and bromodichloromethane were also detected, but these were at acceptable levels. The test also detected acceptable levels of minerals, and determined that we have hard water (which I already knew).

Trichloroethylene, tetracholorethylene, and acetone are VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Given all of these questions about the quality of my water, I decided that I needed to upgrade my water filter to make sure that it removes all VOCs! Note that our local hardware stores do not carry good VOC filters. The only VOC filter I found locally was at Home Depot, and it was expensive and only worked for 60 gallons of water! I found my VOC filter by looking on my water filter system for the brand of the system, then searching the internet to find the model number for their VOC filter, then searching for that filter. A good option was Green Irene’s sink-top water filter, which filters out VOCs plus many other harmful chemicals.

Sue Dorward, Authorized Green Irene Eco-Consultant

Bridgewater, NJ

http://www.greenirene.com/SueBridgewater

sue.bridgewater@greenirene.com

Is Your Water Filter Getting all the Bad Stuff Out? A Green Irene’s Story (Part I)

In its latest water quality report, New Jersey American Water states that water from my area (Somerset and five surrounding counties..Somerset, Union, Hunterdon, Morris, Mercer, and Middlesex counties) meets all standards except for the following:

- Tetrachloroethylene (discharged from factories and dry cleaners):  the highest allowable level is 1 part per billion (ppb), and the actual level found was 1.9 ppb;

- Trichloroethylene (discharged from metal degreasing sites and other factories): the highest allowable level is 1 ppb, and the actual level found was 1.9 ppb.

The report notes that “some people who drink water containing tetrachloroethylene and tricholorethylene in excess of MCL [maximum contaminant level] over many years could have problems with their liver, and may have an increased risk of getting cancer.”

The EPA’s water quality website says that if these contaminants are found at levels of 5 ppb or above, that the water company “must notify the public via newspapers, radio, TV and other means. Additional actions, such as providing alternative drinking water supplies, may be required to prevent serious risks to public health.” Needless to say, I was concerned!

We have a water filter in my home, but I had no idea if it filtered out these chemicals. So I called the EPA safe water hotline number listed on my water quality report, and they pointed me to the National Sanitation Foundation International’s Water Filter Database. This is a great tool to find out about all water filters and what they filter out (You can also call NSF International at 1-800-673-8010).

It turns out that my water filter does not filter out these chemicals! They are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and my filter does not filter any VOCs. Fortunately, Green Irene’s 10-stage water filter does filter out these chemicals. I’m buying a new filter! If it weren’t for Green Irene, I never would have known to do this. Thank you Green Irene!

Note: Click here or on the picture above to purchase the 10-stage water filter from the catalog.

Sue Dorward, Authorized Green Irene Eco-Consultant

Bridgewater, NJ

http://www.greenirene.com/SueBridgewater

sue.bridgewater@greenirene.com