Maintaining your thermostat is important for energy efficiency.

One of the most important things you can do to keep your heating and cooling systems working efficiently is to make sure they are regularly maintained. Some maintenance practices are basic and can be performed by the average do-it-yourselfer.

Among the top heating supplies you can use to maintain your heating equipment are fresh furnace filters. Furnace filters are easy to replace, and a clean filter ensures proper air flow through the furnace or air conditioner.

Filters are readily available at various HVAC parts supply stores and heating supply stores. They can even be found at department stores. A low-end, average furnace filter can cost as little as $1.00, while better filters, such as HEPA filters, can cost $10.00 or more. A HEPA filter removes more particles, cigarette smoke, and pet dander from the air than a regular filter.

Another piece of HVAC equipment that is helpful in maintaining your heating system can be found in most homes and businesses: a shop vac. A regular vacuum will work just as well, provided it has a hose that can be used to vacuum debris from the blower wheel, the flue, and the motor. All of the air in the house flows through the blower, and if too much debris builds up in the blower, the motor may seize up and burn out. Regular vacuuming will help the blower to continue to work smoothly.

While the above maintenance practices are easy and essential to the life and efficiency of your heating equipment, there are maintenance tasks that should not be attempted by the average do-it-yourselfer.

In order to tune up a furnace properly, the furnace must be shut off so that there is no electric current running through it, and gas burners must be removed and cleaned. Only a certified HVAC technician should perform this task, and it should be done annually.

Additional annual service tasks that a tech performs are checks of the many HVAC controls (safety controls) that are present in heating equipment. These controls must be working properly to prevent fires, gas leaks, and other potential hazards.

HVAC technicians also test for carbon monoxide emissions. Average store-bought carbon monoxide detectors do not read low levels of carbon monoxide. Many of these detectors will not go off until emissions of carbon monoxide are at dangerous levels. One of the HVAC supplies a professional technician uses is a carbon monoxide sniffer that detects low levels of emissions.

Maintenance and service on any kind of radiant heat system should never be attempted by the average do-it-yourselfer. Radiant system maintenance involves many specific components and should always be performed by a certified HVAC technician who has been properly trained in radiant system service and in the use of radiant heating supplies.

When it comes to maintaining air conditioning equipment, the average do-it-yourselfer is limited in what he can do. A broom may be used to remove grass clippings, cobwebs, and other debris from the back of the air conditioner. All other cooling equipment maintenance and cleaning should be performed annually by a certified professional.

Air conditioning supplies consist of different kinds of acid cleaning solutions and hydrochloric and sulfuric acids that are only available to legally certified technicians or professionals licensed to use them.

Another HVAC supply a technician uses is a certain guage that he plugs into the cooling system to check refrigerant levels. You must be EPA certified to plug gauges into the cooling system.

R22 refrigerant is made of a chemical which is detrimental to the ozone layer. It is illegal to open the air conditioner and attempt cleaning or maintenance unless you are legally certified.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, you can perform basic tasks to help keep your furnace and air conditioner working properly: replace your furnace filter once a month, vacuum your furnace flue, blower wheel, and motor, and sweep debris from the back of your air conditioner. But for your safety and the safety of your home and family, and to get the highest efficiency from your heating and cooling systems, you should keep an annual appointment with your professional HVAC service tech to have your heating and cooling systems cleaned and tested.

For more articles by this author, go to Helium.

The cycle of water filtration

The safety of water in the developed world has grown by leaps and bounds over the last century. And while many countries, unfortunately, still deal daily with issues of water contamination, most Americans have access to clean water.

This luxury, however, may have caused some level of complacency concerning what goes into our water and thus into our bodies.

The copious amount of prescription drugs, bacteria, and hazardous chemicals (detergents, bleaches, etc) that are dumped into the water supply each day increases exponentially as our population grows. If the system works correctly, these chemicals are identified and processed out before water is directed into drinking supplies. But what happens when new chemicals and drugs are introduced to the water supply before there are standards for identifying and processing them?

A study by the Toxic Substances Hydrology Program of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) already indicates that a wide range of chemicals are occurring downstream from areas of animal production and intense urbanization.

The chemicals include human and veterinary drugs (including antibiotics), natural and synthetic hormones, detergent metabolites, plasticizers, insecticides, and fire retardants.

In 80 percent of the samples taken during the study, one ore more of these chemicals was identified. According to the study, “Half of the streams contained 7 or more of these chemicals, and about one-third of the streams contained 10 or more of these chemicals. ”

The first study of its kind, it now is apparent that “knowledge of the potential human and environmental health effects of these 95 chemicals is highly varied; drinking-water standards or other human or ecological health criteria have been established for 14. Measured concentrations rarely exceeded any of the standards or criteria. Thirty-three are known or suspected to be hormonally active; 46 are pharmaceutically active. Little is known about the potential health effects to humans or aquatic organisms exposed to the low levels of most of these chemicals or the mixtures commonly found in this study.”

Even known chemicals have found their way into common water supplies. In fact, a New York Times report this month in the city of New York indicated that higher levels of lead are found in homes of those drinking from city tap water sources. They recommended residents let water run for a period of time (30 seconds) before ingesting it.

As a green living solution to this issue, you have numerous options, three of which noted below, each with varying degrees of expense. One of the cheapest forms of filtration is a filter pitcher or a filter that attaches directly to your faucet. Research is key before you buy one of these products, however, as their efficiency ranges widely.

Be sure to research what chemicals and minerals your particular choice has proven to remove.

You may choose to buy distilled waters from your local grocery. This, too, can be another step towards healthier waters. Be sure to buy refillable jugs, however, so you don’t contribute to plastic overuse!

And finally, there have been recent movements into purifying not only our drinking water, but all the water we use in our homes. Whole house water filtration systems can be fairly inexpensive (in the $100′s to low $1,000′s) and can filter out such things as: chlorine, heavy metals, pesticides, and chemicals. They can last for years until you need to change your filter.

If you are concerned about chemicals that may be in your normal drinking water, you can order tests online or may even find them at your local hardware store. This is a great first step toward cleaner water for you and your family!

Written by Carla Hill as found in Craig Lilly’s Newsletter.

If you made home improvements in 2009, make sure that you have what you need to claim the credits on your 2009 taxes. If you missed out in 2009, these credits still apply for 2010. Start planning now so that you can take advantage!

Here are some of the basics; for detailed information go to EnergyStar.Gov.
1. The eligible improvement must be placed in service or work must be completed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
2. A maximum of $1,500 can be claimed for qualifying products.
3. You must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement for the product in order to qualify. Save receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement; for new windows, keep the Energy Star label.
4. Improvements must be made to your principal residence. However, certain products also qualify for second homes.
5. Claim improvements made in 2009 on your 2009 taxes using IRS Tax Form 5695.
6. Tax credits for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC, and non-solar water heaters are not available for new homes. Certain other improvements do qualify for new homes.

Items that are eligible for the tax credits include:
1. Exterior windows, skylights, storm windows, and doors that have a U factor below 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, or SHGC, of less than 0.30.
2. Certain types of insulation – specific lifespan and warranty requirements apply.
3. Energy Star brand metal or asphalt roofing – specific lifespan and warranty requirements apply.
4. Central air conditioning
5. Furnaces – either natural gas or propane
6. Heat pumps
7. Hot water boilers
8. Hot water heaters – either gas, oil, or propane
9. Biomass stoves
10. Photovoltaic solar panels
11. Wind energy systems
12. Residential fuel cells and micro-turbine systems

All qualifying products must meet certain energy-efficiency levels; thus, not all products qualify for the tax break. Only those with higher energy efficiency ratings are eligible, and these products typically cost more than standard products. Also remember that the $1,500 maximum (as a percentage up to 30% of the cost of the upgrade) is cumulative for ALL improvements.

If you’re thinking about making home improvements this year, the time is definitely now! Your home improvement professional can provide you with additional information on qualifying products and exceptions.

Most people prefer to make use of salt to de-ice their driveway. Salt, or sodium chloride as it is also known, has been used for many years, and is often just sprinkled over the driveway to remove ice. There is though a cost involved, despite it being one of the cheapest options. Salt will work fairly fast in removing ice, but can cause damage to the driveway, as well as to the metal of any car that drives over it. Additionally salt will harm plants as it prevents them absorbing nutrients and moisture. Salt will only work when the temperature is in excess of 18 degrees Fahrenheit.

There are other chemicals available which will do a similar job to salt. Of these others the most common are Potassium Chloride, though this will also harm plants and is slower working that salt. Additionally Potassium Chloride only works when the temperature is above 25 degrees Fahrenheit.

Faster working is Calcium Chloride and Magnesium Chloride. Calcium Chloride will harm concrete and plants alike, whilst Magnesium Chloride will also harm plant life. All of the chemicals do remove ice from driveways, but there is a cost often to the driveway and the environment, and ice can reform fairly quickly if temperatures continue to rise and fall.

The old methods are still the best and shoveling snow and ice is the best for the environment and the driveway surface. If thick ice has been allowed to build u,p then a shovel is not the best tool to break it up. Many stores now sell ice chippers, tools which will break up ice, allowing them to be shoveled away. Care needs to be taken when using shovels and ice chippers, as too much force could see the driveway damaged.

Having cleared away the ice, then it is best to add some sand to the driveway. Sand itself will not do anything to the ice but will aide traction for both cars and pedestrians.

Removing ice from driveways is a chore but it is a necessity come wintertime. There are a number of options available to remove the build-up of ice but there is a price with each.

Written by Tim Harry. Find more articles by this author at Helium.

1. Install a programmable thermostat.
2. Use “Smart Power Strips” to turn off power to electronics when not in use.
3. Turn off lights when you leave a room.
4. Install surge protectors on all electronics.
5. Install CFLs or LEDs wherever possible.
6. Buy only EnergyStar® appliances.
7. Change furnace filters at least every 90 days.
8. Create a budget and stick to it.
9. Use curtains and blinds to keep out drafts in winter and too much direct sun in summer.
10. Organize your basement and garage and sell unneeded items.
11. Analyze your cable TV and phone service for services that can be eliminated.
12. Dial back your thermostat 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer.
13. Use your computer to search for bargains in groceries, auto supplies, vitamins and other items.
14. Pay yourself first and set a minimum amount to be saved each pay period.
15. Cancel your land line phone and use your cell only.
16. Purchase food in bulk at warehouse clubs and split huge quantities with friends/relatives.
17. Forget the movie theater and rent movies from the “Redbox.”
18. Barter services or goods with others.
19. Use income tax software to do your taxes.
20. Insulate your water heater (unless the manufacturer says it’s not necessary).
21. Take your lunch to work at least 2 days a week.
22. Launder in cold water.
23. Enroll in your electric company’s energy saver program.
24. Buy generic.
25. Wash whole loads only in washing machines and dishwashers.

Reprinted by permission from TheHousingGuru.com

Not only can you make some extra dough, you are also helping to save the planet. Consider visiting the Better World Books the next you move, when unpacking from a move, or at the end of the school year.

Below are some questions and answers about how you can turn those books into cash.

1. How does selling my books to you work?
Selling your books to Better World Books is easy. Just enter the ISBNs of the books you are interested in selling. The books will be added to your buyback cart and our buyback price will be shown. Adjust the quantities and choose how you want to be paid. If you choose PayPal, you’ll need to enter the e-mail address associated with your PayPal account.

Choose the literacy partner you want your buyback to benefit and decide if you would like to make an additional contribution to that partner’s literacy initiatives. You will also need to select your address. If you make any changes to your buyback cart, be sure to click ‘Update Cart’.

Click ‘Agree to BuyBack’ and print your pre-paid USPS Media Mail label and packing slip. Next, simply package your books and drop them in the mail. Once we receive your books in our warehouse, we’ll process them and issue payment.

2. Do you really make a donation to literacy when I sell my books to you?
Yes. Every time you sell your books to Better World Books, you are helping bring literacy and opportunity to people around the world. For each book we purchase, we’ll make a donation to one of our five primary literacy partners. We even let you choose which of our partners you want your buyback to benefit. You can make an additional donation by choosing to give part of your buyback total when you confirm your order.

Our five primary literacy partners are Invisible Children, Books for Africa, Room to Read, Worldfund, and the National Center for Family Literacy.

3. How will you pay me?
You have a few of options. We recommend choosing Gift Certificate or PayPal because you’ll get paid more and it’s fast, green, and secure. If you prefer not get paid with a Gift Certificate or through PayPal, we can do it the old fashion way and mail a check to you. It will just take longer and you won’t get paid as much. Don’t have PayPal? Visit PayPal to learn how to sign up.

4. When will I get paid?
We know there are a few books on BetterWorldBooks.com you are dying to have, so we’ll get you your money as fast as we can. All payments are normally processed within 2 business days of receiving your buyback.

5. How long is the price quote good for?
Price quotes are good for a limited time only. Books must be postmarked within 7 days and received within 30 days of your buyback order. If your package is postmarked more than 7 days or received more than 30 days after your order was placed we will re-evaluate the books based on current buyback prices. The new price quote may be different from your original offer.

6. How do you determine your buyback prices?
Our buyback prices are set based on current availability and future demand.

7. Who pays for shipping?
If your buyback total is at least five dollars or you choose to donate at least three books, shipping is free! We pay for shipping when you use the pre-paid USPS Media Mail label we provide at checkout. If you choose to use a different service or carrier, we cannot reimburse you for shipping. Please do not use Priority Mail envelopes or boxes when using our prepaid Media Mail label. This will help us keep our costs down which helps keep our buyback prices higher.

For more information or more questions and answers go to Better World Books.

Every one of us on this planet leaves an eco-footprint as we go about our daily activities. This footprint consists of the CO2 and other greenhouse gases that result from our use of transportation, energy consumption and rubbish disposal. The impact from resources consumption in our daily lives shows up in these footprints, as does a communal impact resulting from pollution and contamination caused by manufacturing, wars, and the degradation of biodiversity.

Your eco-footprint will be here well after you are gone. Like a fossil record, it remains for eons and eons. You can’t eradicate your footprint, but you do have the ability to minimize it – and you can influence others to minimize theirs, as well.

The world’s best scientific minds believe that a combination of global warming, depletion of the planets resources from dominant patterns of production, consumption, wars and over-population are causing environmental devastation. We all face a responsibility to help protect and restore the Earth’s ecological systems.

The most significant changes each of us can make in our impact on the Earth’s ecology are related to lifestyle, transportation, shelter, and family. We can’t all do everything possible to reduce human-induced environmental degradation, but we can each do something now. Here are a few things you can do now to have a measurable effect on the footprint – and planet – you leave behind:

LIFESTYLE
RECYCLE paper, plastic, metal, batteries, reuse old things or donate them to a good cause, sell them or give them away.
TURN OFF THE LIGHTS when you leave a room.
CLEAN YOUR HOME, CAR AND BODY with green, non-toxic products.
COMPOST your yard and garden waste to keep it out of landfills and sanitary sewers.
LINE DRY your clothes – and if your city has rules against this, change them.
EAT SUSTAINABLY by choosing organic, fair trade, and locally produced foods when they are available.
REDUCE JUNK MAIL by opting-out at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist
TURN OFF THE FAUCET when brushing your teeth or washing dishes.
SHORTEN YOUR SHOWER and remember that tub baths use tens of gallons of water – save them for treats.
START A RECYCLING PROGRAM at your company, church or school.
TURN OFF APPLIANCES especially TV sets, stereos and computers that draw phantom energy with their instant-on features.
TURN OFF YOUR HOT TUB during the summer.
BUY WHAT YOU NEED, not everything the Joneses buy.
AVOID BUYING DISPOSABLES when there is another option.
BUY SUSTAINABLE when shopping for clothes, coffee, chocolate, anything.
FORGET ABOUT whether to choose paper or plastic bags: they use about the same resources for production and disposal – instead, reuse, recycle, and byob.
ENCOURAGE YOUR COMPANY to turn off office and plant lights and computer monitors.
ENCOURAGE YOUR ORGANIZATION, CLUB, CHURCH, SYNAGOGUE, MOSQUE AND TEMPLE to develop an environmental sustainability plan.
GIVE GIFTS that improve the environment, from light bulbs to tree seedlings.
PLANT A TREE or start an organic garden.

TRANSPORTATION
CAR POOL in low-polluting vehicles.
RIDE A BIKE to school, work, the store or the gym.
WALKING reduces pollution and avoids parking delays.
PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION reduces the use of land for roads and reduces the pollution from personal vehicles.
BUY A CAR, SUV OR TRUCK that gets at least ten more MPG than the one your’re replacing.
NEW VEHICLES AND FUELS like hybrid, electric and bio-fuel produce fewer emissions and make a public statement that you’re going greener.
SMALLER VEHICLES use fewer resources to produce and get better mileage.
JOIN A CAR RENTAL POOL and use a car only when you need it.
TURN OFF YOUR PARKED VEHICLE
BUY ONLINE, save trips to the mall. Besides less personal vehicle fuel and emissions, many on-line companies use better logistical and delivery services to save more fuel.
REDUCE AIR TRAVEL for business: video conference or web conference whenever feasible.
TUNE UP YOUR CAR and keep your tires properly inflated for better mileage and less pollution.

SHELTER
BUILD OR REMODEL your home with toxic free and sustainable materials.
TURN DOWN HEAT AND COOLING when you leave home for work or vacation.
REPLACE LIGHTBULBS with fluorescent and LED bulbs for energy and dollar savings.
REDUCE WATER USE by installing low flow toilets and showerheads.
LIVE IN A BIG-ENOUGH HOUSE for lower energy and material usage.
SEAL UP AIR LEAKS around windows, doors and electric sockets.
INSULATE walls, foundations, and ceilings
REPLACE OLD WINDOWS with triple glazed gas-filled windows.
FIX leaky faucets.
BUY ENERGY STAR-rated appliances
COLLECT RAINWATER from gutters to water plants.
BUILD RAIN GARDENS and plant native drought resistant plants.
GO CHEMICAL FREE on the lawns.
PUSH your mower and sweep your leaves instead of using power tools that burn gas or electricity – and enjoy the quiet.
WASH CLOTHES in cold water with bio-degradable laundry products.
PROGRAMMABLE thermostats at home and work save energy at home and work.
CEILING FANS can reduce heating and cooling needs.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY can be used at home: install solar water heaters, wind turbines, geothermal heat and cooling, photovoltaic and electric co-generation units.
CHANGE YOUR PAVING replace outdoor hard surfaces like driveways and patios with permeable surfaces to prevent water run off into storm sewers and wetlands.

POLITICS AND FAMILY
VOTE for individuals and policies that protect the environment.
RUN for public office, and green-up local, state, and federal laws.
START A GREEN organization, study group, book club or CSA farm.
DISPOSE of diaper and medical waste safely – whatever choice you make.
READ poetry and fiction and view art and theatre that consider the Earth.
PLAY in ways that respect the environment.
LEARN about how plants and animals and people are inter-related.
TEACH your children what you have learned about preserving the planet.
JOIN an on-line green community for resources and networking.
DONATE time and money to environmental action.

And most of all, don’t lose heart or grow discouraged. We can restore the world’s most important resources – and we are among those resources.