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My husband and I recently invested in a Reel Mower. He was really skeptical about how well it would work. He is now convinced it is one of the best “green” investments we have made. We LOVE it!!

If you have a small to medium yard or area to cut, we highly recommend switching from a gas or electric mower to an Environmental Elements Reel Mower.

This is a FANTASTIC way to save gas AND reduce your carbon footprint.

TIP: Make sure you rake your yard before mowing to remove sticks (especially the first time). LOL

Have a device that you use often that requires batteries? Get some rechargeable batteries! Instead of buying a pack of batteries that you use once and throw away try using the same ones over and over. This saves you tons of cash in the long run for a small initial investment.

Using rechargeable, also helps keep old batteries out of landfills and is much better for our planet! =)

If you’re looking for a good rechargeable battery system, try La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower Battery Charger.

Amazingly, you can save hundreds of thousands of dollars on a dream home with a “pre-paid” dream home plan.

Also take advantage of the programs Insulated Concrete Form Building, for a superior energy efficient and safe home.

The program also offers an amazing affiliate type membership program, which allows you to not only build your dream home with almost no out of pocket cost, but also earn a substantial income as well.

This is an awesome thrifty must see!!

www.MortgageFreeDreamHome.com

This phrase is used to mean the act of producing your own power. Someday I’d love for solar power to advance to the point where I (and every other American) could step off of the electrical power grid completely and get cheap, free power. Talk about freeing up our dependency on oil.

Pipe dream? I don’t think so. There is some VERY exciting research going on in these areas. You can step off of the grid in some minor ways. Check our store for some products that help you step off of the grid. They’re not only cool but save you money in the long run.

Hurricane Gustav was a huge personal reminder that we need to be serious about building safe, secure AND energy efficient homes.

We are currently in the process of looking for property to build our next home. When construction begins, we have decided to use Insulated Concrete Form, because it offers us superior protection, while at the same time, superior energy efficiency.

Benefits of Insulated Concrete Form Building

This information is directly from the ICFA  (Insulated Concrete Form Association)

Greater Comfort and Lower Energy Bills

Energy savings and comfort are built into every ICF system. ICFs start with a high it-Value. Four inches of ASTM C 578 polystyrene foam insulation, combined with a five inch concrete wall a typical ICF system – are rated above R-17 at 75* mean test temperature. Other insulating form configurations and materials also exhibit high it-Values.

But that’s not all! Air infiltration in an ICF Home is minimal due to the continuous air barriers provided by the foam insulation and the concrete. Likewise, there are no convection currents within wall cavities.

The concrete walls of an ICF home have high thermal mass, which buffers the interior of a home from the extremes of outdoor temperature during every 24-hour cycle. This reduces both peak and total heating and cooling loads.

This combination of high R-values, low air infiltration, and high thermal mass is believed to account for the amazing 25% to 50% energy savings of ICF versus wood or steel-framed homes.

Peace and  Quiet

New ICF homeowners almost always remark on how unbelievably quiet their new house is, compared with their old stick-built home. They expect the new-found comfort and energy efficiency, but the peace and quiet -the protection from outside noise – never fails to surprise and delight them.

In sound transmission tests, ICF walls allowed less than one-third as much sound to pass through as do ordinary frame walls filled with fiberglass. With double-glazed windows in ICF walls and beefed-up roof insulation, you will rarely hear street noises or airport traffic.

Solid and Lasting Security

The high-mass walls of an ICF home not only give it a remarkably solid feel, but they also make it safer for the family. And make it a remarkably solid and secure investment, too. Concrete homes have a proven track record of withstanding the ravages of hurricanes, tornadoes and fires, when all the stick-built houses around them are in ruins.

In fire wall tests, ICFs stood exposure to intense flame without structural failure longer than did common frame walls. The polystyrene foam used in most ICF forms is treated so it will not support combustion. Also, tests show that its tendency to transmit an outside flame source is less than that of most wood products. [Many insurance carriers are now offering a discount on a home owner's policy for an ICF home.]

Less Repair and Maintenance

With ICF homes, the equation is simple. No Rot = Less Repair and Maintenance. Neither polystyrene nor concrete will ever rot or rust. Concrete can even be exposed to the elements for centuries with few ill effects. Reinforcing steel, buried deep inside and protected by concrete’s alkalinity, does not corrode.

A Healthier Home and Environment

Building with ICFs is healthier for environment in a number of way minimizing the number of different building products involved in co tion, by reducing the amount of waste generated on the construction site by lowering energy requirements heating and cooling.

ICF homes provide a healthy indoor environment, too. Nothing held within or ordinarily emitted by an ICF wall is toxic. The measurement of the air contents of actual ICF houses shows an almost complete absence of any emissions.

Flexible Designs

ICF homes can be designed in any style, and will accept any traditional exterior finish including vinyl or wood siding, stucco and brick. Because custom angles and curves are easily created, it’s simple to build in bows, bays and radiuses. And ICF systems accommodate any of today’s most popular design features, such as tall walls, large openings, long floor spans, and cathedral ceilings.

www.MortgageFreeDreamHome.com

Do a little research into what types of bulbs will work in your light fixtures. If possible, replace your regular old incandescent bulbs with a type called compact florescent bulbs.

Why should you do this? Compact florescent bulbs use about 75% less energy PLUS they last about 10 times longer than regular bulbs. A small investment can save you tons of money in the long term.

Did you know that one third of the energy we produce goes to one thing? That one thing is heating water. When it comes to heating water we usually say, “Hmmm… should I heat my water with gas or electric?”

What most people don’t realize is that there is a third alternative that is right above your head, the Sun! Although this method involves an initial investment, you can heat your water through solar heating. The sun has been providing the Earth with heat for billions of years now and will do so long after we’re gone. Why not tap into that heat to help heat your home?

Check the pressure on all four car tires about once a week if you can. Remember to read the side of the tire to get the proper air pressure. Remember, do not over-inflate your tires as this can be as bad as under-inflating them.

Keeping the tires properly inflated saves on tire wear making your tires last longer and more importantly saves on gas. If you have to drive make sure your car is properly maintained. For some good ideas on car maintenance, check out Auto Repair For Dummies. It is an amazing resource for keeping your car in it’s best shape.

For those times when you do need to take your car into the shop, make sure you know how to avoid common auto repair scams and save a LOT of money.

If you’re buying a new appliance, look for the ENERGY STAR label.  Products who earn this label have to pass strict government standards of energy usage.  Normally, buying an ENERGY STAR brand appliance will ensure that you’ll save money in the long run even if you might pay a little more now.

Set your thermostat comfortably low in the Summer and comfortably high in the Winter. In other words, don’t overdo it. The suggested setting that we’ve all heard before is 72 degrees.

Another important tool is to get a compatible, programmable thermostat that is compatible with your heating and cooling system.

Here is a great one for a great price as well! Lux Products Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat TX1500

Here’s a neat energy saving tip.  Plug in all your entertainment devices into power strips. When you’re not using them you can just flip a switch on the power strip to ensure that your television, VCR, DvD, etc… all turn off at the same time to save the maximum amount of energy.

Check the insulation levels in your house. Check the attic, walls, floor, etc. If they are not up to standard consider having them improved. Insulation is one of the most common ways of ensuring that your house stays cool in the summer and warm in the winter, saving you money all year long on lower energy bills.

A common form of energy loss is through holes/cracks in your house that let cooler air out in the summer and warm air out in the winter.  Do a check of your windows and doors for cracks or holes where air can escape.  Don’t forget to check your ceiling, floor, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and wall outlets for holes or cracks either.  If discovered, visit a home supply store nearby and ask for help on what to do to repair them.

Here is an idea that just seems to make sense.  Using the sun to generate the electricity to cool you down during the hottest part of the day.  This technology is emerging slowly but I believe we will see more and more of this type as the energy crunch grows.  The SolCool Solar Powered A/C uses solar panels to directly power the unit.  It can also purify drinking water (a little bonus there).  It contains a battery back-up for nighttime and can be plugged in normally if all else fails.

Not at home?  Turn the lights off.  Not in the bedroom?  Turn off the lights.  Sure, lighting does not cost a fortune but it will make a difference on the electric bill.

Not just lighting, but air conditions, etc.