Save Energy

You are currently browsing the archive for the Save Energy category.

Win Your School a Hybrid School Bus – Worth $200,000 – Plus a $5,000 Scholarship for Yourself

February 24, 2009 in Eco-Travel, Free Stuff, Go Green, Save Energy, Saving Money by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

Want to be the hero at your local school? You can win a hybrid, energy-efficient school bus for your school – worth $200,000 – plus a scholarship for yourself or your favorite little scholar. All you have to do (if you are 13 or older) is write an essay under 500 words about how committed your elementary or high school is to going green. Talk about what your school has done, how it teaches the kids to think green and whatever it is doing to make the planet greener.

Teachers—here’s your lesson plan for a week. Get your students to come up with ideas for greening up the school, launch the project, and get everybody in the school to write an essay about it. That’ll increase your chances of winning your school a green bus. Value of the bus: $200,000. Value of the lesson to your kids: Priceless.

This amazing green contest is sponsored by IC Bus, LLC, in Warrenville, IL, which produces hybrid buses and says that every school bus keeps 36 cars off the road – imagine the pollution prevented.

Warm up your imagination – think green — click here and start writing to win: Deadline for essay submissions: April 30, 2009.

Photo credit: www.cleanairsys.com

Win $10,000: Show Others How to Save Energy in a 30-Second Video

January 30, 2009 in Free Stuff, Save Energy, Saving Money by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

You want to save energy, save money and save the planet, right?  So why not shoot your own little home video and show other Americans how they can be smarter in their energy use. Just a little 30-second video – and you could win $10,000.

That’s all there is to it. The video contest is sponsored by Smart Power, an organization devoted to helping Americans become smarter about their energy use.

Need inspiration? Smart Power offers these factoids on energy use to get your creative green juices flowing:

  • Phantom load (the energy that appliances continue to draw when you think they’re off – but they’re still plugged in) wastes roughly the same amount of energy as produced by 18 power plants!
  • If every American home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL bulb, we would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year, save over $600 million and reduce the emissions equivalent to 800,000 cars.
  • If you are using a second refrigerator in your basement or garage, consider getting rid of it — you’d save over $100 per year.

So start shooting. The deadline for this Smart Power: Let’s Get Energy Smart contest is Earth Day — April 22, 2009.

Tags: , , ,

Go Green-Save Green: Save $180 On Your Heating and Cooling Bill

January 20, 2009 in Go Green, Save Energy, Saving Money by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

The headlines in newspapers and blogs from coast to coast confirm what we can all feel in our pockets – Americans are digging deep to save money.

Well, dig no more — going green can save some green, too.

The key to cutting your energy bills is to keep the heat down in winter and the AC on low in summer. For every degree you lower your thermostat in winter and raise it in summer, you save at least 1% or more on your bills. And if you cut it down 10 percent all those hours you are away from the house or on vacation, the savings for the average consumer whose yearly energy bill is $2,000, can easily range from $150 to $180.

Trouble is, who remembers to do it?

Probably the only sure-fire, idiot-proof way to do keep temperatures optimal for money-savings, day and night, is to use a programmable thermostat. If you haven’t got one, the $30 to $100 it costs will easily pay for itself before the first year is up.

Here’s the big payoff. If you actually take advantage of the thermostat’s ability to change heat and AC temperatures six or more times in the course of a day and especially when you are away from the house (yes, you can’t just buy it, you have to use it – there’s always a catch, right?) you can easily save $150 per year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, without dramatic changes. More if you’re willing to pull out the woolies and layer up this winter. .

You can lower carbon emissions, lower your heating and cooling bill, and still stay toasty warm or cool as a cucumber when you’re home – not bad.

Furthermore, if you get too hot or cold while you’re home, you can easily manually override the settings (I didn’t say hot flashes, did you?) without having to program it all over again.

Make sure to look for a thermostat with an Energy Star rating – and you’ll keep those savings coming.

FOR MORE on Thermostats from your government and mine at DOE:

Energy efficiency and thermostats, go to the U.S. Dept. of Energy:

DOE info on temperature settings to use:

Winter Tip, Summer Tip

Photo credit: Susan Seliger (those are her bills, too)

Tags: , , , , ,

Green Freebie: Win 5 Free Trips to See the Natural Wonders of the World – Machu Picchu, Anyone?

December 19, 2008 in Eco-Fashion, Eco-Travel, Free Stuff, Save Energy, Saving Money, Uncategorized by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

Does this happen to you? Once you start dreaming about exotic places you’d love to escape to – natural wonders of the world where there are no malls or tinsel or shopping lists – you just can’t stop. There are so many things you haven’t done yet in life — like a safari on the Serengeti in Tanzania or swimming with the sea lions in the Galapagos or a trek to the Amazon and Machu Picchu – just puckering up to say Machu Picchu puts me in an adventurous state of mind.

Well, stop dreaming – Natural Habitat Adventures has come to the rescue. This eco-conscious company is offering, not one but FIVE,  big vacations for two – one every year for five years – to the most exciting natural destinations in the world. Beyond those mentioned in my dreams, they’ve also got trips to walk with the penguins in Antarctica and the Falklands as well as a trip to Manitoba to schmooze with the polar bears.

I’ve entered – and so can you – every day up until the deadline, Feb. 28, 2009. Hope to see you there – if not, give the sea lions a smooch for me. Start clicking.

Photo credit: Llama in Macchu Picchuu: from Nurse healthwriter blog

Tags: , , , ,

Green Freebie: Win a Gas-Friendly Mini Coop Worth over $18,000

December 12, 2008 in Free Stuff, Go Green, Save Energy, Saving Money by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

They’re oh so cute – those Mini Coops and fuel-efficient, too. They make you want to tie a ribbon on one and drive it right over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house you go for the holidays. Well, maybe you can – for free.

Champignon Minis is giving away one Mini Cooper, valued at over $18,000, just in time for the holidays. It won’t take a miracle — just a click. So see if you can get lucky before the deadline: 12-31-08.

(Photo credit: The Horse’s Mouth )

Tags: , ,

10 Tips for a Greener, Healthier, Money-Saving Christmas

December 8, 2008 in Go Green, Green Gift Guide, Green Products, Save Energy, Saving Money, Uncategorized by susan | 1 comment

By Susan Seliger

1. Buy a live tree – the smell beats plastic — and plant it in your backyard come the New Year. If you’ve given up your car in pursuit of the greener life, you clever soul, here’s a good list of sources for live trees online, delivered to your door.

2. Decorate with solar powered LED Christmas lights – They save power and money and are a step beyond plain old LED lights, which are a step beyond the traditional strings. They can range from $20-60, but here’s a source for $19.99 from Solar Illuminations.

3. Use one present to wrap another present — like a napkin or tea towel or scarf around a ceramic mug or box of organic dark chocolate.

4. Choose 100% recycled wrapping paper – or a decorative bag that you close only with a ribbon so the recipient can then easily recycle the bag for their gift to someone else.

5. Unwrap presents SLOWLY – it helps to savor the delicious moment of anticipation AND you can carefully fold the pretty paper and use it again next year.

6. Buy gifts that use no batteries or rechargeable batteries.

7. If you must go the mall, carpool with friends and family – make it into a little party as you travel there and back.

8. Stock the house and the refrigerator with food that is local and organic – it’s fresher and healthier.

9. Tired of STUFF? Give food and local/organic wine as presents. Who doesn’t like home-baked cookies?! No time for that? A bottle of wine from a local vineyard is always welcome. A good olive oil comes in handy, too – and the mono-unsaturated fatty acids are great for health-conscious friends. Whatever the yummy food, if the label says organic and local, it’ll show you really care.

10. Save money decorating the house with holiday cards – hang a string from one corner to another and hang all the beautiful cards you’ve received from the line – like a laundry line. It’s colorful and festive and a reminder of what the season is really about – nurturing ties to friends and family.


(Photo credit:

Tags: , , ,

Green Freebie: Win a Fuel-Efficient, Smart For-Two Car

December 5, 2008 in Free Stuff, Go Green, Green Products, Save Energy, Saving Money, Uncategorized by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

What better holiday present for yourself – or a friend you like to drive around with – than a cute, fuel-efficient, smart fortwo car? (This gift will be appreciated by four-legged friends as well. ) Even better — you may be able to get it free. You could be one of the 12 lucky winners in the QVC 12 Days of Christmas Sweepstakes who will drive one away.

And if you don’t win the green car, you still have over 1000 chances to win another form of green — free shopper dollars worth anywhere from $50 to $250. The deadline is 12-12-08.

(Photo credit: Smart Car Blog)

Tags: , , ,

Host a Winter Party — Save Heat and Save Money!

November 17, 2008 in Go Green, Save Energy, Saving Money by susan | No comments

There’s nothing that warms the cockles of my heart more (and if you can locate those, I hope you’ll keep the info to yourself) than combining the two things I love best — hanging out with friends and saving money. So here’s a tip for you to go green and save some, too: Invite friends over and turn down your thermostat.

Just let everybody’s body heat ramp up the room temperature. According to one estimate I read, in an enclosed room (not Gauguin’s porch above), each human being’s sweet 98.6 degree F. body generates heat equivalent to a 175-watt heater. SO imagine what 10 friends can do! Things could get downright steamy.

OK– but what about the money side of entertaining? Friends don’t let friends starve, right. So it can cost more than you’ve saved in heat to wine and dine your buddies. Problem solved. Declare the party an eco-friendly pot luck. Ask each guest to bring one dish of food, so you ALL can save.

And instead of lots of wine and beer and an open bar, make one huge batch of punch — going easy on the alcohol, not because you’re chintzy — OK, maybe a little — but really because you care about your friends’ health. It’s lots cheaper and oh so fun. For the non-alcoholic fare, forget bottled water and soft drinks — way too pricey. Whip up a batch of lemonade. If you need the exercise, start squeezing lemons. But if you want to save even more money and time, just spring for a big can of powdered lemonade (you’d be surprised at how authentic it tastes. Slice up a real lemon and add it to the pitcher for a little tang and a natural touch.

Cheers! Here’s to good friends, good fun and green savings.

And send me your favorite tips for saving money and going green.

– For some more short tips on going green and saving money, check out this post from The Frugalist

Tags: , , ,

Go Green-Save Green: Turn Your Computer Off and Save $75

October 14, 2008 in Go Green, Save Energy, Saving Money, Uncategorized by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

OK, turning your computer on may take a minute longer than just tapping the mouse each time you sit down at your desk. (And the cat may have to find another warm place to loll about. ) But ask yourself this: if somebody offered you $75 just to add two mouse clicks to your daily routine (click Start; click Turn Off Computer, done) wouldn’t you take it?

Throw in the fact that you’ll also be reducing carbon emissions and letting your computer catch up on its beauty sleep, and it becomes a no-brainer green move. Save even more if you turn the entire power strip off that feeds the printer, your phone and ipod charger, desk lamp all the other appliances that suck energy just be being plugged in.

Need more incentive? Use that minute of warm-up time to stand up at your desk, and do a few body stretches (reach your hands up to the ceiling) and neck turns (shake your head gently Yes and then No) to keep from getting so stiff once you do sit down. That’ll save you another $75-$125 in chiropractic fees.

And that’s just for one household with one computer — imagine if you’re a small business with 100 computers — that’s $7,500 in savings. I bet you can think of a few things you’d like to do with that chunk of change.

Photo credit: www.lacyloos.com/about/cats.php

Tags: , , , ,

Save $$ — Fire the Maid; Save Energy — Yours! Clean Your House Simply by Walking

September 9, 2008 in Green Products, Save Energy, Uncategorized by susan | No comments

By Susan Seliger

Yes, those are my happy feet, propped up, enjoying all the time and energy I have saved (OK, I didn’t really have a maid to fire — you’re looking at her feet right there) by following two simple tips.

Tip 1: Take off your shoes as you enter your house.

Tip 2: Slip on these goofy slippers. And, as Nancy SInatra said (in a different context, which is why she has boots AND a bank account and I have these slippers) Start Walking!

As I learned from an excellent post by Ellen Honigstock, a green architect in New York City, the single best way to improve the quality of air in your house and keep germs out, too, is simply to take off your shoes so you don’t track in all the filth from the outside world. And Ellen knows about green cleaning — she’s a LEED Advocate for the NYC chapter of the US Green Building Council. Sounds so obvious and simple — but do you do it? No and neither did I, until now. (Thank you, Ellen, I’ll spread the word.)

Now once you’ve slipped off your shoes, get really smart — slip on these microfiber mop slippers. Forget about hauling out the mop, bending over, and scrubbing. Just grab a green floor cleaner, spray occasionally as you move, and do what you usually do — like walking straight to the refrigerator to pour yourself a glass of organic wine. Presto, you’re cleaning. (You may even be able to chew gum at the same time, which would qualify you to run for vice president.)

Bonus Tip 3: Here’s the real key to effortless cleaning: get a pair of these slippers for everybody in the family, your roommates — and an extra for guests. Put up a discreet sign that tells everybody to take off their shoes upon entering, and leave the slippers by the door. You’ll get everybody in on the green-cleaning act faster than you can say “Tom Sawyer does not really want you to whitewash the fence.” Now that’s my idea of energy-efficient cleaning.

Mop slippers: Green Product Details

So Good: These slippers have removable. microfiber mop soles that you can wash — and keep wearing. My only complaint is that some of the slippers seem to come in women’s sizes, not men’s. But they’ll fit most people — definitely kids. And I suspect, the companies will see the error of their ways and bring out men’s sizes any day now (especially if we let them know how we feel about sharing the chores).

So Green: Use, re-use, save money and energy. What could be bad?

So Here: You can find them at a number of places, in different colors: Plaid and Blue slippers: Only $5.95/pair at Colonial Medcial: and about $5 at Taylor Gifts and As Seen On TV. Green slippers: At Sur La Table (in pink, too) for just under $10. Pink Slippers: At Amazon.com, for under $10 per pair:

Let me know if they work for you.

FIND OUT MORE ON GREEN CLEANING AND SAVING $$:

Clean, Green Freebie: Win an Energy-Efficient, Water-Saving Washer and Dryer

And for more about Ellen Honigstock, a great green architect, go to her blog page on RiverWired.com.
Photo credit: Susan Seliger, whose feet are made for resting.


Tags: , ,

« Older entries § Newer entries »