Posts Tagged ‘green’

Save Electricity Save Money and Go Green

Posted by in Featured,Going Green,What You Can Do

Have you ever thought about changing electricity providers? No, because it was much too confusing? You pay by the Kilowatt hour (Kwh) used which makes about as much sense to us as a British Thermal Unit (BTU).

What in the world is a Kilowatt hour anyway? I think I understand so here is an example: For every hour of electricity you run the lights, washer, computer, and air-conditioner in your home, divide the amount of time you spend worrying about your budget, subtract number of people in your household, add the square root of your pets, divide by pie (3.14 – cherry or apple pie works best here) and add the number of slugs you find on your patio when the Houston humidity is 88% or higher.

In Algebra it looks like this: A(Kwh x 4)-3+2b2d(3.14 cherry) + 8 slugs @88% = 0.112 cents per Kwh. Simples!

Two years ago and with much consternation, I made the leap to a green energy supplier and freaked out when my monthly bill went down. How is this possible in a free society? My bill went down, really? A few weeks ago I found a site which makes switching even easier than my leap of faith (which is also the title of an excellent video on amphibians) at http://www.powertochoose.org or http://www.saveonenergy.com

You just click on a button and it gives you not only all the companies and their rates in the area but shows how much 1,000Kwh would cost you so you can see actual dollars and decide if you want the company that cost you $109 per 1,000Kwh or $130 per Kwh. It does not matter if you know how many hours you use, the price is the price and you can find your current company to compare. Benefit here is you can look at green energy (wind, solar, water) suppliers and will see their costs are only a few dollars more which is a bonus to you and the environment.

Benefits – no speaking to humans on the other end of a phone – we all love this. Save money on your monthly bills. Find a green company and use less coal based electricity. Can be done from the comfort of your air conditioned home regardless of how many slugs are outside your door. Did I mention you could Save Money? 

Tune in next time to learn about BTU’s and why British wearing Thermals is related to how cold your air conditioner is. I can tell you a BTU is equal to about 1 kilojoule which means another Algebra equation is on it’s way, this time featuring dormice.

 

Bugs Life No More!

Posted by in amphibians,Diamondback Terrapins,Going Green,What You Can Do

bildtankstelle_1_055

Use your garden to control your bugs!

Within seconds of leaving my front door, I am covered in tiny blood-sucking insects. My mosquito bite-covered legs will stand for this no more. I have done my research and found some ways to enjoy my summer while reducing this infestation- Gardening! Whether you want to grow plants from seeds or buy them at the store, there are many natural ways to keep bugs away from your family, garden, and pets.


An increasing number of studies are concluding negative health effects result from insecticides, especially in children. Also, I don’t enjoy smelling like a chemical plant and feeling like a piece of chewed up gum. While spraying chemical pesticides on your garden may not seem as uncomfortable to you, it can actually kill many of the bugs that you love, like lady bugs, bees, and butterflies.


I have been searching for remedies to the previously mentioned concerns, and I have found the goods. The first of the secret weapons is Lavender. Lavender repels mosquitoes and encourages butterflies. You can also splash on some lavender oil to use as a mosquito repellant and a perfume too! That’s all any woman wants, isn’t it?


The second secret weapon, garlic, deters more than just vampires. While not very many people would be willing to douse themselves in garlic on a daily basis, it seems to work wonders in the garden. Garlic has proved successful in frightening those pests out of the vegetable gardens and rose bushes. If all else fails, then you can cook up some tasty fresh spaghetti with it.


Finally, I will soon fill my garden at home with marigolds, a cute little flower that also repels those mosquitoes. Marigolds have a dual use of fashion and function.


Many other creative and easy recipes can be found here. Other key ingredients vary from chili peppers and rubbing alcohol to cheap household soap.


Ever wonder how the Zoo plants look so good? The Zoo Horticulture Team focuses on making the soil “happy.” They use totally organic products, such as leaf mold fertilizers, compost tea, and a vinegar solution instead of Round-Up.


Now, Put that green thumb to work!