Don’t let vampire power dry you out.
Vampire Power is the power your electrical devices use when they are plugged in but turned off or in standby mode. Major vampire power culprits are computers, chargers for cell phones or other electronics and television sets, and these power-suckers can account for a huge portion of your energy bill.
Put an end to vampire power in your home by unplugging chargers and other electronics when not in use. Put larger items such as televisions and computers on power-strips, and flip the switch to off when the items are not being used. Make your unused outlets even more energy-efficient by inserting safety plugs. Outlets can be prime areas for outside air to leak into your home, and plugging them up will save on heating and cooling costs.
These two little changes can make a big difference. You’ll likely be shocked at your energy savings next month.
America Recycles Day is November 15th
The only nationally recognized day dedicated to encouraging people to recycle and buy recycled products, America Recycles Day celebrates one of the easiest ways for people to get involved in sustainability: recycling. Keep America Beautiful, Inc. (KAB) became the national steward of America Recycles Day last year. It is the nation’s largest volunteer-based community action and education organization with a network of over 1,200 affiliate and participating organizations.
The whole intent of America Recycles Day is to draw attention to recycling as a behavior and as an act, but also as a movement. The amount of energy saved from recycling aluminum and steel cans, plastic PET and glass containers, newsprint and corrugated packaging in 2008 alone was equivalent to:
- The amount of electricity consumed by 17.8 million Americans in one year
- The amount of gasoline used in almost 11 million passenger automobiles in one year
- 7.9 percent of electricity generation from fossil fuels in the U.S. in one year
Recycling translates directly into an impact on your local environment.
National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (NLPPW), October 24–30, 2010, to raise awareness of lead poisoning in children. Lead causes a variety of adverse health effects, including brain and nervous system disorders, high blood pressure and hypertension, and reproductive problems. For children, even low levels of exposure to lead can cause a host of developmental effects such as learning disabilities, decreased intelligence and speech, language, and behavioral problems, which can affect children for a lifetime.
Parents can reduce a child’s exposure to lead in many ways. One way is to get your home tested. Have your home inspected if you live in a home built before 1978.
More information on lead:
http://epa.gov/lead/pubs/lppw2010.htm
The most popular green question is: “What kind of light bulbs are you using?”
CFLs or Compact Fluorescent Lights are the hot topic in residential applications. However, as of July 2010 the Department of Energy has established a new rule on light bulbs that eliminates any further manufacturing of certain fluorescent light bulbs commonly used in office settings. This may make your office change over occur earlier as replacement bulbs will no long be available or limit your choices. Please see the following website for more information:
http://www.aboutlightingcontrols.org/education/papers
/2010/2010_lighting-upgrades.shtml
Focus on Green Infrastructure
HRC authors “Sustainability and Transportation Infrastructure: A Golden Age” - As published in the September/October 2010 issue of “MML Review”
View Publication
September 9, 2010 – HRC launches its Green website.
The Green Committee at HRC is excited to release our green website. The green website is one way the newest standing HRC committee is promoting the Company’s historic and ongoing ‘Green’ philosophy, providing assistance on ‘Green’ design and construction practices; searching for avenues in which the Company can internally reduce energy costs and our carbon footprint; and promoting environmentally sound initiatives that employees can implement at work and at home.
HRC Newest LEED Green Associates
Congratulations to Eric Warner and Tom Dehondt Sr. on obtaining all the necessary prerequisites and passing examination to become LEED Green Associates. This is the new USGBC designation and first step in the tiered LEED Accredited Professional and represents green building expertise including design, construction, and operations. Congratulations to both Eric and Tom!
