http://www.justgreenhomes.net Your guide to an eco-friendly home. Wed, 03 Feb 2010 03:42:45 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en If you have old double hung windows and you have already installed storm windows, weatherized the sashes and done everything that you can think of to make them energy efficient, there may be one more thing that you can do.  Older windows have ropes attached to the sashes that run ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/02/how-to-insulate-your-old-double-hung-windows/ My wife got a new vacuum cleaner this Christmas and it has made a difference in our lives. That may seem a little dramatic for just a vacuum cleaner, but for those of us that suffer from allergies it’s not. It has been amazing how much cleaner the house ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/how-to-go-green-with-a-new-vacuum-cleaner/ If you have drafty windows you may be experiencing some of the effects of Relative Humidity.  Warm moist air hits the cold surface of your window, it cools down and some of the moisture in the air condenses on the glass. Relative Humidity is a term used to describe the amount of water ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/relative-humidity/ Our latest investments were:   Shop light conversion: $36 This results in a grand total investment of $1,262.  Our utility bills have been paid through the end of 2009 and our total annual savings has climbed to $912.18 Progress: as of end of  2009 vs 2007 Electricity – 67.7% Natural Gas – 80.5% Water – 83.0% Utility Costs ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/new-year%e2%80%99s-net-50-energy-challenge-update/ You may not realize it, but hundreds of dollars might be slipping out from under your feet every year.  Adding R-19 insulation to a 400 square foot crawlspace could save you $125 a year on your heating bills and pay for itself in about a year.  With an investment ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/how-to-insulate-your-crawlspace-and-keep-your-toes-a-little-warmer/ We have a cat, a sweet old cat.  She came with my wife into our marriage.  For various reasons (allergies, dog vs. cat aggression, and nasty things some old cats do especially when un attended) she is relegated to the basement.  The dark, dirty, unfinished basement.  So naturally, we have ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/a-quick-shop-light-substitute/ Here’s a challenge: implement 12 (more) of these energy conservation products and strategies over the next year.  Take another step toward energy independence. 1.       Turn off the lights when you leave a room. 2.       Install a motion / occupancy sensor in a room that you go in and out ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/how-to-save-energy-%e2%80%93-101-ways-from-the-evident-to-the-extreme/ LED technology continues to improve, and now Cree Lighting has a lamp that replaces 75 Watt Floodligh bulbs in existing 6" recessed can light fixtures.  They are cost effective for those can lights that are on for several hours every day, like in your kitchen or on a porch.  ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/cost-effective-led-lamps-now-available/ Legislation may make traditional incandescent lights obsolete by 2014. Vying for their place as the new bulbs for home use are two low energy light bulbs known as compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). Both types of bulb have technological shortcomings, but they also have strengths that ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2010/01/exploring-options-for-low-energy-light-bulbs/ I was reading an article on Urban Farming today, and it reminded me of British Comedy that I used to watch years ago “Good Neighbors.”  It was a hilarious sitcom about a couple, Tom and Barbara Good, that live in a small suburban London home that decide to become ... http://www.justgreenhomes.net/2009/12/are-you-a-good-neighbor-six-ways-to-support-urban-farming/