20 Ways To Live Green!

20 Ways To Live Green!

Small changes made by individuals can add up to big changes for the environment. Here are 20 Ways To Live Green!

1. The most effective way in which energy can be conserved is to use it ‘less’.

2. Plug all the places from which air can pass – go out or come in. Simply ‘air seal’ or ‘weatherize your home for energy conservation.

3. Heavily insulate your entire house to stop heat being transferred from one place to the other.

4. Turn down the thermostat of your house and slip on a cardigan, jacket or a sweater instead. Increase personal insulation rather than burn so much energy. Apply the same rule for winters.

5. Cleaning air conditioning units’ air filters at least once in a month is a good idea.



6. Empty rooms should be kept closed so that the heat or the cold does not escape to those rooms.

7. Instead of turning up the heat, simply staying under covers during night and insulating yourself is a better idea.

8. Use solar energy as much as you can.

9. Although using ceiling fans may seem outdated, it actually helps is reducing your utility bills largely as it helps cool your room faster by air-circulation.

10. Cook foods that require the same temperature together in the oven and preferably with a lid if on gas top, to conserve energy in the kitchen.

11. Switch off all the light that you are not using.

12. Cleaning your dryer lint filter regularly helps save on energy.

13. Using a microwave as an alternative to a conventional stove or an oven is a great idea!

14. Washing clothes in tepid water instead of cold or hot water helps you conserve energy.

15. Proper ventilation in the kitchen area helps in removing heat, dampness and cooking smells.

16. Unplug all electronic appliances not frequently used.

17. Save money as well as energy by using compact fluorescent light bulbs.

18. Hook up your outdoor lights to a timer device.

19. Do not keep the door of your refrigerator open for a long time. Conserve energy by opening
it once and taking out all that you need in one go.

20. Conserve water while dishwashing. Also reduce the use of heated water.

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A Fresh Trend Of Zero Energy House Designs

A Fresh Trend Of Zero Energy House Designs

Turning to renewable sources of energy have become the need of the hour. Now, imagine that you have a house which is so eco-friendly that for the many coming centuries it can fulfil all your basic needs for which you will not have to depend on non renewable resources. This kind of house will surely be an asset for anyone.

These smart theories have been made into reality by the Michelle Kaufmann Studio, who has called these houses the Zero Series.

Zero, in this case, is meant as zero waste. When the Studio did the Glidehouse designs, it made everybody wonder if these designs would really be energy efficient and absolutely green.


This time, the Studio has taken this concept a step forward in the form of Zero houses which are better and improved in any possible way.

Just like the Glidehouses, the Zero houses are well-designed, attractive, built using eco-friendly materials, have means to save and conserve water and generally have a healthy atmosphere around them. The print of the house, as the Studio says, is very green and clean.

According to the designer Kaufmann, the six years which have passed between the Glidehouse and the Zero Series were quite helpful in understanding what should be modified and what should be avoided.

Some of these points include that more work needs to be done not on the site but also off site. Also, the client’s needs can be easily accommodated as the designs have more flexibility and can be changed well modifying the construction.

The company has three trademarked variations within the Zero series – the Contours, the Vista and the Ridge.

Zero energy buildings (ZEBs) are not a new thing. These structures, the Zero series are ZEBs, which means that energy from renewable energy can very well run the house. There are photovoltaic panels which help in tapping the solar energy.

In addition to this, there are rainwater harvesting systems and gray water gathering systems. These homes are LEED certified and also qualify for NAHB Green Building Standard and Build It Green certificates.

The Ridge is based on the Passivhaus principles of shading, light and insulation while Contours and Vista allow a lot of natural light and ventilation to pass. The latter duo has outdoor rooms as well as indoor ones.

These eco friendly and energy efficient houses truly represent the need of the day and are available at an affordable cost of $66,500.

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Peugeot to Lease iOn Electric Car for €499/Month in France

Peugeot to Lease iOn Electric Car for €499/Month in France

Peugeot has released the specifications for the iOn EV—based on the Mitsubishi iMiEV (earlier post)—in advance of the Paris Auto Show. Peugeot is planning to put the electric vehicle on sale at the end of this year.


Peugeot says that it will market the iOn based mainly on an “all-inclusive” mobility offer. As an example, in France this offer lasts for five years and costs €499 (US$643) including VAT per month, which includes: the vehicle and its battery; 5-year warranty covering the battery and electric power train; servicing and maintenance for five years or 50,000 km (31,000 miles); specific electric assistance; and Peugeot Connect, Electric Driving (smartphone application) services and access to the Mu by Peugeot mobility program.

Peugeot is targeting the iOn mainly at local government, local authorities and public services and companies active in the transport and energy sectors, leasing companies, car sharing companies and the fleets of large corporations. In the first half of 2010, Peugeot has already signed 15 letters of intent with:

1. three public transport companies, including two for an offer in different European countries;
2. six leasing companies in three European countries; and
3. six energy companies in six European countries.

Peugeot is also a partner in the consortium VTLIB’ (Veolia urban transport), still in the running as a candidate for the Autolib’ project, a future electric car self-service system planned for Paris and nearby suburbs in 2011. To a lesser extent, the company says, private individuals are also target customers.


Powertrain. The iOn is a rear-wheel drive vehicle in which the electric motor and single-ratio reduction gearbox are installed in front of the rear suspension. The motor is supplied with a 330 V three-phase alternating current (AC) from the inverter which is supplied with a 330 V direct current (DC) from the main battery pack.

The inverter regulates the current, frequency and voltage according to the position of the accelerator pedal. The inverter, the motor and the reduction gearing provides a potential speed range from 0 to 130 km/h (81 mph). The single reduction gear provides an overall ratio of 6.066 in both forward and reverse gears. Reverse gear is obtained by reversing the direction of the motor’s operation.

The compact synchronous permanent magnet electric motor delivers maximum power of 47 kW (64 bhp) and has a maximum torque of 180 N·m (134 lb-ft) from 0 to 2000 rpm.

The lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4 battery pack was developed by Lithium Energy Japan (LEJ, a joint venture between Mitsubishi/GS-Yuasa). The batteries are produced in Kusatsu in Japan. Each battery module has four or eight 3.7 V cells and a capacity of 50 Ah. With a total of 88 cells, connected in series, the battery pack can store 16 kWh of electrical energy with a nominal voltage of 330 V.

The recharging of each cell in the battery pack is controlled continuously by a control system which includes monitoring of each cell and a central battery controller.

The battery can be fully recharged in six hours using a single-phase 220 V household supply via a five meter cable fitted with a standard socket and a special plug for connection to the vehicle.

For quick charging, the 50 kW charging unit directly supplies voltage and direct current to recharge the drive battery. The unit operates on a three-phase 380 V supply (supplied directly from the country’s electrical network). The car’s battery is, therefore, supplied with a single-phase direct current of up to 125 A. A quick recharge fifteen minutes to provide 50% battery capacity and 30 minutes for 80% capacity.

Range per the European standard cycle is 150 km (93 miles).

The inverter, on-board charger, (DC) converter and electric motor are cooled by circulating water supplying a radiator positioned at the front of the vehicle. To optimize the life of the battery, if certain temperature thresholds are reached by elements of the battery pack during quick charging, ambient air or air cooled by the air conditioning is circulated through the pack.

The instrument panel features a battery charge indicator (with sixteen positions) letting the driver know the battery charge level. A power meter encourages economical driving by providing an instantaneous readout of levels of energy consumption or energy recovery during deceleration and braking, by means of a needle which moves across coloured zones:

1. the green zone, driving with minimal energy consumption,
2. the white zone, “energy hungry” driving,
3. the blue “Charge” zone, level of energy recovery;
4. the trip computer, as well as the usual information, indicates the available range calculated on the basis of driving conditions recorded over the last 25 kilometers. Parameters taken into account include the type of driving, traffic conditions, the type of journey and use of the heating or air conditioning; and
5. gradual range reduction warnings and an emergency strategy.

When the battery charge level falls to two bars, the “gauge” symbol flashes, warning of the need to recharge the battery (17% of energy remaining). When the last bar is reached, it too flashes in addition to the “gauge” symbol. Charging is now essential.

When no bars are displayed any more, the “gauge” symbol stays on and the trip computer indicates no range. The heating and air conditioning are switched off by the vehicle’s onboard systems. The vehicle inertia allows the heater blower to diffuse any remaining hot or cold air. The power of the electric motor is gradually reduced.

When the requested acceleration can no longer be fully supported a “tortoise” symbol appears on the instrument panel and the vehicle’s performance is reduced; the vehicle comes to a complete stop when the minimum battery level is reached.

The electrical air conditioning and heating systems of the passenger compartment are powered from the lithium-ion battery pack.

The heating system operates via the circulation of coolant which is electrically heated. It provides warm air immediately after a cold start or when the vehicle is at a standstill. The power of the heating can be adjusted to obtain just the right level of comfort in order to minimize the consumption of electricity.

An optional “cold pack” is available which includes a heated driver’s seat ensuring good thermal comfort when only the driver is present, and optimizing the energy usage for the heating of the passenger compartment.

Air conditioning is provided by a refrigeration unit with an electric compressor controlled electronically so that only energy required for the current setting is consumed. Via: Tree Hugger

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Easy Green Tips For Simple Living

Easy Green Tips For Simple Living

There is nothing wrong with thinking of our environment’s state and coming up with green tips on how to preserve it.

It is awareness of the current problem of mass production, industrialism, and advancement in society that is seen as the first step in accepting green tips and their purpose.

It is human responsibility to take initiative and take charge of his personal and everyday consumption of resources that are available before we are left with depleted resources and an irreversible pollution problem.



Although, the sad truth to it is that a lot do not seem to concern themselves with the current situation, and just go about with their everyday lives.

This is the reason why those who are aware and those who care have practiced green tips passed on from one individual to another in hopes of changing the habits of everybody involved.

Like mentioned earlier, the first step is awareness. Knowledge of the current status of the environment should be taken seriously. There are a lot of green tips that people practice in their own homes, and here are some of them that you may want to follow as well:

1. Recycle newspapers and magazines

The amount of paper made in a month’s time numbers to a quantity more than we can imagine. The growing number of human population pushes forth a demand for more production of paper[paper recycling] which, in turn, demands more trees to be cut down. green tips is one of the most practical green tips to follow, and they can be used for other household purposes to be used later on.

2. Recycle bottles

This green tip show us that it is more cost efficient to reuse old bottles to contain water we use when we are out.

It saves the environment to use them again instead of throwing them away they will be burned in waste compounds and eventually contribute to harmful toxins to the environment.

3. Use energy saving bulbs

This is the most cost efficient, green tip solution possible to conserve energy used at home. It uses up less energy which in turn lowers electricity bills and electricity consumptions.

4. Do not use dryers

Cloth dryers consume too much electricity just to dry clothes. It is an advisable green tip to use natural ways of drying them by simple hanging them outside for the sun to do its job. It saves a lot of money and very light on the bills.

5. Conserve gasoline

If it is possible to use non gas powered vehicles, then do it. There are alternatives such as walking and using a bicycle. It is also a good idea to plan your trips to maximize your time and minimize energy wasted.

Whatever the case, green tips should be an everyday lifestyle that should come natural to us. In essence, it is the responsible choice to follow. Another responsibility we should take into consideration is to set an example for others to follow.

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