Have you ever wondered how much of a difference all of those little green habits make? Are you really saving energy by switching light bulbs? Do those shorter showers save that much water?

These numbers show that each little bit adds up and that each small change can make a difference.

1. Turning off the water while brushing your teeth can save up to 8 gallons of water a day, or 240 gallons a month.
2. Switching all of the light bulbs in your home to CFLs can cut up to 300 pounds of carbon emissions each year.
3. Fixing your leaky sink can save you 3,000 gallons of water each year.
4. Using the microwave: The EPA estimates that you’ll use up to 50% less energy if you opt for the microwave over the oven when reheating small amounts of food.
5. According to the EPA, taking a shorter shower can save up to 5 gallons of water a minute.

Source:  All Green Recycling (Amy Erickson)

Small changes to habits can make a big difference, not only to the environment but to your bank balance too! A step further is to consider installing water conservation systems and solar energy systems such as solar water heaters.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system, gray water system or water tank (we are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld (we also supply high quality Atlas Plastics water tanks and other Atlas Plastics products on request). Go green with your house, car and business insurance by switching to green insurance, now available in South Africa.

As the old adage goes, April showers bring May flowers. But for those looking to green their homes, April showers also provide an easy way to reduce water bills and water waste.

Rainwater harvesting is a simple and efficient way to capitalize on the naturally occurring precipitation in your area, and reduce dependency on irrigated or treated water. Provided you live in a region that receives above a certain amount of annual precipitation (the EPA recommends a minimum of 8 inches), rainwater harvesting can be a cost-effective means of greening your home.

The most basic way to harvest rainwater is to use a rain barrel. As the name suggests, rain barrels are simply large bins placed at the end of roof gutters to collect rainwater. This system is incredibly simple and easy to install, yet able to collect tremendous amounts of rainwater. On a 1,000-square-foot roof, one inch of rain can yield 620 gallons of water. Given that the daily per capita household water usage is about 70 gallons, this means that even in climates with low levels of yearly rainfall, the potential for saving water is quite significant.

The EPA handbook  on rainwater harvesting lists a number of important environmental benefits in addition to the cost savings. The most immediate benefit is the reduction in water waste—an important advantage given the decreasing supply of available fresh water. In this respect, rainwater harvesting can reduce the strain on local reservoirs and aquifers, and mitigate senseless water depletion.

Rainwater harvesting has a number of important advantages with respect to energy and climate change as well. Because people using rainwater collection can source a significant portion of their water right at home, they rely less on water that requires treatment and transportation. Thus, the EPA estimates that reducing potable water demand by 10 percent could save 300 billion kilowatt hours of energy annually—that’s 71 Hoover Dams worth. A reduction in energy usage also decreases the amount of carbon emitted in producing that energy; for every million gallons of water saved, carbon emissions are reduced by 1 to 1.5 tons. That’s admittedly not much, but the link between water usage and carbon output demonstrates that large-scale water savings can put a dent in our carbon footprint.

While the benefits of rainwater collection are manifold, there are some precautions homeowners should take before installing a system on their property. First, check with local authorities about the laws and regulations concerning rainwater collection in your community. In some areas, rainwater collection is prohibited because it can divert water away from natural waterways, reducing available water for those downstream.

Second, make sure that your roofing does not contain toxic materials. Some shingles and tiles on homes still contain asbestos—a carcinogenic chemical you certainly don’t want accumulating in your water supply. It may be prudent to send an initial sample for lab analysis to check the cleanliness of the water you collect. Some communities require this as a prerequisite to installing collection bins.

Finally, consider installing a filtration system in your collection bin, or, at minimum, appropriate screens to keep out insects, dirt, and plant material. More complex filtration systems are only needed for potable water. But because 80 percent of household water use doesn’t require potable water, installing such a system may not be necessary depending on how you wish to use harvested rainwater. A small spigot at the bottom of the collecting barrel is enough for outdoor needs, such as watering the garden. If you’re interested in using rainwater for laundry, toilets, or showers, you may need a pumping system to connect the water supply to your plumbing.

Fortunately, these measures can be easily taken, and actually installing a rainwater-harvesting system is simple enough for most people to do themselves. All in all, rainwater collection is a great way to save water and money. Perhaps the best upside is this: With rain barrels, rainy days no longer have to be gloomy occasions—just think of how much you’re helping the environment!

Source: Grist

Rainbarrels are a simple solution to rainwater harvesting.  A step further is to install a rainwater system that integrates with your water supply (be it municipal water or borehole water).  Water Rhapsody rainwater and grey water systems are designed for minimal user input, saving water and money without you having to think about about.  Many parts of South Africa are experiencing somewhat unseasonal April rainfall, especially in the Mpumalanga Lowveld; it’s never too late to install a rainwater harvesting system for the coming dry period.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems Mpumalanga offers water tank and rainwater tank installation, rainwater harvesting systems (see rainwater FAQ), grey water recycling  (see greywater FAQ) and water-saving devices for swimming pools and toilet flush systems (see product demo ).  Our WWF Award-winning water systems can be retrofitted or built into new buildings and can be adapted to small households or large business blocks, hospitals, schools, lodges & hotels.

Water Rhapsody has incorporated Yes Solar- official distributor of German-made Solsquare solar water heating systems that are installed by Eskom-accredited solar installers (our solar geysers are eligible for Eskom solar energy rebates).  We are authorized JoJo Water Tank dealers and Atlas Plastics water tank suppliers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Province (best water tank prices in the Lowveld!).  We are also able to supply sanitary hardware such as waterless toilets through our JoJo Tanks and Atlas Plastics dealerships.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, water tank or rainwater/gray water system.  South Africa now has eco-friendly insurance- another way to go green, switch to green insurance cover and reduce your carbon footprint today!

We’ve all probably been made aware of some startling water-use statistics that are more ‘apparent’, but have we ever considered the water use/waste that is involved in less ‘obvious’ human activities?? One may be surprised to learn of some of the facts below…

Diet

• The water it takes to produce the average American diet alone—approximately 1,000 gallons per person per day—is more than the global average water footprint of 900 gallons per person per day for diet, household use, transportation, energy, and the consumption of material goods.
• That quarter pounder is worth more than 30 average American showers. One of the easiest ways to slim your water footprint is to eat less meat and dairy. Another way is to choose grass-fed, rather than grain-fed, since it can take a lot of water to grow corn and other feed crops.
• A serving of poultry costs about 90 gallons of water to produce. There are also water costs embedded in the transportation of food (gasoline costs water to make). So, consider how far your food has to travel, and buy local to cut your water footprint.
• Pork costs water to produce, and traditional pork production—to make your sausage, bacon, and chops—has also been the cause of some water pollution, as pig waste runs into local water sources.
• On average, a vegan, a person who doesn’t eat meat or dairy, indirectly consumes nearly 600 gallons of water per day less than a person who eats the average American diet.
• A cup of coffee takes 55 gallons of water to make, with most of that H2O used to grow the coffee beans.

Electricity, Fuel Economy, and Airline Travel

• The water footprint of your per-day electricity use is based on state averages. If you use alternative energies such as wind and solar, your footprint could be less. (The use of biofuels, however, if they are heavily irrigated, could be another story.) You would also get points, or a footprint reduction, for using energy-star appliances and taking other energy-efficiency measures.
• Washing a car uses about 150 gallons of water, so by washing less frequently you can cut back your water use.
• A gallon of gasoline takes nearly 13 gallons of water to produce. Combine your errands, car pool to work, or take public transportation to reduce both your energy and water use.
• Flying from Los Angeles to San Francisco, about 700 miles round-trip, could cost you more than 9,000 gallons of water, or enough for almost 2,000 average dishwasher loads.
• A cross-country airplane trip (about 6,000 miles) could be worth more than 1,700 standard toilet flushes.
• Traveling from Chicago to Istanbul is just about 10,000 miles round trip, costing enough water to run electricity in the average American home for one person for more than five years.

Industry—Apparel, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Paper

• According to recent reports, nearly 5% of all U.S. water withdrawals are used to fuel industry and the production of many of the material goods we stock up on weekly, monthly, and yearly.
• It takes about 100 gallons of water to grow and process a single pound of cotton, and the average American goes through about 35 pounds of new cotton material each year. Do you really need that additional T-shirt?
• One of the best ways to conserve water is to buy recycled goods, and to recycle your stuff when you’re done with it. Or, stick to buying only what you really need.
• The water required to create your laptop could wash nearly 70 loads of laundry in a standard machine.
• Recycling a pound of paper, less than the weight of your average newspaper, saves about 3.5 gallons of water. Buying recycled paper products saves water too, as it takes about six gallons of water to produce a dollar worth of paper.

1 liquid gallon (US) = approx. 3.8 litres

Source: Ecovitality

Some of the above water consumption facts are astounding.  This is the daily water consumption that very few people are aware of.  Water scarcity is becoming a reality in many parts of the world and  South Africa is categorized as a water scarce country.  Being aware of your own personal water consumption will assist you to save water in all facets of your life.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar water geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water heater, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorized South African JoJo Water Tanks dealers and supply the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.

Being ‘green’ doesn’t carry that much weight when it’s just a ‘label’ and you are being ‘forced’ to change.

It’s like being ‘on’ a  diet. We say, “I’m on a diet”, as if we can get ‘off’ of it at any time. And more often than not, we do.

But if you change your lifestyle to eat better and exercise, the chances are, you’ll stay more fit and be healthier.

Being ‘green’ is like that. It’s a lifestyle change; not a program that you get ‘on’ and ‘off’. If you think of it as a better living, healthier living, frugal living, it’ll be easier for you to change to a different, better, lifestyle.

Having said, here are three simple ways to change your lifestyle today for better tomorrow:

1. Conserve Water.

According to Water.org:

• More than 3.5 million people die each year from water-related disease; 84 percent are children. Nearly all deaths, 98 percent, occur in the developing world.
• Lack of access to clean water and sanitation kills children at a rate equivalent of a jumbo jet crashing every four hours.
• Lack of sanitation is the world’s biggest cause of infection.
• Millions of women and children spend several hours each day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources. This is time not spent working at an income-generating job, caring for family members, or attending school.
• 443 million school days are lost each year due to water-related illness.

OK, so we don’t live in areas that lack water but this is such an easy step to take that it’s almost too silly to even talk about it. But water is one resource that we take for granted daily. If you ever experienced a power outage and can’t get hot water to take a shower, you’ll know what I mean. I lost power last year in a winter storm that I didn’t know when I would be able to take a shower. And about a month ago, due to the continuous winter storms we had, snow runoff into the reservoirs made drinking water unsafe so we had to boil water before drinking or cooking with it. It’s an inconvenience for modern society but residents in Arizona or Nevada will attest that saving water is daily ritual.

So, conserve water in any means possible, even if you don’t live in the desert.  You just never know when we’ll be left without this natural resource. And frankly, if we can save, why not?

2. Use Alternative Energy.

This might be tough in some areas but there are more and more alternative and clean energy options available now. New Jersey is one of eight states that encourage clean energy, including solar energy, and has been a model for other states to follow in helping its residents to switch to solar energy. Many utility companies are offering green energy so check with your energy provider to find out ways to switch to alternative energy.

3.Take Eco-Vacations

This is a great opportunity to learn, see and feel all that you’ve been doing to live sustainably. Visit a national park and volunteer to be a volunteer trail crew in Colorado, or sail with a crew on a boat and learn about river conservation on Clear Water on Hudson River, NY or become a farmer for a week or a weekend, on an organic farm, located all over the world. You will not regret the experience and you will also be helping in the effort to  conserve  the planet.

4. OK. I lied. There is one more.

Read blogs like this and learn and share [www.ecovitality.co.za is highly recommended]. You may know many of these ways already but maybe your friends on facebook do not. Your Twitter followers may not. And contacts on your address book may. This is a great way to share the message and influence another person to live sustainably as you have. After all, we can’t save the planet all by ourselves. We need as much helpers as we can get.

How did you change your lifestyle today for better tomorrow?

Source: Green Living Ideas

Water conservation and energy are inextricably linked; installing water-saving devices and renewable energy systems such as solar panels and solar water geysers, make for a great combination that saves electricity and water bills and saves the environment.  ‘Going green’ means many things to many people; do what you can to make a difference and lead by example.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar water geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water heater, rainwater harvesting system (see rainwater FAQ), gray water recycling system or water tank (we are authorized South African JoJo Water Tanks dealers and supply the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld.

Water conservation and renewable energy such as solar energy are two issues that affect the global community; make a difference and start conserving water and switch to renewable energy today.

Think about everything that you use in one day – your morning shower, the coffeemaker, the work commute, your annual report, the short drive to lunch, watching television, doing laundry. It all adds up. Now think about how much time, money and resources you’d save if you just used a little bit less during your day.

Here are some things to consider using less of in the coming year:

1. Use Less Coal
Utilities buy more than 90 percent of U.S. coal, a non-renewable resource. So in the winter, think about turning your thermostat down a few degrees; this will save you money and help reduce coal use.

2. Use Less Energy
Energy consumption is at the forefront of many environmental discussions these days. While you may think cutting your energy use won’t make that big of difference, by using cold water to wash your clothes, you can save 90 percent of the washing machine’s power utilization. That’s a lot of energy for a simple step.

3. Use Fewer Virgin Materials
Each American uses about 47,000 pounds of newly mined materials each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Mining can have large negative impacts on the environment. Try using products that are made from recycled content to cut down on your use of virgin materials.

4. Use Less Water
Many experts agree the world is in the midst of a water crisis. Do your part by trying to reduce the amount of water you use. By shortening your shower  one mere minute, you can save 150 gallons of water per month.

5. Use Less Paper
You’ve probably seen the icon at the bottom of emails telling you to think before you print. Well, it’s good advice. If you do have to print, set your printer to print on both sides and definitely recycle it when you can. Reusing 2,000 pounds of paper can save 7,000 gallons of water and 380 gallons of oil, according to EPA.

6. Use Less Packaging
Packaging can create a tremendous amount of trash. Try buying from bulk bins where there’s less packaging required, and you can take only what you need.

7. Use Fewer Hazardous Materials
When it comes to using hazardous items, like paint, cleaning chemicals or pesticides, the best thing to do is always read labels; they will tell you exactly how much of a chemical to use. Many times there are cleaner, less toxic alternatives to hazardous materials so try using natural pesticides and making your own cleaning products. [see eco-friendly ant control]

8. Use Less Gas
According to EPA, the U.S. uses one million gallons of oil every two minutes. So, slow down! Traveling at 55 mph can give you up to 21 percent better mileage than speeding to 65 mph. [see How to Hypermile & Drive Green]

Another fun tip: When the temperature is cooler, gas is denser so buy gas early in the morning or late at night to get more gas for your money.

9. Use Less Tech
This may be hard for some of you to hear, but electronics can be extremely harmful to the environment. They drain electricity, use non-renewable metals and contain toxic chemicals. By using fewer electronics and properly disposing the ones you have used, you can help create a healthier environment.

10. Create Less Trash
According to a University of Utah study, the average American will throw away 90,000 pounds of trash in his or her lifetime. To reduce the amount of trash you generate, use ceramic plates instead of paper ones; it’s also important to note that although paper plates are made from paper, which is renewable and recyclable, many are coated with plastic, which can make it difficult to recycle and degrade in landfills. Also try cloth napkins and towels instead of paper ones.

11. Use Fewer Disposables
Using less disposables goes hand-in-hand with creating less trash. Try using canvas shopping bags instead of plastic bags and earth-friendly plastics that biodegrade or are made from recycled content.

Source: Earth911

If you love long showers or like full baths then a way to ensure the water does not go to waste is to reuse this water for garden irrigation or for flushing toilets (why use good drinking water to flush toilets anyway?).  Gray water irrigation is also useful during the dry season when water restrictions are in place- your garden and lawn need never be dry again as it will get watered daily (or whenever you shower or bath). See Why Use Grey Water for Irrigation?

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga offer eco-friendly rainwater collection systems, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flush mechanisms and high quality Solsquare solar geysers.

Contact us for a FREE QUOTE on a solar water geyser, rainwater harvesting system, gray water system or water tank (we are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers and supply and install the full range of JoJo water tanks and JoJo tank stands).  Our water tank prices are hard to beat in the Mpumalanga & Limpopo Lowveld (we also supply high quality Atlas Plastics water tanks and other Atlas Plastics products on request).

Being earth-friendly doesn’t require going solar or growing all your own food. There are plenty of easy ways to make a big difference.

When it comes to the environment, being a good global citizen starts at your doorstep. From recycling to using alternative cleaning materials, minor changes at home can add up to real benefits for the planet, not to mention your own health and happiness.

It may be a cliché, but the best way to be Earth-friendly is to cut down on what you consume and recycle whenever you can. The U.S. generates about 208 million tons of municipal solid waste a year, according to the National Institutes of Health. That’s more than 4 pounds per person per day. Every little bit helps; recycling just one glass bottle saves enough electricity to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours.

Here are 10 more easy ways to green your home:

1. Green up your appliances. Getting rid of that old refrigerator in the garage could save you as much as $150 a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Appliance use comprises about 18% of a typical home’s total energy bill, with the fridge being one of the biggest energy hogs. If any of your appliances is more than 10 years old, the EPA suggests replacing them with energy-efficient models that bear their “Energy Star” logo. Energy Star-qualified appliances use 10%-50% less energy and water than standard models. According to the Energy Star site, if just one in 10 homes used energy-efficient appliances, it would be equivalent to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

Also, consider what you put in that energy-efficient refrigerator. Pesticides, transportation and packaging are all things to consider when stocking up. Buying local cuts down on the fossil fuels burned to get the food to you while organic foods are produced without potentially harmful pesticides and fertilizers.

2. Watch the temp. Almost half a home’s energy consumption is due to heating and cooling.

• Turn down the thermostat in cold weather and keep it higher in warm weather. Each degree below 68°F (20°C) during colder weather saves 3%-5% more heating energy, while keeping your thermostat at 78°F in warmer weather will save you energy and money. A programmable thermostat will make these temperature changes for you automatically.
• Clean your furnace’s air filter monthly during heavy usage.
• Consider a new furnace. Today’s furnaces are about 25% more efficient than they were in the 1980s. (And don’t forget to check out furnaces carrying the Energy Star label.)
• To keep your cool in warmer weather, shade your east and west windows and delay heat-generating activities such as dishwashing until evening.
• Use ceiling fans instead of air conditioners. Light clothing in summer is typically comfortable between 72°F and 78°F. But moving air feels cooler, so a slow-moving fan easily can extend the comfort range to 82°F, according to “Consumer Guide to Home Energy Savings” by Alex Wilson.

3. Save water. The Web site “Water — Use it Wisely,” created by a group of Arizona cities, lists 100 simple ways to save water. We’ll share just a few here:

• Put an aerator on all household faucets and cut your annual water consumption by 50%.
• Install a low-flow toilet. They use only 1.6 gallons per flush, compared to 3.5 gallons per flush for pre-1994 models. If you have an older model, adjust your float valve to admit less water into the toilet’s tank. [See the Multi-Flush toilet product demo]

Of course, you don’t need products to save water — behavioral changes also add up quickly: using a broom instead of the garden hose to clean your driveway can save 80 gallons of water and turning the water off when you brush your teeth will save 4.5 gallons each time.

4. Clean green. Stop buying household cleaners that are potentially toxic to both you and the environment. In his book, “The Safe Shopper’s Bible,” David Steinman suggests reading labels for specific, eco-friendly ingredients that also perform effectively. These include grain alcohol instead of toxic butyl cellosolve, commonly found in carpet cleaner and some window cleaners as a solvent; coconut or other plant oils rather than petroleum in detergents; and plant-oil disinfectants such as eucalyptus, rosemary or sage rather than triclosan, an antifungal agent found in soaps and deodorant. Or, skip buying altogether and make your own cleaning products. Use simple ingredients such as plain soap, water, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), vinegar, washing soda (sodium carbonate), lemon juice and borax and save money at the same time. Check out these books by Annie Bertold-Bond for cleaning recipes: “Clean and Green” and “Better Basics for the Home.”

5. Let there be energy-efficient light. Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs) use 66% less energy than a standard incandescent bulb and last up to 10 times longer. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL can save $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.

6. Save a tree, use less paper.  You can buy “tree-free” 100% post-consumer recycled paper for everything from greeting cards to toilet paper. Paper with a high post-consumer waste content uses less virgin pulp and keeps more waste paper out of landfills.

Other tips:

• Remove yourself from junk mail lists. Each person will receive almost 560 pieces of junk mail this year, which adds up nationally to 4.5 million tons, according to the Native Forest Network. About 44% of all junk mail is thrown in the trash, unopened and unread, and ends up in a landfill. To stem the flow into your own home, contact the Direct Marketing Association’s Mail Preference Service at P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512, or download the online form. Opt out of credit card or insurance offers at OptOutPrescreen.com or by calling 888-567-8688, a single automated phone line maintained by the major credit bureaus.
• Buy unbleached paper. Many paper products, including some made from recycled fibers, are bleached with chlorine. The bleaching process can create harmful byproducts, including dioxins, which accumulate in our air, water and soil over time.

Finally, here’s a third answer to the old “paper or plastic” question: No thanks. Carry your own cloth bags to the store to avoid using store bags.

7. Want hardwood floors? Opt for bamboo. Bamboo is considered an environmentally friendly flooring material due to its high yield and the relatively fast rate at which it replenishes itself. It takes just four to six years for bamboo to mature, compared to 50-100 years for typical hardwoods. Just be sure to look for sources that use formaldehyde-free glues.

8. Reduce plastics, reduce global warming. Each year, Americans throw away some 100 billion polyethylene plastic bags — from grocery and trash bags to those ultra-convenient sandwich bags. Unfortunately, plastics are made from petroleum — the processing and burning of which is considered one of the main contributors to global warming, according to the EPA. In addition, sending plastics to the landfill also increases greenhouse gases. Reduce, re-use and recycle your plastics for one of the best ways to combat global warming.

9. Use healthier paint. Conventional paints contain solvents, toxic metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can cause smog, ozone pollution and indoor air quality problems with negative health effects, according to the EPA. These unhealthy ingredients are released into the air while you’re painting, while the paint dries and even after the paints are completely dry. Opt instead for zero- or low-VOC paint, made by most major paint manufacturers today.

10. Garden green. First, use compost instead of synthetic fertilizers. Compost provides a full complement of soil organisms and the balance of nutrients needed to maintain the soil’s well-being without the chemicals of synthetic fertilizers. And healthy soil minimizes weeds and is key to producing healthy plants, which in turn can prevent many pest problems from developing to begin with.

• Use native plants as much as possible. Native plants have adapted over time to the local environment and support native animals. They also use less water and require less of your attention.
• Focus on perennials. Gardening with plants that live for more than one year means you don’t have to pay for new plants every year; it also saves the resources used commercially to grow annuals.
• Stop using chemical pesticides. American households use 80 million pounds of pesticides each year, according to the EPA. These toxic chemicals escape gardens and concentrate in the environment, posing threats to animals and people, especially children. A better alternative is to try a variety of organic and physical pest control methods, such as using diatomaceous earth to kill insects, pouring boiling water on weeds or using beer to bait slugs. You can find more non-chemical pest control tips at the National Audubon Society’s site.

Finally, consider using an old-fashioned push mower. The only energy expended is yours.

Source: MSN Real Estate

See a related post on easy ways to green your home. Of course, you can make your home even greener by installing water conservation systems such as rain water tanks and gray water recycling systems.  Solar geysers are also a great way to reduce home electricity consumption and you save money too.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems and Yes Solar Mpumalanga have combined (water and energy are linked!) to offer high quality water conservation systems and solar energy solutions.

Contact us for a free quote on a rainwater tank,  rainwater harvesting system, grey water recycling system, Atlas Plastics & JoJo water tanks (we are authorised JoJo Tanks dealers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo – best water tank prices in the Lowveld!), green plumbing systems or solar water geyser (made by Solsquare in Germany).

All our water conservation systems are installed by qualified Water Rhapsody consultants and our Solsquare solar geysers are fitted by Eskom-approved solar installers (so that you can claim cash back from the Eskom renewable energy rebate scheme).

]]> http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2010/12/the-10-easiest-ways-to-green-your-home/feed/ 0 http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2010/12/new-water-efficient-homes-make-perfect-sense/ http://www.rainharvest.co.za/2010/12/new-water-efficient-homes-make-perfect-sense/#comments Sat, 04 Dec 2010 07:07:54 +0000 admin http://www.rainharvest.co.za/?p=4515 Tweet

Four new homes in Roseville, Calif., earn official WaterSense labeling as part of a program that’s similar to EnergyStar but focuses on home water conservation instead of energy efficiency.

I’ve always wondered if the EPA’s EnergyStar for Homes program was a bit lonely and in need of some official, watery company to truly help homeowners achieve full green home-dom. Well, it appears that that company has arrived with WaterSense labeling for new homes, a partnership program that zeroes in on the water efficiency of newly built residences. Now, like EnergyStar, the WaterSense label will not only be applied to certain products (showerheads, faucets, toilets, and the like) but to entire homes as well.

Entire water-efficient homes and communities aside, have you purchased any WaterSense-branded products like faucets, toilets or showerheads?

Source: Mother Nature Network

While WaterSense is a USA-based organisation, there is nothing preventing other nations from using WaterSense programmes as a model.  In South Africa, Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems have unofficially become the leading water conservation company.  Water Rhapsody has a water-saving solution for just about every household, school, lodge and business.

Water and energy are linked and with the impending global water- and energy crisis, everyone should be conserving and collecting rain water and renewable energy.

Water Rhapsody Water Conservation Systems has incorporated Yes Solar Mpumalanga so that we can offer solar water heating systems to further reduce your environmental impact.  Yes Solar is the Mpumalanga distributor for Solsquare Solar Energy Solutions- high quality German-engineered solar energy systems that are competitively priced.  Solsquare solar geysers are SABS- and Eskom-approved and are fitted by qualified, Eskom-accredited solar installers.  In South Africa, home solar water heaters generally amortize their initial cost within 36 months (at current Eskom rates). Now is the time to install a solar geyser while the Eskom rebates last (this money will run out eventually) and before the looming energy crisis arrives.  Solar water geysers can reduce household electricity costs by up to 50%.

Water Rhapsody’s WWF AWARD-winning water conservation systems (product demo) include rainwater harvesting systems, grey water recycling systems, swimming pool backwash recycling, water-saving toilet flushing mechanisms and rainwater tanks (we are authorised  JoJo Tanks & Atlas Plastics water tank dealers in Mpumalanga and Limpopo- best water tank prices in the Lowveld!).

Our water and solar systems will save the environment while you save money on water and electricity bills; get free water and free water heating!

Contact us for a free quote on a solar geyser, water system or water tank.

Dear EarthTalk: I recently heard the term “living building.” Can you explain?

Over the past couple of decades, architects and builders looking to green their projects turned to the addition of various piecemeal elements to save water here or cut down on electricity there.

Those who added more than a few green touches could apply for and get certified by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) under its Leadership in Energy and Efficient Design (LEED) program. While these efforts have been laudable—essentially launching the green building industry as we know it today—they represent merely the infancy of what green building might someday become.

The concept of the “living building” has now emerged as a new ideal for design and construction. The Cascadia Region Green Building Council (CRGBC)—the Pacific Northwest chapter of the USGBC—defines a living building as a structure that “generates all of its own energy with renewable non-toxic resources, captures and treats all of its water, and operates efficiently and for maximum beauty.” The group has been pushing for adoption of the concept by construction industries here at home, and also helped to launch the International Living Building Institute to promote the concept internationally.

“We view our role as the organization that is meant to ask the really tough questions, to push the boundaries as far as possible,” says Jason McLennan, CEO of CRGBC. To this end, in 2006 the group launched its Living Building Challenge (LBC), a “call to the design and construction community to pursue true sustainability in the built environment.” So far 60 different projects around North America are vying to meet the high standards of the LBC, which exceed even the highest status of LEED certification.

The first building to be completed for consideration under the LBC program is the Omega Center for Sustainable Living, in Rhinebeck, NY. The 6,200 square-foot, one-level building, which serves as headquarters for the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, features a geothermal heating and cooling system, solar panels, rain gardens that direct water run-off to irrigate plantings, a 4,500-square-foot greenhouse that helps filter wastewater for reuse, “daylighting” design that brings natural light indoor to minimize electric light usage, and eco-friendly building materials all around. It was designed—per LBC criteria—to be “net-zero,” meaning it uses no more energy than it generates itself. Once the building has been in operation for a full year next summer, CRGBC will audit it to see if its performance lives up to the green hype. Dozens of other LBC contenders around North America will be audited as well.

Of course, the costs of creating a living building today are very high. Achieving net-zero can be especially costly, and stands out as one of the biggest obstacles to greater interest in the living building concept. Another challenge is finding materials that meet LBC standards, since many common building materials—such as PVC piping for wastewater transport—off-gas chemicals and have other hazardous attributes. LBC also expects builders to source locally as many materials as possible to boost local economies and make efficient use of nearby natural resources. McLennan remains confident that costs will come down as green materials, technologies and methods become more commonplace within the general building industry.

Source: The Good Human

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We’re drinking the same water Cleopatra drank…

That’s another way of saying, the world just doesn’t make more water. What’s here is what’s always been here. And it’s what’s always going to be here, even though there are more and more people using the limited water we have. Which is why we have to figure out how to make every drop of H2O count.  In honor of Blog Action Day’s focus on water, here are 10 No Brainer Ways to Use Water Wisely.

1) Give up bottled water. How many reasons do you need? Toxic plastic is used to contain bottled water. Bottled water generates mountains of trash. Making bottled water and moving it around the globe wastes enormous amounts of energy. Bottled water may not be as safe to drink as tap water.  Here’s the real kicker: bottling water wastes water. Two gallons of water are wasted for every gallon bottled. Stupid, no?

2) Give up the idea that you have to drink water all the time. Where did that notion come from, that somehow, your outfit isn’t complete without a bottle of water by your side? I’ve gotten along just fine drinking from drinking fountains and — believe it or not – going for a couple of hours at a time without drinking water. Try it. You won’t die.

3) Filter your water at home. If you’re concerned about water quality, put a filter on your tap and keep water in your refrigerator or in a closed carafe on your kitchen counter or desk top. You can also buy reusable water bottles that come with their own filter. Cheap, good, and trash-free.

4) Take shorter showers. Get in. Soap up. Get out. I bet you can do it in five minutes; ten, max.

5) Use low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators. They’ll increase the pressure coming out of the tap so you won’t notice you’re actually using a lot less water. Get ‘em at your local hardware store. Simple, yes?

6) Get a new toilet. I recently replaced mine with one that’s Water Sense certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; if I’d had time to wait a week for a special delivery, I could have gotten a dual-flush toilet that’s even more water-efficient.