Issue #18 for Myra Roldan
com
Renewable Energy - What is that
anyway?
(Chicky Lounge)
Submitted at 5/22/2010 9:00:00 AM
Lately, I've been doing a lot of
chatting up about energy conservation
and clean energy, not only here on
my blog but also in face to face
conversations. As a community
service, I help people understand and
read their electric bill so they can be
better informed consumers. The one
thing I've learned in these interaction
is that people don't really know what
these terms all mean.
Renewable energy is one of those
terms that people just don't quite
understand. They know it's
something that is good for the
environment but not sure how they
can support it. I'm a strong believer
that you have to understand what
these terms mean before you can
really support it.
Renewable energy is also been
tagged as"clean energy" and"green
energy". It refers to energy that is
produced from renewable resources.
I know, I know there is that word
again, "renewable", but what the heck
does it mean?
A renewable resource are resources
that can be replenished in a short
period of time. There are 5
renewable resources most often used:
• Solar
• Wind
• Hydropower(Water)
• Geothermal
• Biomass(includes wood, wood
waste, biodiesel, ethanol, biogas,
Who Much Electricity Does My Computer Use
Anyway?
(Chicky Lounge)
Submitted at 5/20/2010 7:58:00 PM
Do you know how much #electricity
your computer is using?
@EcoKarenLee pushed me into a
quest to help you save energy. Since
I have access to information that
could help you save money AND the
environment, I think I can help you
create a win-win situation.
Have you ever asked yourself...
How much electricity does my
computer use?
We all know about the battle
between PC and Mac. Are you a Mac
or a PC? I'm actually both I have to
admit. But did you know that a PC
uses 3 x more electricity than a PC?
YUP. You heard me. That PC you
spend 10 hours a day on is an
5/17/2010 - 6/9/2010
landfill gas and municipal waste)
Here's an interesting fact.
Renewable energy is nothing new
here in the USA. Over 150 years ago,
wood, which is a biomass, produced
more than 90% of energy needs.
Makes you wonder how we've
spiraled out of control that
Renewable energy appears to be a
new concept. Today Renewable
energy only accounts for 7% of the
energy used in the United States. We
went from 90% energy consumption
from a renewable resource to only
7%.
GET THIS....
Only 9% of the electricity is in the
United States is produced by
renewable energy sources. The other
91% comes from sources such as
coal, oil, nuclear and petroleum.
You may be thinking, "so what!" The
so what is that scientist, not the
"preachy green" groups, agree that
the emission of pollutants and
greenhouse gases ( gases that absorb
and emit radiation which affect the
earth's temperature and has a direct
effect on all living organisms that live
on it - that means YOU!) from fossil-
fuel based electricity generation
account for a significant amount of
the world greenhouse gas emission.
In the US, it accounts for more than
40% of greenhouse gas emissions and
it's the largest source.
Have you ever heard of Acid Rain?
It's rain with a high level of acid
which damages our vegetation,
animals, and our environment. In the
electricity hog. Here's the low down:
PC
Desktop Computer run at 60-250
watts and when the screensave is on,
it uses the same amount. You can
save some electricity when you put
your computer on sleep or standby as
it will only use 1 - 6 watts. A laptop
will use only 15 - 45 and if you run it
on battery power you can conserve
more electricity.
MAC
A Mac will run at 97 watts and when
the monitor is dimmed it will use 84
watts. When put into sleep mode it
iwll use 3.5 watts.
As we see from the information
above when your computer sleeps
(aka "standby", "hibernate") the
computer uses 0-6 watts. (So does the
monitor.) You can set your computer
US fossil-fuel generated electricity
accounts for 65% of all emissions of
sulfur dioxide which is the main
component of acid rain.
We are the main contributors to the
damage being done to our little
planet.
Renewable energy sources do not
directly emit greenhouse gases. When
renewable energy is used the demand
for fossil-fuel based energy is
reduced. Fossil-fuels are non-
renewable energy sources which are
capital driven and have been a cause
of war. Chew on that one for a bit.
Currently there is one pit-fall to
renewable energy. It is expensive to
produce. Although costs have gone
down over the past few decades, we
still haven't figured out a viable, cost-
effective way to produce it. There has
to be someone out there with a plan.
Right now renewable resources are
located in remote areas and it
expensive build powerlines that can
carry electricity to the cities that need
it. But I'm sure there has to be a way.
However, there are many energy
companies and States that are
jumping on the bandwagon and you
can support the efforts. Contact your
local energy provided and get
e d u c a t e d
today.*************************
*************** by Myra Roldan,
Blogger/Editor At Large Chicky
L o u n g e - h t t p : / /
chickylounge.blogspot.com Check
Out My Etsy Shop http://
www.fmcetsyshop.com
to sleep automatically after a certain
amount of idle time. Setting your
computer to auto-sleep is the best and
easiest way to save on computer
energy use! Here's how to do it:
In Windows XP & Vista go to Start
> Control Panel > Power Options
On a Mac go to System Preferences
> Energy Saver
In my opinion though, if you are
done using your computer power it
down. You won't hurt your
computer, ruin your harddrive, burn
your processor or kill you fan by
cycling your computer down once a
day (or even 3 or 4 times a day). It's
absolutely safe to do this and you will
save more energy in the logn wrong.
I also suggest plugging your
computer (PC or Mac), monitor, and
printer to a surge protector (power
feedjournal.
Energy
Efficiency - Let's
Talk Light Bulbs
(Chicky Lounge)
Submitted at 5/19/2010 6:14:00 PM
#Renewable energy, #conservation
#eco-friendly, these are all terms that
are thrown around, but they mean
nothing unless you know how it
impacts you. So let's talk light bulbs
today. You know those little dudads
that emit light in your home and
offices. How many of you out there
still use old standard incandescent
light bulbs in your homes and
offices? You don't have to raise your
hand or post a comment admitting it.
BUT, I do want you to read up, you're
about to get schooled.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING
CONSUMES UP TO 25% OF AN
AVERAGE HOME ENERGY
BUDGET!
ENERGY page 2
strip). You can tun off your power
strip once you power down your
equipment. Using a surge protector
does not help you conserve energy, it
only helps you protect your
equipment from a surge spike.
Having everything plugged in to one
though saves you time, you can just
hit the off switch and control multiple
pieces of equipment which will still
draw electricity while on
standby.***********************
***************** by Myra
Roldan, Blogger/Editor At Large
Chicky Lounge - http://
chickylounge.blogspot.com Check
Out My Etsy Shop http://
www.fmcetsyshop.com
2
Is Your State Deregulated?
(Chicky Lounge)
Submitted at 5/17/2010 7:49:00 PM
Whether you rent or own, we all
struggle to keep our utility bills in
check. Many times we are left
feeling insulted by the amounts we
pay. But did you know that many
states are putting the power in your
hands - literally. They are doing this
through electricity and natural gas
deregulation.
If your states is deregulated you have
the right to choose your provider.
*For Retail, Commercial and
Industrial Users State Electricity
Natural Gas Alabama No
Opportunity No Opportunity Alaska
No Opportunity No Opportunity
Arizona No Opportunity No
Opportunity Arkansas No
Opportunity No Opportunity
California No Opportunity
Significant Colorado No Opportunity
Limited Connecticut Significant
Significant Delaware Significant
Significant Washington, D.C.
Significant Significant Florida No
Opportunity Significant Georgia No
Opportunity Significant Hawaii No
Opportunity No Opportunity Idaho
No Opportunity No Opportunity
Illinois Significant Significant
Indiana No Opportunity Significant
Iowa No Opportunity No Opportunity
Kansas No Opportunity No
Opportunity Kentucky No
Personal Energy Policy - Start Yours Today!
(Chicky Lounge)
Submitted at 5/18/2010 9:37:00 PM
@EcoKarenLee has inspired me
through her blogs http://
www.ecokaren.com and http://
www.ecoetsy.com to really think
about how I personally impact the
environment. She's been really
frustrated about how little of an
impact her efforts appear to have. It
got me to thinking, what if we all
adopted a Personal Energy Policy.
A Personal Energy Policy is just a
list of smart ways you can affect your
personal energy usage. Lot's of
people will read this and say, yeah,
that's good and all but what's really in
it for me. My answer to you is that it
is a Win-Win situation. You reduce
your carbon foot-print AND save
some hard-earned money.
Writing your Personal Energy Policy
shouldn't be too hard. Begin by
thinking about the things you do
when you first get up in the morning.
For more, we drag ourselves out of
bed, go to the bathroom where we
turn on lights along the way. Some
may get a shower running and run
water at the sink to brush their teeth
while waiting for the water to warm
up in the shower. Then you might
turn on the coffee pot, plug in the
blow-dryer or heat up the iron.
What are the little things you can do
just in this scenario? When you
consider it there is a lot you can do.
Write the smart ways you will change
Opportunity Limited Louisiana No
Opportunity Limited Maine
Significant Significant Maryland
Significant Significant Massachusetts
Significant Significant Michigan
Limited Significant Minnesota No
Opportunity No Opportunity
Mississippi No Opportunity No
Opportunity Missouri No
Opportunity No Opportunity
State Electricity Natural Gas
Montana No Opportunity No
Opportunity Nebraska No
Opportunity Limited Nevada No
Opportunity No Opportunity New
Hampshire Significant Significant
New Jersey Significant Significant
New Mexico No Opportunity No
Opportunity New York Significant
Significant North Carolina No
Opportunity No Opportunity North
Dakota No Opportunity No
Opportunity Ohio Significant
Significant Oklahoma No
Opportunity Limited Oregon No
Opportunity No Opportunity
Pennsylvania Significant Significant
Rhode Island Significant Significant
South Carolina No Opportunity No
Opportunity South Dakota No
Opportunity No Opportunity
Tennessee No Opportunity Limited
Texas Significant Limited Utah No
Opportunity No Opportunity
Vermont No Opportunity No
Opportunity Virginia Limited
Limited Washington No Opportunity
in your daily energy usage habits and
make this your Personal Energy
Policy.
Here are 5 Tips to help you get
started:
Install a shower head that let's the
cold water run out and then stops
until you are ready to jump in (
average cost $40). Did you know that
a new shower head will flow 2.5
gallons of water per minute and an
older shower head will flow about 4
gallons per minute? That's a lot of
No Opportunity West Virginia No
Opportunity No Opportunity
Wisconsin No Opportunity No
Opportunity Wyoming No
Opportunity No Opportunity
Definition of Terms Significant A
significant opportunity to negotiate
competitive rates from an alternate
supplier exist in this state. The
majority of this state is deregulated
and multiple alternate suppliers are
present and able to offer competitive
rates. Pockets of regulated territories
and minimum size requirements may
still exist, reducing the opportunities
available for small commercial
customers. Limited Large pockets of
regulated territories may exist in this
state, or certain types of customers
are only afforded the option to choose
an alternate supplier. Minimum size
requirements are often present. No
Opportunity There is currently very
little or no opportunity for any
customer in this state to choose an
alternate supplier. The state may have
suspended deregulation or
deregulation may be pending or
canceled.***********************
***************** by Myra
Roldan, Blogger/Editor At Large
Chicky Lounge - http://
chickylounge.blogspot.com Check
Out My Etsy Shop http://
www.fmcetsyshop.com
water waste when you think about the
time you wait for the water to heat
up.
Use ceiling fans to cool down your
house. The most efficient ceiling fans
cost as little as 30 cents a month if
used eight hours a day. A window air
conditioner can cost 50 times as
much as a fan. Ceiling fans will keep
the air moving and allow you to keep
the thermostat setting higher because
moving air feels cooler. ( average
cost $0 if you already have ceiling
ENERGY
continued from page 1
Did you know that there thousands
(1000s) type of of light bulbs
available and each can be used in
different ways? But, I'm not going to
talk about all the thousands of bulbs,
let's just concentrate on three -
incandescent, compact florescent
(CLF), and LED.
Incandescent light bulbs, also known
as " Edison Bulbs", have been around
for over 150 years. These are
considered the standard bulbs and
tend to be cheap to buy and reliable.
But did you know that 90% of the
energy generated by an incandescent
bulb is heat and not light? This is the
main reason incandescent bulbs use
more energy than their newer
counterpart the CFL bulb. Did you
also know that is cost about$144 to
light one 60 watt incandescent bulb
for 10,000 hours? That's a lot of
green coming out of your pocket.
FACT: The electricity used over the
lifetime of an incandescent bulb cost
5 to 10 the cost of the bulb
Compact Florescent Light (CFL)
bulbs, are basically miniature
versions of the florescent bulbs we
are use to seeing in schools but they
emit light that looks like an
incandescent bulb. The bulbs have
revolutionized energy efficiency. Not
only are they energy efficient, they
last 10 times longer than an
incandescent bulb AND they are
ENERGY page 3
fans otherwise cost may vary)
Set your refrigerator at the right
temperature. Your refrigerator
temperature should be set between 34
and 37 degrees and your freezer at 5
degrees. Not only are these the safest
temperatures for food storage, but
most refrigerators are manufactured
to operate most efficiently at these
settings. ( average cost to you $0)
Clean your dryer filter and exhaust
vent. Regularly clean out your dryer
filter and exhaust vent. When they
become clogged with lint, your dryer
works harder and uses more energy.
There are special lint brushes you can
purchase that makes this job a piece
of cake ( average cost $10)
Provide shading for your air
conditioning condenser. Your central
air conditioner’s condenser works
more efficiently in a cooler
environment. Provide shade around
your air conditioner to reduce your
cooling costs by nearly 3%. If you
have a window air conditioner, you
can purchase an air conditioner cover
to cover the exposed condenser. (
average cost of cover $20)
These are simple steps you can
take.**************************
************** by Myra Roldan,
Blogger/Editor At Large Chicky
L o u n g e - h t t p : / /
chickylounge.blogspot.com Check
Out My Etsy Shop http://
www.fmcetsyshop.com

ENERGY
continued from page 2
great for the environment. Did you
know it costs about$31 to light one
15-watt CLF for 10,000 hours? That's
$113 cheaper than running an
incandescent bulb - how my of these
incandescent bulbs do you have in
your house right now?
FACT: Coal is burned to make
electricity which in turn emits
mercury into the air. Coal-Fired
energy plants account for up to 40%
of the mercury emissions in the
United States. Switching to CLF
bulbs reduces power demand and
helps reduce mercury emissions by
power plants.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs,
this little buddy is the most energy
efficient light bulb & environmentally
friendly of them all. The problem is
that the cost of production is still too
high to make these little guys
affordable. They last 10 times longer
than a CFL and 75 times longer than
an incandescent bulb. LEDs also use
1/3 to 1/30 of the electricity used by
CLF & incandescent bulbs and can
reduce energy costs by 80%. They
are super long lasting too. Because of
the costs LEDs have limited
Green ReModeling in
Your Home
(Chicky Lounge)
Submitted at 5/23/2010 11:08:00 AM
Talk about #eco-friendly and #green
living. My cousin Nina came over my
house yesterday. She and her partner
Dale, purchased a house last year that
was a true fixer upper. Over the past
year, they have been working to get
the house in livable condition.
Yesterday, they had been on a quest
to find a kitchen. Yes a kitchen, the
whole thing - cabinet, sink, etc. I was
so happy to hear that they had
purchased $25,000 worth of kitchen
cabinets for only $2,000.
It peaked my curiosity. How did they
do it? Turns out that Dale is quite
resourceful, he has done his research
and a women from Habitat for
Humanity has directed him to Green
Demolitions. I learned a lot of new
things in the little while we chatted
about their quest.
First I didn't know that Habitat for
3
application use, you can find them in
Christmas lights, watches, flash
lights, light bars, and motion sensors
just to name a few.
Now you are in the know. You may
be wondering how the heck do I
know all of this stuff. Well, my little
secret is that I work for the largest
energy company in New England and
you can't work somewhere without
learning a little.
So I'll leave you with one little last
nugget.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: If every
home in the United States replaced
just one incandescent bulb with one
CFL bulb in just one year we would
save enough energy to light more
than 3 MILLION homes and prevent
greenhouse emissions equivalent to
that emitted by 800,000
cars.**************************
************** by Myra Roldan,
Blogger/Editor At Large Chicky
L o u n g e - h t t p : / /
chickylounge.blogspot.com Check
Out My Etsy Shop http://
www.fmcetsyshop.com
Humanity has a store where you
could go and purchase items for your
home, but apparently they do.
Green Demolition's mission is to
Recycle Luxury for Recovery. They
sell luxury commercial surplus and
donated kitchen appliances, bathroom
fixtures, home decors, et from houses
being demolished and renovated in
Greenwich and New Canaan, CT
Scarsdale and Bedford, NY and
beyond. The proceeds go to support
charities.
So next time you are thinking of
remodeling your home, think about
visiting your local Habitat for
Humanity or check out Green
Demolitions.********************
******************** by Myra
Roldan, Blogger/Editor At Large
Chicky Lounge - http://
chickylounge.blogspot.com Check
Out My Etsy Shop http://
www.fmcetsyshop.com