EQ’s Green Tip of the Month
OPTIONS FOR GOING GREEN
Going Green has many options. The following discussion highlights the similarities and some of the differences of programs available to EQ employees and our customers.
NC GreenPower is an independent, nonprofit organization established to improve North Carolina’s environment through voluntary contributions toward renewable energy and the mitigation of greenhouse gases. NC GreenPower is the first statewide green energy program in the nation supported by all of the state’s utilities. It is administered by Advanced Energy, an independent nonprofit corporation located in Raleigh, N.C.
The goal of NC GreenPower is to supplement the state’s existing power supply with more green energy – electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind, and organic matter. NC GreenPower also offers carbon offsets to address growing concerns about the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment. The program accepts financial contributions from citizens and businesses to help offset the cost to produce green energy. There is no limit on the number of $4 blocks an individual, organization, or business can purchase. A typical contribution of just $4 per month adds one block of 100 kilowatt-hours of green energy to North Carolina’s power supply. Large-volume users may contribute toward 100 or more blocks per month at a rate of $2.50 per block with a different energy mix. A $4 monthly contribution will mitigate 500 pounds of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent (greenhouse gas emissions).
Within Ohio and Kentucky, customers of Duke Energy can enroll in the GoGreen Power program. You can purchase a minimum of two 100 kilowatt-hour (kwh) units of Duke Energy’s GoGreen product for $2 a month, which is about 18 percent of an average residential customer’s electricity usage. Beyond this minimum, you can purchase additional 100 kwh units for $1 a month. All you have to do is decide how much you want to buy, and it will be added to your energy bill. Under the GoGreen Power program, Duke will obtain energy from alternative energy sources located within its service area. They will also purchase alternative energy from third-parties in the form of renewable energy certificates.
Puget Sound Energy’s (PSE’s) voluntary Green Power Program also makes it easy for you to buy renewable energy equal to the amount of electricity you use. When you choose Green Power, you’ll support independent renewable energy projects being developed, (e.g., wind, solar, and biomass) in the Pacific Northwest. PSE offers two renewable power options to its electric customers. Both options allow you to buy safe, clean, renewable energy – which promotes resource diversity and reduces reliance on fossil fuels.
Your renewable energy purchase is based on your total monthly usage. The additional cost is $0.0125, or just over a penny, per kWh. For the average energy-efficient household using 800 kWh monthly, green power usage would only cost about $10 more per month on your electric bill. The environmental benefit is equivalent to taking a car off the road for a year.
PSE’s Green Power Program also lets you purchase renewable energy in 160-kWh blocks at a fixed cost of $2 per block per month, with a minimum purchase of $4 per month. You can buy as many blocks as you like, allowing you to match a portion or all your energy usage to new renewable resources around the region.
Similar programs are available all across the Country. Although many of us long for the day when green energy will be available without having to pay a premium price, it is clear that we can make individual choices that can significantly reduce our energy footprint. EQ has committed to purchasing 25 renewable energy credits per month from Duke Energy.
For more information, contact Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
EQ Green Tip – Using Generators Safely
When power lines go down during a storm and cause electrical outages, portable generators are a popular alternative source of electricity; however, they also can be a source of danger. A primary hazard when using a generator is carbon monoxide poisoning from toxic engine exhaust.
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste, or smell the toxic fumes, carbon monoxide can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels, carbon monoxide causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and fatigue. The effects of carbon monoxide exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health, and the concentration and length of exposure. Learn more about carbon monoxide.
Never operate a generator inside your home, basement, or garage. Put generators outside, away from doors, windows, and vents.
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit EQ’s website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Greening Your Business
A growing number of businesses are discovering that legitimate eco-friendly initiative can slash turnover, boost productivity, and improve the bottom line. Going green encompasses a holistic focus on the triple bottom line of people, planet, and profit. This includes energy conservation and efficiency, along with water conservation and purity, improving indoor air quality, creating a toxic-free workplace, recycling and waste reduction policies, green purchasing strategies, sustainable travel and transportation, and tax credits and rebates.
Four ways to green your small business include:
Reduce Energy Use: Energy accounts for 50% of office operating costs, so alternative energy sources and areas of savings are crucial. Energy consumption can be reduced by: changing light bulbs to compact fluorescents (CFLs) or light emitting diodes (LEDs), turning off computers at night, using energy-saving smart strips, and installing a programmable thermostat.
Minimize Paper Use: Paper comprises 70% of the office waste stream and costs an average of $300/employee. Reduce this cost by sending electronic copies of memos and documents, using a smaller font, and printing double sided.
Improve Indoor Air Quality: The use of unhealthy furnishings, paints, and supplies has cost many businesses more than just the purchase price, but the expense of escalating health costs, increased sick leave, and decreased productivity. Improve indoor air quality by using toxic-free cleaning products and research the reduction of volatile organic compounds in all areas of the office.
Purchase Green Offsets: A company’s carbon footprint includes employee commuting, company vehicles, and business travel. Lower your impact from company vehicles by ensuring that all vehicles are well maintained (engines tuned, tires inflated, oil changed regularly, etc.) as well as educating drivers on observing speed limits and reducing vehicleidling.
Greening your company will not only save you money, it can lead to more satisfied, productive employees as well as serving to increase your company’s status, resulting in attracting and retaining clients.
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit EQ’s website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Rooftop Gardens Offer Refuge While Saving Money on Energy Consumption
In conjunction with saving money by providing additional insulation, rooftop gardens can offer an escape from the city and can be a way to transform unused space into food-producing gardens and eco-friendly community spaces.
A rooftop garden, or “Green Roof,” consists of layers that work together to protect the building while lessening its impact on the environment. The bottom-up layered construction of a green roof consists of:
1st Layer: Roof deck, insulation and waterproofing: Generally made from concrete, wood, or metal, the roof deck provides the foundation of the green roof, and is topped with insulation and waterproofing layers.
2nd Layer: Protection and storage layer: Often made of PVC, the protection and storage layer prevents roots from infiltrating the roof’s foundation.
3rd Layer: Drainage layer: A layer of gravel or stones drains the excess water the plants don’t use.
4th Layer: Filter layer: A semi-permeable filter cloth separates the growing media from the drainage layer to avoid clogging.
5th Layer: Growing media: The growing media is usually a layer of inorganic materials, such as sand or pebbles, mixed with a small amount of organic compost.
6th and Top Layer: Vegetation: Plants that are hardy, low-growing, shallow- rooted, perennial, and rely less on nutrients than typical plants are planted as the garden.
These rooftop gardens serve to add a layer of insulation to the roof, extend the life of the roof by protecting the roof membranes from ultraviolet light and mechanical damage, and lower energy costs by lowering the roof temperature. Many cities now have incentive programs that offer low interest loans or grants for the development and installation of roof gardens.
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit EQ’s website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Use non-toxic fly repellent instead of the norm.
Citronella oil and candles Citronella oil is an essential oil extracted from the different species of Cymbopogon (lemon grass). It's considered a biopesticide and non-toxic. Burning a citronella oil candle or incense sticks will not only repel flies, but mosquitos too. You can also buy special preparations of citronella oil to apply directly to your skin as a fly/mosquito repellent, but it does need to be applied more often than synthetic repellents.
Mint Crushed mint can be put in bowls or cloth bags and placed strategically around the home near common entrances to repel bugs.
Eucalyptus oil Sprinkle a little eucalyptus oil on a scrap of cloth and place it near entrances to repel pests.
Fly repellent plants for the garden Some species of plants you may be able to grow in your yard depending on your local climate conditions can help discourage flies. These include lemon balm, catnip, mint, chrysanthemums, and marigolds.
BATS The best and guaranteed way to get rid of flies is to encourage bats to roost nearby. Provide a bat box for them so they are housed a bit further away from the front door. These little bats are amazing fly solutions....they are the #1 solution to flies for us living in “fly-prone” areas.
House plant….What about good ol' Venus Fly traps.. they seem to me to be a little fun, green (literally), and get the ecosystem in sync.
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit EQ’s website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Paper or Plastic?...or neither?
We all hear the question “Paper or plastic?” nearly every time we enter the checkout line at the grocery store. So which type of bag do you use to be kind to the environment? Paper?...or Plastic? Well, actually the answer is neither - but you have options.
Did you know 12 million barrels of oil are required to produce the plastic bags used by Americans each year? To add insult to injury, each bag will take 500 years to decompose once it is in the landfill. So, if you do use plastic bags, try reusing them as trashcan liners or for picking up pet waste. Most big grocery stores provide plastic bag recycling barrels as well. Gather your plastic bags and drop them off for recycling next time you go to the grocery store.
What about paper? The unfortunate truth is that making paper bags requires more energy and creates more pollution than making plastic bags. If you do get paper bags, just like plastic bags, try to reuse or recycle them.
There are alternatives to paper and plastic grocery bags. Most stores now provide fabric bags for a small cost. Try keeping some of these bags folded up in your purse, briefcase, or trunk of your car. Take them with you to the grocery store and you won’t have to make the choice of paper or plastic ever again!
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Power up the New Year
Did you know the US EPA estimates 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holiday season?
The gift giving during this time of year includes many electronic gadgets and toys that undoubtedly require batteries to operate. Unfortunately, many of these batteries will end up in landfills.
So what’s the problem? Not only do batteries take up space in a landfill, but some contain heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel, that have the potential to contaminate the environment.
Even though it isn’t the holiday season anymore, give a gift the environment by:
- buying rechargeable batteries and/or a battery charger
- properly disposing of old batteries by recycling them
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Weather the Winter
This winter keep warm, save energy, and help the environment.
Nearly half of the average monthly energy bill is due to heating and cooling. Here are some green tips to improve your home or office’s energy efficiency:
- Replace old equipment with energy efficient Energy Star equipment. This new equipment can save as much as 20 percent on annual energy costs.
- Clean or change air filters on the recommended regular schedule. A dirty air filter can not only cause costly inefficiencies with HVAC systems, but it can also lead to early equipment failure.
- Put you home or office to the test. Most energy providers and Energy Star provide online tools to evaluate your home or office’s energy performance and offer solutions to increase comfort and energy efficiency.
Did you know?
EQ’s Cincinnati office reduced its HVAC energy impact by more than 23% between 2007 and 2009! What can you do?
Find out more ways to be green and weather the winter by visiting this U.S. EPA webpage.
To learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Make it a Greener Fall
Just because the leaves are changing to reds, yellows, and oranges doesn’t mean you can’t make fall a green time of year! Try a couple of these green tips.
Think outside the candy box:
- For Halloween, give out more options than just the tradition candy choices. Try organic treats (dried fruit, fruit leather, honey sticks)
- Make your own costume. Save money, shopping time, and shipping costs!
- Energy efficiency isn’t so scary. For trick or treating, give your kids a shakable flashlight. Try using candles or LED lights for decorations.
Winter isn’t here yet but get ready:
- Check your heat pump or furnace and change the filter or make repairs if needed. Properly maintaining your furnace will conserve fuel by keeping it running efficiently and preventing leaks.
- Before the winter weather sets in, utilize the mild temperatures outside to turn off the HVAC system. Also, use this time to replace screens with storm windows and to repair any cracked caulking along window seals to conserve energy.
- Buy winter gear with recycled content (e.g., fleece, blankets, snow shovels)
Green Tips for Going Back to School
Whether you are sending a kindergartner or college senior back to school this year, help make the experience greener by trying these tips:
- Pack lunches in reusable containers. It will help reduce the amount of waste that usually ends up in landfills (e.g., plastic bags, paper bags).
- Recycle printer cartridges. Did you know it takes 3 gallons of oil to produce only one ink cartridge?
- Buy school supplies made with recycled materials. Paper is an easy one to find with post consumer recycled content, but try looking for pencils, backpacks, and binders as well.
- Throw paper in the recycle bin rather than the trash can. Did you know that the average U.S. school throws out 38 tons of paper each year? That’s equivalent to 644 trees!
- Try carpooling, riding a bike, or walking to school. Many schools across the country are creating programs where groups of students walk to school rather than taking buses.
- Carry a refillable water bottle. Refillable bottles can help reduce the need for commercial plastic water bottles being made or disposed of in a landfill. It's also healthy to drink water throughout the day (prevent dehydration, flushes toxins, and supports every life system in your body).
Irrigate Greener, Smarter, and Cheaper!
Irrigation systems offer a convenient way to protect your home, office, or facility landscape investment. If you employ some simple strategies and technology, you can conserve water, reduce runoff and waste, and save money!
In regards to automatic irrigation systems:
- Water only when needed
- Schedule your watering plan to the climate and the season
- Adjust each individual zone in your irrigation system
- Check your system monthly for leaks, broken or clogged sprinkler heads, obstructions, and other problems
- Consider “smart” technology like a rain shutoff switch, or climate / soil moisture sensors
- Get a professional to evaluate your system
- Learn more at www.irrigation.org
Try a rain barrel:
- Reduces the storm water runoff from your home or building’s roof
- Water from rain barrel is FREE, and can be used to irrigate portions of landscaping; therefore, reducing your overall water bill
- Water is natural and chlorine free
- Very affordable initial purchase and installation
Localize it!
Buying and eating local food has many great benefits. It is fresher, more nutritious, and probably tastier than anything you can get at the supermarket. When you buy local food you promote environmental sustainability because your food requires less fossil fuel and fewer emissions to reach you. Also, you can be confident that the people who grew what is on your dinner plate were paid fair wages and were not exposed to pesticides. When you support local farmers, you support the local economy. It also means your food used less packaging and shipping materials to get to you. There is a reason local food is being rediscovered throughout the United States.
What is local?
“Local food” is not an official or fixed term, but it usually refers to food that is produced as close to home as possible. Local is not interchangeable with sustainable food but it can support sustainable methods of food production. It is also not the same as “organic” but can support organic farmers. “Organic” is an official term which entails legal standards, inspection processes, and labels. Buying local is a sustainable practice considering true sustainability includes every step that brings food from farm to plate.
Try it!
One of the easiest ways to start buying local is to choose one product in which to focus (e.g., corn). Vegetables are usually easiest to find at local farmers markets. Sources for local meat and dairy might take a bit more effort.
EQ’s Corporate Headquarters is located in Cincinnati, where there are over 20 local neighborhood farmers markets, including the popular Findlay Market near downtown. If you are in the Cincinnati area and want to try buying locally, check out this website: www.cincinnatifarmersmarkets.org. There is also a great website to find local food anywhere in the United States: www.localharvest.org.
Did you know?
- Hawaii imports 90% of its food.
- A typical carrot has to travel 1,838 miles to reach your kitchen.
- Farmers markets enable farmers to keep about 85 cents of each dollar spent by the consumer. (www.sustainabletable.org)
Greener Spring Cleaning
Many of the products we use to clean our homes are not especially environmentally friendly.
That’s because they contain chemicals like ammonia, sodium hypochlorite bleach, phosphates, sodium hydroxide, and fragrances that have the potential to be harmful to us and the environment.
But there are “green” alternatives to traditional cleaning products.
Check out these Green Tips to clean greener:
Do It Yourself
You can make your own “green” cleaning products from items probably already found in your house. Check out this about.com page for ideas.
Buy Green
One of the best things you can do before you buy cleaning products is to read the label. There are products now that are petroleum free and biodegradable. These products are just as effective at cleaning your house while not nearly as environmentally damaging once washed down the drain. Also, many companies offer a more natural or environmentally friendly line of products.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Many of the tools that we use to clean our homes contribute to our waste stream and carbon footprint. By reducing, reusing, and recycling these tools you can clean greener. For example, avoid using single use or disposable cleaning tools. Many higher end paper towels can be used multiple times to clean up wet messes. Use a cloth towel to dry your hands instead of paper towels. Also, instead of throwing away those old t-shirts, use them for dusting or cleaning the bathroom. When you do purchase cleaning tools like mops, buckets, and vacuums keep in mind the durability and longevity of the products to save money over time.
Add Some Green
It is simple: add some indoor plants to your living space. Indoor plants will significantly reduce indoor air pollution, provide a source of oxygen, and balance humidity! There are several species (e.g., palms, ferns, English Ivy, and Peace Lily) that are known as effective allies in keeping your household air clean and pure.
“Recycle!”
Did you know that recycling 1 ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 2 barrels of oil, and 4,100 kilowatt-hours of electricity — enough energy to power the average American home for five months? (EPA, 2008 )
Recycling is easy once you learn the basics. If you have recycling at work or home, EQ recommends you utilize this important service. Recycling has many important environmental and economical advantages. For example, recycling:
- conserves resources
- saves landfill space
- conserves energy
- reduces pollution
- supports industry and local economy
- improves public image
If you do not have recycling opportunities at work or home, check with your waste provider on how to add recycling services. Also, you can often deposit recyclable materials at public recycling drop-off stations.
“Green Your Home When It’s Cold”
Being green when it’s cold outside isn’t as difficult as you think. Here are a few tips on greening your home in the winter months without busting your budget:
Insulate Your Water Heater
Did you know that wrapping a water heater with insulation can save as much as 45% of lost heat? (Source: U.S. Department of Energy)
Whether you have a gas or electric water heater, you can purchase an insulation kit for about $20 at most hardware stores. Depending on the model of your appliance, there might be pre-fitted kits available. Insulating your water heater saves about 4% – 9% of your energy costs. That means the insulation kit pays for itself in about a year. Visit this U.S. Department of Energy webpage for instructions on how to insulate your electric water heater and start saving some green while being green!
Insulate Your Water Pipes
Insulating your hot water pipes reduces heat loss and can raise water temperature 2ºF–4ºF hotter than uninsulated pipe, allowing for a lower water temperature setting. They also help to prevent freezing of water pipes in winter. When properly installed, insulation will hold a hot water pipe's heat for up to an hour after the tap was last used, thus stretching your energy dollar and saving water. Check out this U.S. Department of Energy webpage for more details.
Cover and Seal
Heat loss to windows and doors represents a significant portion of most heating bills. Check throughout your home to identify problem areas that need immediate attention.
An easy and inexpensive way to weatherize windows is to apply a clear film to the inside window trim. Window film kits can be found at most hardware stores. Also, remove and replace damaged caulk and weather-stripping. Self-stick foam and rolled rubber weather-stripping are easy to install, and can contribute greatly to your home's efficiency.
Green Your Holidays
Did you know it is estimated that between Thanksgiving and the New Year an extra million tons of waste are generated nationwide each week? Over 38,000 miles of ribbon are thrown away each year - enough to tie a bow around the Earth!
Here are some easy green tips to contribute less waste this holiday season:
Source: California Integrated Waste Management Board
Gifts:
- Buy recycled gift wrapping paper and holiday cards.
- Once a gift is opened, reuse the wrapping paper or throw it in the recycle bin instead of the trash.
- Gift certificates take little to no wrapping paper.
- Save gift boxes and bags to be folded, stored, and reused later.
Trees:
- If you buy an artifical tree, make sure to use it for many years.
- Cut trees can be composted or mulched after holiday season. Contact local municipality to check if these services are available in your area. Some cities will pick up the trees at your house!
- Buying new lights? Try the energy efficient and longer lasting LED bulbs.
There are many other ways to be creative and greener this holiday season. You can do your small part to make a collective difference!
Visit the California Integrated Waste Management Board website for more ideas on how to green your holidays!
"Help Conserve Paper"
Did you know the average U.S. office employee prints 10,000 sheets of paper a year? (based on research by the Resource Conservation Alliance)
How can I help conserve paper?
- print double sided
- utilize the print preview option to review your document before you print
- go paperless whenever possible
- expand margins
- use old documents / print jobs as scrap paper
- throw paper in the recycling bin
Why should I do this?
- easy to do
- reduce carbon footprint
- reduce solid waste in landfill
- conserve resources
- save money and energy
EQ encourages all of its employees and clients to help conserve paper. Everyone can do a small part and make a big difference. Last year, EQ recycled 6 tons of paper. Our recycled paper helped save:
- 19.2 trees
- 18.12 BTU’s
- 3.1 cubic yards of solid waste
- 1.176 tons of greenhouse gas emissions
- 6,300 gallons of water
"Be bright about light"
Turn off lights if you plan to be gone for more than 15 minutes.- Use natural lighting whenever possible.
- Replace standard light bulbs with Energy Star qualified bulbs (saves 75% energy, produces 75% less heat, and lasts 10 times longer than standard lighting).
The facts are simple: Being "bright about light" uses less electricity / energy. When we use less energy, we reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and help protect our environment from the risks of global climate change.
According to the Energy Information Administration, lighting is responsible for 44% of the overall electricity in office buildings. Together we have the chance to make a big difference. See figure below:
For more information about reducing your carbon footprint or to learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
Home Depot Announces Free Recycling of Fluorescent Bulbs at All Stores
The Home Depot announced on June 24 that it will recycle energy-efficient, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) for free at all of its nearly 2,000 stores across the U.S.
CFLs use up to 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than traditional incandescent light bulbs. However, proper disposal of the bulbs is important because they contain small amounts of mercury (less than 5 milligrams apiece). No mercury is released when CFL bulbs are in use and intact.
According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), if every household in Pennsylvania replaced an incandescent bulb with an ENERGY STAR-qualified CFL, a combined total of 248 million kilowatt-hours of electricity would be saved per year. Household electric bills would be reduced by $25.5 million annually.
For More Information
For more information about reducing your carbon footprint or to learn more about EQ’s Sustainability Program, visit our website or contact EQ’s Tom Robertson at (800) 229-5299.
