You are here: Home / Archives for Going Green

It’s not easy being ‘green’

May 22, 2013 By

submitted by Gary Selleck, owner of C and C Family Roofing

Contractors take a lot effort looking for ways to separate themselves from their competitors in order to get a competitive edge. Product knowledge, ratings with Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List and factory training through manufacturers are all ways for companies to project themselves above the others.

But with people making a more concerted effort to by environmentally friendly, contractors are using this as an opportunity not only to get a competitive edge but also be more responsible to the environment.

“Green Building” design and construction is the opportunity to use our resources more efficiently, while creating healthier and more energy-efficient homes.

Green building is an attempt to leave a lighter footprint on the environment through conservation of resources, while at the same time balancing energy-efficient, cost-effective, low-maintenance products for our construction needs.

Here are a few of the more practical “Green Building” application that roofing and siding contractors are using when remodeling homes:

  • Using products such as cement board siding and ridge-vent material and underlayment’s for roofing that are produced using recycled materials.
  • Using reflective products such as coatings and reflective shingles that reduce the “Heat Island Effect” on the ozone.
  • Using local companies for their materials to reduce fuel consumption and residual effect on the environment.
  • Disposal of construction debris through recycling reducing waste and pollution at landfills.

When choosing a contractor for your remodeling needs ask them if they are employing any of these practices. Select a company that is not only good at their trade but is also environmentally conscience.

The practices we use today will impact our future far more then we realize.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Southampton Spirit Columnists

I Bet Mine is Smaller than Yours

May 22, 2013 By

submitted by Mark Bortman, Exact Solar, mark@exactsolar.com

Take a look at your electric bill. How high was it last month?

Ours was less than zero. That’s right – PECO owed us money.

This is due to a combination of factors. First, we are very conscientious with our energy usage. We’ve taken a number of energy saving steps (which cost little or nothing) including replacing light bulbs and only running our dishwasher and washing machine when they are full.

Many other ideas can be found at the government’s Energy.gov website.

In addition, we have 17 solar panels installed on our roof. This relatively small system is hardly noticed by neighbors or visitors.  But the panels are up there silently converting the sun’s energy to electricity and feeding it into our house – right into our circuit breaker box and automatically running anything that needs electricity.

When there are times during the day that the panels produce more electricity than we are using at that time, the extra flows out through our electric meter back to PECO. In essence, PECO buys the electricity we produce. At the end of the month, our electric bill is what came in from PECO minus what we sent out to them.

Most months our electric bills are not negative – air conditioning in the summer and less sun in the winter are the causes – but they are small.

The cost of solar panels has dropped dramatically – the price of a system like ours is less than half of what we paid just three years ago.

[Read more...]

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Fairless Focus Columnists, Going Green, Yardley Voice Columnists Tagged With: , , , ,

Get kids growing: Start with strawberries in a patch or pot

April 29, 2013 By

submitted by Joan Casanova, Green Earth Media Group

Get kids growing in the garden by starting them off planting their own strawberries. You can let them plant and care for a whole patch, or just one or two plants, planted in a strawberry jar or garden container.

Be sure to engage your kids in the planting process and let them get their hands dirty. Then show them how to care for and water their homegrown tasty treats. You can make this more fun for children by buying them their very own watering can.

Don’t forget to show kids how to pinch off plant runners to reap larger sized berries. And of course have them do the harvesting and enjoy the fruits of their labor!

You’ll find most kids enjoy helping in the garden, they’re allowed to get dirty, they get some good exercise, actually learn and understand, first hand, where their food comes from and they’ll gain a good sense of nurture, nature and responsibility within the process.

Children love watching strawberries grow. They’ll see flowers bloom, garden bees, and fruit develop and turn color. After developing a sense of ownership of their plants, they will especially love eating the sweet fruits they grew themselves.

Here’s some tips to ensure strawberry success:

  • When planting strawberries, be sure the crown is above soil level and the upper most roots are 1/4 inch beneath soil level, buried crowns rot and exposed roots dry out.
  • Have kids measure and then dig holes for placing plants, depending on space and quantity. Strawberry plants should be placed approximately 14 to 18 inches apart from each other in neat rows that are separated by 2-3 feet each. Let runners fill in until plants are 7-10 inches apart.
  • Use mulch to keep berries clean, conserve moisture and control weeds.
  • If you want to keep it simple, plant strawberries in a container. Just remember that container plantings need much more water than in-ground plantings, usually once a day, and if it’s hot, twice. Strawberry pots are the obvious, best container choice for growing strawberries. You can fit several plants in one pot; just make sure whatever type of garden pot you use has good drainage. Strawberries have a relatively small root ball and can be grown in containers as small as 10-12 inches in diameter and eight inches deep. However, the smaller the container, the more frequently you will need to water. Synthetic and light colored pots will keep the roots cooler than dark colors and natural materials that conduct heat.
  • Strawberries like well-drained fairly rich soil, so be sure to add compost or other organic matter when preparing the pot or patch.
  • They need full sun, and frequent, deep soakings. Be sure to give adequate water during bearing season. They will grow in all zones and should be fed twice a year – when growth begins and after the first crop. Use a complete fertilizer high in phosphorous for feedings.

Kick off this gardening season with your kids and get them growing strawberries!

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Spring Home & Garden 3 and Graduation Tagged With: , , , ,

ECOfest Home Show… where home decor meets sustainability

April 24, 2013 By

Impact Thrift Stores’ Feasterville location at 91 E. Street Road will host a day-long First Anniversary event of eco-aware entertainment and education from noon to 5:30pm on Saturday, April 27th. ECOFest, their First Annual Home Show, promises to be a premiere event “Where Home Decor Meets Sustainability,” with interactive lessons on reuse, upcycling and low-impact living.

The celebration features four free workshops:

  • Noon-1:00 – “Get Organized…For Good!” with professional organizer Audrey Cupo;
  • 1:30-2:30 – “Fun & Functional Furniture Refurb” with Nakashima-trained woodworker and upholsterer Roger Foster;
  • 3:00-4:00 – “Fabric Facelifts” for all skill levels from seamstress to no-sew, with Beth Allen of DIY Hip Chicks;
  • 4:30-5:30 – “Design On A Dime” with Jeannie Weber of Oskar Huber Furniture.

611 Metals Recycling will be accepting unwanted electronic and metal items behind the store.

For more information visit impactthrift.org.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Southampton Spirit Events Tagged With: , , , ,

Bucks Audubon Society and Solebury EAC announce Backyard Stewardship Workshop

April 24, 2013 By

On Sunday, April 28th, from 10:00am to 3:00pm a workshop will be held where any homeowner, gardener, teacher or land-owner interested in helping the environment can receive training in restoring ecology to backyards and other properties.

The first in a two class series, attendees will learn how to assess properties, about native plants and creating curb appeal, how sustainable landscaping can help save time and money and much more! The class includes companion textbook, notebook, light morning fare and lunch.

The second class includes one or two backyard site visits with full assessment demonstration and practice (date and location TBD). 

Offered as part of Solebury Township’s Bird Town program, the workshop will be held at Bucks County Audubon Society’s Visitor Center, 2877 Creamery Road, Solebury. Cost for both classes is $55.

To register contact Diane Smith at BCAS by phone at 215.297.5880, email at dianesmith@bcas.org, or online at www.bcas.org.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, New Hope News Events

Warmer pool, lower bills, cooler world

April 24, 2013 By

submitted by Mark Bortman, Exact Solar, mark@exactsolar.com

Ahh – spring has sprung! Time when people’s thoughts turn to playing outside and planting flowers.

It’s also time to think about one of my favorite summer activities – swimming.

I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy swimming. One of the things I don’t like, however, is getting into cold water.

I don’t know how my kids do it – it seems that they are part penguin (must be from their mother’s side) and dive right in no matter what the temperature. On the other hand, if the pool is cool, I’m the guy that takes forever to get in, if I get in at all.

Of course, there is a way to avoid this – heat the swimming pool. This can be an expensive proposition, however.

Natural gas, propane and electric bills can skyrocket to hundreds of dollars during the swimming season, not to mention the untold environmental impacts of mining and burning those fossil fuels.

Of course, there is a way to avoid this, too – harness the natural, free energy of the sun. Solar pool heating systems do an excellent job of adding 10 to 15 degrees to the temperature of an unheated pool.

They don’t cost much more than any other type of heater but they cost nothing to run! The heat from the sun is free and will never go up in price.

Solar pool heaters work by circulating the water from the pool through solar collectors. These collectors are made from a special blend of polymers and are designed to capture the heat from the sun and transfer it to the water.  Each collector is rated for up to 48,000 BTU’s per day.

Although solar pools heater are not as well-known as the other types of heaters, they have been around for over 30 years and their popularity is growing. They have withstood the test of time and their warranty supports this.  The panels come with a full 10-year and limited lifetime warranty – far longer than any other type of heater.

As the swimming season starts, think about the difference solar energy can make – a warmer pool and a cleaner environment. Then, make a choice to make a difference.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Yardley Voice Columnists Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Yardley Borough’s Annual Recycling Day set for April 27th

April 15, 2013 By

Yardley Borough’s Annual Recycling Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 27th, from 9:00am to 1:00pm, provides local residents and businesses with the opportunity to do some early spring-cleaning while protecting the environment.

This “rain or shine” event, co-sponsored by the Yardley Borough Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) and the Yardley Business Association (YBA), takes place in Buttonwood Park, adjacent to the Yardley Town Center in the borough.

Entry to the event will be off of Main Street, between Firehouse Cycles and The Face and Body Spa. Volunteers will direct anyone with donations to drop off locations within Buttonwood Park.

Recycling Day also offers the convenience of on-site shredding of paper, documents and CDs. Any “sensitive” documents will be shredded directly in front of the person and disposed of properly.

On the same day and in conjunction with the event, the Yardley Borough Police Department sponsors a prescription drug collection. All unused medications, current or expired, will be accepted at the Yardley Borough Police Station.

No sharps of any kind will be accepted.

Most items collected are handled and processed by Advanced Green Solutions, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based recycling company.

Acceptable items include:

  • American flags
  • Bicycles (any condition)
  • Cell phones (any model/year/condition)
  • Computers
  • Electronics and related equipment
  • LPs/albums/cassettes/CDs/DVDs
  • Non-alkaline batteries
  • Packing materials (bubble wrap, air packs, peanuts, Styrofoam)
  • Paper, documents, CDs, DVDs (shredding on site – cardboard not accepted)
  • Printers/toner/fax cartridges
  • Sneakers – dry and clean (cannot accept cleats or dirty, wet shoes)
  • TVs, DVD/VCR/VHS/Beta players.

Unacceptable Items Include:

  • Alkaline batteries
  • Antifreeze or used motor oil
  • Car batteries
  • Cardboard
  • Clothing
  • Hazardous waste or materials
  • Lead paint
  • Regular paint

Recycling Day provides an opportunity to learn about proper recycling and composting while enjoying a community event. Yardley Starbucks and Cramer’s Bakery will donate refreshments and baked goods.

Local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts help collect and organize donations. The Yardley Business Association sponsors NEXCUT Shredding, a document shredding company.

Glen Lowe, of Bucks Ship and Print, will collect packing materials. Firehouse Cycles will collect bicycles to be donated to the Trenton Boys & Girls Club. The Yardley VFW collects and properly disposes the American flags.

In addition to the sneakers collected on Recycling Day, Optimal Health Center of Yardley, located at 301 Oxford Valley Road, Suite 1405, will accept donated sneakers throughout the month of April that will be given to NIKE™ for recycling.

“Last year we collected 1.79 tons of paper, 48 bicycles, 112 sneakers, 131 cell phones, 113 laser and ink cartridges, six tons of computers and 20 bags of clothing,” says Carol, adding that some recyclable items will be donated to A Woman’s Place, Bucks County’s only organization that assists victims of domestic violence.

For more information, call Carol at 215.369.1479 or email: Ladymcgowen@verizon.net.

On Facebook, visit “Yardley Borough EAC” or email yardleyboro_recycles@comcast.net.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Newtown Gazette Events Tagged With: , , , , ,

Delaware Canal Clean-Up Day – April 13th

April 5, 2013 By

April 13 is Canal Clean-Up Day at the Delaware Canal State Park. The Friends of the Delaware Canal sponsor this annual event to encourage volunteers to clear trash, debris, and brush from the historic waterway and towpath that runs from Easton to Bristol.

This year’s Clean-Up Day efforts will target the stretch from New Hope to Bristol.      

Canal Clean-Up Day activities will begin at 9:00am and end at noon. Everyone who wants to participate should choose a location, and then contact the Area Coordinator for that section.  The Coordinator will provide all the details about the day’s activities. 

  [Read more...]

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Home Tagged With: , , , , ,

Solar panels – MUCH cheaper than PECO

March 20, 2013 By

submitted by Mark Bortman, Exact Solar, mark@exactsolar.com

Take a look at your electric bill. It might be the lowest electric bill you’ll have for quite a while. The amount of electricity you use is measured in kilowatthours (kWh).  Starting April 1st, the amount PECO charges per kWh is going up about 10%.

This is on top of increases of 5% this past January and 20% last October.  Who knows how high the rate will be in 25 years?

About a year ago, I wrote an article about how much the price of solar panels had dropped. The title of the article was “Solar Panels – Cheaper than PECO.” That article discussed how the cost per kWh of a solar electric system compared favorably to PECO’s rates.

It seems unbelievable, but the prices for solar panels have continued to drop over the past year while PECO’s rates have continued to climb.  The new headline should be “Solar Panels – MUCH Cheaper than PECO.”

And one thing I can guarantee is that the energy from the sun is free and will never go up in price. Many people make the assumption that renewable energy is more expensive than fossil fuels. But that is not the case anymore.

Over the life of a solar electric system, the electricity ends up much less expensive than it is from the utility. In looking around on the Internet, you may not get the full picture.   There are pricing calculators out there for installed solar energy systems.  These are not updated nearly often enough to keep up.

In addition, the overall costs for solar energy systems vary from region to region. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the solar industry has been busy for quite a while.

This experience and competition among installers has helped drive costs down and efficiencies up.

With solar panels less expensive than ever, it is an option to consider.  As I like to say, solar makes sense – it makes sense for the environment and it makes sense for your bank account.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green, Yardley Voice Columnists Tagged With: , , , , ,

FEMA Region III Is a Force of Nature and You Can be Too

March 6, 2013 By

FEMA Region III is proud to be promoting National Severe Weather Preparedness Week March 3-9, 2013. During this week we are asking members of the community to Be a Force of Nature and better prepare for severe weather threats in our area.

Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Severe Weather Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort to increase awareness of severe weather and to motivate individuals, families, businesses, and communities to take actions that will prepare them in the event of severe weather.

As a committed leader for disaster-readiness, FEMA Region III will be highlighting ways individuals can Be a Force of Nature by knowing their risk, taking action, and serving as an example. Each year, individuals are killed or seriously injured by tornadoes and other types of severe weather, despite advance warning. In 2012, there were more than 450 weather-related fatalities and nearly 2,600 injuries. Severe weather knows no boundaries and affects every individual.

“We’ve seen an increase in severe weather in our region over the last several years, including a derecho, tornadoes, and floods” said FEMA Region III Administrator MaryAnn Tierney. “Severe weather often strikes without warning, so I encourage you to know your risk and take action to make sure you’re prepared.”

Know Your Risk: The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you and your family. Every state in our region experiences tornadoes and severe weather, so everyone is exposed to some degree of risk. Check the weather forecast regularly and visit ready.gov/severe-weather to learn more about how to be better prepared and how you can protect your family during emergencies.

Pledge and Take Action: Be Force of Nature by taking the Pledge to Prepare at ready.gov/severe-weather. When you pledge to prepare, you take the first step to making sure that you and your family are prepared for severe weather. This includes filling out your family communications plan, putting an emergency kit together, keeping important papers and valuables in a safe place, and getting involved.

Obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and check to see if your cell phone is equipped to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts and sign up for localized alerts from emergency management officials. Stay informed by having multiple sources for weather alerts – NOAA Weather Radio, weather.gov, and Wireless Emergency Alerts. Subscribe to receive alerts at weather.gov/subscribe.

Be an Example: Once you have taken action, share your story with your family and friends. Create a YouTube video, post your story on Facebook, comment on a blog, or send a tweet. Studies show that many people use social media in the event of a disaster to let relatives and friends know they are safe. This is an important trend because people are most likely to take preparedness steps if they observe the preparations taken by others. Social media provides the perfect platform to demonstrate preparedness actions for others.

More information and ideas on how you can Be a Force of Nature can be found at ready.gov/severe-weather. Information on the different types of severe weather such as tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flooding is available at weather.gov and ready.gov/severe-weather or the Spanish-language web site listo.gov.

FacebookTwitterEmailGoogle+DiggStumbleUponBookmark/FavoritesShare
Filed Under: Going Green Tagged With: , , ,
«Older Posts