SunWind Power Systems

• Conserve water this summer. Use less water by collecting rain water and using it to water your plants. Check out these unique rain barrel benches (Read more).

• Plant a tree

   The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is = to 10 room-size air      
  conditioners operatoring 20 hrs a day (US Dept of Agric)

         Landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 50%
         by shading windows and walls of a home.
        
         Trees around buildings reduce air conditioning nees and save 20-50% in  
         energy used for heating. 

           One acre of forest absorbs 6 tons of CO₂ and put out 4 tons of O₂.

          Trees help improve water quality resulting in less runoff and erosion. 

• A fireplace sends most of the heat in your house straight up the chimney emitting as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside! Follow these tips to increase efficiency:
  

        Reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if       
        provided) or open the nearest window slightly - only about an inch - and  
           close doors leading into the room.

       Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows
        warmed air back into the room.

         Check the seal on the flue damper and make it as snug as possible.

       Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the 
       fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room.

        Keep your fireplace's damper closed when you aren't using it.

           Consider a gas fireplace if you are planning to install a new one. These 
        provide the enjoyment of looking at flames but can be 70% more efficient
        than regular fireplaces.

• Instead of recycling the Christmas cards, try reusing them for crafts (Ideas here).

• Adjust your thermostat down, 2 in winter up 2 in summer. (Save 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide; approx. $98 to $200 a year.)
  
• Join a Farmer's Co-op this summer or purchase your vegatables from a local farmer's market.
   
• Start composting your organic waste (here is how).
   
• Purchase renewable gifts in Louisville at Amazing Green Planet.
   
• Purchase green building products in Louisville at Bluegrass Green Co. 
  
  
• Invest in thermal curtains. It can be cold in January! You can reduce your energy usage and keep your house warmer by simply drawing your curtains closed in the evenings. It can reduce heat loss by up to 10% in the winter. Better yet, install thermal insulating curtains which can be 5x more effective at insulating as conventional curtains!
   
• Have a Green Christmas! Use LED lights, buy less, use reusable gift bags (click here for more!)
  
  
• Maintain your car regularly to improve your gas mileage. Click here for more details!

• Hang your clothes out to dry. For the top 10 reasons to hang dry your clothes, (click here).

• Purchase a solar attic fan (Click here for more info).

•  Take the TARC bus.

•  Consider biking to your destination. Many cities including Louisville are trying to become more biker friendly. For more info on biking in the Louisville area Click here.
  
  
• Recycle your compact fluorescent light bulbs.
  
  
• Most people know that compact fluorescent light bulbs can reduce energy usage. But did you know that the mercury contained in these bulbs can cause a problem, especially when disposed improperly? Go to http://www.lamprecycle.org/ or http://www.epa.gov/bulbrecycling/ for more information.
  
  

• (Organicexchange.org) . Cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops, accounting for 25% of insecticides and 10% of all pesticides used in the world.
  
  
• Buy used furniture such as antiques or check out eco-friendly furniture as an alternative (Click here ).

• Instead of throwing away used batteries in the trash, turn them in at local collection centers for recycling. Go to Earth 911 to find your nearest recycling center.