Commercial Solutions

Use natural rainwater for your yard and garden and significantly lower your water bills. Why let this water go to waste? Collect and reuse to save money and help the environment!

This can be accomplished by using dimmers and other lighting controls, and educating family members to turn off unneeded lights.

When you start thinking about how water drips constantly for days, you will be surprised at how much is actually being wasted. A single faucet dripping 30 drops per minute wastes 3 gallons a day, which is the equivalent of about 27 baths a year. To see how much water is actually being wasted in your home, check out the United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) Drip Accumulator Calculator. http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/sc4.html

Check Department of Energy Wind Resource Maps at: http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wind_maps.asp

Tax credits are available for small wind generators at 30% of the cost, with no upper limit through 2016 for existing homes and new residential construction.

The aerodynamic properties of many commercial buildings can create natural acceleration in wind speeds of up to 50%

Check the back of the paint can for levels of volatile organic chemicals "VOCs". An ideal paint has fewer than 150 grams per liter. These are often labeled low-VOC or no-VOC.

For homes built before 1978, test painted surfaces for lead before sanding. If lead is found, contact a professional for remediation.

Common hardwood floors come from trees that take 50 years or more to reach maturity, where as bamboo replenishes every four to six years.

Cork contains a naturally occurring substance called suberin that repels insects, mites and mold. This makes cork floors a great product for people with allergies as it is hypoallergenic. The suberin in cork also makes it naturally fire resistant and also protects it from rotting when wet.

Many utility companies offer energy that is produced by renewable resources, which can be purchased as a percent of total energy used or in blocks of kilowatts. Buying green energy supports the development and use of renewable resources while helping reduce global warming!

Chewing gum is the second largest littered item in the world and is not biodegradable and will stick to several surfaces for many years. Dispose of your gum in a responsible manner!

Trees are not only good for the environment but they can block winds, provide shade from the sun, and act as a sound barrier for your home!

Plug electronic equipment into power strips, and turn off power strips at the end of the day! You don't have to mess with tangled cords, and can be ready to go with the flip of a switch.

Using the stairs instead of the elevator leaves space for people who can't walk themselves up and also gives you exercise. The only excuse you have is if you work at the top of the Empire State Building.

Print only the text you need and print double-sided! Many times, the back page of a sheet of paper remains blank. Sometimes, places that charge for printing will charge less for double-sided prints as well. Save paper and money!

Several big name office equipment companies offer recycling programs for products such as printers, scanners, fax machines, ink & toner cartridges, and even cell phones! Even large stores like Radio Shack, Target, and Walmart are starting to offer buy-backs on old electronics for store credit.

Place recycle collection containers in several areas making sure they are adjacent to trash cans. Many times, people will throw their waste in the nearest place that will accept it, and that usually happens to be a trash can. With recycling bins nearby, they are more likely to drop their cans and bottles in the recycling bins separate from the trash.

Purchase paper products with a certified recycled content, and high proportion of postconsumer content. Avoid chlorine-bleached paper wherever possible. Recycled paper tends to be cheaper and easier to make, plus you save some trees along the way!

Purchase rechargeable batteries and save money. You will get several uses out of the batteries without having to buy new ones. Recharging instead of replacing keeps the battery acid out of landfills too!

Share, repair, and reuse items whenever possible to reduce purchasing if economical. Consider the cost of shipping the products too. Farther products mean higher shipping and higher pollution for transport.

Look for options such as buses or trains instead of driving to and from the airport. These options are more efficient because they move more people per mile per gallon than just driving the family car!

If using a personal vehicle, make sure that the engine is tuned up, the amount and condition of oil is acceptable, and the tires are properly inflated. Simple preventative maintenance on a vehicle keeps it running more smoothly and efficiently!

Reduce the load on your air conditioner with window film applied to windows that receive direct sunlight! Designed to reduce up to 76% of solar heat and block up to 99% of the ultraviolet rays.

An easy way to save money around the house is to seal off drafts, which can reduce your energy bill 5-30%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Check for window drafts by carefully holding an incense stick up to each frame and watch the smoke to see if there is a leak. (Be sure to remove all curtains first to avoid a fire). Then use caulking or weather-stripping to seal the cracks.

Billions of disposable cups are thrown out every year in the United States. Buy a reusable coffee mug and take it with you on your morning coffee break! Or buy a reusable water bottle for your water cooler talks!

Reduce the amount we consume, Reuse waste materials by finding a new constructive use for it, and then toss it in the blue bin to Recycle rather than throwing it in the trash!

Some people believe that bags made of trees (e.g. paper bags) are less harmful to the earth than bags made of chemicals (e.g. plastic bags). The fact is, making both types of bags creates a lot of pollution, and both paper and plastic bags use a lot of resources. The best solution is not to use any bags at all or to use a mesh bag that can be used over and over. If you must use a paper or plastic bag, don't throw it away! Try to re-use the bag as many times as you can.

You can get refurbs for a steal, often for less than 50% of the retail price! Before they're resold to the public, they go through an intense defect-testing process and the warranties usually remain intact, so you can save money and help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills!

More than 15 billion batteries are thrown away each year, which stacked end to end could stretch to and from the moon! And the number of batteries disposed continues to grow, as consumers are utilizing more electronic devices. Save money and resources by using rechargeable batteries, many of which can be reused up to 1,000 times!

Adding more gas after the nozzle has automatically shut off leaves no room for the gasoline to expand, immediately burning wasted fuel and contributing to the air pollution problem. Topping off your gas tank is bad for the environment and your wallet!

If you have a diesel car or truck, look for a fueling station that offers a biodiesel blend and drive greener! There are currently more than 1,000 such stations across the country and more popping up every day. Diesel engines are up to 40% more fuel-efficient than gasoline ones, and biodiesel emits 78% less CO2 than petroleum diesel, as well as less carbon monoxide.

A misaligned tire will use around two per cent more fuel and cause premature tire wear. The worn tires aren't easily disposed of either.

Cut down on pollution and energy by choosing ground transportation for your deliveries! Whenever possible, go with ground transportation instead of rush air delivery for your mailing needs. On average, ground shipping is more than six times more energy efficient than air. Plan ahead so overnight or next day air shipping doesn’t become a necessity. This will also help save on additional rush delivery costs and burn less fossil fuel per shipment!

Say hello to water independence with the Ecoloblue Atmospheric Water Generator! Just plug it in and this revolutionary machine begins making fresh water...up to 7 gallons in 24 hrs! No water source required; it produces purified water through natural humidity in the air. Start saving money today!

December and January are the most dangerous months for electrical fires.
- Routinely check your electrical appliances and wiring.
- Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.
-Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.
- Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) cites christmas trees, holiday lights and lit candles as some of the top causes of holiday fires.
- Never overload extension cords or wall sockets. Avoid connecting an excessive amount of holiday lighting and decorations to a single circuit whenever possible.
- Inspect your old and new lights before putting them up. Throw the lights away if you find frayed wires, insulation gaps, broken or cracked sockets or excessive kinking.
- Install tamper-resistant receptacles to "child-proof" electrical outlets.

Find out what's new and different, and learn about our exceptional line of safe, reliable, quality products designed to meet these code changes.
- Need to know if a Tamper-Resistant Receptacle is required?
- What types of receptacles are required in accessory buildings?
The handbook can offer helpful tips, so you can specify products with confidence. Download the NEC Code Changes Handbook to learn more.