• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

A lot of light bulb packaging comes with a color measurement (this is reported in Kelvins - K) and a description of the color (warm white, soft white, cool white, etc).  According to Wikipedia, most incandescent bulbs fall within the  range of 2800 and 3300K.  So when you're looking for a CFL that has a similar light, pick a bulb in that range.    Here is a guide from 1000bulbs.com to help you choose a color temperature.   Kelvin Temperature K - What is the perfect color temperature for you? 2700k - Homes, restaurants, hotel lobbies, boutiques 3000k -... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

PV is about finding (i) the right product and (ii) the right installer for your home.  Since PV is still a relatively new industry, it's important to ensure that your PV product and installing contractor have a stable track record, adequate resources and personnel, so that you can be sure they'll be around for you as time passes.    Last year our company contracted with PowerLight, in Berkeley, California, to install PV on 93 homes we were building in Southern California's Coachella Valley.  An incredibly well resourced and well run organization, they manufacture... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

I’m Neutral, Are You? If you're reading this, you're using electricity. In fact, you are probably one of the three hundred million Americans who draws electricity from a grid primarily powered by fossil fuels. According to CARMA, Carbon Monitoring for Action, the United States currently produces almost 2.8 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually through electricity generation, more than any other country (although China's hot on the trail, coming in with just under 2.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide). That's more than 9 tons per person per year! And as many of us... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

The holidays are a great time.  Families come together.  Old friends come into town.  If you're into gift giving, here are some tips on how to give eco-friendly, local, and fair trade gifts.  For a great resource on the local v. fair trade dilemma, check out An Ethical Shopper's Dilemma from Global Exchange.   If you're looking to green the rest of your holiday season, check out this Huddler wiki on cutting down on waste during the holidays.   Green Gift Recommendations   Homemade coupons for low-impact activities (like hikes, bike rides, or back rubs)... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

In 2006, wine sales totaled $26 billion and liquor sales totaled $17 billion. That same year, the average American drank 2.3 gallons of wine and 21.6 gallons of beer. That's a lot of alcohol. In 2005, 14785 tons of pesticides were used on wine grapes in California. It is also estimated that farmers spray hops (one of the primary ingredients in most beers) with pesticides 14 times per year. That's a lot of pesticide. In 2006, more than 208 million barrels (there are 31 gallons in one barrel) of beer, 673 million gallons of wine, and 425 million gallons of liquor were... read more

• Last updated 9/26/11 by stins

Having a baby is tough (aside from the obvious difficulty of the process itself), but we're constantly berated with a need for more baby stuff. Here are some tips to maintain your shade of green while keeping your baby happy and healthy. Anyone have other ideas? Add 'em below:   A Green Nursery Before baby is even born, you can get baby in the green vibe. When designing the nursery keep in mind earth friendly and baby friendly.  The wall paint or wall finishes: If you use conventional paints with VOC's (volitile organic compounds) will leach toxic fumes... read more