Guests:

Brett Olson is here to speak about Renewing the Countryside and all of the great work they are doing with local foods and eco-travel. Renewing the Countryside strengthens rural areas by championing and supporting rural communities, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists and other people who are renewing the countryside through sustainable and innovative initiatives, businesses, and projects. We do this by sharing stories of rural renewal, building awareness and support for sustainable endeavors, connecting people interested in sustainable rural development to each other, providing practical assistance and networking opportunities for those working to improve rural America, and fostering connections between urban and rural people.

Rachel Maloney from Natural Built Home is back with the second part of her three-part series on Green Building.  Today we talk about sustainable materials and energy savings.  What does sustainable mean?  Rapidly renewable materials like cork, bamboo and linoleum qualify because they can be harvested in less than 10 year life cycles.  FSC certified woods are a great sustainable choice because you can be sure they came from well managed forests.  You can also look for Cradle-to-Cradle certified items.  FLOR carpet tiles are a good example because they are made from recycled materials and they can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle.  Also energy, energy, energy.  We are hearing a lot about it recently and it is a very easy way to reduce your carbon footprint!  Turn you water heater down, purchase Energy Star rated appliances and seal your ducts with mastic.  These are easy and affordable ways to save money and the environment!

Tips, News and Info:

TIP #4562 - Pee Outside.

Saves water... each flush uses aproximately 3 gallons. The average four person family peeing on average 3 times a day will use over 13000 gallons of water a year. It's a great organic fertilizer as it contains nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.  Don't pee right on your plants though... the nitrogen levels could burn some plant's roots.  Definately pee on your compost pile - if you have one.  If you need some inspiration, visit peeoutside.org.  If peeing outside is just too green for you here are some water saving alternatives:

• Pee in a cup/bottle and dispose of it outside.
  
• Pee down a drain of your choice
  
• Pee in the shower, only if you are doing something else at the same time.
  
• Or, just don't flush every pee.
  

Green Tip #8257 - Switch back to a Corded Phone

Cordless phones are energy vampires: sitting in a recharging cradle they suck up power 24-7. So replace a cordless phone or two that you don't really need, and save energy.

Seemingly old-fashioned conventional phones use only a trickle of electricity, and that comes through the phone line. An added benefit is that such phones will work even if the power supply to your home is cut off in a storm or other emergency.

Cordless phones use between 2 and 3 watts in both active and standby modes, according to tests by Lawrence Berkeley National Labs. About 60% of cordless phone energy use occurs during standby time.

Great Ways to Save Energy!

The typical U.S. family spends about $1,900 a year on home utility bills? Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted due to heat loss.

• Seal your ducts - Typically, 46% of your utility bill goes for heating and cooling.  Contrary to what you might think, do not use duct tape to seal your ducts.  It will not last.  Use a mastic sealant that is applied wet to your duct joints.

• Insulate - Only 20% of homes built before 1980 are well insulated.  You can use blown in cellulose or batt insulation (cotton batt insulation is a better insulator over fiberglass and it is much easier to work with)  New 2009 tax credits give you 30% off up to $1500 so NOW is the time to make these improvements.

• Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees and use an insulating blanket or replace it with a tankless hot water heater.  New tax credits give you 30% off up to $1500 dollars for these types of improvements.

• Lighting – CFL's obvously.  But also consider motion dectectors in kids rooms, laundry rooms or anywhere the lights are turned on and left on

• Appliances – Refrigerators are often the #1 user of energy in the home.  Consider the two costs of the appliance.  The cost to buy it and also the cost to run it for the next 15 years.  Always buy Energy Star appliances.

• Close your blinds in the summer to prevent heat from coming in and open them in the winter days to let the sun shine in and heat the home.