Opponents claim that current light bulb laws are anything but bright...

In 2007, Congress passed an energy act that requires light bulb manufacturers to upgrade the efficiencies of their products. This act is part of an extensive federal movement to encourage Americans to use resources – in particular energy, more wisely. While most agree that the intent behind the initiative is good, some lawmakers believe that the method behind the 2007 legislation wrongfully prevents consumers from buying traditional, cheap incandescent bulbs.

The Republican coalition is led by Texas representative Joe Barton, who argues that personal liberties are at stake as a result of the law and that the federal government must be mindful of the ideological implications of its actions with respect to the Constitution. The so-called Barton bill is currently circulating in the House and its proponents point out that alternatives, such as CFL and LED light bulbs, cost much more than traditional incandescent bulbs and that some even pose health risks with their mercury content.
 

Democrats assert that consumers will save money, despite the extra cost of fluorescent and LED bulbs, because the efficiency of these bulbs will be accounted for in immediate savings on energy bills, not to mention the overall longevity of the lighting source compared to tradition incandescent bulbs. Additionally, opponents of the Barton bill contend that the small concentration of mercury in compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and advances in technology, make any perceived health threat negligible. The Obama administration officially opposes the bill because it would repeal measures that encourage technological innovation, increase employment, and reduced emissions.
 

If the 2007 act remains intact, 100-watt light bulbs will no longer be available for purchase from most vendors after January 1st, 2012. 75 watt, 60 watt and 40 watt bulbs will follow suit within the next three years following the January 1st threshold. For comparison sake – that 60-watt incandescent bulb (the most popular kind) can be replaced by a 13-watt compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), or a 4-watt LED light bulb. In addition to the impressive wattage savings of 47 and 56 watts respectively, most CFL light bulbs have a 10,000-hour lifetime, compared to just the 1,000-hour lifetime of an incandescent bulb. Furthermore, LED light bulbs have an amazing 50,000-hour lifetime, meaning it will last up to 50 times longer than the traditional incandescent bulb! While the up-front costs are obviously more than the incandescent bulb, the long-term investment is certainly well worth it by both the amount of energy the bulb consumes as well as its relatively long life span. With technology and demand increasing daily, the type of CFL and LED bulbs being produced are becoming more diverse, offering more choices for consumers at even lower prices. With the government as a driver, the prices for these advanced lighting technologies will soon reach market parity in that it will cost the same as traditionally inefficient incandescent bulbs. Sounds like a bright idea to me!

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner. Learn more at http://www.onestopgreen.com

Remember that old adage, ‘if you can’t take the heat, get out the kitchen?’ Now it’s, ‘if you can’t take the heat, just get an induction burner!’

We all remember that old saying, “If you can’t take the heat, then get out of the kitchen?” Although often applied to real life situations, there is certainly a literal sense to the meaning. With summer in full bloom, the sun is shinin’ bright and that means it time to get together for family gatherings – most likely in the form of outdoor BBQ’s. But it’s hotter than ever outside making it both difficult and inconvenient and all the massive heat that comes from both gas and electric stoves makes this experience that much more dreadful.
 

If you are like me, you have probably wondered if there were easier ways to enjoy cooking without all of the extra heat! Cooking without the extra heat is something that is unknown to the average American but now there is a way.

General Electronics stated in a press release, “Although popular in European and Asian households and among professional chefs worldwide, induction cooking is still largely a mystery for many North American consumers.” With induction cooking, a current is produced when a steel or iron bottom pan is placed on the cook top, which has an electromagnetic element under its smooth surface. The current passes through the cook top and heats the pan and cooks the food inside. Nearly all the energy is transferred directly to the magnetic cookware and the food, making induction cooking quick and energy efficient. Because there is no residual heat from burners, cooking adjustments are nearly instantaneous and precise.”
 

Essentially, all the heat is transferred to the actual pan and not the cooking surface. This provides a safer alternative as well as because no heat is transferred to a nonferrous object such as plastic, paper, cloth, or even a hand that touches the cooking area! This in turn creates a cooler and safer cooking environment that is also easy to clean.

The advent of new technologies is now allowing us a greener and cleaner way to do everyday things like cooking. So get ready for July 4th, put on your new summer outfit, and take the fun outdoors!

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner. Visit our website at http://www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

My first encounter with a two flush system was on my first visit to Israel in 2007.  Quite honestly, I had no idea why the toilet had 2 buttons, or 2 levers, depending on the setup.  It took some experimentation to figure out the difference, but basically different amounts of water were released depending on which was pressed.

Less water is needed to flush urination because the liquid mixes and flows with the flushed water.  So the smaller button or lever is pressed and the toilet does the rest using a reduced water flow.  For bigger loads, the big button or lever is used so the extra water keeps your bowl looking nice.

Two flush systems are rarely seen in the United States, or at least in Texas.  However, historically water has not been as hard to come by in the United States, as it is in Israel, where a large portion of the country is desert.  Israel’s commitment to water conservation is quite strong with much of the water going toward irrigation and turning parts of the Negev Desert into an agricultural region.  For Israel, conservation is especially important in their dry season, roughly through the summer and autumn months.

While big “Green” news items usually relate to finding renewable energy, saving water is just as important.  Water on the Earth is a set resource and only about 2% is fresh water in lakes, rivers, ice, and the atmosphere.  Overuse and pollution makes even less of what little water is available fit for consumption.

Currently in the United States, a large portion of the states bordering Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico are experiencing drought conditions.  In Texas, Louisiana, and Florida, all divisions are experiencing drought, and all but one in New Mexico is experiencing a drought.  In San Antonio, where I am from, Stage 2 water restrictions are in effect based on the level of water in the Edwards Aquifer at one particular well.  In the drier summer months, this has become a surprisingly regular occurrence as the rain the rest of the year is not enough to slake the city’s thirst during the summer.  During these restrictions, the city sets regulations as to when water can be used for what; this includes restricting days and times lawns can be watered and whether car washing is legal.

Two Flush System retrofits are available for just about any toilet.  The retrofits are a simple and inexpensive way to reduce how much water you can use per flush.  Most are simple enough to install as a do-it-yourself project in an hour or less.  They fit nearly all standard household toilets and even accommodate the low-flow 1.6 gallon toilets that are all but standard in new construction.  Retrofit kits can get pricey, but there are inexpensive options under $100.

While water conservation is relatively untouched by the media and politicians, it is an important part of Going Green and using resources wisely.  Two Flush Systems have been proven in other places and could be an integral part of cutting down water use domestically.

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner.  Visit our website at http://www.onestopgreen.com or download the mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

In the news earlier this year was the new Volkswagen Bulli, whose concept introduced at the Geneva Auto Show. Like many new autos, the new Bulli, or “Microbus” as it is known stateside, will be powered by an electric motor. This led me to wonder about all the other up and coming electric vehicles that are about to hit the market and advances in technology to keep them running.

Electric cars substitute an electric battery powering a motor for an internal combustion engine. Periodically, they need to be recharged and the most common method for that is to plug into an electrical outlet. The cars have zero emissions from the tailpipe and significantly cut emissions overall. This decrease in pollutants from the vehicle and end to gasoline use is the main draws to electric cars.

Like every new piece of technology, there are downsides to these new electric cars. The biggest downside is price. The average consumer doesn’t want to spend more for an electric car than a gasoline version despite all the subsidies many governments offer. The Nissan Leaf is one of the most affordable electric cars, however still costs over $30,000. A US rebate drops that $7,500 and states may have their own subsidies as well (such as California’s $5,000 subsidy) that drop the car price significantly.

Another drawback is the reduced range. “Range anxiety” stems from the concern that batteries will lose charge on a trip far from anywhere able to recharge them. And even if there is a charging station nearby, a recharge can take several hours out of a trip. One of the top cars range wise is the Tesla Roadster, at 245 miles. That is significantly less than many internal combustion cars, and in a state like Texas, won’t get me out of the state. However, most electric cars are marketed as “daily drivers” that are geared towards the average 40 mile per day commute. Also, cars can be built with battery switch technology. This gives them the ability to be swapped out (like propane fuel grill tanks), however the costs are high despite the fact that it can take as little as one minute. The US has fast charging stations being developed and should be blanketing the country by 2013 that will build an 80% charge in 30 minutes.

There are around 20 highway capable, large vehicles currently under development or in production. Their popularity will almost certainly grow as gas prices rise and resources become harder to acquire. Despite these drawbacks, electric cars seem to be the way of the future, and the kinks will be worked out, just like every other piece of technology.

One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs. Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green. We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner.  You can visit their website at www.onestopgreen.com  and download their mobile app at http://fwd4.me/01gP

About OneStopGreen: One Stop Green offers Energy Efficient products and services for your Home, Business, or Commercial property. Learn more about One Stop Green by visiting us at Green Living & Energy Efficient Products

When one thinks of Los Angeles, warm weather, beautiful beaches, and Hollywood come to mind.  As attractive as these features of LA are, the city’s reputation is often overshadowed by how frustrating it can be to travel even short distances.  Drivers are notoriously known for being heavily reliant on freeways, and with a lack of comprehensive and efficient alternatives, traffic relief is not promising for the near future.

It is no wonder that a weekend closure of a 10 mile stretch of Interstate 405, the nation’s busiest freeway, was cause for concern.  With a long stretch of freeway closed during the weekend of July 16, a freeway segment that over half a million drivers depend on every day, there should have been a nightmare traffic gridlock in the surrounding area, right?  In the city known as the “freeway Mecca,” the general expectation was that we would witness an event dubbed as “Carmageddon.”


However, as the LA Times staff points out, there were similar traffic concerns back when Los Angeles hosted the 1984 Summer Olympics…and traffic was “a breeze.”  History does indeed repeat itself and once again Los Angeles drivers have proven that when given proper incentive, they can manage to utilize other means of transportation en masse (or at least decide to leave their cars at home).


If told to stay off the roads for a reason like Carmageddon, or anything else, what would you do?  Many people stayed home and had family time or block parties.  Some went to parks or nearby attractions to enjoy themselves, and found a new way to have fun.  These guys even had a candle-lit dinner on the deserted highway.

There was also a noted increase in the use of mass transit, some estimate a 10-15% jump in ridership during the shutdown.  While an area as large as Los Angeles requires an extensive mass transit system, the bulk of its operations are road based buses, which in the event of a shutdown of a road, such as the 405, would hamper its operations as well, or the buses would be subject to the same traffic headaches as other cars given open roads.  A more comprehensive and efficient mass transit system would help matters, however in a sprawling city like Los Angeles, distances can be too hard to tame.


Now imagine if drivers in the Los Angeles metro area found incentive to drive less daily.  Carbon emissions in the area would greatly reduce, gas prices would relax, less road maintenance would be necessary, and travel would be less stressful.  I’m sure that you can come up with other ensuing benefits from a decreased dependence on freeways.  However, the fact remains that until drivers are offered extensive and reliable alternatives, the status quo will remain intact.


About One Stop Green: One Stop Green is looking towards a ‘greener’ future, sharing the latest and greatest ideas in green living and green technology with you through our staff written blogs.  Going 'green' is no longer a choice, it's our responsibility, that's why it's so important to try and do the small things that can help change the outlook of the planet - and this is essentially the purpose of One Stop Green.  We believe even the little things like recycling or using less water helps the environment out in a big way, and that's why our various solutions seek to nurture and edify your home or business in an eco-friendly manner.