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Green is more than a magic word. It is more than a necessity. It is touching everything, yes everything. It will and must reach our heart & soul.

The worldwide interest in green technologies and green life style is a revolution of revolutions, and stands to correct whatever has gone wrong. So if you think green and think of greener life style, start with saving energy consumtion at home and save money as well. oing green may be sometimes costly, but it certainly is win-win in the long term.

With the arrival of warmer weather, it is a challenge to keep your home cool and comfortable, yet keep your energy bills in check. Making your home more environmentally friendly, you not only help save natural resources, you save money, too.

Air conditioners & appliances running through summer days, it burns up energy and raise costs. The energy used in the average house is responsible for twice as many greenhouse gas emissions than the average car, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To help you get started in “greening” your home, American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning offers these tips.

Pre-set indoor temperatures. One of the easiest and simplest things you can do is install a programmable thermostat. It will allow you to cut cooling costs up to 6 percent for every degree you raise your thermostat in the summer. Some models allow you to pre-set temperatures for every day of the week to match your family’s comings and goings.

Reduce energy, increase home comfort. For efficient air conditioning, make sure your system meets the newest government energy standards. For example, you can save up to 47 percent on heating and air conditioning costs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the American Standard Allegiance (R) 15 Air Conditioner. It surpasses current government efficiency standards when installed as part of a complete system, and cools with an environmentally-friendly ozone-safe refrigerant to help keep costs to a minimum, even on the hottest days.*

Many energy-efficient air conditioner models meet efficiency requirements for a federal energy tax credit when installed as part of a complete system. Thanks to the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, homeowners may be eligible for a tax credit when they purchase certain heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems by Dec. 31,2010. For more information, visit americanstandardair.com/HomeOwner/LatestUpdates/Tax_Stimulus_2009.aspx.

Lights out, costs down. Increasing your lighting efficiency is one of the fastest ways to decrease your electricity bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Turn lights off when you leave the room or add in a dimmer to see instant energy savings. Installing an occupancy sensor that automatically turns lights on and off when someone enters and leaves the room will also save energy and money. For example, you can save up to 50 percent energy when replacing a standard light switch with a Maestro Occupancy Sensor with eco-dim Dimmer from Lutron Electronics.

Shut out high energy bills. Your exterior door may be contributing to your home’s overall energy usage. Newer models often fit and insulate better than older models and replacing your old door often reaps both energy- and money-saving benefits. The ENERGY STAR (R)-qualified Fiber-Classic (R) Mahogany Collection (TM) from Therma-Tru (R) creates the tightest seal possible, stabilizing interior temperatures and therefore decreasing your home’s energy consumption.

Other simple savers. Even small acts of green can make a difference. The DOE recommends simple savers such as turning off your computer and monitor when not in use; lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees; taking short showers instead of baths and washing only full loads of dishes and clothes. Visit www.energy.gov for more ideas.

* Potential energy savings may vary depending on your lifestyle, system settings, equipment maintenance, local climate, home construction and installation of equipment and duct system.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Popularity: 10% [?]

Cool off the summer days with the tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows. It is the perfect time to upgrade your home with new windows to help save on cooling costs in hot summer, and to also save on heating costs when winter rolls around again.  The tax credit for energy efficient replacement windows and doors, originally introduced in 2009 as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, to expire end of 2010.  So now is the best time for homeowners to replace their windows with energy efficient windows, save money while improving the look & feel of your home.

Ply Gem, a leader in the building products industry, offers some tips and guidelines to help homeowners make the most of the energy efficient replacement window tax credit.

How much money can I get back with the windows tax credit?
Homeowners can receive a tax credit worth 30 percent of the purchase price of qualifying energy efficient windows,  up to a maximum of $1,500 if purchased and installed by Dec. 31, 2010.

To redeem the credit, be sure to save your invoice that shows a breakout of window and installation costs, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) labels from all windows and doors and the manufacturer’s certificate.

How do I qualify for the tax credit?
The federal government established strict standards for windows to qualify for the tax credit. Replacement windows must have a glass package with a U-Factor rating (the rate at which heat is prevented from escaping) of .30 or lower. Qualifying windows must also possess a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient rating of .30 or lower. The lower the window’s SHGC, the less solar heat it transmits.

A common indicator of a window’s energy efficiency is the ENERGY STAR label, which as of 2010 includes more stringent guidelines. Homeowners who purchase windows with the ENERGY STAR label should still check with their contractor to ensure the windows they purchase meet the tax credit guidelines because the tax credit qualifications may vary from ENERGY STAR guidelines in certain locations.

Manufacturers like Ply Gem Windows offer glass packages to meet or exceed tax credit qualifications, as well as high-performance styles that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements in all climate zones. For added energy efficiency, Ply Gem Windows products are also Green Approved by the National Association of Home Builders Research Center National Green Building Certification.

What are the benefits of remodeling my home with energy efficient windows?
Energy efficient windows that meet the tax qualifications offer more savings than a one-time federal tax credit. The Alliance to Save Energy says that sealing and insulating your house - including utilizing energy efficient windows - is a great first step to take when improving your home’s energy efficiency. Proper sealing and insulation can reduce your heating and cooling bill by approximately 20 percent. An energy audit may be available through your local utility or state energy office to help gauge the amount of energy that you are currently using and determine what products would decrease your energy use.

Environmental and economic benefits are not the only upsides to remodeling a home - new windows in classic or contemporary designs can also enhance the aesthetic quality of the home and make a more comfortable living space.

Does the federal tax credit offer any other ways to save money?
The remodeling tax credit that expires at the end of the year offers homeowners several other options to improve their home and quality of life. Central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and more are also ways to increase your home’s energy retention capabilities.

To further save on energy costs, homeowners can use insulated siding, reduce the amount of water consumption and unplug appliances when not in use. For other ideas on how to increase the energy efficiency of your home, visit www.energysavers.gov. Be sure to ask your local dealer or contractor about the window products that meet the current tax credit requirements. To learn more, visit www.plygemwindows.com or www.recovery.gov. Courtesy of ARAcontent

Popularity: 12% [?]

A  holistic approach to life consists of different aspects that include physical, mental, emotional and spiritual state of an individual. However, holistic living lays a special emphasis on diet and food. Eating should only be done when feeling hungry. Fresh food with fair portions in raw form is said to be the best for developing a holistic life style. Avoid food that has preservatives, permitted colors and over cooked and seasoned with extra spices and salt. Negative qualities such as anger, jealousy, greed, unbridled lust and passion, coveting the wealth and property of others and dishonesty will do more harm  and should always be controlled as a positive step towards a better health.

Adapt regular use of herbs that are equally important along with a proper diet and a positive state of mind. Herbs are greatly beneficial in developing a holistic green life style  as herbs are synergetic and act as intelligent health regulators. They work on one problem, for instance a digestive disorder or nervous tension - and by relieving that problem they improve the entire functioning of the body and lead to other improvements, such as better sleep, reduce stress and improve resistance to infections.

Popularity: 14% [?]

Newspaper circulation worldwide is seeing a negative growth rate. More people are taking to online news as their source of current news. Newspaper circulation has decreased by 9% in USA. Similar trends are seen in all countries worldwide.

Google, Yahoo, MSn, BBC, ABC, CNN, Fox News and many other news services are now offering online news. The news page at http://news.greenactionday.org is a good start. The news page provides an integrating online news services of the best news providers listed above and more. World News. Country News, regional News. You can also ask for a custom news page.

Popularity: 15% [?]