New Advances In Technology Make Going Green A Breeze

Did you know that an automatic dishwasher uses less hot water than doing dishes by hand, which equals an average of six gallons less per cycle, or more than 2,000 gallons per year? Considering that an individual American uses about 2,000 gallons of water per month, that’s a pretty significant number.

The idea of “going green” has come a long way in recent decades. In the 1950s, some kinds of energy efficiency weren’t really a choice. From drying your clothes on a clothesline, to cutting your grass with a mechanical push mower, people often lived green without ever consciously considering their carbon footprint. These days, the story is a little different; you can’t turn a corner or pick something up without seeing some kind of “save the earth” signage or packaging.

Reasons to Go Green

There are a plethora of reasons to go green, most falling into either the money-saving or the earth-saving categories. On one hand, you could seriously put some green back into your wallet with things like energy-efficient appliances, and green building tax credits and rebates. Also, simple things like carpooling, limiting eating out, and starting your own vegetable garden are great ways to save money and help the environment.

On the other hand, eco-friendliness means making your community and the planet a better place to live not only for us, but also for future generations. Examples of things you can do in your home are unplugging unused electronics to prevent “phantom” energy consumption, switching to LED light bulbs, conserving water by taking shorter showers, and using reusable items like Tupperware and canvas shopping bags rather than plastic.

Home Automation Technology

New advances in technology are taking much of the guesswork out of going green. With home automation systems like the Wink Hub and free app, you can control the settings on many of your home devices with the push of a smartphone button or even just with your voice. The Wink ecosystem interconnects all of your smart home devices either first through the Hub, or directly to the app. Wink’s simplicity is one of its most attractive features: according to Home Depot technology professional and Wink test user, Ramesh Chaparala, “It’s very, very simple and self-explanatory,” continuing, “Installing the Hub is a no-brainer; in five steps you’re connected.”

What Can You Control?

With the Wink home automation ecosystem, you no longer have to “set it and forget it” when it comes to your home devices. You can control many of your smart devices from your couch, bed, work, or anywhere you are in the world. Here are just a handful of devices you can install in your home that will not only bring you into the 21st century, but also make your home a smoothly running, highly efficient machine.

Smart Thermostats

Thermostats are a great way to control your home’s energy consumption, and when you apply smart technology, you can control it from anywhere. One Wink App Ready device is the Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat, which not only adjusts to your schedule, uses automatic energy-saving settings, and Smart Response technology for precise temps, but also has a full-color, customizable screen to match your decorating scheme. You can be sure your home is aesthetically pleasing and at your exact desired temperature at all times.

Custom Window Shades

Motorized window shades allow for a clean, uncluttered look, are safer for pets and children with cordless technology, and help insulate your home with the setting of a timer or the push of a button. One quality option, Bali Custom Blinds and Shades with Somfy® automation & controls, utilizes a single control, wall switch, remote or programmable timer to operate single or multiple window coverings. Keep the shades drawn during summer to keep your home naturally cool, or leave them open in cooler months to let the sunshine warm your space.

Remote-Access LED Lights

Huge energy and money savings start by simply swapping out incandescent and even compact fluorescent light bulbs in your home for LED bulbs. LED solutions outlast incandescent and halogen bulbs up to 35 to 1, consume 85% less energy than incandescent bulbs, and emit less heat, which altogether drastically reduces replacing costs and landfill waste. Once you’ve decided to install LEDs, take it to the next level by installing smart light bulbs, like the TCP Connected Smart LED Light Bulb Kit with (2) A19 LED light bulbs. With this kit, you can remotely control lighting, dimming and smart lighting features from anywhere in the world with any computer, tablet, smart phone, or connected remote control. They have an estimated yearly cost of $1.32 and a life expectancy of 22.8 years (both figures based on three hours of use a day.)

Home Automation Technology is an Environmental No-Brainer

When it comes to eco-friendly new gadgets, it’s clear that home automation takes the cake. Having nearly complete control of your energy-consuming home devices right at your fingertips is certainly a big step forward for earth-conscious homeowners. In addition to these devices, several other smart green products are energy sensors, HVAC systems, irrigation systems, and outlet controls.

Which environmentally friendly automated devices will you install in your home?

Written by Sarah Kellner

A Charitable Christmas Gift

A Gift With A Purpose

It’s better to give than receive, right? Turns out it’s true.  If you’re looking to give a gift that gives back to someone in need and is a little more meaningful than the average fare, here are some great options.

One Hope WineYou’re going to bring a bottle of wine to dinner anyway, so why not bring one that has the capacity to change lives. This California sparkling Brut is just one of the many offerings of the California-based ONE HOPE Wine.

“Every case provides 25 meals to a child in need,” they said. The company also partners with other companies to provide medicine, clean drinking water, and supplies, along other charitable efforts, to those in need.

ONE HOPE Wine

 

 

Cambodian shaving bag

 

 

Having trouble finding great gifts for the men in your life? This $32 Cambodian Men’s Recycled Tire Travel kit is one of many products handcrafted by Friends International, which provides resources for kids to go to school.

 

 

“By training their out-of-work parents and offering them a range of comprehensive services, Friends International is helping families strengthen their resources and improve their children’s futures,” said Global Goods Partners.

 

Global Goods Partners Pajamas from India

Another great men’s gift, this $32 T-shirt not only looks good and feels great, but also helps to end atrocities in India.
“Sudara’s chill T-shirts and comfy-but-cute pajamas help end sex slavery in India,” said Refinery29. That’s a momentous task, given the high rate of human trafficking there — the country is home to an estimated more than 3 million sex workers, many of whom are believed to be victims of exploitation. Sudara forges partnerships with indigenous organizations to create sewing centers that employ survivors and “offer these women a fresh start and place to heal.”

 

 

Refinery29

Peruvian Alpaca scarfAlpaca fur is soft and warm, and this Peruvian Alpaca scarf is not just great looking and useful for cold winters, but also generates “income for 250 women and family workshops throughout Peru,” said Global Goods Partners. “The sale of this product allows Allpa to provide craft training and access to low-interest loan to artisans.”

 

 

 

 

Global Goods Partners  artisan-made bag  from Kenya

This great looking bag is also a great way to give back.  “With its intricate beading and distinctive Masai print lining, this artisan-made bag quickly became (and continues to be) a FEED favorite,” said FEED. “Not only does it support the talented people who hand-bead the bags, but every bag sold provides meals to two children in Kenya for one year.”

 

 

 

FEED

Hand and Hand Bar of soapA great stocking stuffer or hostess gift, these bars of soap are just one of the hand in hand products that give back. For every product purchased, the company donates a bar of soap and provides a month of clean water to children in need.

 

 

 

 

Pillows to help the ASPCA

The perfect gift for the animal-loving kid in your life, these $17 PB Teen pillowcases are also charitable, with $5 of each going to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by Jaymi Naciri