1/1/14

Did you know buying a pre-loved kitchen knife from a resell site like eBay can save as much as 90 percent on energy costs needed to make a new knife? You can sanitize a used knife at home in seconds. If the knife does not have a plastic handle, place it in boiling water for 30 seconds. Turn off the heat and let the knife sit in the hot water and slowly pour the boiling water out; allow the knife to cool, and you're ready to go. If the knife has a plastic handle, fill a pot with the hottest water that comes out of the tap and let the knife soak for 15 seconds. Remove it with tongs and scrub with an old toothbrush to remove any debris.

12/31/13

One of the greenest ways to ship packages and send mail is to use the United States Postal Service. With more than 200,000 vehicles on the road -- 25 percent of which are alternative fuel-powered, making it one of the greenest and leanest delivery systems in the country. But in many parts of the country, the USPS incorporates an even greener approach: walking. Thousands of postal workers hand deliver mail in cities and communities all over the country, making it a truly carbon neutral choice.

12/30/13

Many people install a chimney cap on the top of their fireplace as a means to prevent wild animals like squirrels and birds from accidentally coming into your home, but they also have other benefits worth the investment: When it rains, a chimney cap is also useful in preventing water from getting inside your home. Over time, a little water can cause a lot of damage to the walls and ceiling of your house. These easy-to-install caps block downdrafts into the chimney, which keeps your home warmer and more energy-efficient in the winter months.