In March of 2004, Good Life News, Inc. materialized from an inspired idea coupled with a passionate desire to bring “Good News” into Phoenix, Arizona, the Valley of the Sun community via the Good Life News paper. The paper consisted primarily of articles dedicated to the arts, health, wellness and the environment. The majority of the articles were focused on practical and useful information.
In 2008, I decided to phase out the paper and transition into the Internet, but with a very specific purpose. The Energy Guide to the Good Life was born. The Energy Guide to the Good Life, which aired on AchieveRadio.com, provided Energy Management and Energy Savings ideas and material with a focus on the Environment, the Home and Business. The key word was “practical.”
I coined the phrase, "You can't go Green if you are in the Red! So let us help you get In the Black." So what can everyone do to start saving energy, without spending a great deal of money?
- First, make sure your home is well insulated. Check all of your windows and doors for air floor and seal them with weather stripping or caulking. Insulation can be economically purchased that is very easy to install. If you have an attic, make sure it is well insulated.
- Insulate all exposed pipes and your water heater.
- If it is allowable, set up a clothes line. A clothes line can dry clothes quickly if the weather is dry. Alternatively, install a clothes horse in the laundry room or in the bathroom. Clothes usually dry within a day or two on a clothes horse as long as they are spread out thinly, rather than stacked on top of each other.
- Shut off the lights when you don’t need to have them on.
- Make sure your air filters are clean.
- Never allow furniture or rugs to block needed vents.
- Try to have a full load when washing clothes and dishes. Wash your clothes in the cold water cycle.
- Use linear fluorescent tubes and energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
- Install aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads.
- Repair leaky faucets promptly.
- Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 120°F provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
- If you need to purchase a washer, dryer, PC, etc., purchase one with an Energy Star label.
- Unplug any electrical devise when not in use.
Driving and car maintenance
- The best way to warm up a vehicle is to drive it.
- Don’t be an aggressive driver (speeding, rapid acceleration, and hard braking). It wastes gas.
- Driving above 60 mph rapidly drops gas mileage.
- Clear out your car. Extra weight decreases gas mileage.
- Reduce drag by placing items inside the car or trunk rather than on roof racks.
- Use the grade of motor oil recommended by your car's manufacturer.
- Keep tires properly inflated and aligned to improve your gas mileage.
- Get regular engine tune-ups and car maintenance checks to avoid fuel economy problems due to worn spark plugs, dragging brakes, low transmission fluid or transmission problems.
- Replace dirty air filters.
- Combine errands into one trip.
**Check out the Energy Guide to Living the Good Life for enjoyable and educational Energy savings information.
Joe Carroccio, Founder and President of Good Life News, Inc. hosts the “Energy Guide to Living the Good Life.” Joe and his special guests, provide Energy Management and Energy Savings ideas and material; Focus on the Environment, the Home and Cost Effective, Efficient Energy Management for Business and provides all information with integrity and honesty.
