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Green Blog

The Green Machine Blog

A blog by Dixie Somers in General

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About this blog

All things green, eco-friendly, and seriously sustainable

Entries in this blog

Why Propane Is One of the Greenest Energy Sources for Homeowners

When you think of green energy your mind probably jumps to solar, wind or emerging hydrogen power, but you may not have considered that propane and its cousin natural gas, are also among of the greenest energy sources available to homeowners. Clean Burning While propane is essentially a fossil fuel, derived from natural gas or petroleum, it burns much cleaner than other fossil fuels. It emits roughly half the greenhouse gases compared to coal or oil and it doesn’t emit as many harmful
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Which Roofing Material Is the Greenest?

If it is time to replace your roof, but you are hoping to reduce your carbon footprint, there are several options available that are environmentally friendly. The option you choose will depend on your budget, your preferences and the look of your home. If you’re looking for eco-friendly yet affordable roofing and gutters, consider the following options. Standing Seam Metal Roofs Standing seam metal roofs reflect sunlight and are 100 percent recyclable. In addition, you can purchase met
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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What to Know about Eco-Friendly Pest Control Methods

Most people are aware of the impact commercial farms have on the impact with their use of pesticides. What many do not realize, however, is regular home and garden use of pesticides adds up to 160 million pounds of chemical use every year, which is more than the government and businesses combined. Want to do something to help the environment while keeping pests away from your home? Green pest control methods can be just as effective as chemicals or even work better without the use of che
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Tips for Reducing Your Car’s Carbon Footprint

Driving can have a hugely negative impact on your carbon footprint, and while we all strive to reduce our personal drain on the environment, there are some things we struggle to do without. While you work toward a world that lives in harmony with earth, there are some things you can do to reduce your car’s carbon footprint. Share a Car Most families have more than one car, and more often than not, each car is intended for the transportation of one person at a time. Getting rid of one c
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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The New Industrial Revolution: A Look at the Rebirth of Industrial Production in America Right Now

Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons via Georgie Pauwels There is a boom happening in America, one that rivals the Industrial Revolution of the 1800's. It is quiet, but the American manufacturing sector is making a comeback in a huge way. The reasons for this can be debated, but several factors appear to be self-evident. No matter the 'primary' causes, it can't be denied that manufacturing in America is on its way back up. Energy Cheap energy is now and always has been the key to indu
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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The Most Eco-Friendly Ways to Clean a Drain

When you have a clogged drain in your home, your first instinct might be to rush out and buy a chemical drain cleaner to fix the problem. While these products do work when they are used as directed, they include harsh chemicals that are bad for the environment and your plumbing. Instead of caustic drain cleaners, consider some of these eco-friendly solutions instead. Baking Soda and Vinegar Baking soda is a base and vinegar is an acid. When the two substances are mixed together, they c
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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The Importance of Clean Water in America's Cities

In America's cities, it is a necessity to have clean water for consumption, bathing, and everyday use in order to stay healthy. With so many people living in these areas, it can be hard to keep water safe and clean. There are things that you can do to make sure that your household use doesn't negatively affect the water supply in your area. From pollution runoff from agricultural facilities affecting the water table to toxic chemical dumping in rural areas and even littering, many people have no
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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The Holistic Approach to Dental Care

Proper dental care is essential to maintaining your overall well-being. Studies show that poor oral hygiene is directly linked to many common illnesses including dementia, diabetes, cancer, and kidney disease, not to mention an assortment of other life-threatening medical conditions. Considering the variety of illnesses caused by gingivitis and periodontal disease, it is essential to brush and floss daily and visit a dentist regularly for checkups. When looking for dental care Tampa, it is impor
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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The 4 Best Eco-Friendly Plumbing Products

Eco-friendly or green plumbing products and technology have grown in popularity in recent years. Part of the reason for this trend is that consumers are more aware of issues like the need to conserve energy and water. However, more and more plumbers and consumers are opting for water saving and energy efficient plumbing products because modern technology now provides a wide range of options that reduce utility costs. Water Flow Restrictors The term “flow restrictor” is simple enoug
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Stop Energy Leaks! Four Simple Changes You Can Make to Help Keep Energy in the Home

Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons via Halfrain When a home leaks energy, the result is typically higher energy costs and causing your central heat and air to work harder than it should. For this reason, many homeowners actively seek for practical ways to improve the energy efficiency of their home. Keeping more of your home's heat and air inside will lead to lower energy costs. In the interest of helping homeowners make their home more energy efficient, here are four excellent tips on how
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Reducing and Recycling: 5 Ways Your Household Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

While corporate measures and government initiatives do their part in limiting pollution, truly preserving the planet requires the help of every individual. Though it may seem small, doing your part to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle can have a profound impact on the environment. There are plenty of ways you and your household can easily reduce your carbon footprint. Proper Waste Disposal With waste disposal as simple as dragging a can to the curb, most households put little thou
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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On the Road to Sustainability: How (and why) the Transportation Industry is Slowly Getting More Eco-Friendly

Photo credit: Flickr Creative Commons via Mackenzie Anyone who lives in a city is aware of the negative environmental impacts of the transportation industry. Most cars on the road today still have internal combustion engines that emit large amounts of carbon and other pollutants. Even seemingly clean alternatives, such as electric subways and trains, still release tons of carbon annually. In all, according to the EPA, transportation was responsible for emission of just under two thousand mill
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Mulching or Bagging? The Right Choice for Mowing Lawns

Bag or mulch? If you care for a lawn, undoubtedly you’ve wondered what to do with clippings. Should you collect them in a bag attached to your lawnmower or allow them to fall back on to the lawn, providing mulch for the growing grass?   Best to leave clippings For lots of reasons that are good for your turf and the environment, experts say to leave the clippings. This will have the same value as one or two applications of fertilizer each year. Your lawn management practices w
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Make Your Roof Work for You: 5 Benefits of Solar Panel Roofing

While great strides have been made to further geothermal, wind, and other forms of clean energy, these methods lack the ease and simplicity of harnessing solar energy. This is clearly demonstrated by the growing popularity of solar panel roofing with homeowners. Tax Credits and Assistance Federal and state authorities offer a tax incentives to homeowners who adopt solar panels. The federal government offers an investment tax credit of up to 30 percent, which helps defer the cost o
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Learn Why Renewable Energy is becoming an Even Bigger Deal in 2015

Renewable energy has a long history. Since the mid-1950s, it has been a boiler plate for future energy initiatives. Designs for wind, geothermal and solar energy can be traced back to scientific concepts of men like Nicola Tesla and Thomas Edison. As it continues to gain supporters and traction, the quest for renewable energy sources isn’t slowing down any time soon. In 2015, renewable energy will become an even bigger deal for several reasons. Reduction in Costs of Renewable Energy Former
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Tell if a Business Is Eco-Friendly

Every time you do business with a company, you’re indirectly supporting them. If you purchase from a company that’s committed to environmental issues, you’re helping to protect the environment. But if you’re providing profits to a company that’s heedless of green practices, you’re working against the environment. In many cases, the difference is not so obvious. Here are some ways to tell whether a business is eco-friendly. Internet Searches The easiest way to check on a company’s r
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Save Water in an Older Home

Owning an older home can be a wonderful way to enjoy some unique character that simply can’t be found in a newer home. At the same time, it’s rare to find an older home that can operate as efficiently as a newer home, specifically in the area of water conservation. Fortunately, though, while you might not be able to implement every last water-saving device, there are several great and easy ways to save water in your older home. New Fixtures If you have an older home, it’s likely th
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Prepare Your Roof for Solar Panels

Not only can solar panels increase the value of your home, but they might also reduce your electric bills by hundreds of dollars a year. Before having the solar panels installed, you must take a few steps to protect your home and the panels themselves. Here are some tips you can use to make sure that your next solar power project goes off without a hitch. Carefully Inspect the Roof You must have your roof repairs completed well before your solar array is installed. Issues such as
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Make Your Farm More Eco-Friendly

As a farmer, you are much more in tune with your impact on the environment and with the natural rhythms of nature. So it’s not surprising that you want to take steps to make your farm more environmentally friendly. Below are three ways you can go green as you run your farming business. Use Solar and Wind Generators One great way to reduce fossil fuel use and reduce pollution is to use less traditionally supplied electricity and to take your power needs off grid. Solar panels can be
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Live Off the Grid in Texas

Everyone who lives off the grid has their own reasons for doing so. It might be political, economical, environmental or some other reason. But whatever your motivation for choosing this lifestyle, there are a few basic ideas that you need to get straight in order to make this successful for you and your family. Texas is a great place to live off the grid. Below are four things you must have to live comfortably in this way. Food For many people, living off the grid and homesteading
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Know Which Coffees Are the Most Eco-Friendly

Many people attempt to find coffee that tastes great and is also eco-friendly. Although there are several different types of coffee available for purchase, many coffee trees are mass-produced in remote locations, generate a great deal of waste, and are sprayed with harmful pesticides. If you are environmentally conscious and care deeply about the future of the earth, then you may want to consider some eco-friendly coffee options.   Is Your Coffee Fair Trade? On coffee packag
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Inexpensively Reduce Your Water Consumption

Overtaxing the natural sources of water can seriously degrade the ecosystem. Water restrictions have become commonplace in urban areas. This is partly due to population growth. In addition, droughts in areas like California have become worse in recent years. There is also a personal incentive to save water. You will save money on your water bill if you by water consumption. Change Water Use Habits You would be surprised by how much water you waste due to habitual behavior. For exam
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Help the Environment with Green Plumbing

Water is one of the most precious and limited resources that we utilize. At the same time, it is one of the most necessary resources, being used for drinking, cooking, washing, going to the bathroom, and other essential tasks of everyday life. With so much at stake, then, it’s important to try and conserve water whenever possible, to ensure there’s plenty available, both now and in the future. Here are a few ways that plumbing can be environmentally friendly. Low-Flow Fixtures A st
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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How to Find an Eco-friendly Lawnmower

Lawnmowers may be a lot smaller than cars, but that doesn’t stop them from releasing noxious fumes into the environment and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, emissions from lawnmowers, leaf vacuums, snow blowers, and other outdoor power equipment are a significant source of air pollution. This is bad news for the eco-conscious homeowner, but there are eco-friendly lawnmower options available that aim to reduce fume emissions
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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Eco-Friendly Tech

How to Ensure Your Business Is Meeting Emission Standards

As climate change continues to be an important topic of discussion in today’s world, industrial facilities and other businesses are having to pay much closer attention to air quality and emission standards. Since these standards are regulated by the EPA and meant to slow the release of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants, failure to meet required standards can sometimes result in heavy fines and other penalties. To ensure your business is meeting emission standards, take the following steps. M
Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers in Eco-Friendly Tech

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