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The Green Machine Blog

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All things green, eco-friendly, and seriously sustainable

Entries in this blog

5 Ways to Make Your Car More Environment-Friendly

Your car is probably the item you own that makes up your largest source of personal pollution. While it’s difficult to go without a car, it is easy to make your car more environmentally friendly. You can do just a few simple things to reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to a better environment. Open Your Windows One of the easiest ways to make your car more eco-friendly is to reduce your air conditioning use. The air conditioner puts a significant load on your engine and r

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

5 Reasons Businesses Should Recycle Their Outdated Technology

Computers don't only depreciate in value, they become obsolete rather quickly. That's great for manufacturers in the computer industry but not so great for consumers and businesses who rely on having access to up-to-date and reliable technology. On average, a component in your PC is outdated every three years. From the video card to the processor, something is bound to be considered obsolete within a few years. While you can future-proof your devices by having your IT department upgrade

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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

5 Eco-Friendly Appliances and Fixtures

It is becoming increasingly important in this fast-paced, industrial society to acknowledge the environmental impact of each individual and do your part in maintaining eco-friendly habits. There are many areas where you can make changes to yourself and your home to help protect the earth. One way to make your home more environmentally-conscious is to make use of several different household appliances that are on the market today. Vacuum Sealer Investing in a vacuum sealer cuts down on

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Agrarian Advancements: How Organic Farming is Changing Agriculture

Organic farming is more common than ever before and is changing agriculture practices around the world. Organic farming is the fastest growing type of agriculture in North America. Canadian farmers are conducting research into the benefits of organic agriculture and strategies to make farms in Canada more profitable and environmentally-friendly. Damage from Pesticides and Chemicals Organic foods are proven to be healthier than foods that are grown commercially using pesticides and

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

5 Natural Cleaning Solutions You Can Make at Home

Whether you're concerned about the chemicals in cleaning products or you simply want to save money, natural cleaning solutions are a healthy, cost-effective way to ensure that your home sparkles. With a little research and a few common ingredients, you can make DIY cleaners for every crevice. Here are five recipes to get you started. 1. Lemons Yes, just lemons. Citrus fruit can clean everything from your garbage disposal to your countertops (provided they aren't marble or stainless

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

5 Ways to Make Your HVAC System More Eco-Friendly

Many homeowners dread opening up their energy bills during the warmest and coolest months of the year. Throughout the country, HVAC systems account for about 48 percent of all residential energy consumption. If you would like to reduce your energy bills, then here is a closer look at some ways you can make your HVAC system as eco-friendly as possible. Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat Very few people realize just how much of an impact that a thermostat has on an HVAC system. No

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Green Dentistry: 4 Ways Dentists Are Becoming More Eco-Frendly

Under both public and government pressure, more industries are adopting eco-friendly practices. Business owners are also looking for ways to incorporate green practices into their operations out of their own environmental concern. One of the industries that's increasingly focused on going green is dentistry. Here are just a few of the ways that dentists have become more eco-friendly. 1. Office environment More dentists are opting to use green materials in both the exterior and interior

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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

4 Ways Civil Engineers Help Build Sustainability In Our Communities

There is a growing desire to move toward a more sustainable lifestyle. This is evident not only in the way people live or do business but also in the way communities are designed. Civil engineers are interested in stepping in a more eco-friendly direction, and the following are a few ways they help build sustainability. Walking Rediscovered Communities throughout the United States are hungry for changes in the way their cities are built. Civil engineers lead the way by helping design a

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

4 Exciting Innovations in Eco-Friendly Pest Control

While no one wants to damage the environment or risk the negative health effects of dangerous pesticides, it's also true that no one wants a house full of pests! These nasty critters bring their own issues, spreading disease and creating unsanitary conditions. Now, innovative pest-control solutions are in the works that can help keep your living spaces pest-free without the damage of dangerous chemicals. 1. Heat Treatments Bedbugs are notoriously difficult to kill, since they can b

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

4 Ways to Make Sure Your Home Isn't Damaging the Environment

Today, more people are incorporating green designs and technologies into their homes, and for very good reasons. It provides a safer environment for your family, saves on energy costs, and helps to cut back on contaminants that wind up in the environment. Here are some ways to make sure your home isn't a part of the problem. 1. Energy Audits An energy audit can tell you where and how your electricity is being wasted, whether it's poor insulation or inefficient appliances. Better en

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Green Lifestyle: 5 Home Services That Are Becoming More Eco-Friendly

Thank you for your desire to adopt a green lifestyle! Our Earth isn't getting any younger. While some environmental damage is reversible, lethal diseases and animal extinction are not. Here are five home services increasingly turning green.   Landscaping Eco-friendly commercial landscapers use methods that save water, eliminate harmful chemicals, protect wildlife, and reduce pollution of soil, water, and air. They also minimize maintenance.   Water Conservation

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Green Realty: How Solar Power Factors into a Home Sale or Purchase

An increasing number of homeowners are turning to solar power to save on their energy costs and to make less of an impact on the environment. Many times, solar panels can generate enough energy to power as much as 50 percent of the average home’s energy leading to significant savings on electric. Solar power installation companies also often state that adding solar power to your home increases its resale value. In actuality, solar panels can complicate your home sale or purchase. Do Solar P

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

5 Ways Your Family Can Be Eco-Friendly on a Budget

Perhaps Earth Day has put thoughts into our mind of what you and your family can do to improve the environment. You may feel as if you are unable to make any significant changes especially on a limited budget. However, you would be surprised to learn how much the following five changes affect the environment of the world and how little they could affect your wallet.   Change the Thermostat Making a change of even a few degrees can eliminate a significant amount of the energy

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Eco-Friendly Autos: The Top 5 Greenest Vehicles on the Market

It is certainly a golden era for those looking to buy green vehicles. The prevalence of hybrids and fully electric cars are slowly dominating the vehicle market, with even conventional cars borrowing some of the technology. In this ranking of the top five, there are several important aspects to consider. These cars make the cut because of their fuel efficiency, limited or no reliance on fossil fuel and decent utility. This list is also a ranked list, so the first car is the top choice and the fi

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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

5 Easy Ways to Save Water in Your Home

The average American uses around 100 gallons of water every day while most Europeans use only 50 gallons per day and those in parts of Africa that have very poor access to water use only 5 gallons per day. While those living in third world countries certainly do not have access to enough water for the great hygiene habits that those in first world countries do, you might wonder what the difference is between how Americans live versus how Europeans live. What are some ways that Americans can cut

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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

5 Eco-Friendly Gadgets for Your Business

Kudos to you for caring about our precious planet! As a business owner, you can protect our environment on a broad scale. One significant way is using eco-friendly equipment. By doing so, you'll reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. You'll also save money. Here are five types of gadgets with Earth-saving features.   1. Recycled Calculators Equip your staff with calculators made of recycled plastic that run on solar power. Some devices are advertised as being free of lead

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Green Vehicle: 5 Ways to Make Your Car More Eco-Friendly

You don’t have to invest in a hybrid or electric car to make your vehicle greener. Certain driving habits, proper vehicle maintenance and a few small changes or accessories can go a long way to improving a car’s efficiency and reducing its overall carbon footprint. The best news of all is that these green car tips are likely to save you money in the long run by reducing your need for fuel or expensive repairs.   Control Speed About 75 percent of a vehicle’s carbon emissions

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

5 Things to Know about Tankless Water Heaters

How big is your water heater? Twenty? Thirty? Fifty gallons? How many times have you run out of hot water before your hair was rinsed? Every time you take a shower or bath, your tank has to refill. It also has to kick on throughout the day to keep the water inside hot. If you're looking for ways to cut back on your utility bills, losing the tank is a good place to start. How do Tankless Water Heaters Work? Tankless water heaters are manufactured in both gas and electric options, ea

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

Eco-Arenas: How Sports Stadiums Are Becoming Greener

Environmentally conscious individuals are taking the time to reduce their carbon footprint on a daily basis by making better and greener decisions. Adopting more eco-friendly habits is something that will develop over time, but it can start with something as little as using water filtration bottles or reusable grocery bags. These little efforts make a big difference. Every person that's living a greener life is making a long-term difference in the world, but the changes need to be made at

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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

5 New Fuel Economy Technologies to Watch For

The desire for better fuel economy is not a new trend. For decades, automotive manufacturers and designers have been coming up with ways to help the consumer in getting more miles out of their gas tanks. The latest technologies in the fuel economy arena show a lot of promise in taking fuel economy to a new level. Let’s take a look as some of the most interesting advancements to keep your eyes on.   Advanced Cylinder Deactivation While cylinder deactivation was originally introduce

Dixie Somers

Dixie Somers

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