“Under the letter grade proposal, an average vehicle on fuel efficiency and emissions would receive a B-. Electric vehicles would receive an A+, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles would earn an A and three gas-electric hybrids — the Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius — would get an A-. The best-selling passenger car in America, the Toyota Camry, would receive a B or a B-, depending on the vehicle’s engine. Hybrid versions of the Camry would earn a B+. The top-selling pickup truck, the Ford F-150, would receive a C+ or a C, based on the engine variant.” (FROM ARTICLE)

I wonder what grade this URINE POWERED vehicle would get…

Where did they get this picture? 1992?

Report card style stickers will take a bit for me to get used to. Especially since most cars that I would consider buying will be in the A- or B+ category. Maybe its all my years as a student, but I want an A!!! I think that’s what the government is hoping for, some sort of sub-conscious desire to get an A.

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1. You have to go without to save money. While its true that you can save money by never turning lights on, and therefore help the environment, using more efficient light bulbs would do the trick too.

2. Saving water means not taking showers. Certainly showers save more water than baths. But, if you install a low-flow shower head, you can really save some serious water. Also, sink aerators decrease water usage.

3. Air-conditioning is a no-no. Programmable Thermostats are worth the cost. They will allow you to let the temperature go up in the summer while you are at work, and then cool the place back down before you come home. In addition, a one degree change can save you a significant amount of money each month. You can even get Energy Star air conditioners to really decrease your cost and emissions.

4. Public transportation is the only way to really go green. While Public transit is much more efficient than even a super efficient car, there are other options. Trading in your full-size SUV that you only fill up occasionally for a smaller SUV plus a 500 dollar trailer will mean going from 15mpg to 30mpg. Of course, for those of you who have to drive – like me – there are plenty of hybrids available to make sure you are as efficient as possible.

Sure there are more myths. But, if you correct people’s ideas on these four issues, then the country would greatly reduce its emissions and energy usage.

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Of course, the guy who wrote the paper backed off from his original remarks. He now claims they are only a possibility, and not fact. I enjoy a good conspiracy as much as the next person. But this one seems a little bit over the top. Of course, if all of the USA’s enemies start experiencing catastrophic weather events, I might give this idea some credibility.

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courtesy archwayconstruction.com

1) Purchase windows that meet the following requirements: U factor less than or equal to 0.30; SHGC less than or equal to 0.30. I’m not going to try and explain this, just make sure that you ask for windows that meet these specifications. Otherwise, you won’t qualify for the rebate.

2) Have the windows installed between January 1, 2010 and December 31, 2010.

3) Claim the tax credit on your 2010 income tax statement. Click here for the form instructions. It is a Federal Rebate, so it works in any state (for example, Alabama, Texas, etc).

4) Remember that this is a tax credit, and will not be refunded to you. In other words, if you don’t owe any money in taxes, this program does not mean the government will pay you more money on your tax rebate. But, if you owe money in taxes, then 30% of the cost of your windows will count as paying taxes. So, you would owe less taxes and therefore get a rebate (perhaps – ask your tax preparer).

5) This can only be done on your principal residence. So, you rental property gurus out there cannot get a tax credit for windows replaced in your rental properties.

As a Christian who cares about God’s Creation, the environment, I applaud any efforts to save resources and lower emissions – especially while improving the appearance of your home!! Follow these instructions and the cost of those new windows will be much less than you thought!

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I wanted to write about this because I’m a Christian who cares about God’s Creation, the environment. I loved cars as a kid, and still do, though my taste has changed. I like to see how many mpg’s I can get instead of how fast I can go. For me, it saves money – yes, but it also takes care of God’s creation because it makes me conscious of trying to leave the smallest possible taint on God’s creation.

The reason this trick works is twofold. 1) The EPA hwy test incorporates some stops and acceleration, while cruising down the interstate does not. 2) Cruise control is much more precise than your foot. It can adjust the throttle at the computer level, which is much more precise than your foot (unless you have a scangauge).

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“Excrement flushed down the lavatories of just 70 homes is enough to power the car for 10,000 miles – the equivalent of one average motoring year.

This conversion technology has been used in the past but the Bio-Bug is Britain’s first car to run on methane gas without its performance being reduced.

It can power a conventional two litre VW Beetle convertible to 114mph.” -by Laura Roberts

You’d think someone would smell the difference…

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We liked the fact that this film was highly reflective. If you don’t like that, you can choose other films. Back in the old days, Aluminum Foil might have been my choice. It would reflect everything. But, you can’t look out a window with Aluminum foil on it. My daughter wants to look out her window, so we chose this film. To illustrate it’s reflectivity, I took the following photo of a reflection off my window onto the street, near sunset.

As you can tell, the window film reflects a good amount of the light hitting the window. In fact, the company says, “Reflect up to 72% of sun’s heat to keep inside cool; Light tint won’t block your view; Blocks up to 99% UV rays to reduce fading.” As a personal testimony, I can say that there is now no noticeable difference in the temperature of the rooms with film covered windows. So, it has made a HUGE difference in comfort for us. I’m also sure that it is going to impact my electricity bill, since my Air Conditioner won’t have to work as hard to keep those rooms cool.

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