energy

Feature

• 6 Ways to Go Green for Back to School

  It's that time of year again -- get ready to sharpen those pencils, dust off those books and head back to school! This year, make your kid's back-to-school routine easier on the planet with these six easy adjustments.

• How Green Is Your Bathroom?

  A few simple steps can turn your bathroom into one super-efficient room. Here, some easy-to-implement suggestions that will help you save money and energy in one of the most-used areas of your home.

• Low-impact Laundry

  As the mother of a 2-year old boy with an unrelenting affinity for mud pies and finger paints, I spend most of my free time doing laundry.

• Planet-friendly Parties

  You love entertaining friends and family, but what about all the energy parties require and the waste they produce? These easy changes can give your next event -- whether it's an intimate dinner or a big celebration -- a significant eco-upgrade.

• Conservation With Kids

  Teach your tikes how to go green with these recycling, conservation and reusing activities just for kids.

• It’s Never Been Easier to Be Green

  Helping the planet doesn't have to mean making big changes. These seven no-fuss, nearly instant tweaks to your everyday life will help your family go green the easy way.

• Stay Toasty and Save Energy This Winter

  This season, keep your home warm -- and your energy bill in check -- with these easy steps.

• Future Fashion: Eco-conscious Style

  The growing world of planet-friendly clothing will soon have your closet boasting some green along with your old duds. Here's what you need to know about eco-conscious style.

• Everyday Chores Get Greener

  Give your daily tasks an eco-upgrade with these easy changes that make a big difference

• The Planet-Friendly Kitchen

  Without a doubt, the kitchen is the most popular room in my house. From meal prep to mealtime, homework to crafts, it’s the center of our family life -- and the ultimate candidate for a recent eco-makeover.

• What’s My Carbon Footprint?

  Greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels … unless you're an environmental policy wonk, an earth activist or an ecosexual (a new breed of online singles looking for sustainably committed partners -- seriously!), it’s hard to keep all of today’s green-minded jargon straight.

• The Eco-friendly Office

  Apart from a desk-side recycling bin, my at-home work space was seriously lacking in green features up until recently. So for help in creating a more eco-conscious office, I turned to Kim Carlson, author of Green Your Work.

• Green Your Commute

  Whether you're ready to ditch your car keys completely or just want to find ways to become a more planet-conscious driver, these easy tips will help you go green while getting around.

• Should You Switch to Energy-efficient Lightbulbs?

  Compact Fluorescent Lights, otherwise known as CFLs, have come a long way since they entered the lightbulb market a few years ago.

• Green Glossary: Sustainable Manufacturing

  Purchasing products that have been produced in a sustainable manner is an eco-wise choice to make. But why is that, exactly?

• How to Slash Your Electricity Bill This Summer

  Take the heat off your wallet with these five simple green tips.

• The (Air) Drying Chronicles

  Several years ago, in an effort to reduce my ever-increasing electric bill, I challenged myself to break a bad habit. Instead of dropping my laundry in the energy-guzzling dryer, I would become an air-dryer.

• Green Glossary: Earth Day

  Some holidays are represented by bunnies and eggs, others by pumpkins and candy. But what's the scoop behind the holiday that honors the one thing we all share -- Earth Day?

• The Family That Greens Together ...

  These three easy strategies will have you and your family going green in no time. Bonus: They'll also save you a bunch of money!

• Start Recharging

  I love all holidays, big or small: Thanksgiving, Christmas ... even Arbor Day! So it was with great enthusiasm that I discovered National Battery Day (February 18).

• A Better Load of Laundry

  As a yoga instructor, sweat is part of the job description, so I spend a lot of time on laundry each week to keep my clothes fresh. Unfortunately, my constant washing has left my clothes looking worn-in and stretched out.

• New Year’s Resolutions for Every Room

  Get 2011 off to a green start by focusing your new year's resolutions on your home.

• Give Your Office a Boost

  You've made some green tweaks in your home -- but what about your office? Here's how to take the first steps.

• Green Glossary: “Locavore”

  Carnivore, sure. Omnivore, OK. But locavore? Eating local is all the rage, but what does it mean to be a locavore?

• How Does It Work? Solar Energy

  Solar energy is the next green frontier. But how does it really work? And are rooftop panels the only way to use it?

Blog

• Green Glossary: Sustainable Manufacturing

  Purchasing products that have been produced in a sustainable manner is an eco-wise choice to make. But why is that, exactly?

• A Better Load of Laundry

  As a yoga instructor, sweat is part of the job description, so I spend a lot of time on laundry each week to keep my clothes fresh. Unfortunately, my constant washing has left my clothes looking worn-in and stretched out.

• How Does It Work? Energy-efficient Lightbulbs

  Compact Fluorescent Lights, otherwise known as CFLs, have come a long way since they entered the lightbulb market a few years ago.

• The Planet-Friendly Kitchen

  Without a doubt, the kitchen is the most popular room in my house. From meal prep to mealtime, homework to crafts, it’s the center of our family life -- and the ultimate candidate for a recent eco-makeover.

• What’s My Carbon Footprint?

  Greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels … unless you're an environmental policy wonk, an earth activist or an ecosexual (a new breed of online singles looking for sustainably committed partners -- seriously!), it’s hard to keep all of today’s green-minded jargon straight.

• Give Your Office a Boost

  You've made some green tweaks in your home -- but what about your office? Here's how to take the first steps.

• Start Recharging

  I love all holidays, big or small: Thanksgiving, Christmas ... even Arbor Day! So it was with great enthusiasm that I discovered National Battery Day (February 18).

• Four Common Eco-mistakes

  On the sustainable-savvy scale, I'd rank myself fairly high. I recycle my empty bottles, love shopping vintage, and eat a plant-based diet -- locally whenever possible, of course. But, even the greenest of us flub up occasionally.

• 3 Eco-resolutions Any Family Can Keep

  Make your New Year's resolutions really count by going green in small but meaningful ways.

• Low-impact Laundry

  As the mother of a 2-year old boy with an unrelenting affinity for mud pies and finger paints, I spend most of my free time doing laundry.

• Three Easy, Money-saving Tips for Your Household

  There are times when one good thing leads to another, like when making simple eco-changes at home leads to big savings!

• How Does It Work? Solar Energy

  Solar energy is the next green frontier. But how does it really work? And are rooftop panels the only way to use it?

• 5 Easy Ways to Green Your Home

  As a couple, my husband and I were naturals to become part of the green movement. But it was the birth of our daughter that deepened our commitment to making easy household changes.

• The Eco-friendly Office

  Apart from a desk-side recycling bin, my at-home work space was seriously lacking in green features up until recently. So for help in creating a more eco-conscious office, I turned to Kim Carlson, author of Green Your Work.

• The (Air) Drying Chronicles

  Several years ago, in an effort to reduce my ever-increasing electric bill, I challenged myself to break a bad habit. Instead of dropping my laundry in the energy-guzzling dryer, I would become an air-dryer.

• Greener Living 101

  Sure, you want to run a greener household. But with dishes, laundry and all-over cleaning, who wants to add another task to the to-do list? Here, super-easy ways to go green.

• Green Glossary: Vampire Energy Drain

  Did you know your appliances use electricity even when they're turned off? It’s called vampire energy drain.

• New Year’s Resolutions for Every Room

  Get 2011 off to a green start by focusing your new year's resolutions on your home.

• Green Glossary: “Locavore”

  Carnivore, sure. Omnivore, OK. But locavore? Eating local is all the rage, but what does it mean to be a locavore?

Simple Steps

• 5 Ways to Save Energy -- and Money -- Today

  Saving energy really can be as simple as the flip of a switch! Celebrate Earth Hour on March 26 by joining the millions of people worldwide who turn off their lights for an hour at 8:30 p.m. in a stand against climate change. Then consider these five simple ways to keep the spirit of Earth Hour alive every day.

• The Top 5 Biking Cities in America

  Whether you’re looking for some great family biking or thinking of relocating to a bike-friendly community, these five cities are the top contenders for two-wheeled transport, as determined by the League of American Bicyclists.

• DIY Energy Assessment

  To save energy at home, you first need to know how much you’re using. Home energy assessments are a simple way to pinpoint your energy consumption and the best ways to save.

• What’s Your Green IQ?

  You’ve taken some huge green steps, but how does your green knowledge measure up? Take our quiz to gauge your Green IQ and pick up some conservation cues along the way!

• Easy Ways to Save Energy This Summer

  Addicted to keeping your abode at Igloo-esque temps come the first hint of humidity? Summer energy use can do damage to your electricity bill and to the planet, so try these five simple ways to cut down on costs and reduce your carbon footprint.