Many of us want to be responsible citizens of the Earth. We think about the effects our lifestyles have on the environment. We are concerned about global warming. We want to ensure our children's future on this planet is one that still has clean air to breathe, an abundance of trees and wildlife, and clean water to drink. However, many of us also think that the sacrifices might be too great to "go green" in our own office. Good news. It's not as difficult as you think.
There are 3 areas where you can make a significant impact without significant expense or inconvenience: paper, lights, and electronics.
The average American office worker throws out about 150 pounds of paper per year. Paper manufacturing contributes to the deforestation of the planet and in America is responsible for 35 million tons of CO2 a year. So what can you do? Buy recycled paper. Make full use of that paper by printing on both sides and/or using paper that is only printed on one side for scratch paper. Do your proofreading and edits on your computer before printing to reduce the number of prints you make. Re-use file folders by placing new labels over the old ones. All of these changes are easy to make but have a big impact. Pretty painless, right?
Another way you can go green in your office is as easy as changing a light bulb. In fact, it is changing a light bulb. Incandescent bulbs use 4 times more energy than is necessary to produce light. Halogen lights can get as hot as 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. That's hot enough to cook an egg! Alternately, Energy Star certified compact fluorescent lights (CFL's) use 75% less energy to produce the same amount of light, last 10 times longer and produce less heat. If you feel like you need even more reason to switch to CFL's, consider that you will also save money over the lifetime of the bulb. Once you have made the switch to energy efficient bulbs, make sure lights are turned off when they are not needed. A great way to ensure that this happens is with motion sensors that will turn the lights off when everyone has left the room.
38% of all of the carbon dioxide emissions come from the electricity we generate. That electricity is used to power all sorts of things. A major drain on our electricity is all of our office equipment such as computers, copiers, printers, and fax machines. When going green with your electronics, you need to look at 3 factors. You need to consider the waste that is created in the manufacturing of the products, the effects on the environment when you use the products, and the waste that is created when you are done with the products. That may seem like a lot to think about but if you follow these simple guidelines, you will be able to minimize the negative impact your office equipment has on the environment.
The manufacturing of electronics uses a lot of resources including electricity, raw materials, and water. Electronics also account for billions of pounds of municipal waste each year. Just a few of the contaminants that electronics create are toxic heavy metals, lead, PCB's, mercury, and various acids. To lessen your office's affect on the number of new pieces of equipment that are manufactured, as well as end up in land fills, buy all-in-one machines that combine multiple functions into one. Whenever possible, get rid of machines completely by using services such as Internet fax. With an Internet fax service you get rid of the fax machine completely, as well as reduce the amount of paper and ink that gets consumed. Another way to decrease waste is to recycle machines that are no longer working and donate those that do to charities where they will stay in use.
25% of the total electricity used by all commercial buildings in the US is consumed by office buildings. When buying any new office equipment, look for Energy Star certified machines. This will make a huge difference in the amount of electricity that is used to run your office. For example, an Energy Star certified computer is going to be 52% more efficient than a standard one. Laptops also use a lot less energy than desktops, so consider whether this is a viable option for your office. Energy efficient machines are also going to have stand by options that will power down or go into sleep mode to conserve energy when not in use. Once the office is closing for the day, make sure that all equipment is powered off.
Taking these steps will get you on your way to going green in your office. And as I promised, they will help you make a significant impact without significant cost or inconvenience to you and your employees. And you thought going green was going to be hard.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Five Steps to Getting Rid of Mold
Molds are microscopic organisms (fungi) that can grow on almost any surface including wood, hay, paper, carpet, winter insulation, concrete and potted house plants. It can even grow in the duct work of your home, office or school. Most molds are not harmful; however, toxic black mold is highly toxic.
Studies show that mold is linked to serious health issues such as allergies, cancer, asthma, respiratory and sinus infections, headache, rashes, aches and Fibromyalgia. Stachybotrys mold can cause fatal pulmonary disorders.
The higher the mold count in an environment and the longer your exposure, the more serious the issues can be. If you notice any of the following conditions in your environment, you may be at risk.
* Carpet or padding in direct contact with concrete slab
* Cracks in shower tile or caulking, loose toilet seal, leaks under sink
* Damp basement or crawl space
* Discoloration or black spots on walls or wallpaper.
* Musty/ moldy odor
* Poorly maintained or dirty air conditioning/heating vents and filters
* Water marks on walls
Here is how to get rid of mold.
Step 1 - Find out what types and levels of mold you have. Test Kits are available at most home centers, hardware stores, pharmacy chains, supermarkets, and online. By placing Petri dishes from the kit in locations where you suspect mold, a sample can be obtained and mailed to a lab for analysis to identify the exact count and type of mold present. Mold spores can be stirred up or released by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a sofa where mold is present. Therefore, you should wear rubber gloves and a facemask, when touching anything you suspect could be black mold.
Step 2 - Remove the source of mold. Moisture is the main cause of mold growth. Repair any water leaks in the roof, walls or basement. Caulk your shower or any place where moisture could get behind walls or in floors. Seal your basement or foundation slab with a deep penetration concrete sealer. Painting the surface will not stop mold from growing back. Reduce humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier. There is a product called DampRid that removes excess moisture from air and prevents mildew, mold and musty odors. Great for closets.
Step 3 - Chlorine bleach will only temporarily remove mold. Use a fungicide cleaner to remove mold from surfaces. Clean your refrigerator inside, outside and underneath, including gaskets, coils, and evaporator tray. Remember to protect your lungs, nasal passages and skin during this process.
Step 4 - Install an air purifier in your environment. Have your HVAC system and duct work cleaned by a professional.
Step 5 -Prevent mold by not storing wood, cloth, paper or other porous material in your basement or underneath your house.
Following these steps can reduce the incident of household mold and fungi and provide you and your family with a healthier environment.
Studies show that mold is linked to serious health issues such as allergies, cancer, asthma, respiratory and sinus infections, headache, rashes, aches and Fibromyalgia. Stachybotrys mold can cause fatal pulmonary disorders.
The higher the mold count in an environment and the longer your exposure, the more serious the issues can be. If you notice any of the following conditions in your environment, you may be at risk.
* Carpet or padding in direct contact with concrete slab
* Cracks in shower tile or caulking, loose toilet seal, leaks under sink
* Damp basement or crawl space
* Discoloration or black spots on walls or wallpaper.
* Musty/ moldy odor
* Poorly maintained or dirty air conditioning/heating vents and filters
* Water marks on walls
Here is how to get rid of mold.
Step 1 - Find out what types and levels of mold you have. Test Kits are available at most home centers, hardware stores, pharmacy chains, supermarkets, and online. By placing Petri dishes from the kit in locations where you suspect mold, a sample can be obtained and mailed to a lab for analysis to identify the exact count and type of mold present. Mold spores can be stirred up or released by vacuuming, walking on a carpet or sitting on a sofa where mold is present. Therefore, you should wear rubber gloves and a facemask, when touching anything you suspect could be black mold.
Step 2 - Remove the source of mold. Moisture is the main cause of mold growth. Repair any water leaks in the roof, walls or basement. Caulk your shower or any place where moisture could get behind walls or in floors. Seal your basement or foundation slab with a deep penetration concrete sealer. Painting the surface will not stop mold from growing back. Reduce humidity in your home by using a dehumidifier. There is a product called DampRid that removes excess moisture from air and prevents mildew, mold and musty odors. Great for closets.
Step 3 - Chlorine bleach will only temporarily remove mold. Use a fungicide cleaner to remove mold from surfaces. Clean your refrigerator inside, outside and underneath, including gaskets, coils, and evaporator tray. Remember to protect your lungs, nasal passages and skin during this process.
Step 4 - Install an air purifier in your environment. Have your HVAC system and duct work cleaned by a professional.
Step 5 -Prevent mold by not storing wood, cloth, paper or other porous material in your basement or underneath your house.
Following these steps can reduce the incident of household mold and fungi and provide you and your family with a healthier environment.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Home For Sale By Owners
Homes for sale by owner are really appealing to many people who are in the market for a new house. There are some benefits to working directly with the homeowner but there are also some drawbacks to consider as well. After balancing the pros and cons you might find that homes for sale by owner are the right choice for your family.
The major drawback to buying homes directly from the owner is that you might be getting more than you bargained for. You have to make sure that inspections are up to date and you also have to read the fine print when it comes to the contract. These details are not commonly addressed in homes for sale by owner.
However, my husband and I found that financing was a cinch when working directly with the homeowner. We found an adorable little house with a for sale sign sitting in the front yard. I fell in love with the place but we were afraid that homes for sale by owner were not really the best option considering how much money we would need.
The down payment was negotiable and we were comfortable with the homeowner’s asking price. We also opted to use the same mortgage company as the owner. This made the financing process really easy. The closing took a grand total of 25 minutes. We were really happy that we opted to consider homes for sale by owner.
Others don’t have the same experience. After hearing about how well things went for us, one of our friends looked into homes for sale by owner in his area. He had difficulty finding places that weren’t connected with a company. There were plenty of houses for sale but only ones through real estate agencies.
Once he did find a couple homes for sale by owner he went to work making appointments to see them. This wasn’t simple because many of the homeowners were busy while he was off work. Scheduling a good time was a real challenge and when he did get an appointment he usually didn’t like what he saw.
That was until he started looking online for homes for sale by owner options. There were tons of great houses and beautiful property showcased on the Internet. He also had trouble finding a place close to his community but it was only a matter of time before he did.
Anyone interested in purchasing a house has lots of options. Finding homes for sale by owner opportunities might seem difficult but it really isn’t if you start with your computer.
The major drawback to buying homes directly from the owner is that you might be getting more than you bargained for. You have to make sure that inspections are up to date and you also have to read the fine print when it comes to the contract. These details are not commonly addressed in homes for sale by owner.
However, my husband and I found that financing was a cinch when working directly with the homeowner. We found an adorable little house with a for sale sign sitting in the front yard. I fell in love with the place but we were afraid that homes for sale by owner were not really the best option considering how much money we would need.
The down payment was negotiable and we were comfortable with the homeowner’s asking price. We also opted to use the same mortgage company as the owner. This made the financing process really easy. The closing took a grand total of 25 minutes. We were really happy that we opted to consider homes for sale by owner.
Others don’t have the same experience. After hearing about how well things went for us, one of our friends looked into homes for sale by owner in his area. He had difficulty finding places that weren’t connected with a company. There were plenty of houses for sale but only ones through real estate agencies.
Once he did find a couple homes for sale by owner he went to work making appointments to see them. This wasn’t simple because many of the homeowners were busy while he was off work. Scheduling a good time was a real challenge and when he did get an appointment he usually didn’t like what he saw.
That was until he started looking online for homes for sale by owner options. There were tons of great houses and beautiful property showcased on the Internet. He also had trouble finding a place close to his community but it was only a matter of time before he did.
Anyone interested in purchasing a house has lots of options. Finding homes for sale by owner opportunities might seem difficult but it really isn’t if you start with your computer.
Looking For Office Space To Rent
About two years ago I bought my own home business. My intent was to be able to work from home using the telephone and internet. This business is now doing very well and as a result I have needed to have more merchandise on hand than my home office can accommodate. As a result I started looking for office space to rent.
We live on a lake in a resort area. There are three small towns within ten miles of our home. The largest city is thirty four miles. In the small town closest to us there was office space to rent, however the most affordable space was on an upper level of an office building and the only access was a flight of steps. I knew that it would be difficult for some of my clients to get to the office, and it would also be difficult for the delivery people. The next small town which is six miles from our home had office space to rent in two different buildings. One building was newly built so the space could be custom built to my needs. It was a nice space; however I had not planned on spending the amount of money that this rental would cost. The other office space to rent was next to a convenience store. The entrance was in an alley way. The space was the right size and the alley entrance would be great for deliveries. The main purpose was for storage rather than foot traffic or retail sale, so I thought this would be a good location. I was told that the person that owned the office space to rent would be out of town until the next week. I left my name and telephone number with the person that had showed me the office space to rent.
On my way home I stopped at a neighbor’s house to visit. I explained that I had been looking for office space to rent because of my growing inventory. She suggested using the neighbor’s garage next door to my house. The house next door is used only once or twice a month as a lake cabin. The previous owner had a heated workshop area in part of the garage. The new owners do not use this area. I called the owners and explained what I needed in regards to space. They said that if I wanted to pay for the electric and heating costs I could use the space. This was a perfect solution to my needs. The space was accessible for deliveries and storage. I did not have to drive to a different location to access my inventory and my out of pocket expenses are very minimal.
We live on a lake in a resort area. There are three small towns within ten miles of our home. The largest city is thirty four miles. In the small town closest to us there was office space to rent, however the most affordable space was on an upper level of an office building and the only access was a flight of steps. I knew that it would be difficult for some of my clients to get to the office, and it would also be difficult for the delivery people. The next small town which is six miles from our home had office space to rent in two different buildings. One building was newly built so the space could be custom built to my needs. It was a nice space; however I had not planned on spending the amount of money that this rental would cost. The other office space to rent was next to a convenience store. The entrance was in an alley way. The space was the right size and the alley entrance would be great for deliveries. The main purpose was for storage rather than foot traffic or retail sale, so I thought this would be a good location. I was told that the person that owned the office space to rent would be out of town until the next week. I left my name and telephone number with the person that had showed me the office space to rent.
On my way home I stopped at a neighbor’s house to visit. I explained that I had been looking for office space to rent because of my growing inventory. She suggested using the neighbor’s garage next door to my house. The house next door is used only once or twice a month as a lake cabin. The previous owner had a heated workshop area in part of the garage. The new owners do not use this area. I called the owners and explained what I needed in regards to space. They said that if I wanted to pay for the electric and heating costs I could use the space. This was a perfect solution to my needs. The space was accessible for deliveries and storage. I did not have to drive to a different location to access my inventory and my out of pocket expenses are very minimal.
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