Are winter energy costs freezing you out?  Why not try some space heaters that actually save space and money?

It’s unfortunately all too common for most homes, whether in a hot or cold climate, to be improperly insulated against whatever weather conditions it faces.  This could mean thousands of dollars a year in energy costs not to mention the toll energy transmission and generation takes only to be wasted on the end user.

One solution, at least for those bracing against cold, is  selecting one of the new lines of electric space heaters available.  Here are a couple things to keep in mind when buying:

1.) Only go for newer model heaters up to date with all the current safety features which bare the UL stamp of approval.

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2.) Choose a thermostatically controlled heater, as they avoid the energy waste of overheating a room.

One such model that fits these specs and was tested here at Green Air HQ is the Dayton U33 Electric Space Heater available at Air-n-Water.com.  It’s compact, thermostatically adjustable, and even electrostatically adjustable saving us from bank account busting winter heating costs.

For more specs on space heaters and ways to stay sustainably comfy, check out the following links.

Portable Heaters (United States Department of Energy)

Space Heaters: Reviews (ConsumerSearch.com)

Eco Heater: Good for chilly rooms and heating bills (GreenUpgrader.com)

Photo by oatmeal2000.

Full Green Building Law article here.

Green Air Filter:

A small yet potent architectural firm whose principals happen to be close friends and occasional business partners of mine, recently completed construction of a very green, very LEED residential townhouse project just down the way in the Boerum Hill section of Brooklyn (full article and interview is forthcoming).  The project began in 2006, weathered the nightmare market, ran up against DOB blockades thrown up by officials whom had no idea what evacuated tube solar hot water systems meant, and only in the past weeks has the developer been able to show off his dream to potential buyers.

As expressed so eloquently and succinctly by the author of this article, Shari Shapiro, Attorney and LEED AP, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission only just recently by way of what appears to be logical deduction and something that actually resembles reason concluded that companies might actually be encouraged to invest in green technologies as climate risk has been equated to a risk to shareholders.  The correlation between what the SEC has done and what my friends at Cycle Architects are doing is that with perseverance, good work, determination, and knowing what’s just, eventually, dreams do come true.

Photo by webjunkie80.

Full BBC article here.

Green Air Filter:

Climate change has become one of the most popular conversation topics in media, classrooms, and even mockingbirds. Scientists have recently discovered that in more variable climate, mockingbirds sing more complex songs with more variation of notes and tunes. The correlations between the mockingbird songs and their surrounding climates relates from the mockingbird’s mating pattern.

In order to secure a partner for mating, male mockingbirds must sing songs that will attract female mockingbirds. However, in more a climate that is rapidly changing, female mockingbirds must select mates that are more fit for survival. And for mockingbirds, the ability to sing complicated songs is a sign of high intelligence. It is apparent that even mockingbirds are worried for our future.

Photo by Carla Finley.