Cash for Clunker Appliances

The Cash-For-Clunkers program has been so popular, despite it’s lack of real green benefits, there has been talk of proposals for “Cash for Homes” or “Cash for Computer Servers” and whatnot.

In Michigan, the states largest power company wants your energy-gulping, landfill-clogging refrigerators and it’s willing to pay $50 for them and haul them away for free. The programs is a small part of the utility company’s plan to meet its state-mandated goal of reducing energy consumption 5.5 percent by 2012. DTE Energy, so far, has collected more than 1,000 old refrigerators and freezers, and is partnering with Washington-based JACO Environmentalto recycle them for parts used in making computers, cell phones and steel rebar.

Similar programs can be found in New Jersey and Vermont where statewide programs offers residents a $30 rebate and free appliance pick-up. If your state does not have similar plans in place check with your local utility provider to see if they offer an appliance recycling rebate.

Utilities companies estimate that homeowners can save up to $150 a year on their electricity bill by replacing their old refrigerator or freezer with a new Energy-star rated model. Old refrigerators, made prior to 1990, use three times as much electricity as new ones and emit ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).

According to Sam Sirkin, the program development manager of Jaco Environmental, “Avoiding the release of the C.F.C.’s in fridges captures five tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per fridge, and just removing the old refrigerator or freezer from the grid saves another two to five tons of carbon dioxide due to energy savings.”

An Appliance recycling plan is far superior to the hijacked CARS program because the car rebates, which run as high as $4,500 per purchase, ultimately cost taxpayers around $160 per ton of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere. An appliance recycling rebate between $25 and $50 removes about five tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. According to Elana Schor , that works out to a cost of $10 per ton for the richest refrigerator rebate program — more than 10 times cheaper than “cash for clunkers.”

www.NJCleanEnergy.com www.EfficiencyVermont.com www.dteEnergy.com

August 10, 2009

Kitchen Critique

There are many things about this picture that I like and there are some I dislike. I like the open feel and the contemporary hood.

I like the deep chocolate color on the walls although I think I might like it more as an accent color on the right wall with a different color on the back wall.

I like the tall pantry cabinets for their ample storage and sleek, hardware-free fronts.

I don’t like the low wall cabinets. As you can see by the picture only a few books will fit under them. I also dislike the white end panels on the base cabinets. I’d rather see the wall cabinets either hung higher or sitting all the countertop. I’d remove the white end panels and run the countertop over the sides to the floor. If the wall cabinets are to sit on the countertop prefer the countertop not to match the cabinets so closely. I think a white marble would look better.

The sole beam across the ceiling also bothers me. I don’t mind the white on white but I think the ceiling would be more interesting if faux beams were added to create a nice visual rhythm.

This kitchen would also probably be very dark at night. Additional lighting should be added at the sink and at least one prep area.

What do you think on the T-shape kitchen? I think it might make more sense if there were a table and chairs located on the right side to create an eat-in kitchen. They might have been removed for the photograph to show off the cabinetry. The corner of the sofa may have been moved into the frame to keep the space from looking too empty.

July 31, 2009

Magnetic Artwork

A while ago I wrote about how you can add some whimsy and color to your kitchen with the top-mount refrigerators from Amana. Now you can achieve new flair using your existing refrigerator with a magnetic artwork kit from Motifo

One pack of 1296 magnetic tiles contains six colour-coded designs for creating your own masterpiece or you can use the Motifo templates to make portraits of Audrey Hepburn, Muhammad Ali, Pink or Yoda to name a few.

A pack costs $79.95 from motifo.com, where you can also download the new design templates regularly added to the site.

Obviously you can use these anywhere they will stick. I think they could be used to liven up a plain steel entry door or bank of filing cabinets.

July 29, 2009June 1, 2018

Freestanding Indoor Waterfalls

Here’s a great idea for adding the soothing sound of water and a little privacy to a bathroom without blocking out light.

This new Bellaqua Series waterfalls from Harmonic Environments are free standing making them ideal for an apartment dwelling where you don’t want a permanent installation. This waterfall series requires no external plumbing and pricing begins around $12,000.

If you closely follow the practice of feng shui you may want to place this fountain in your home office or use it to add balance to the architecture of your home. In feng shui, water represents wealth and a well-placed water feature in one’s home or office is believed to bring good luck, health and prosperity to the people and places near where they are placed.