after the 1st 5000 miles, which is regular interval for all Toyota Hybrid engines, I changed to Synthetic (AMSoil) it has an extended drain interval from at least 7500 miles to 15000 miles. In order to be safe I sample the oil about 10 days before the scheduled interval - so that once I put the car in for just the Oil filter change, I can make the decision to change the oil because there may be a problem reported, or the TBN is getting close to “2″. Otherwise the oil stays in; synthetic makes the engine run MUCH smoother and quieter then the dealer stuff they get out of the Bulk oil drums.

Ralph

Saving the planet and our kid’s future one quart at a time.

www.greeniscalling.com

Great news we have recently teamed up with a local Green Products installer in the Metro Nashville Tennessee area to fill the gap in GreenIsCalling services to install the Solar PV and Hot water system. Choice Mechanical is a Goethermal Heatpump installer and service company with a great reputaion and a reliable servcie team. Please check out there website at:  http://www.choicemechanicalinc.com/ you can also find a link on our Home Page at the top tabs.

…maybe because I was busy on making some impact in the Solar PV development here in Nashville, TN…

About a year ago the writer of this article in the “BusinessWeek” 

Will Demand for Solar Homes Pick Up?

….The appeal of solar homes could grow as the economic outlook worsens. The more utility bills cut into household reserves, “the more consumers recognize the value of efficiency,” says Robert W. Hammon,… And there’s growing consumer awareness that solar homes appreciate faster than ordinary dwellings. They also resell for a premium of up to 5%.

probably was quite conservative on the percentile.

Article here: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_44/b4106088155598.htm

I got a hold of this notifcation today it was published on July 02nd 2009:

Quarter Billion Dollars in Annual Utility Savings for Energy Efficient Homes

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that nearly 17 percent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2008 earned EPA’s Energy Star label, up from 12 percent in 2007. Both home builders and home buyers are continuing to invest in high performing homes that save consumers money on their utility bills and help protect the environment. 

“Every year more Americans decide to cut their energy bills and help keep the air clean in their communities by buying a new home that has earned EPA’s Energy Star.  Features like properly installed insulation, high-performance windows and high efficiency heating and cooling can reduce home energy needs by 20 to 30 percent, saving American families thousands of dollars on their utility bills,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.  “Even in a difficult market, the interest in Energy Star qualified homes keeps rising.  We’re helping builders and homebuyers to protect the environment, safeguard our health, and move the country into a low-carbon energy future.”

In addition, market share for Energy Star qualified homes was 20 percent or greater in 15 states in 2008, including Ariz., Colo., Conn., Hawaii, Iowa, Ky., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.Y., Ohio, Okla., Texas, Utah, and Vt.

Nearly 940,000 Energy Star qualified homes have been built to date, with more than 100,000 of these constructed in 2008.  In 2008 alone, American families living in Energy Star qualified homes locked in annual utility bill savings of more than $250 million — saving over 1.5 billion kWh of electricity and 155 million therms of natural gas while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of nearly 350,000 cars annually. 

To earn the Energy Star label, homes must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by EPA.  Typically they include energy-saving features such as:

•           Effective Insulation Systems
•           High-Performance Windows
•           Tight Construction and Ducts
•           Efficient Heating and Cooling Equipment
•           ENERGY STAR Qualified Lighting and Appliances

More information about Energy Star qualified homes: http://www.energystar.gov/HomesMarketIndex

Boone Pickens will be on TV tomorrow July 8 for Energy Independence Day !

In Greensboro-High Point, NC on:
WGHP FOX-TV
Fox 8 Morning News
8:10 AM ET
Please tune in, thanks!

for more info on how to turn back your meter follow

http://www.turnback789.com, and sign up it is totally FREE and no strings attached.

Here is a group of people of the South Carolina Solar Council, that will be hosting a Solar Tour and Workshop in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken and Myrtle Beach.

This year, our Solar Tour and Workshop Series is going to bigger and better than ever with the addition of two more South Carolina cities! Our 2009 Solar Tour will be October 3 in Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, Aiken and Myrtle Beach.  We are looking for volunteers to show their homes and businesses with solar power to the public on that day. If you or someone you know is interested, see the Solar Tour Home and Business Application.

We are also looking for vendors and sponsors for our 2009 Solar Workshop Series, which will take place in the same five cities during the two weeks prior to the Solar Tour.  The workshops will give the public an opportunity to learn more about solar power and businesses involved in solar power!  If you are interested see the 2009 Solar Workshop Series Sponsor and Vendor Form.

Send completed materials to

South Carolina Solar Council
ATTN: Sarah Tholstrup
1200 Senate Street
408 Wade Hampton Building
Columbia, SC 29201

- rc