The Allstate Blog » Eco-Friendly

Green Moving Tips: How to ‘Eco-Boost’ Your Move

MyMove.com — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:22:44 +0000

If your resolution for 2013 was to curb your carbon footprint, you might find it a challenge when there's an impending move: the dozens of cardboard boxes, rolls of packing tape, the white ocean of Styrofoam packing peanuts, reams of plastic bubble wrap. Then there’s the moving truck that’ll haul thousands of pounds of your household goods to the other side of the city, or—cringe—across the state or country. However, if you’re moving, there’s a way to fulfill your resolution, celebrate April as Earth Month and take part in a popular trend: green moving. It’s household moving with a conscious effort to choose the most environmentally-friendly packing materials, share and reuse supplies, and reduce carbon emissions during transport. Read our tips for making your move green, as well as interesting statistics about how moving affects the environment. Also, find out what you need to do to make your household energy-efficient and start things off right in your new digs.

Get Smart about Supplies

The average move uses 60 cardboard boxes—that’s the equivalent of a half-ton tree. If you consider that an American moves 11 times in his or her lifetime, that’s 660 boxes, or 5 1/2 tons of wood, per person. Reusing a friend’s cardboard boxes is a good first step. Depending on quality, a cardboard box can withstand three to 10 uses, at which point it will likely need to be recycled. But there are some more eco-friendly alternatives to cardboard boxes, as well as other traditional packing materials.

Recycled plastic bins. Ask your mover if they offer reusable bins made out of recycled plastic. Plastic bins can be used up to 400 times. They are typically stacked and wheeled into your place on a dolly, left there for you to fill, packed by the mover, and then left at your new place for a week or two for unpacking. The provider then collects the bins, and there’s no worry on your part about collapsing, recycling or donating cardboard boxes. If your mover doesn’t offer bins, there are plenty who do: RentAGreenBox.com, EZBins, EcoBox.com and Zippgo are just some examples. Prices range from $2.50 to $5 per 4-cubic-foot box, per week. (U-Haul charges $3 for a 4.5-cubic-foot box).
Biodegradable replacements. There are green alternatives to plastic bubble wrap, packing peanuts and foam wrap. Often, the alternatives are literally green in color, to alert you to the difference. As effective as their polystyrene forebears, green packing peanuts are made from bioplastics, a form of plastic derived from renewable sources like vegetable oils or corn starch. A 12-cubic-foot bag of green peanuts costs $19 at Uline. Geami wrap, a die-cut recycled paper split by a machine to form protective packaging, is another alternative to bubble wrap.
Getting creative with what you have. Perhaps the most resourceful way to securely pack your fragile belongings is to wrap them with towels, bedding and clothing you already have lying around the house. It’s a two-fer because you need to pack these items anyway. Check out this visual tutorial on how one woman used her scarf collection to pack breakable picture frames.

Know Your Shipping and Fuel Options

Whether you’re moving locally or long-distance will greatly affect the amount of gas your moving truck uses and the carbon dioxide it emits. How much stuff you have, the size of truck you use, and the way you drive will also make a difference—a small truck gets about 9 mpg while a large truck gets roughly 5 mpg. According to carbon dioxide calculations from the Environmental Protection Agency, and based on average truck sizes from national carriers, a short-distance move under 10 miles using a small truck will emit 22 pounds of CO₂; the same move with a large truck will emit 40 pounds. Conversely, a cross-country move of 3,000 miles in a small truck will emit roughly 6,500 pounds of CO₂, while the same move in a large truck will emit almost twice that at 11,760 pounds. Whether you’re staying in the neighborhood or accepting a job offer on the other side of the country, you can look for greener options.

Biodiesel fuel. Some moving companies have converted their trucks to run on biodiesel fuel. Ask each mover who gives you an estimate—you should get an estimate from at least three different companies—if they’ve made the upgrade.
Car shipping via rail. Do you have to transport your car? Instead of having it shipped by truck, consider train transport. On average, trains are four times more fuel-efficient than trucks.
Declutter and donate. Lighten the load. The less stuff you have to ship, the smaller truck you can use and the less waste you’ll pump into the atmosphere.

Start New Habits in Your New Home

Once you’re in your new home, get into a habit of saving energy, creating less waste and recycling. Here’s a checklist for getting started.

Replace incandescent light bulbs around the house with CFLs (compact fluorescent lights), or, better yet, LEDs (light-emitting diodes). CFLs require less energy than incandescents, but LEDs blow the CFLs away in terms of efficiency, and, unlike CFLs, they don’t contain mercury.
Stop air leaks under doorways, window panes and out of the roof. Get a professional to inspect these areas and give you recommendations for how to fix them.
Unplug appliances, electronics and phone chargers when not in use. Buy power strips to make unplugging several electronics at once a one-switch process.
Everyone knows to recycle. Need a new hobby? Start composting your organic refuse.
Upgrade to ENERGY STAR appliances, which have met energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA
Generate renewable energy by installing solar panels on your roof. Solar panels may require a large investment up front, but eventually they offer clean, renewable energy sans the electricity bills.

Cheers to Mother Nature! Carolyn McKibbin leads the MyMove.com editorial team. Her raison d'être is to make moving easier by providing insightful and time-saving advice in articles, videos and blog posts. She loves to share moving stories and photos on our Facebook and Twitter pages. Recommended By the Editors:

5 Eco-Friendly Luxury Cars for Commuters

Melissa — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:00:10 +0000

You care about protecting your car, and you should. Buying it caused quite a bank account dip— no matter what make or model you chose — and you depend on it to get you from home to work and everywhere in between. You figure if you're good to it, your car will be good to you. But, is your car being good to the environment? And will you still be able to afford gassing up if oil prices rise? If the answer is no, maybe it's time to think green. Many drivers think they'll have to sacrifice luxury for fuel economy, and comfy seating for fewer carbon emissions. Not so. There are countless options for the environmentally conscious commuter who needs a smooth ride as they battle the merciless evening rush. We've compiled a list of five luxurious, efficient and economical rides to prove it.

Audi A3

Boasting an impressive miles per gallon estimate of 21 in the city and 30 on the highway, the Audi A3 is certainly within the realm of "green" cars, but that's not the thing that blows us away. The A3's crown jewel is its price tag: It starts at $27,270 (reasonable for a luxury car) and comes equipped with a CD player, mp3 audio integration and a pretty powerful 4-liter engine that blasts from 0-60 mph in just over 7 seconds. The good package is made better when you consider it's born from the assembly line of one the world's most elite automakers.

Lexus CT 200h

A hybrid in every sense of the word, the CT allows drivers to choose whether they want to drive in a faster, less fuel-efficient mode or go for a more efficient and moderately paced ride (like those you might take home from the office). It's a weekday and weekend car all in one. If that doesn't win you over, its 42 mpg average fuel rating (according to Motor Trend) is the most efficient of any vehicle in its class, and it starts at $29,120.

BMW 335d

Those drivers willing to spend a bit more, but still concerned about their potential effect on the ozone layer, may consider BMW's 335d diesel engine sedan a fantastic choice. While not technically a hybrid, the 335d will get drivers a more than respectable 23 mpg in the city, and 36 mpg on the highway. Because it runs on diesel, drivers will spend less at the gas station, and fuel will burn cleaner than the usual premium-grade does. And for the luxury piece? Well, BMWs are called the "ultimate driving machines" for a reason: 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds, premium audio, concierge service and almost anything else you could want. But, it'll cost you -- $44,150, to be exact. And that's the absolute floor.

Lincoln MKZ

Anyone who's sat in the back of a Towncar knows Lincolnis synonymous with silky, smooth luxury. Now, we can add "fuel efficient" to the list of its attributes. The 2012 Lincoln MKZ hybrid boasts an impressive mpg rating of 41-city, 36-highway. Its $33,888 sticker isn't cheap, but considering the dough you'll save on fuel, that number starts to look a lot more justifiable — especially over a five-year period. True toLincoln form, reviewers give the MKZ a big thumbs-up on cabin comfort. Good news for commuters...and their back spasms.

Acura ILX

Small, efficient and very nice to look at, the Acura 2013 ILX hybrid's $28,900 starting price is not the most expensive of the bunch, and its 39-city, 38-highway mpg rating will do more than its part to help save the atmosphere. With a robust suite of standard options, the Acura will not disappoint the luxury-minded. Full disclosure, though: the 1.5-liter engine was not built with adrenaline junkies in mind. Once you buy your new, luxurious, environmentally friendly ride, you'll need auto insurance to protect your investment. Visit Allstate Personal Quote to get a fast and secure auto quote.

Photos courtesy of:

audiusa.com

treehugger.com

bmwblog.com

beloveedcars.com

autoguide.com

The Fastest Hybrid in the World?

Brendan — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:06:34 +0000

Form vs. function: choose one. It’s an unfortunate choice car manufacturers have been forced to make, seemingly forever. When the functional goal is fuel-efficiency, the resulting form often lacks a certain pizzazz. When the desired functions are speed and driving performance, the form is often sleek, aggressive and even…sexy.

The idea of combining the sexy form with both the speed and fuel-efficient functions seems less likely than a hug between a Hatfield and McCoy. But what if you didn’t have to choose? This fantasy may become reality with the stylish Fisker Karma. “Style? In a hybrid?” Yes, and it has it in spades: Arching curves, muscular haunches and a menacing visage, the Fisker Karma looks more like an Italian V12 super-sedan than an environmentally conscious fuel sipper. Boasting a price tag over $100,000, the Fisker Karma may be the most expensive hybrid on the market. That’s six times as expensive as the economical, eco-friendly Honda Insight hybrid at $18,200. But do all those zeroes add up to a car that’s six times better? Consider these four points of comparison:

Miles per gallon

Running on electric only, the EPA rates the Fisker Karma at 85 mpg, which is the miles per gallon equivalent of an electric vehicle’s energy cost against internal combustion cars. You should know, however, that when it does need to recharge the batteries with its engine, the Karma’s mileage drops to the low-to-middle 30’s, which is slightly less than the Honda Insight Hybrid. The Honda Insight holds steady at 41 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway.

Acceleration ability

Considering its primary motivation is from electric motors, the Fisker Karma is shockingly quick, no pun intended.

Performance, however, is another story. Considering its primary motivation is from electric motors, the Fisker Karma is shockingly quick, no pun intended. It can boogie from 0-60 in under 6 seconds, which is amazing for a hybrid. By comparison, the Honda Insight takes a leisurely 10 seconds, which still isn’t bad, unless you have an impatient Mustang behind you.

Weight

Of course, at 5,300 pounds, the Fisker Karma isn’t exactly an athletic handler in the corners, but it turns eventually. The battery pack alone weighs 600 pounds. The Honda Insight weighs three quarters of a ton less and is a lot easier to parallel park. Aluminum helps keep the Insight svelte – it makes up the car’s front break calipers, wheels, rear break drums and most of its suspension.

Star power

Perhaps the biggest seller on whether or not you choose the Karma over the Insight is who can be seen behind the wheel of these fuel-efficient vehicles. Ashton Kutcher, Taylor Lautner, Leonardo DiCaprio and Justin Bieber can all be seen behind the wheel of the prestigious auto. Richard Dreyfuss and Dave Matthews are two celebs who seem to admire the practicality of the Honda Insight as a daily driver. Certainly these two eco-friendly vehicles could not be more different. From design to cost to heft, there are pros and cons to owning either vehicle. It’s up to you to choose. But with the Fisker, the choice is no longer purely between form and function. You can have both…but you’ve got to pay for it.

6 Steps to a Greener Car Wash at Home

Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 13:06:34 +0000

Whether you drive a perky hybrid or a well-loved clunker, there’s a greener way to wash your own car. Of course, from a standpoint of water use, commercial car washes are the “eco-friendlier” option (they tend to recycle and reuse the water). But there are steps you can take to lower the environmental impact of a car wash at home. Here’s how to wash a car and come out ahead.

Get out of the driveway. Bring the car from the driveway into the yard. This will help prevent the runoff – and all the gas, oil, tar and other particulates on your vehicle - from draining into your storm sewers. Of course, if you don't want the chemicals of conventional cleaners seeping into your yard, you’ll want to opt for natural cleaners (some options below).
Put away the paper towels. Washing with paper towels is needlessly wasteful. But there’s no need to buy shop towels or packets of ‘heavy duty’ paper towlettes. Rip up some old t-shirts, use an oversized sea sponge, or repurpose fraying washcloths from your closet. Many old fabrics can be upcycled and used again and again.
Step away from the hose. Leaving the hose on throughout the washing process can waste gallons and gallons of water. Find yourself a couple of good-sized buckets and fill them up—this is all the water you need. If your hose has an automatic shut-off trigger, you can keep it around and gently mist the car to rinse.
Consider waterless. You can put that hose away altogether if you consider a waterless car wash product over a traditional car cleaner. Just apply and wipe off, conserving water and eliminating runoff entirely.
Try a greener cleaner. If waterless isn't your thing, there are a number of natural car wash products on the market that won't harm the earth with runoff (pure castile soap makes a great car wash soap; it cuts through grime), but if you really want to get hands on…
Make your own car wash. A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water will give your car a lasting shine; it also works on glass and chrome (but may tarnish some aluminum alloys). A coating of vinegar and jojoba oil will protect interior vinyl and leather surfaces (though, in the case of waxed interior surfaces, you’ll want to use hot water; vinegar will strip away the wax). This is also a good time to clean car stains: car seats and carpets will benefit from a refresh. Want to take your DIY cleaners to the max? Your 50/50 vinegar-water mix can also be used as a natural washer fluid!

We hope these tips inspire you to spend a day taking care of your car – and the earth – with a green car wash. Spring is the perfect time for keeping clean, and green!

Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.

6 Green Home Improvements

Brendan — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 20:27:30 +0000

Going green means different things to different people. For some, it’s getting LEED certification; for others, it’s screwing in an energy-efficient light bulb. The good news is, no one is judging (well, maybe the LEED-certified folks are, just a little) and at every level, there are pay-offs. While some federal tax credits for energy-efficient improvements expired on Dec. 31, 2011, you can still get points from Uncle Sam and state and local governments. And, since green materials create healthier homes and tend to stand up better to disasters, some insurance companies offer incentives as well. Here are six eco-friendly upgrades-with-benefits. Geothermal heat pumps Instead of burning fuel like a furnace does, a geothermal heat pump capitalizes on the earth’s stable temperature (about 55° F at six feet under) to provide heating, air conditioning and, in most cases, hot water. These systems will save you between $400 and $1,400 a year, but the installation price is hefty (anywhere from $11,000 to $30,000). Federal tax rebates repay 30 percent of your costs, helping a bit; check EnergyStar for more information. Solar panels Rooftop solar panels pack energy-saving potential, plus their cool appearance will get you instant respect from your neighbors. They typically cost between $10,000 and $20,000 to install, but a 30 percent rebate on your federal taxes, along with state and local incentives, will save you money. Expect a return on your investment in three to ten years, depending on how expensive electricity is in your area. To learn more, check out: http://howsolarworks.1bog.org/solar-economics/ Bamboo flooring Bamboo hits that eco- and wallet-friendly sweet spot in that it’s both less expensive than real wood and more sustainable (bamboo plants take five years to mature, while trees take 50). Plus, it looks simple yet elegant, and is stronger than oak. Prices will vary depending on whether you get solid bamboo or engineered. Recycled glass tile Want to create a gorgeous shower surround or kitchen backsplash and feel smug and virtuous? Recycled glass tiles are absolutely beautiful, come in both subtle opaque shades and bold colors and will not break the bank. These tiles are often less expensive than standard tiles but have the same quality. Low-VOC paints, glues and finishes In a remodeling project, every surface needs to be covered and sealed, and that means odors galore. Many products will off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for weeks, even months, after the project is complete so it makes sense to minimize the toxicity level. If you can’t afford to go green on everything, go green on a few materials. The smaller party those chemicals are having in your house, the better. Dual-flush toilets These nifty toilets have two buttons instead of a single lever. The smaller button disposes of liquid waste (which, of course, requires less water) and the bigger one takes care of the bigger stuff. According to the Sierra Club, a family of four can save 7,000 gallons per year by switching to a dual-flush toilet. And they don’t cost much—you can get one starting at $250. If your home improvements don’t qualify you for a federal tax credit, inquire about incentives with your state government or local utility. Also check out the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency. And remember, taking steps toward LEED certification could lower your insurance premiums. Connect with me on Google+ or follow me on Twitter

Energy-Efficient Home Improvements That Might Help Sell Your House

Lindsay Listanski, Coldwell Banker — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 13:09:44 +0000

While updated kitchens, open floor spaces and beautiful backyards remain at the top of home buyers’ wish lists, eco-friendly home features are beginning to make an appearance.

We polled Coldwell Banker Real Estate Facebook fans, who are primarily real estate agents, with the question: “Has a buyer ever asked you about any 'green features' a prospective home may have?” 20 percent responded yes. On coldwellbanker.com, there are currently 129 homes with the term “eco friendly” in the listing description. Clearly, green living is something buyers and sellers are talking about, and we expect that it will continue to grow with time. However, to some homeowners, the idea of going green is fraught with concerns about spending more as first thoughts often turn to the installation of expensive items like solar panels. And, in some cases, they are correct; not all green updates make sense.

What buyers will pay for

Before making any improvements, it is important to understand what prospective buyers want and, even more so, what they are willing to spend more on. Buyers value green improvements that make a home healthier, more comfortable and—here’s the kicker—they’re highly interested in upgrades that will save on operating costs. While the average U.S. household spends nearly $1,900 a year on utility bills, water and energy-efficiency are tangible benefits that are easy to measure. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy says a green home can cut consumers’ bills by 25 percent! Buyers might be more willing to spend on an energy-efficient home because they know that they’ll be saving money on operating costs in the long run.

Where to start

Energystar.gov is a valuable resource for homeowners and sellers looking to make a start. This website suggests ways of making a home more energy efficient with products and appliances that can help to reduce high energy bills, improve comfort and lessen the environmental impact.

Big ticket upgrades, big impact

As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. An inefficient heating system not only leaves your pockets empty, it leaves your family shaking during the winter months. If a heating system is 25 years or older, it’s time to replace it. And while a high-efficiency furnace with installation could run upwards of $3,000, it’s an update that buyers will appreciate as it isn’t generally a favorite on their “to do” list when they first move in.

Small improvements, still important

There are many other smaller green improvements that, over time, can make a big difference. For instance, installing a programmable thermostat is an inexpensive green improvement that can save up to $150 annually. Another competitive edge a seller can give their home against other homes on the market is upgrading showerheads, toilets and sinks that are 20 years or older. According to Frontdoor.com, federal standards now require that these fixtures use less water. An upgrade to a low-flow toilet can also trim about $90 a year off a water bill.

Energy audit

Prior to putting a home on the market, you might also consider getting your home audited by the HERS Index, a rating system that verifies a building’s energy performance and is recognized by the federal government for tax incentives, mortgage loans and investor certifications. Having a good score on the HERS index can improve the value of your home to green-minded buyers. Of course, there are many other energy-efficient improvements to consider:

Plant trees near windows to provide shade, reduce the need for interior cooling
Replace old light bulbs with ENERGY STAR-qualified bulbs (this can save more than $40 over each bulb’s lifetime)
Seal air leaks around windows and doors to prevent energy losses

If your home is currently on the market, or if you’re getting ready to put it on the market, it is important to do everything you can to give it a competitive edge. Selecting some, or all, of these eco-friendly home improvements can give buyers peace of mind knowing they won’t have to invest time and money in putting together and operating a more efficient, lower impact, more comfortable home.

Guest blogger Lindsay Listanski is the social media manager for Coldwell Banker Real Estate, a leader in full service real estate sales.

FAQ: Picking the Right Bright Light

Brendan — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:20:07 +0000

Are you still using traditional incandescent bulbs in your home? If you haven’t made the switch to energy-saving light bulbs yet, don’t worry. Like you, I knew that switching to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) could result in significant energy savings, but I wasn’t sure where to get started. Between wattage ratings, lumen ratings and coloration, I felt overwhelmed just looking at the light bulb aisle! Good news: even if you’re like me, picking the brightest, most efficient bulb is actually pretty easy. Follow these tips to get started.

Does switching to energy efficient bulbs really make a difference?

Absolutely! Just swapping out a few bulbs in your home could save you up to $500 a year. Now, imagine the impact on energy use if EVERY home in the United States did this. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, if every home replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an energy efficient bulb, the energy savings would be enough to power 3 million homes for one year! That’s the equivalent of $650 million in annual energy cost savings. Swapping out bulbs is also good for the environment – replacing one bulb in each American home would result in 9 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emission savings. That’s the equivalent to taking 800,000 cars off the road!

How do I select the right energy-saving light bulbs for the light fixtures in my home?

To get started, you will need to determine the wattage of your existing incandescent light bulbs. A watt is a measurement of energy consumption. Your bulb also produces a minimum light output, known as a lumen. When switching from traditional, incandescent bulbs to energy-efficient CFLs, you will need to look at both the wattage and lumen measurements for your light bulbs. For example, your bedside lamp at home may currently use 60-watt incandescent bulbs. This means that the lamp provides a light output of 800 lumens. You can enjoy this same light output (800 lumens) with only a 13-watt energy efficient CFL. That’s a pretty big energy savings! When selecting a CFL replacement, look for the wattage and lumen ratings. Many bulbs include both a “soft white wattage” number (that’s the equivalent of your 60-watt traditional bulb) as well as a CFL wattage (13-watt). The lumen value will be the same, 800 lumens.

Do CFLs emit a harsh, bright light?

This is one of the most common myths about CFLs, and a big reason why homeowners (myself included) are reluctant to switch out bulbs in light fixtures for the home. Sure, harsh lighting has its place in office buildings and classrooms, but when it comes to my bedside table, I want a nice, soft reading light. In reality, CFLs emit a wide range of light. Some bulbs do provide a bright white light, while others offer a softer light similar to traditional incandescent bulbs. What gives? CFLs are rated on the Kelvin scale. Bulbs closer to 2700K emit softer lights, while those at the higher end (6500K) emit a brighter, harsher light. When selecting your light, look for the Kelvin rating.

My old incandescent light bulbs have not yet burned out. Should I wait until they do or replace them immediately?

There’s no need to wait! According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing your old incandescent bulbs is an energy-smart choice. For each bulb you replace, you will save up to $65 per year. Swap out a few bulbs in your living room and bedroom, and you could be looking at over $500 a year in savings! Save your old incandescent bulbs for use in a closet, where they would only be used for a few minutes at a time.

I am having difficulty finding CFLs that work with my dimmer switches and recessed lighting. Where should I look?

A limited number of CFLs currently work with dimmer switches and recessed lighting fixtures (called ‘recessed cans’). These are available at major home improvement stores and can easily be ordered online, as well.

Smart Homes, Smart Appliances On The Rise

Brendan — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 23:41:48 +0000

From smart refrigerators to wall-mounted temperature sensors, new appliances and home technologies allow you to virtually manage your home via smartphone apps. Searching for a creative recipe to make use of last night’s leftovers? Forgot to adjust the thermostat when you headed out on the Katy Freeway for work this morning? Did your kids leave the garage door open again? If you own a smartphone, then the solution could be right at your fingertips. Smart Home The rise in these smart technologies comes on the heels of a spike in smartphone ownership. As of last September, 45 percent of American adults are smartphone owners, according to the Pew Internet and American Life Project. And, since people carry their smartphones with them nearly everywhere they go, it can be easy for a smartphone to act as a central home control panel, integrating home management apps into a consumer’s regular app lineup. John Burke, general manager of Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc., a company that builds technology for cable companies and wireless service providers, predicts that the rise of smartphone ownership, coupled with bundled service providers, will help spark the widespread adoption of smart home technologies. "We’ve seen all the major operators in the Americas putting home security, control and monitoring in their offerings,” Burke said at last year's Consumer Electronics Show. As a universal control for home security and monitoring, a smartphone can manage everything from the garage door and the home security system to the thermostat in one easy-to-access place. Parks Associates, a consumer technology research firm, agrees, estimating that by 2014, more than 10 million U.S. households will have a remote home monitoring and control system. Smart Appliances Smart appliances are also on the rise, and will likely be key in making the smart home a reality. Here are some "smart appliances" that many gadget-geeks have been trying out in their homes: Home energy monitors: Reliant Energy, a Houston-based company with roots that go back as the original source of the city's electricity, gave away 10,000 e-Sense home energy monitors to customers in 2012. The monitors are designed to take the guesswork out of managing home energy costs, giving customers real-time information about their electricity use, which they can adjust to help manage their monthly bills (you can request a free monitor of your own here.) The city of Houston’s Energy Day is another avenue to learn about energy, with exhibits highlighting energy innovations, efficiencies and conservation. It takes place later this fall, Oct. 19, downtown at Hermann Square in front of City Hall.

Smartphone-controlled garage doors: A two-way garage door opener, introduced by Sears’ Craftsman brand, connects homeowners with the garage door via their smartphones. A wireless router on the garage door communicates with a password-protected app on the homeowner’s smartphone, allowing the homeowner to see whether the door is open and how long it’s been open. A simple swipe across the screen can open or close the door.

Smart refrigerators: LG's smart refrigerators can do just about everything with your food, other than cook the food itself. Using a camera phone, homeowners can scan a grocery receipt or product. The fridge’s computer then tracks its own contents and notifies owners when the milk is about to expire or what recipes (based on current ingredients) would be good for a family member’s high blood pressure. They can also connect with a smart home technology to be able to maximize energy efficiency. Some homeowners are even turning to infrared technology to find out which parts of their homes are causing thermal leaks. Early adopters are driving most of the interest for all these smart home technologies, but, given the pace of change with technology in our lives, it won't be long before the smart home is a widespread reality. What smart technology would you most like to see in your home?

9 Tips to Maximize MPG and Reduce Pain at the Pump

Brendan — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:52:30 +0000

Get ready for more pain at the pump (and in your wallet) this year. Reports suggest that gas prices in 2012 again may climb above $4 per gallon in much of the country. While skyrocketing gas prices are hardly the best way to ring in the New Year, you can keep rising costs in check—and even save money on gas)—by making simple changes in your driving habits. Here’s what to do:

Accelerate less, drive more. Thanks to the simple laws of physics, cars use the most gas as they accelerate. Gentle braking—or avoiding the brakes all together—is the best way to prevent unnecessary acceleration and manage gas consumption. In stop-and-go traffic, leave extra distance between your car and the car in front of you. Doing so will allow the car to gently (and safely) coast, which is preferable to slamming on the brakes and then flooring the accelerator to start moving again. Slow down. Speeding on the highway can be a tough habit to break, but it’s worth every penny to do so. In fact, slowing from 70 mph to 65 mph can reduce fuel consumption by up to 7 percent. And decreasing speeds from 65 mph to 55 mph can save you even more. Empty out your trunk. Driving around with extra gear in your trunk weighs down your car. Carrying your golf clubs? Storing extra suitcases? If you truly want to get serious about how to save gas when driving, empty everything out aside from your emergency roadside kit. Remove your luggage rack. Unless you are currently using your ski, bicycle or luggage rack, dismount it. Even the most aerodynamic racks add wind resistance, which decreases your fuel efficiency. Rethink your commute. The more time you spend in stop and go traffic, the more gas you’ll burn... and the more money you'll be spending. Rethink your daily commute and choose secondary roads to avoid heavy traffic or stoplights. Remember, the shortest route is not always the most fuel-efficient. Downsize your rental. A smaller car will always have greater fuel economy thanks to its smaller mass. You may not be able to trade in your family car at home, but if you’re traveling and have the option to rent, opt for a smaller vehicle. You’ll have just as much fun on vacation, and you’ll have a little extra change in your pocket to enjoy the sights. Straighten up. Improper alignment not only wears your tires faster, but it also causes your engine to work harder—burning more gas. The next time you get your oil changed, ask to have your tires aligned. Check your tire pressure. Under-inflated tires, like misaligned tires, cause your engine to burn more gas. In fact, one out of every four cars may be driving with slightly deflated tires. Even minor under-inflation can cost up to 6 cents per gallon in lost efficiency. Check your owner’s manual for the proper inflation. Drive less. Spend every day behind the wheel? Rethinking your driving habits can help you save money. When running errands, park your car in one central place and walk to different stores, rather than driving around the same shopping center. Make one day each week your “car-free” day. Walk, bike or take public transportation. Set up a weekly commute with coworkers or friends. If you’re not driving, you’re not spending money on gas!

2012 Family-Car Resolutions

Kristin Varela, Cars.com — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:06:25 +0000

Despite our best intentions as parents, sometimes we fall a little short. We harp on our kids to keep their rooms picked up, and we may even dock their allowance if they don’t—yet look at our own cars. They’re filthy. Disgusting. What if your pay was docked for not keeping your car clean?

Our team of Cars.com Family contributors has learned a lot this past year driving car after car with our combined gaggle of kids in the backseat, and we’re sharing our lessons with you. Here are our top family-car resolutions for 2012: Clean out your crumbs: Every parent should own an in-car vacuum. Our cars get so messy on a daily basis with dirt, sand, snacks, you name it. The ability to quickly suck those puppies up would be indispensible. We also all need to invest in an in-car trash can of some sort. Are you starting to notice a theme here? Believe the electric hype: Mom reviewer Jennifer Newman spent a good part of 2011 behind the wheel of the 2011 Nissan Leaf, which Cars.com purchased for a long-term test drive, and it’s one of her favorite cars. The power is instantaneous and zipping past gas stations without a care is a fantastic feeling. If you're a two-car family, the Leaf should be on your must-try list. Don’t slim down your BubbleBums: To solve a whole slew of family car problems, this year all of our reviewers will be buying more than one BubbleBum booster seat. The dreaded three-kids-in-boosters-across-one-backseat conundrum? Solved. Trying to lug booster seats through the airport while going on vacation? Solved. Worried about your kid’s booster becoming a dangerous projectile while she’s not in it? Solved. World peace? We’re still working on that one. Safety first: Despite our best efforts to educate the world on the dangers of kids in and around cars, every year more than 50 kids are backed over in the U.S., according to KidsandCars.org. This year we resolve to get an aftermarket backup camera in our car, or if we’re buying a new car, we love the 360-degree cameras popping up on higher-end vehicles like the 2012 Infiniti QX. Never drive tipsy; never drive drowsy: After a scarily eye-opening “MythBusters” episode last year that determined that driving drowsy is between three and 10 times more dangerous than driving tipsy (and a few late-night drives home from the airport in which we couldn’t actually remember driving home after the fact), we resolve to never drive drowsy. Instead, we’ll just stay an extra night in the hotel on our business trips. Room service, pajamas and catching up on tacky reality TV that’s entirely inappropriate for the young ones to see? That sounds much better than risking our lives driving home late while drowsy. Ignore the children: We vow to occasionally ignore our children when driving. Distracted driving is a real problem, and people need to make sure they’re paying attention to the road. This sometimes means having to ask the kids to pipe down so we can concentrate on getting through a tangled intersection or busy parking lot.

Kristin Varela is the senior family editor at Cars.com. Opinions expressed within this post are solely those of the author.