Dean of Green - HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electric

Recycling 101

The mantra “reduce, reuse, recycle” has been around long enough that just about everyone’s familiar with it. Recycling, in a nutshell, is the process whereby we take a product at the end of its useful life and use all or part of it to make other products entirely. The common symbol for recycling is three green arrows moving in a triangle that signify the process from collection to remanufacture to resale.

Although we can find ways to recycle just about anything, the three most commonly recycled materials in our homes are glass, plastics and paper.

Glass: Glass is exceptional because it’s one of the few materials that can be recycled infinitely without losing its strength, purity or quality. Next time you consider throwing glass in the garbage, think again. Find a recycling center or nearby bin, or contact your city to get on the recycling program so this wonderfully reusable material doesn’t wind up in the landfill.

Paper: Paper is everywhere and increasingly precious due to the deforestation of our planet’s major wooded areas. Paper makes up the largest percentage of the municipal solid waste stream at 33 percent. Don’t throw paper away, whether it’s mail, packaging or your morning newspaper. Put it in the recycling bin where it belongs.

Plastic: Plastics are differentiated by a number system that goes from 1 thru 7. The numbers signify the type of resin used to produce it, which affects how it can be recycled. This is why you’ll typically see plastic recycling bins that clearly indicate that only certain types of plastics (bags, bottles, etc.) can be left there.

Contact Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling today for more green advice!

 

Alternative Energy 101

The conversation about transitioning global energy demands from reliance on fossil fuels to more environmentally friendly alternatives continues to heat up. Although no definitive solution is on the horizon just yet, small measures are being taken while we continue to discover what’s viable and what isn’t.

These are the major players in the talk about alternative energy:

• Solar – Solar energy is energy collected from the sun, usually by photovoltaic arrays, which are glass panels with silicon semiconductors. The popularity of solar energy use is rising steadily as the availability to materials grows more accessible, especially for homeowners.

• Wind turbines – Wind turbines are starting to turn the corner from novelty items to practical players in the fight to wean ourselves off oil. Just recently, Lincoln Electric in Cleveland, Ohio erected one of the largest wind turbines in North America for its efforts for energy independence.

• Geothermal energy – This type of energy is harnessed by using the heat below the outer layer of the earth’s crust. Water is pumped below the surface where the crust is thinner. The water is converted into steam which is then used to turn turbines and generate electricity.

Interested in learning more about alternative energy solutions for you home? Call a Green Screened Certified plumber at Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling today.

 

Do You Remember Joe the Plumber?

How couldn’t you? He became a ubiquitous figure during the McCain/Palin campaign as a representative of the working everyman; indeed, he became the face of their message. Joe stood against Obama’s fiscal policy and for that matter, against what he deemed to be socialism.

If Joe the plumber and thousands like him want more robust business and more money, looking to the government isn’t the answer. He should get certified as a green plumber and join the ranks that promote energy efficiency and water saving technologies. The demand for eco-conscious services has reached an all-time high and should continue to grow.

More plumbers than ever are going green by taking courses that promote water efficiency, awareness, reducing greenhouse gases and consumption. On that note, the plumbers at Thompson Plumbing Heating & Cooling are Green Screened Certified, meaning they’re aware of the current best practices to keep your water consumption and bills at an all-time low. Contact Thompson today to learn more about how you can save money and reduce your environmental footprint.

Is Joe the plumber a certified green plumber? He should be!

 

What Makes a Green Plumber?

With everything going green, it only makes sense that plumbers go green as well. The plumbers at Thompson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling are Green Screen Certified – a certification held by only 1% of all contractors in North America.

Green Screen Certification means that our plumbers have the knowledge and skills to service heating, plumbing and air conditioning problems in ways that will help your systems run more efficiently. Our experts will also take the time to educate our customers on greener practices.

These days, a variety of courses are offered for plumbers to get certified green. Programs are now in place to assist plumbers in their role with environmental issues and public health, as well as to provide customers with up to date information and advice on things like:

• latest technology and energy saving appliances
• practical appliances & installation knowledge
• environmental impacts of plumbing services, appliances and household practices
• consumer information
• energy/water/cost savings (short-term and long-term cost comparisons and environmental benefits)

Want to learn how to be greener with your plumbing? Who doesn’t? It’ll save you money, help the environment and function superbly! It’s a win-win-win!

 

Green Kitchen Products

Is your kitchen a wasteland of toxic chemicals, plastics and preservative laden foods? There’s no better place to start a greener, healthier lifestyle than in the kitchen.

For a greener kitchen, try out some of these products:

• Biodegradable dish detergents – Most of these will be citrus-based because citrus is a natural cleanser that smells wonderful. Ditch the chemicals for the real thing.
• Walter filters – No one really knows what’s in their tap water. Although tap water is generally in decent shape, a water filter can kick it up a notch and get rid of most of the impurities.
• Recycled paper goods – The best way to give trees a reprieve from the saw is by reducing, reusing and recycling.
• Reusable bags – Unless you have a magic bag hutch that can store the endless plastic bags we pick up from our shopping excursions, reusable bags are the way to go. We can use them again and again, and it sets a good example while we’re out.
• Compost bins – Turn your waste into savings by composting your food scraps and yard trimmings.
• Natural linens and napkins – There’s no point in wiping ourselves with trees. Natural fabrics feel better on the skin and look better on the table.