Grundy County REC
November 2007
November 2007 Smart Choices Grundy County REC Home |  Smart Choices Archive
 

[Energy Efficiency]
November Energy Myth
Must you replace older appliances for energy savings?

[Energy Efficiency]
Turn on to CFLs
Don't know how to choose them? Here's a guide to help.

[Education]
Build It Right
Attend a FREE workshop and save energy dollars! Choose from four sessions.

[Energy Costs]
Wait, wait, don't tax me
This may be your last chance for these energy tax breaks

[Energy Efficiency]
Weather winter wisely
You can keep your energy costs down

[General Information]
Iowa in the movies
Check out this “corny” film

[Holidays]
Have a green holiday
Buy a fresh Iowa Christmas tree

[Family Finances]
How to save $$: from The Simple Dollar blogger
Finances out of control? Follow in the footsteps of this Iowan who has conquered debt.

[Iowa]
Iowa foods at ISU
Dorm food goes local

[Energy Efficiency]
Looking at a new vehicle?
EPA-DOE Release Fuel Economy for 2008 Models - Numbers reflect new fuel economy testing methods

[Kids Stuff]
Just for Kids sites
Children can learn and have fun at the same time

[Seasonal Topics]
Winter airline travel tips
Avoid hassles this travel season

[Holidays]
November holidays & observances
Thanksgiving doesn't offer enough excitement? Here are some added boosts to the holiday season.

[Energy Efficiency]
November Energy Myth
Thursday, October 25, 2007

Must you replace older appliances for energy savings?

Myth: I shouldn't bother trying to save energy with my existing appliances because the only effective thing I can do is replace them with new models that have the Energy Star label. Fact: While buying an appliance with the Energy Star label may be one of the best things you can do to save energy&md...




[Energy Efficiency]
Turn on to CFLs
Thursday, October 18, 2007

Don't know how to choose them? Here's a guide to help.

You might think of compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs as just those squiggly, funny-looking bulbs that attract attention in the stores.   But in reality, there are far more shapes, sizes, and varieties than you might imagine. In fact, the range of CFL bulbs mirrors the types of bulbs avail...




[Education]
Build It Right
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Attend a FREE workshop and save energy dollars! Choose from four sessions.

Your electric cooperative believes that you can save energy—and dollars—when you build a new home, remodel your current home or upgrade your home’s features. That’s why we are sponsoring four free workshops for area consumers. Saturday, Nov. 10 - Iowa Central Communit...




[Energy Costs]
Wait, wait, don't tax me
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

This may be your last chance for these energy tax breaks

These tax breaks vanish on January 1, 2008, but you still have time to qualify for up to $500 in tax credits.   Some of your energy-saving efforts are still eligible for tax credit if you hurry. Visit Energy Star for a chart with details on what qualifies. Here's a recap of a few of your...




[Energy Efficiency]
Weather winter wisely
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

You can keep your energy costs down

This year, it’ll cost more to keep your house warm—from 4 to 22 percent more, depending on how you heat your home. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projects that the average U.S. household will have to spend about $88, or 10%, more than last year on heating fuel this winter,...




[General Information]
Iowa in the movies
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Check out this “corny” film

What Iowan doesn’t know about corn? We grow more of it than anyone else; it’s everywhere around us, in many of our foods, and increasingly is filling our fuel tanks. Yet sometimes it helps to have a set of fresh eyes, which is exactly what is offered by a new feature documentary that wil...




[Holidays]
Have a green holiday
Thursday, October 18, 2007

Buy a fresh Iowa Christmas tree

The Christmas spirit comes early to Iowa Christmas tree growers. Tree farmers Norm and Donylle Houston of Eldora and Bob and Karla Moulds of Fairbank ring in the holidays by helping Iowa families create memories. The Houstons grow Scotch and white pines and blue spruse and offer prec...




[Family Finances]
How to save $$: from The Simple Dollar blogger
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Finances out of control? Follow in the footsteps of this Iowan who has conquered debt.

Have you ever been baffled by your financial situation and just wished someone would explain things to you in simple, straightforward terms? Trent Hamm was. In April 2006, Trent, who resides near Ankeny, had what he calls a “complete financial meltdown.” For eight months, he immersed him...




[Iowa]
Iowa foods at ISU
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Dorm food goes local

Local food producers and students will reap the benefits of the Farm to ISU program, a new dining program at Iowa State University that encourages sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, economic development and good nutrition. Farm to ISU allows Iowa farmers, processors and food entrep...




[Energy Efficiency]
Looking at a new vehicle?
Wednesday, October 24, 2007

EPA-DOE Release Fuel Economy for 2008 Models - Numbers reflect new fuel economy testing methods

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released the 2008 Fuel Economy Guide to help consumers make well-informed choices when purchasing new vehicles. "Today's consumers expect the biggest bang for their buck. By fueling them with informat...




[Kids Stuff]
Just for Kids sites
Monday, October 22, 2007

Children can learn and have fun at the same time

Kids may just wanna have fun, but there’s no reason why playing games, coloring, and watching videos can’t also be educational. Such is the case with these two energy efficiency sites.   As a bonus, we also share a site for teachers; help kids learn about energy efficiency and re...




[Seasonal Topics]
Winter airline travel tips
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Avoid hassles this travel season

Want to flee Iowa winter during the holidays or during the winter doldrums of January or February? With unpredictable weather conditions and increased winter traffic, airline travelers can expect to encounter flight delays, cancellations, and long lines. And with the increased precautions taken by...




[Holidays]
November holidays & observances
Sunday, October 21, 2007

Thanksgiving doesn't offer enough excitement? Here are some added boosts to the holiday season.

November 5 On this day in 1605, a British Catholic plot to end Protestant oppression (and kill King James I) by blowing up Parliament ended with a whimper. Although the 13 conspirators were led by Robert Catesby, Guy Fawkes was the one unlucky enough to be caught with in a Parliament basement with...




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