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Reference Guide for an Eco Friendly Home in Texas

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Table of Contents
About Texas 1 Reference Guide goals.....2 How to manage an eco-friendly Home........3 Cooling and Insulation.3 Drought Proofing and Sealing.4 Household Appliances.5 Efficient Heating and Cooling.6 Efficient Water Heater.7 Energy Efficient Lighting8 Solar Panels.9 Saving Water..10 Executive Summary...11 Current Problems in Texas without an Eco friendly Reference Manual (Introduction)....12 Proposed Solution..14 Qualifications.15 Budget....15 Conclusion...................................................................................................................................15

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About Texas
Texas is such a unique portion of the United States in ways such that it encompasses various regions within its borders. Having over 268,000 miles of land, it is impossible to state that there is only one form of weather happening at a time in Texas. Due to its enormous size, the weather ranges from severe thunderstorms to scorching hot temperatures within a very short period of time. The climate being very erratic and hard to predict, Texas has now been recognized by that specific trait. The weather is not just as simple as being predicted, categorized, and announced to the public, but the land determines how it is created and where. Some of the regions in Texas include the Northern Plains and the Trans Pecos Region. These are only two of the five regions in Texas but are extremely different when compared. The weather in these two sections can range from being prone to drought, only receiving between 15 and 31 inches of precipitation to experiencing tornadoes, caused by the coming together of westerly and southerly winds. This is only a small percentage of what happens in Texas regarding inconsistent weather and it has caused Americans to be ill prepared for the living conditions in the area in which they live. Having the ability to adapt to the climate within your specific geographical location would significantly reduce the level of insecurity of Texans and potentially save them money. This is where the purpose of the Ecofriendly Reference Manual is entered into the equation to create a solution to the problems of Texans. The weather is becoming more of a difficulty to calculate in Texas due to the pollution that is a result from the population. In a recent study that was conducted by our Environmental engineers, it was declared that Texas emits the most greenhouse gases in the United States. It was also determined that the amount of annual carbon dioxide emissions was roughly 1.5 trillion pounds. As more data was collected and further investigations were pursued, the producers of such an enormous amount of greenhouse gases were due to the states large number of energy wasting homes, manufacturing industries, and coal power plants. If changes were made to adapt to the living conditions in your area, there would be a significantly reduced amount of emissions in Texas. The solution is simple yet has been a problem for many years. The Ecofriendly Reference Manual is the solution to the damage being done to our environment because after refurbishing your home to be more compatible with nature, you are reducing your impact on the world. Many individuals have yet to be provided the information that this book provides because no other company has studied only Texas. They do not know what things they need to change that pertain only to the region they belong to and how it affects their surroundings. Texas has many factors that incorporate how the weather or climate in a specific location is created but the level of complexity that is what made the publication of this book that much more desirable. Take under consideration where you live, how your home is negatively impacting the area around you, and make the choice to buy this book to help create a better future.

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Ecofriendly Reference Manual Goals

Provide scientific data that will successfully inform those that purchase the manual of the negative influences of their actions on the environment Stimulate the population of Texas to pursue the changes provided for their homes in the book Reduce the stress on the environment Transform your home into a money saving building that can comfortably maintain your lifestyle

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How to Manage an Ecofriendly Home

Cooling and Insulation One of the most effective methods of improving your energy efficiency in your home at a low cost is insulating its shell. This includes sealing the windows, ceiling and floors, outer walls, and doors. By insulating your home, you are reducing the amount of air from escaping from your home and can save you an estimated 22 percent on heating and cooling expenses. The main purpose of heating and insulation is to maintain the integrity of your home without having to pay a ridiculous price for the lifestyle you like to enjoy inside of your home. Some of the more common types of insulation include spray foam, rigid foam board, cellulose, and fiberglass, which comes in blown form. Another energy saving product recommended for hot, sunny climates is a reflective insulation, for the sole purpose to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature while the suns rays attempt penetrating your home. Some of the benefits of refurbishing your home with the correct insulation are:

Our contractors are experts in this field; they can assure you how much insulation your home needs to successfully save you as much money as possible. The material prevents and seals air leaks throughout the home to negate drafts. Once the outer shell of your home has been sealed, have a qualified technician inspect your appliances (dryer, water heater, and gas- or oil-fired furnace) for correct ventilation. We recommend replacing your windows with high-efficiency grade windows that counteract the light rays from outside. The insulation traps in the heat during the winter months and reflects it in the summer time.

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Draught proofing and sealing Draught-proofing your home is easily one of the cheapest, most affordable, and most efficient ways to save energy as well as money. In order for our customers to understand what we are dealing with we will explain how this process of insulation functions. Draughts can be similar to ventilation systems-both let fresh air into your home. Proper ventilation systems help reduce the amount of condensation in your home, but draughts are unable to be controlled: they waste too much heat and allow a continuous flow of cold air in. To successfully draught-proof your home you should eliminate any unwanted gaps that allow cold air inside of your house and that release warm air. As you begin to save more warm air as a result of eliminating those holes, less energy will be spent heating your home. In conclusion, your home will be properly fitted with the tools needed to save money as well as making your home a comfortable place to relax. Breezes happen where there are unwanted gaps in your home, and where small openings are left exposed. If you have trouble finding droughts in your home, the areas in which they are most commonly found are: electrical fittings ceiling-to-wall joints. windows loft hatches doors pipework leading outside

When comparing a home that has been upgraded to the installations recommended above to one that has not, there is a significant difference. Houses across Texas that have yet to be draught proofed are more susceptible to elements such as cold air continuously sneaking in through the cracks in your house and your valuable warm are escaping simultaneously. This not only runs your energy bill through the roof, pun intended, but takes its toll on the environment. As you continuo to turn up your thermostat, it makes no difference. The more you turn up the heat, the same cycle of warm air loss is happening depleting our earths resources at an extremely fast rate as well as yours-money. The lesson to learn is that draught proofing your home can save you energy and money. Those two examples dont add up to helping reduce the amount of pollution that humans have caused up to this point in time.

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Household Appliances The majority of the energy used in your home is derived from everyday household appliances. The problem with these electronic devices is the way that they use energy. If we were to take a specific portion of your home, lets say the kitchen where the majority of electricity might be used, all of the machines are plugged in 24 hours, 7 days out of the week. The problem with this scenario is the fact each plugged in device is not being used ALL the time, which in return increases the amount of electricity being used in your home. Most Americans are oblivious to the fact that their appliances are still drawing power, although they might not be heating your food or blending your fruits into a smoothie. Simply turning them when you are away from home makes a difference but you could be making more of a change to your energy bill if you were to completely discard of your old utilities and purchase ones that are guaranteed to be energy efficient. Companies such as ENERGY STAR produce appliances that draw less power, are costeffective, and have more benefits. Many companies have begun to produce more energy-efficient products due the depletion of natural resources and how costly it has become to maintain them. The creation of these new products can be helpful because they allocate the use of the energy and still provide the same results if not better than the less efficient appliances. Texans need to consider the maintenance costs as well as the price of purchase; a small saving every month from an efficient appliance could accrue to a substantial saving over the lifetime of your appliance. Products that have been emerging with this new energy-saving technology have been:

Washing machines and dryers o Have integrated math equations that determine the accurate amount of water needed to effectively clean the load of clothes without using unnecessary power o Are built with from recycled materials that pollute less and are cheaper to replace if broken o Only uses electricity when needed to, and functions on centripetal and centrifugal force in instances where the momentum is great enough to power the machine by itself. Refrigerators and freezers o Energy efficient refrigerators are designed to provide more room per cubic foot than traditional fridges and are equipped with technology that allows for a longer period of functionality. o ENERGY STAR refrigerators use about 15 percent less energy than non-certified models. o Produce less emissions and reduce pollution

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Efficient heating and cooling As mentioned previously, the easiest manner in which you can lose your money is by improperly controlling the temperature in your home. Having a smart thermostat can save you hundreds of dollars. The thermostat comes with built in technology that records the times in which you are most active in your home and when you are gone, creating equations and adjusting its settings to fit your daily activities. More or less, this device can change the way you maintain your homes temperature. To make it even more of a hassle-free experience, the Nest temperature control device is connected wirelessly to your mobile device so that it can be monitored and changed when you are away or forgot to turn it off.

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Efficient water heater In a traditional household, the use of heating water accounts for nearly 15 percent of a homes energy use. Efficient water heaters use about 10 to 52 percent less energy than traditional models, saving families money on their utility bills. In retrospect, energy savings from highly efficient water heaters depend on heater location, the size, family size, and placement of water pipes. The benefit of having an efficient water heater is the amount continuous supply of hot water that it provides. Unlike other heaters, there is never a time where there is not warm water to be distributed to the area where needed. The importance of this small but crucial upgrade to heaters is also the amount of water it saves. The initial moment where one activates the demand for warm water but has to wait for the water to become warm is eliminated, therefore saving money, energy, and a lot of water. We recommend purchasing an efficient water heater because it provides improvements such as: Reduced waiting time for warm water Saves money Always a supply of hot water Pays for itself in a matter of years

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Energy efficient lighting

Making the change to LED lighting fixtures saves you money instantly because it is what not only Texans but the whole world uses almost all of the time. Why not make the simplest change to something that will continuously save you money whenever you turn the switch on? Exactly. LED light bulbs provide a form of lighting that is brighter and more cost-effective than both normal light bulbs and fluorescent bulbs. When compared, LED bulbs have attributes such as: Durability- last up to 10times longer than incandescent and fluorescent bulbs Withstand Heat- maintain a cool temperature and do not contribute the buildup of heat in a home, reducing the need to turn up the temperature Have no mercury Cost-effective- initial price is more than other brands but they easily make up for their cost by saving you money every time they are turned on More efficient-uses less electricity and last considerably longer, making it more durable and extends the life of the product.

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Solar panels

Solar panel technology has been one of the greatest influences in our society today because it requires the sun as the only source of energy. This is a very reliable form of gathering energy from natural source which doesnt harm the environment in Texas because the percentage of sunny days has always been high. Depending on the size of the system you choose to install, you can save an average of 50 percent on your electric bill or can eliminate it completely. The secret of the solar panel lies in its simplicity. The continuous supply of light being produced by the sun, allows you to rely mostly on a resource that is literally outside, you are not dependent on foreign products or nonrenewable energy sources to power your home. These are some of the ways that adding solar energy to your home can aid in your decrease in the environments harming. Saves you money on your electricity bill Adding multiple panels adds value to your home Reduces your carbon footprint Easy to maintain

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Saving water

Although 70 percent of the earth is covered in water only a fraction of that water is actually drinkable, leaving a very small window for it to be wasted. It may seems that there is a lot for all to have what they need but with our growing population, we are wasting our resources at an extremely fast rate without taking time to consider the consequences of our actions. By saving water we could be Saving lives- water is essential to life and without it, there is no way human life would be able to continue. There is absolutely no replacement for water so we must conserve our resources. Less water means more money- the less time you spend in the shower, wasting water while you brush your teeth, and watering your lawn for an overly excessive amount of time will save you hundreds of dollars guaranteed. Less energy- the less water you waste means more energy that be focused on getting water to those in desperate need of clean drinking water. Dont be wasteful. Dont waste water- there are millions of people across the world that do not have access to clean drinking water or water at all. When you drink or have a meal with your family, fill up your glass to a decent amount that you know you will drink and then you can go back and get more. If you continuo the habit of getting a large amount of water and end up not finishing it, there will always be the issue of water resources being depleted at an alarming rate.

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Executive Summary In the society we live in today in Texas, the environment is becoming increasingly more susceptible to the harm that we humans are creating. The environment is being damaged in ways such that the air is becoming polluted with a more substantial amount of chemicals, our resources are being depleted faster than they can be renewed, and the consistent disregard for improper disposal of waste effects of the entire world and its future. A reference book on How to transform a house into a more environmentally aware structure would directly influence the population of Texas to reconsider their lifestyles. Now, considering Texas does not have a geographically-specific reference guide for this situation, customers would be guaranteed a feeling of one-on-one interaction. The book will consolidate the data from the research and studies performed in Texas, so that our customers can begin reducing the environmental impact of their homes. I can complete the rough draft by September 27. The total cost for materials, supplies, and labor will be approximately $4,111.87. The budget provided accumulates all the rigorous effort we put into making this how-to reference manual and can be easily identified by the plethora of information we gathered that applies to the region of Texas only. If you think the rough draft is adequate, you will receive the final draft on October 14.

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Current Problems in Texas without an Ecofriendly Reference Manual Introduction The proposal to write a book on how to make a home in Texas ecofriendly is of importance because the majority of Texans, if any, only abide by very little of the recommended changes needed to make an impact. Insufficient effort concludes in undesirable results. This premise is why, as a whole, Texas women and men must follow the guidelines that can change their homes and lives forever. Some of the issues that are prevalent in Texas society are: self-unawareness-individuals do not understand what they are doing wrong people tend to ignore the issues because of false evidence or little believe the population does not care for the environment in general

Allowing the continuation of these issues to be a factor in Texas would further the gap between making the progress we want to see happen. In many situations, the general public who do express themselves in such a way towards Mother Nature tend to radiate what their own opinions with others which cause even more confusion. The purpose of this how-to instruction manual is to inform the people living in a specific location, this area being Texas, of what the consequences of their everyday actions can cause. We aim to eliminate any confusion regarding the true causes of harm to the environment. The issue of environmental damage was first noticeable during the summer of 2009- data was collected from 3 different areas including, but not limited to, Austin, Amarillo, and Brownsville. The following chart was constructed. Area Average Rainfall during study Decrease in Precipitation

Austin

32.75 inches

4.12inches

Amarillo

29.84 inches

3.54 inches

Brownsville

33.62 inches

1.73 inches

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The information we gathered during the several years of research revealed that there was in fact an environmental catastrophe in the occurring. The issue with the decrease of average in rainfall was mainly developed by the most commonly used items in a persons home. Texans refusing to recycle their grocery bags after a trip to the market adds millions of pounds of waste to landfills every year. Adding a recycling bin to your home and using multiple reusable bags reduces waste, are inexpensive to purchase, and are easily more sturdy than plastic-eliminating the need to use more plastic bags. More examples that contribute the environments downfall as a whole are transportation, thermostats, and electronically outdated bulbs. In respect, owning a hybrid vehicle and carpooling with coworkers can reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 12% every year. Also, investing in a programmable thermostat saves about 10% on your energy use and uses an algorithm that allocates its power when you are and are not home. Lastly, updating your light to compact fluorescent bulbs saves both energy and last four times as long with a more natural light. These changes are needed to improve the atmosphere in which we live while in the process creating a more suitable living condition for ourselves.

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Proposed Solution: A How-to Reference Guide The proposed How-to Reference Guide will provided the citizens of Texas with the information to become environmentally aware of their choices involving their home lifestyles how to properly use simple yet powerful tricks to transform their house into an ecofriendly location gain new knowledge that will save them money so they can use that towards other important needs in their lives.

Our proposal for the How-to Reference Guide is unique because the information is specific, not only to Texas, but to each city that is within its borders. Compare us with other companies that sell books about the same topic and you will notice that they are merely repeating the everyday facts that are discussed by the general public. Texas has different climate, means of transportations services, buildings and construction methods, and a different population size. All of these factors determine how the environment is affected, creating a truly unparalleled book. Following the instructions below is the beginning of your journey to transforming your house. Identifying your Location allows you to geographically locate where and how pollution is in your area narrows down the specific ways in which you can improve

Identifying your Household Objects recognizing what you have to work with and creating a list using the list to gather data of how much the item is negatively effecting the environment using the instructions provided to switch said objects for a more reliable source

Replacing Household Objects commit to using the provided categories of materials provided in the How-to Reference Manual to switch and help the environment. provided the information, you will spread your knowledge and understanding of the everyday items that affect the world around us (Texas and globally)

Environment Commitment throughout the progress made with the use of this manual, you have done and will hopefully continue to better the environment transforming your house has become an achievement in itself and has help reduce the carbon footprint by a small but significant percentage

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My Qualifications for Writing the Proposed Manual I have been an environmental engineer for the past 13 years working alongside many other companies that specialize primarily in the field of environmental awareness. I have taken the position of Team Project Manager and have a great understanding of what I am working with. The constant involvement with this type of work means that I am dedicated to helping the environment and customers as a whole. I have been in service for a long time and understand your needs and do not plan on letting down.

Budget Items Time and Supplies Cost (dollars)

4 (Per household) 32 page Manuals (all together) Conclusion

Spiral Binding Printing costs

$3,000,000

In Texas, there is a need for a How-to Reference Manual that will inform all residents about the negative effects of their everyday actions. The manual will help guide them into transforming their homes into an environmentally aware structure that reduces the amount of pollution. It will also help them in making the correct changes to their homes based on their locations, a factor other books had disregarded. The benefits of accepting the publication benefits not only Texas community but also the world- where all humans live. We guarantee you the issues discussed in the manual will be omitted if our advice is taken. We look forward to the possibility of working with you on this manual.