Alienware creates cutting edge gaming machines. It’s common perception that this high-tech processing capacity would also require a lot of electricity but Dell has introduced the M11x Alienware gaming machine with a number of power-saving, “greener” features than other computers and laptops, including:

• a low voltage processor made by Intel
• ability to conserve power when using battery or AC mode by diming the system’s LED lights for speakers, keyboard, etc – or the ability to “go dark” and turn off all LEDs except for the main display
• ability to switch to an energy-optimized graphics mode when you don’t require high-performance, full power gaming

If you use an energy efficient monitor, you can save even more electricity and become more “green” without sacrificing processing power of your computer. Using an LED monitor, like the G2210 22 inch Widescreen Flat Panel LED Monitor for example, means you save on power with a brighter and longer lasting screen than an LCD.

Becoming more responsible about your carbon footprint doesn’t mean you have to give up modern conveniences and technology. When you are ready to become more green with your computer, you also can recycle your old computer or laptop to further help the environment. Recycling old computers, choosing products with lower energy consumption without sacrificing convenience or quality – makes a huge impact over the long period of time for the environment and makes it possible for more people to become more “green”. It also has the added benefit of assisting the economy and your own wallet.

Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) Offering a Green and Powerful Computing Option was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Photo Credit: Yosemite National Park, as captured by a TripAdvisor traveler.

Regardless of the value of the “green back” or the United States’ “green currency”, green travel is on the rise. More than 18 million Americans can be classified as ecotourists, according to the International Ecotourism Society and a Geotourism Study by the Travel Industry Association and National Geographic Traveler reports nearly 55.1 million Americans express an interest in nature, culture and heritage tourism activities that protect and preserve the environment.

Consumers are more educated today than ever on “green” choices and their attitudes toward eco-tourism have graduated past a hotel’s linen or towel reuse program or because of an airline’s offering of voluntary carbon offsets.

“They (travelers) want to know a company is committed to sustainable travel and tourism,” Brian T. Mullis, president of Sustainable Travel International (STI) adds. “They’re more interested in hearing about a hotel’s energy conservation and renewable energy systems or an airlines’ holistic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

The American Ecotourism Association defines eco-tourism as “pleasure travel to nature and culture based areas which minimizes ecological impact and supports the well-being of the local community.” Whereas, geotourism is defined as “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographic character of a place – it’s environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and well-being of its residents,” as outlined by National Geographic Society.

TripAdvisor® annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers reveals travelers leaning toward green travel options. “The primary trends identified are that travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities,” as stated in TripAdvisor’s release. “A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year.”

Following are two of the TripAdvisor survey findings:

Park is the Place: Seventy-three percent of U.S. respondents said they plan to visit a national park in 2009, up from 62 percent one year ago. Fifty-three percent will go hiking in the coming year, up from 50 percent last year. Forty-seven percent of those surveyed plan to engage in an adventure activity, an increase from 40 percent in 2008. Thirty-three percent of travelers will go cycling and biking, up from 28 percent, and 11 percent of travelers are likely to participate in an extreme sports activity, compared to eight percent one year ago.

Easy Being Green: Thirty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they will visit an environmentally-friendly hotel or resort in the coming year, up from 30 percent in 2008. Thirty-two percent of those surveyed said they will be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions this year, than they were the year before. Last year, 26 percent said they would be more environmentally conscious.

“An emerging trend is travelers getting greener. They plan to be more environmentally-conscious, and will be more active outdoors this year, taking advantage of some of the outstanding resources in the U.S., such as our beautiful national parks,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.

Travel Trends for 2009: Going Green was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Much of our electricity is created by coal burned at power plants.   Each time you turn on the lights or otherwise use electricity, you are contributing pollution into the environment.  Some sources will say that a home generates more pollution than a car in a single year.  It’s good that we want to save electricity to help reduce our expenses, but we can also feel good knowing that we’re doing our part to help keep our water and air a little cleaner, as well.

There are many resources online that tell you how to save electricity.  Some are very detailed in the little things you can do to save, but if you focus on the appliances in your home that consume the most amount of electricity you will have  better results.

Electric Heat

If your home uses electric heat, there are a few ways you can improve your heating costs and use less electricity.  First, and probably the most effective is to seal up your windows, around doors, and any other place where heat is escaping.  Windows can be sealed with weatherstripping, or with shrink wrap kits that you can purchase inexpensively from the home improvement store.  These work by creating a plastic shield around the window and sealing out the cold air and keeping the warm air in.

Instead of running your electric heating system to warm the entire house, you could use space heaters to warm only the rooms you are using.  A space heater costs less than $100 and will save you over $1,000 per year.

You can also turn your ceiling fans on low, or aim a small fan at the ceiling to help bring the warm air down and make the room more comfortable. Fans use very little electricity to run.

Washing Machines

The cost to run a washing machine is not so much the actual power that makes them work, but the amount of money you spend heating the water.   Wash your laundry with cold water instead of hot, and save $145 a year or more.

Lighting

If you’re not using fluorescent lighting (emergency lighting or otherwise), your wasting money on electricity.  The new energy efficient light bulbs allow you to save 30 or more watts per light bulb, and around $90 a year in electricity costs. They will also last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, so for situations such as emergency lights where having the light on at all times is critical, go florescent. Don’t forget the visually impaired either, in addition to traditional emergency lights, you’ll also want a good set of braille exit signs to cater to the blind and to meet state and federal regulations.

Computers

When you’re not using your computer, put it in “sleep mode” and you’ll save around $60 a year on electricity.  Also, if you still have the old style monitors, upgrade to an LCD as they use less electricity.

There are many ways we can all do our part to cut down on electricity costs.  Not only will our bank accounts thank us for it, but the environment will, too.

Saving Electricity Saves More Than Money was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

FOR THE HOME:

1. Heat Control Window Film: (As low as $30 for a 15’ roll at Home Depot) Replacing cheap blinds or windows to save money on your heating bill can often cost more then $5,000. This hardly seems cost effective unless you are planning on living in a house for more then ten years. So, instead of replacing all of your windows, try installing heat control window film over your windows. This light film adheres to your window adding an extra layer of insulation and takes less then an hour to install yourself. Not only will this keep your home warmer in the winter, but it will also keep your house cooler in the summer. Plus, with a 15’ roll, you can cover multiple windows. It’s also important to get good discount window blinds that reflect the heat from the sun.
2. Thermal Barrier Fabric: This great lightweight fabric is weaved with a high-density polyethylene plastic and coated with a thin reflective metallic surface. When you hang this see-through product inside windows in the winter, the sun heats it and warms your room for free. Hang it outside your window in the summer and it deflects the light from the window keeping your room cooler. As an added bonus, you can cut this fabric with scissors to custom fit it to more then one window.
3. Water Heater Blanket: (As low as $25 at Home Depot) As inexpensive as this product is, there is no good reason that you should not invest in a water heater blanket immediately. It is easy to wrap around your water heater and keeps the hot water inside warmer for longer. By doing so, the water needs to be heated less often, thus saving you money on your gas bill.
4. Solar Powered Ionic Air Purifier: For anyone looking for clean pure indoor air at a cheaper price, a solar-powered ionic air purifier can accomplish that goal for relatively free. This portable little product is merely placed in the sun and it immediately begins negatively charging the air and cleaning an area of approximately 150 square feet. Compared to other Ionic Air Purifiers, you can save money on both the purchase and the daily use.
5. First Alert Motion Sensing Light Socket: For anyone with children, you are fully aware of how often your little tikes leave the lights on in the house. By simply investing in a motion sensing light socket and screwing it into the light sockets where lights are left on the most often, you can save tons of money on your electric bill. Not only does this save you constantly yelling for your kids to turn the lights out, but also it illuminates rooms as soon as you enter them.
6. Solar Powered BatterY Charger: ($25 at eBay): Who doesn’t use batteries on a daily basis? While most battery chargers run about $10 to $20 at most electronics stores, you still end up spending a little bit of money whenever you charge them. Why not invest a couple more dollars and get a solar powered battery charger, thus saving you ever having to spend money on batteries again.
7. Custom Blinds Faux Wood: next to nothing. Getting blinds that will properly block out the sun is absolutely important. Getting custom blinds to fit your odd window sizes is a great way to keep the heat out and the cool in.
   

FOR THE YARD:

Solar Powered Yard Lights: CollectionsEtc.com is an excellent place to go if you are looking for any kind of solar-powered yard stakes. You can actually find clearance priced solar yard stakes for as little as $10, or you can spend $20 for a pack of 5 at their everyday price. Explore a little more, and you will find unique and beautiful lighting for your yard that won’t cost you a dime in electricity.

1. Solar Powered Security Motion Light ($80 at Wal-Mart) If you have ever struggled in the dark trying to get your keys in the door, you should consider investing in a solar-powered security motion light. Not only will the light go on when you approach your door, but it will also light up whenever anyone comes within range. Plus, this solar powered security motion light is easy to install and is a great burglar deterrent for anyone looking to up their security on the cheap.
2. Solar Powered Water Fountain Pump: (As low as $15 at eBay) If you have a pond in your yard, a fountain pump is a must. Not only does it deter mold growth and smelly water, it also offers a relaxing atmosphere to your yard. Invest in a solar-powered water fountain pump, and you will never have to worry about the electric bills for running that fountain all day. You simply place the camouflaged solar panel next to the lake and press the spigot in the water and you are ready to go.
3. Solar Powered HOT TUB/SPA Cover: (As low as $39 per sheet) Clear Dome Solar Thermal truly has some unique products on their market. Their solar powered hot tub/spa water heating pad is truly unique in that the cover floats on the water and heats it an additional 5-15 degrees. This small factor could actually heat your hot tub for free in the summertime. It can also be used to heat a child’s pool or to help melt frozen surfaces in the winter.

Invest in a few today and see your bills quickly fall.

10 Inexpensive and Easy-to-Install Green Solutions was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

Natural Don’t Mean Nothin’ – Just because the package says natural, eco-friendly, or non-toxic, it doesn’t mean it has to be. Such terminology is not government regulated so anyone can add them to a product. Words like organic and phrases such as “post-consumer recycled content” accompanied by the certified symbol are what you should be seeking.

Don’t Accept a Promise As Written – It may say that if you use Product A, you will reduce pollution in your neighborhood by 50%, but do you really think it is possible? Go with your gut and common sense. Companies will tend you promise those things you want to hear most.

Research Before You Shop – If you are serious about buying all-things eco-friendly, take the time to research the various places such as books, magazines, and websites like Consumer Reports’ http://greenerchoices.org/ where you will find information about what to look for in products.

Think About Your Own Habits – You may be buying greener products but are you committing to the changes of lifestyle that go along with it? Do you recycle all materials you use at home each and every time? Do you purchase products in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging materials involved? Do you use rechargeable batteries and other products that eliminate disposal of potentially hazardous wastes making their way to the local landfill?

Being green is more about accommodating your lifestyle to meet the needs of a healthy environment and promoting your own good health and choices. Making a commitment to change will have a great impact on the environment as a whole if you take the necessary steps. There are many simple things that can be done by each and every person that would have an effect on the environment. Take the time to read up on the subject and begin practicing it in your every day life instead of waiting for someone else to do it first.

How To “Go Green” And Mean It was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

BAKING SODA

This simple product is one of the most effective and inexpensive cleaners on the market. Not only can you place it in your fridge and freezer to remove unwanted smells, but you can also use it to clean a variety of products. Sprinkle in your bathtub and rub with a sponge to see soap scum wash quickly and easily away. Dump a cup of baking soda in your toilet weekly to help reduce clogs and keep the bowl smelling fresh. Use equal parts of baking soda and water to remove basic stains from fabrics. Plus, you can sprinkle it on your carpet for half an hour before vacuuming and your carpets will lose all offensive odors. Is it any wonder that it’s used in toothpaste, deodorant and carpet cleaners?

VINEGAR

Vinegar is one fabulously natural product that cuts through grease and soap scum in a snap. Mix it with water, lemon juice or rubbing alcohol, and nothing will be able to stand it in its way. Run your dishwasher once a month with only a cup of vinegar and you will greatly reduce the amount of soap scum in your appliance. Add a cup of vinegar to a pail of water to clean vinyl floors and give them a nice shine. (Be careful when using vinegar on hardwood floors as it can remove the top layer of wax.)

A CAN OF COLA

A can of cola can be used to clean stains out of a toilet. Simply pour one in, let it sit for an hour, and then watch as stains scrub easily away.

SHAVING CREAM

Clean your bathroom mirrors with shaving cream. As crazy as that sounds, this product will actually help to make your bathroom mirrors stay fog free.

LEMON JUICE

Like vinegar, lemon juice can also cut through grease and soap scum. However, you can also boil some lemon juice with water, let it cool and then spritz a pet two or three times a week to repel fleas.

YEAST

If you have a septic tank, pour a packet of yeast down your toilet once a month and it will go to work dissolving waste.

RUBBING ALCOHOL

This product is great for cleaning caulk around the bathtub and sinks. It can also be mixed with vinegar or lemon juice to create a powerful cleaner.

SALT

This product is an excellent choice for scrubbing away any kind of mess as well as picking up spills. Simply pour some salt on the mess, wait a few minutes for it to soak in, and then use a vacuum to quickly clean it away. For greasy stains on wood, sprinkle salt, let sit for a few minutes, then wipe away with a lemon-moistened paper towel.

CORNSTARCH

To clean your carpets, sprinkle cornstarch, wait half an hour, and then vacuum. Mix with baking powder and crushed lavender to freshen your carpet at the same time.

TOOTHPASTE

Toothpaste is terrific for filling nail holes as well as fixing old CDs and DVDs. Gently rub a bit on scratched media and wipe gently away and you will quickly improve the quality of your videos.

Non-Toxic Household Cleaners was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

You can pickup the Honda Civic GX for about $25,000, which is about $7,500 more than the standard Civic costs, but it might be worth it. The $7,500 price difference drops down to $3,500 when you factor in the $4,000 federal tax credit that you will receive for purchasing this natural-gas powered vehicle. The real savings come in when you consider the cost of operating the vehicle on a per mile basis. You end up spending the equivalent of about $1.20 to go the same distance as 1 gallon of gasoline would.

Instead of taking your vehicle to a traditional gas-station to fill up, you would have to take your vehicle to a specially fitted station that’s equipped to fill natural gas vehicles. There are many of these stations located in California and in New England, but you might have trouble finding a station to fill up at in other parts of the country. You’ll want to do some research and figure out if there’s a station that you can reasonably fill up at before your home before you make the leap and purchase a natural gas powered vehicle.

Even if there’s no station for you to fill up your vehicle with, there’s the potential that you can still make use of a natural-gas powered vehicle. There’s a device called a “Phill” that will hook into your existing natural gas line and allow you to fill up your natural gas powered vehicle at home. You can get more information about that product at www.myphill.com.

This vehicle is a good option if you need a vehicle for driving to work and around your locality, but you likely wouldn’t want to take it on trips. If you’re in an unfamiliar area, it would be very difficult to plan out stops to fuel up your vehicle. You definitely won’t want it as the only vehicle in your family, but it’s something to consider

Honda’s Civic GX: A Vehicle Powered by Natural Gas was created by and is property of American Consumer News.

The weather that the United States has been having this fall has been ironic if nothing else. Some parts of the country have more water than they know what to do with mean while others are droughts and record low amounts of rain. If you’re in part of the country that just doesn’t have enough water to go around, there are some things that you can do to significantly lower your individual water usage in and around your home.

Get a Low Flow Showerhead – Nobody enjoys a shower with a traditional low flow shower head and without a good shower chair, they just don’t do good enough job at rinsing us off, however a new low flow technology has been invented which feels like a full shower with a good shower chair but uses substantially less water than a traditional shower. The way it works is that the head injects air bubbles inside of the water that flows down upon you, and these new shower heads are cheap! You can get them for less than $50 and the return on investment is just a matter of months.

Get Energy Smart Appliances – Don’t go out and throw away your old appliances, but the next time you are going to purchase a washer, dryer, dishwasher, or any other appliance that uses water, look for one that’s energy star compliant and uses a lower amount of water than other appliances of the same class.

Optimize Your Toilet – There are a number of European toilet designs which use a significantly less amount of water than the traditional toilets we have in the United States. Consider one of those as an option, or if you don’t want to replace your toilet, just throw a brick into the tank to displace some of the water for each flush.

Get a Desert Lawn – In the south western part of the United States, especially in desert places such as Las Vegas, some individuals try to keep up a full lawn of green grass, but this just isn’t feasible. It simply places too high of a demand on the water supply that the city has. The Las Vegas strip only uses 3% of the city’s water demand, the vast majority of it is from home-owners with green lawns. If you’re in this situation, consider moving to a more arid-friendly landscape.

Lobby at City Council – There are a lot of things that cities as a whole can do to reduce their water usage. There are grey water systems that they can make use of which partially treated waste water to water lawns and provide other irrigation and can reduce a city’s water consumption by 30% or 40%. City’s can also implement urinals which do not use water in public facilities that will decrease water usage.

How to Cut Back Substantially On Your Water Bill was created by and is property of American Consumer News.