DIY自製環保捕蚊器

一個在網路流傳的小秘方，激發了小學生實驗靈感，經過不斷嘗試，成為真正的環保良方！台北市永安國小師生從網路偏方得到靈感，利用資源回收(網站)的寶特瓶，以及不到2.5 元的成本，製造出「環保捕蚊罐」，放在地下室，一罐最多

可抓到超過1427隻蚊子，連環保專家都驚歎不已。
「環保捕蚊罐」的環保之處，不只在利用資源回收的廢寶特瓶，更因這種捕蚊法不需使用化學的殺蚊劑無毒又安全。學生估計，只要有五分之一的人改用這種環保捕蚊法，每年全球就可省下10億元新台幣的購買殺蟲劑費用。
其實很多人都曾收到過這則網路偏方的電子郵件，指出只要在室內放一小盆水，再加點洗衣粉，蚊子就會全部溺死在盆中。永安國小學生郭家安的媽媽也看到了這則郵件，並付諸實施，雖然效果不佳，但卻激發郭家安動手研究，並在老師徐佳璋指導下，找出真正有效的捕蚊良方。
徐佳璋表示，剛看到這則網路偏方時，就懷疑是什麼東西誘使蚊子前來？是洗衣粉的成分還是香味？結果按網路傳聞操作，三天只抓到11隻蚊子，把洗衣粉濃度調高後，三天只抓到一隻蚊子，效果並不好。
因 此，師生動手實驗，希望找出更有效的誘蚊法。蚊子會被吸引嗎？試試看暖暖包。蚊子會對不同顏色有反應嗎？試著用不同顏色寶特瓶來誘蚊。捕蚊罐放置的高度是 否有差異？把捕蚊罐吊高到蚊子飛行高度試試看。學生還試過用蜂蜜、蘆薈、黏鼠板膠來誘蚊或黏蚊。最後發現，蚊子會受到二氧化碳及黑色吸引，即利用發酵糖水 會釋出二氧化碳的原理來製造捕蚊罐。
徐佳璋表示，「環保捕蚊罐」研發成功後，曾創下單罐一周內在地下室停車場捕獲1427隻蚊子的紀錄；另一次測試放置九罐捕蚊罐，更共抓到超過五千隻蚊子。徐家安回憶整個實驗過程，最「苦」的就是撈出一坨坨的蚊子屍體，計算到底有幾隻。
而這項成果不但讓永安國小這群師生獲得全國科展特優，並在環保署舉辦的2005年全國環保創意競賽中得到佳作殊榮。有人質疑蚊子會不會再度飛出？糖水罐反而成了「養蚊罐」？徐佳璋指出，只要上下半部的寶特瓶密合，蚊子絕對「只進不出」，還有一些小果蠅也會死在裡面。
但 此捕蚊罐也有局限。徐佳璋表示，並非100%的蚊子都會被誘引，在人多的環境，即使放了捕蚊罐，仍免不了有人被叮咬；捕蚊罐使用效果最佳地點，是在停車 場、地下室等蚊子較多的室內場所。 尤其是近年來，即使有寒流、強烈冷氣團來襲的冬季，仍有地下家蚊（溫帶家蚊的一種）作怪，出沒地點多集中在地下室，最適合使用環保捕蚊罐來展開抗蚊大作 戰。
「蚊子專家」台北市立教育大學環境教育研究所教授黃基森十分肯定「環保捕蚊罐」，認為它有學理根據，不少市售的捕蚊器就是利用散發二氧化碳來 誘蚊，只是一般捕蚊器多半價格高昂，如能廢物利用，意義更佳；但要注意的是，不同酵母菌對不同品種的斑蚊、家蚊誘引效果可能還有差異。

LED Lighting

Durable solid-state light that is more compact and durable than incandescents

Summary

A Light Emitting Diode (LED) is a semiconductor device which converts electricity into light. LED lighting has been around since the 1960s, but is just now beginning to appear in the residential market for space lighting. At first white LEDs were only possible by "rainbow" groups of three LEDs -- red, green, and blue -- by controlling the current to each to yield an overall white light. This changed in 1993 when Nichia created a blue indium gallium chip with a phosphor coating that is used to create the wave shift necessary to emit white light from a single diode. This process is much less expensive for the amount of light generated.

Each diode is about 1/4 inch in diameter and uses about ten milliamps to operate at about a tenth of a watt. LEDs are small in size, but can be grouped together for higher intensity applications. LED fixtures require a driver which is analogous to the ballast in fluorescent fixtures. The drivers are typically built into the fixture (like fluorescent ballasts) or they are a plug transformer for portable (plug-in) fixtures. The plug-in transformers allow the fixture to run on standard 120 volt alternating current (AC), with a modest (about 15 to 20 percent) power loss.

The efficacy of a typical residential application LED is approximately 20 lumens per watt (LPW), though efficacies of up to 100 LPW have been created in laboratory settings. Incandescent bulbs have an efficacy of about 15 LPW and ENERGY STAR® qualified compact fluorescents are about 60 LPW, depending on the wattage and lamp type. Some manufacturers claim efficacies much higher than 20 LPW; make sure to examine system efficacy, which accounts for the power use of all components. In December 2006, the U.S. Department of Energy studied the efficacy of four luminaries. All four fell short of the manufacturers’ claims; the study implies that manufacturers are relying on measurements of how much light an isolated LED produces, rather than how much light an LED luminaire actually delivers.

LEDs are better at placing light in a single direction than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs. Because of their directional output, they have unique design features that can be exploited by clever designs. LED strip lights can be installed under counters, in hallways, and in staircases; concentrated arrays can be used for room lighting. Waterproof, outdoor fixtures are also available. Some manufacturers consider applications such as gardens, walkways, and decorative fixtures outside garage doors to be the most cost-efficient.

LED lights are more rugged and damage-resistant than compact fluorescents and incandescent bulbs. LED lights don't flicker. They are very heat sensitive; excessive heat or inappropriate applications dramatically reduce both light output and lifetime. Uses include:

• Task and reading lamps
• Linear strip lighting (under kitchen cabinets)
• Recessed lighting/ceiling cans
• Porch/outdoor/landscaping lighting
• Art lighting
  
• Night lights
  
• Stair and walkway lighting
  
• Pendants and overhead
  
• Retrofit bulbs for lamps

Definitions and Terms

Term	Definition	Units	How to interpret
Color Temperature	Color of light	Kelvin (K)	Sunlight at sunrise is 1800K 100W Incandescent light bulb is 2850K Overcast Sky is 6500K
Color Rendering Index (CRI)	Light’s effect on color	Scale of 0 to 100 with sunlight at 100	The higher the number, the more “true” the color will look in that light
Brightness	The intensity of the light.	Lumens	The higher the lumens, the brighter the light
Power	Amount of electrical energy consumed	Watts	Lower the watts, the lower the energy consumed
Efficacy	The efficiency of the bulb to convert electricity into light	Lumens per Watt	More efficient bulbs provide more light using less energy

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PATH Attributes

	Individual LEDs are considerably more efficient; however, the lamp or fixture design is reduced by the driver and electronics. In addition, LEDs do not produce heat like incandescent bulbs.
	LEDs last considerably longer than incandescent or fluorescent lighting. LEDs don't typically burn out like traditional lighting, but rather gradually decrease in light output. Their "useful life" is defined by the Alliance for Solid-State Illumination Systems and Technologies (ASSIST) as the time it takes until 70% of initial light output is reached, often 50,000 hours. They are resistant to thermal and vibrational shocks and perform well when subjected to frequent on-off cycling.

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Ease of Implementation

No additional tools or training are required for installation of LED fixtures.

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Initial Cost

The biggest limitation to LED for common residential use is the cost of manufacturing due to still-limited production runs. Manufacturers claim production will increase considerably in the near future, further lowering prices. Currently, there is a limited number of LED fixture manufactures, but this is changing. Retrofit bulbs range from $25 to $60 for night lights and small lamps.

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Operational Cost

The cost savings of LEDs can be found in smaller wattage lamps or for applications that take advantage of their longevity, such as difficult to reach places. They are also advantageous for dimmable fixtures, since dimmable fluorescents are expensive.

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Installation

The small size of LED lights encourages a variety of design options. White LED lamps are available with Edison (screw-in type) bases to retrofit existing fixtures. There are LED strips that can be used under cabinets. In addition, outdoor landscaping fixtures are available.

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Benefits/Costs

LED lamps have many advantages over traditional lighting methods. These include:

• Low energy consumption – retrofit bulbs range from 0.83 to 7.3 Watts
• Long service life – LED bulbs can last up to 50,000 hours
• Durable – LED bulbs are resistant to thermal and vibrational shocks and turn on instantly from -40C° to 185C°, making them ideal for applications subject to frequent on-off cycling, such as garages and basements
• Directional distribution of light – good for interior task lighting
• No infrared or ultraviolet radiation – excellent for outdoor use because UV light attracts bugs
• Safety and environmentally conscious – LEDs contain no mercury and remain cool to the touch
• Fully dimmable – LEDs do not change their color tint when dimmed unlike incandescent lamps that turn yellow
• No frequency interference – no ballast to interfere with radio and television signals
• Range of color – LEDs can be manufactured produce all colors of the spectrum without filters, they can also produce white light in a variety of color temperatures

There are some current disadvantages to LED lighting:

• LEDs are currently more expensive than more conventional lighting technologies, and may be hard to locate
• LED are very heat sensitive. Excessive heat or inappropriate applications dramatically reduce both light output and lifespan
• LEDs typically cast light in one direction at a narrow angle compared to incandescent or fluorescent lamps so lenses or reflectors are needed in fixtures to broaden the beam (if desired)

10 Ways to Go Green and Save Green

How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time? Staff members at the Worldwatch Institute, a global environmental organization, share ideas on how to GO GREEN and SAVE GREEN at home and at work.

Climate change is in the news. It seems like everyone's "going green." We're glad you want to take action, too. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let's start now.

We've partnered with the Million Car Carbon Campaign to help you find ways to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint. This campaign is uniting conscious consumers around the world to prevent the emissions-equivalent of 1 million cars from entering the atmosphere each year.

Keep reading for 10 simple things you can do today to help reduce your environmental impact, save money, and live a happier, healthier life.

1. Save energy to save money.

   
   Armistead Booker/flickr
   • Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs.
   • Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) when your older incandescent bulbs burn out.
   • Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
   • Wash clothes in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to heating the water.
   • Use a drying rack or clothesline to save the energy otherwise used during machine drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer balls to cut drying time.

2. Save water to save money.

   • Take shorter showers to reduce water use. This will lower your water and heating bills too.
   • Install a low-flow showerhead. They don't cost much, and the water and energy savings can quickly pay back your investment.
   • Make sure you have a faucet aerator on each faucet. These inexpensive appliances conserve heat and water, while keeping water pressure high.
   • Plant drought-tolerant native plants in your garden. Many plants need minimal watering. Find out which occur naturally in your area.

3. Less gas = more money (and better health!).

   
   richardmasoner/flickr
   • Walk or bike to work. This saves on gas and parking costs while improving your cardiovascular health and reducing your risk of obesity.
   • Consider telecommuting if you live far from your work. Or move closer. Even if this means paying more rent, it could save you money in the long term.
   • Lobby your local government to increase spending on sidewalks and bike lanes. With little cost, these improvements can pay huge dividends in bettering your health and reducing traffic.

4. Eat smart.

   • If you eat meat, add one meatless meal a week. Meat costs a lot at the store-and it's even more expensive when you consider the related environmental and health costs.
   • Buy locally raised, humane, and organic meat, eggs, and dairy whenever you can. Purchasing from local farmers keeps money in the local economy.
   • Watch videos about why local food and sustainable seafood are so great.
   • Whatever your diet, eat low on the food chain [pdf]. This is especially true for seafood.

5. Skip the bottled water.

   • Use a water filter to purify tap water instead of buying bottled water. Not only is bottled water expensive, but it generates large amounts of container waste.
   • Bring a reusable water bottle, preferably aluminum rather than plastic, with you when traveling or at work.
   • Check out this short article for the latest on bottled water trends.

6. Think before you buy.

   
   Michael Reinhart/flickr
   • Go online to find new or gently used secondhand products. Whether you've just moved or are looking to redecorate, consider a service like craigslist or FreeSharing to track down furniture, appliances, and other items cheaply or for free.
   • Check out garage sales, thrift stores, and consignment shops for clothing and other everyday items.
   • When making purchases, make sure you know what's "Good Stuff" and what isn't.
   • Watch a video about what happens when you buy things. Your purchases have a real impact, for better or worse.

7. Borrow instead of buying.

   • Borrow from libraries instead of buying personal books and movies. This saves money, not to mention the ink and paper that goes into printing new books.
   • Share power tools and other appliances. Get to know your neighbors while cutting down on the number of things cluttering your closet or garage.

8. Buy smart.

   • Buy in bulk. Purchasing food from bulk bins can save money and packaging.
   • Wear clothes that don't need to be dry-cleaned. This saves money and cuts down on toxic chemical use.
   • Invest in high-quality, long-lasting products. You might pay more now, but you'll be happy when you don't have to replace items as frequently (and this means less waste!).

9. Keep electronics out of the trash.

   
   Gaetan Lee/flickr
   • Keep your cell phones, computers, and other electronics as long as possible.
   • Donate or recycle them responsibly when the time comes. E-waste contains mercury and other toxics and is a growing environmental problem.
   • Recycle your cell phone.
   • Ask your local government to set up an electronics recycling and hazardous waste collection event.

10. Make your own cleaning supplies.

    • The big secret: you can make very effective, non-toxic cleaning products whenever you need them. All you need are a few simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, lemon, and soap.
    • Making your own cleaning products saves money, time, and packaging-not to mention your indoor air quality.

MOWERCYCLE! Human powered lawn-mower

MOWERCYCLE! Human powered lawn-mower
by Jill Fehrenbacher

Behold the mowercycle! Is this an awesome DIY design or what? This ingenious bicycle-lawnmower fashioned by an unknown suburban lawn owner out of an old bicycle and a broken lawnmower, is a testament to the creativity of the human spirit. Spotted in dot dream’s flickr stream, we have no idea who the original photographer was, nor do we know anything about the owner/designer of the MOWERCYCLE. All we know is that it is awesome and should be an inspiration to sustainable design fans and DIY tinkerers everywhere.

Top 10 Ways To Save Money By Going Green

High prices got you down? The politicians can talk all the want but the truth of the matter is that prices are rising faster than paychecks can keep up. The good news is that you can save tons of money each month on your energy bills, water bills, trash bills, and even your shopping bills, by making choices that protect the environment. Here are the top 10 ways to save money by going green:

1. Don't Drive: If the environmental benefits of ditching your car don't convince you, the financial perks surely will. With gas prices at an all time high, you'll save a fortune by carpooling, walking, biking, or taking public transportation whenever possible.

2. Wait A Day: One of the very best things you can do for the environment is to buy less stuff. So use the 24-Hour rule the next time your at the store: if you see something you like, wait 24 hours before you buy it. Nine times out of ten, you will have forgotten all about it before you even get home!

3. DIY for a Green Clean: Steer clear of toxic cleaning agents that cost a bundle and are harmful for your family and the environment. Natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice will get your whole house sparkling and germ-free for pennies.

4. Be A Label Lover: Manufacturers are trying to cash in on the green movement by "greenwashing" their products to appear green. Don't waste your money on this overpriced junk, but don't give up on buying green either. Click here to learn which green labels to look for at the store.

5. Control Your Temp: Adjust your thermostat by a measly three degrees and open a window (or throw on a sweater in cold weather) instead to save a fortune on your annual energy bill.

6. See The Light: Lighting accounts for 20% of your home's annual energy bill. Control these costs by installing energy-efficient bulbs and turning off the lights whenever you leave a room.

7. Block Leaks: Stop throwing money out the window by making sure that windows (and doors) are insulated and weather-proofed to further reduce the energy required to heat and cool your home.

8. B.Y.O.B: Disposable water bottles are planet-trashing, money wasting junk. Why spend your hard earned dollars on water when you can fill up a reusable bottle of filtered tap water for free?

9. Buy in Bulk: Save money at the store by purchasing items in the largest size possible. Go in with friends and co-workers to defray the costs even further.

10. Take A Shorter Shower: You pay for the water in your shower three times...to buy it, to heat it, and to take it away. Shave a few minutes off your shower each day and do your thinking, singing, or dreaming elsewhere. You'll help conserve water while keeping your money from going down the drain.

5 Steps to Green, Clean, and Beautiful

You may be surprised to hear that toxins are lurking in your bathroom? And I'm not talking about whatever's hiding on your faucet handles or under your toilet seat. I'm talking about the thousands of chemicals that are found in the very products you use to get clean and beautiful each day.

Just how toxic is your bathroom?

To date, 89% of the 10,500 ingredients used in personal care products have not been evaluated for safety by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (an in-house panel appointed by the cosmetics industry), or anyone else.

FDA officials and health experts throughout the world are particularly concerned about the “cocktail effect” that may occur when different chemicals and toxins are mixed in the body and then subsequently in the environment.

A 2004 survey by the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research group, found that the average adult uses approximately nine personal care products each day, for a total of 126 unique chemical ingredients.

While some products are tested for reactions such as skin redness, rashes, or stinging, there is little to no information about the long-term safety of these chemical cocktails for either humans or the environment.

The good news is that you don’t have to give up washing your hair or smelling good in order to protect your health and be nice to the planet. There are safe, non-toxic alternatives to virtually every personal care product your family needs. Here are the top 5 ways to green your beauty regime.

1. Read The Labels: Take five seconds to read the label and put down any product that contains phthalates, mercury, toluene, lead, formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, parabens (hormone-disrupting preservatives such as methylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, and propylparaben), or BHA. These chemicals are considered the most detrimental to human and environmental health.
   
   
2. Use A Little Less: Reevaluate your beauty regimen to see if you can get by with a little less. Do you really need all of those beauty products in your cabinet? For each product you eliminate, you’ll save money and reduce the chemicals in your body and in the environment.
   
   
3. Be Kind To Animals: Animal testing is unnecessary, unethical, and just plain cruel. Look for the “Leaping Bunny” label to make sure your beauty products are “cruelty-free.” This symbol, created by the The Coalition For Consumer Information On Cosmetics, is the only international standard for personal care products indicating that they have not been tested on animals.
   
   
4. Don’t Leave A Carbon Footprint On Your Face: O.K., so you’ve cut back on the amount of oil and gas you use in your car, now how about reducing the carbon footprint of the chemicals you use on your body? Petroleum derivatives are found in a surprising number of personal care products such as lip balm, lotions, and lubricants, as well as the plastics used in sanitary products. Pass on products that use petroleum or its derivatives (paraffin oil, propylene glycol, and ethylene) and look for alternatives such as beeswax, cocoa butter, and vegetable oils instead.
   
   
5. Skip Disposables: According the environmental news website Grist , 2 billion disposable razors end up in United States landfills each year. Invest in a reusable and refillable razor to save money and take a knick out the waste stream.

Human Body Heat to Heat Green Building in Sweden

Human Body Heat to Heat Green Building in Sweden
by Jorge Chapa

What is the next frontier in renewable energy? People! And no, we don’t mean them being used as in soylent green, but rather, to use the energy generated from the movement of large numbers of pedestrians through an occupied space. We’ve already highlighted the use of pressure pads to generate electricity, but plans are now afoot to take the heat energy generated by a human being and use it to heat a building in Sweden.
Built in 1871, Stockholm Central Station is the largest train station in the country and in the nordic region. Around 250,000 persons pass through it every day. It is the heat generated from these visitors that the state owned company, Jernhuset, wants to use for heating the new complex which will include an office building, a hotel and a retail section. How does it work? quite simply, the heat generated will warm up water running through pipes which will be installed in the station. The water will be pumped to the new building and used to heat the spaces inside.

“This is old technology, but used in a new way. It’s just pipes, water and pumps, but we haven’t heard of anyone else using this technology in this way before,” said Karl Sundholm leader for the new project.

+ People power to warm new building in Stockholm

How Going Green Can Save You Money

A lot of people think that going green would require spending more money to change a lot of things. In fact, we can start going green by changing our bad habits, our mindset. Here are some ideas to be shared.

Stunning New Terminal at Shenzen Bao’an International Airport

Stunning New Terminal at Shenzen Bao’an International Airport
by Mahesh Basantani

It’s not often that we get to talk about airports but there is a lot happening in the aviation industry. One landmark development is the proposed construction of a new terminal at Shenzen Bao’an International Airport in China. Positioned as a gateway to China and designed by architects Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas, the terminal will no doubt be a sleek transit destination. What has captured our attention is the incredible double skin canopy intended to let patterned natural light into the space, and significantly reduce energy consumption.

Shenzhen, located in the southern portion of the Guangdong Province in China, is one of the most important industrial and tourist locations, and holds a great potential for economic development. The new terminal at Shenzhen Bao’an International has been proposed as an addition to the 10.8 km2 airport, located near Huangtian and Fuyong villages in Bao’an District of Shenzhen.

The design has been made keeping in mind the unpredictable nature of the aviation industry. The terminal will be made so that people could have a glimpse of the outside, where planes will fly in and out to all corners of the world. The roof canopy will be made of of a patterned double skin. The inner skin will be made of fine net and allow diffused sunlight into the terminal. It will reduce energy consumption and create a pleasant indoor atmosphere.

The master plan shows a truly stunning design. The new terminal, dubbed Terminal 3 or T3, will be built in three phases and cover 400,000 square meters. Phase 1, expected to be complete in 2015, will bring the unit terminal, traffic system, parking place, landscape, and shopping center into form. During phase 2, the first remote passenger concourse, and satellite terminal with rail stations will be built and completed by 2025. Phase 3 is scheduled to be complete in 2035, when the terminal will be fully constructed.

+ Massimiliano and Doriana Fuksas

Via Dezeen

Transportation Without Petroleum or Biofuels

Energy Efficient Design

Passive Cooling - What's old is New

Until recently passive cooling has been a forgotten practice. With mass production of air-conditioners it has allowed houses to be kept unnaturally cool as long as you were willing to pay the electricity bills. However with the ever increasing cost of energy and growing environmental awareness many home owners are once again including passive cooling into the design of their buildings.

The general definition for passive cooling is the use of technologies or design features to cool buildings in a natural way. Whether you apply passive cooling techniques to your existing home, or incorporate more efficient design principles into a new home these strategies will assist you reduce energy use and promote a comfortable, cool environment. Some of the key strategies used in this approach include:

• Increasing ventilation through the use of fans*, roof ventilators and the appropriate placement of windows at high points in the house to encourage natural heat escape. The use of cross ventilation and passive-stack ventilation also promotes effective ventilation. Cross ventilation requires openings on two sides of a room whereas passive-stack ventilation uses a vertical space, like a tower, to create a vacuum as it rises by natural convection. An inlet for cool air at the bottom of this space encourages an upward-moving air current;

• Reducing solar gain in hot weather through the use of shading from trees and vines. West-facing rooms are especially prone to overheating because the low afternoon sun penetrates deeper into rooms during the hottest part of the day. Insulating your home also reduces heat gain in summer and conserves available warmth in winter. Using pale colours when painting or rendering the exterior of your home reflects light;

• Decreasing internal heat gain by minimizing the use of heat generating light globe and appliances such as the oven; and

• Increasing internal cooling and taking advantage of the mass in the house by capturing cool air at night and when necessary topping up this up in the evening with mechanical* cooling.

* It should be noted that fans and mechanical cooling devices are not true components of passive cooling; however they are often a much more efficient use of energy than air-conditioners.

Drive like Jenson, and other eco tips

Button is your role model

There are two things racing drivers do that you can copy, only you're after economy rather than speed. Take the shortest line through corners so you don't have to slow down as much, and drive more smoothly. The smoothest racing drivers are often the quickest (providing they're in the right car).

Free motoring down hills

Down hills, leave it in gear and take your foot off the throttle. The injectors turn off, so you're not burning a drop of fuel. Coasting in neutral is less economical because the ECU thinks you're stationary and so fuels the engine to idle. On a hill the engine is being driven by the wheels.

Don't accelerate up hills

Tricky, of course, but the canny driver anticipates by selecting the right gear to maintain a constant speed up hills. Bogging down in third and having to move to second needs more revs and so burns more fuel. Remember: momentum management.

Hills need forward planning

Don't wrench the wheel

Sharp steering movements create heat in the tyres and you literally scrub off speed. Heat is bad. It means all that precious petrol energy is being wasted. Same goes for braking. Heat in the pads is energy you paid for.

Pretend you're an EU tester

Those hard-to-achieve fuel consumption figures are carried out over a gentle town route, followed by an equally sedate country jaunt (although they never leave the lab). Manufacturers know this and tune their cars to perform frugally over this period. Rev hard and you're out of that economy zone.

Greener Drive

How To Drive Green - Maintenance

How To Drive Green - Maintenance: VideoJug shows you some simple car maintenance that will help you drive green. With these simple steps of car maintenance, your car, your money, and this little planet you're driving on, will last a lot longer. Drive green with VideoJug's help!

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Step 1:

AIR PRESSURE

Start with your tires. Make sure your car is rolling safe and rolling green by checking your tire pressure at least once a month.

Too little air and your engine is working harder, burning more gas and making you a bigger bad guy when it comes to global warming.

Besides, improper tire pressure can cause traction problems and even blowouts, so be safe by making sure your tires are properly inflated.

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Step 2:

CHANGE OIL

Make sure you check and change your oil regularly.

And when you do change your oil make sure you do the right thing by recycling it [or at least disposing of it properly.]

Taking better car of your car improves its fuel efficiency and this cuts down on CO2 levels big time.

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Step 3:

UNDER THE HOOD

Making sure your fluids are fine, your belts are nice and tight and your air filter is clean will make for a happier engine, a heavier wallet and a healthier planet.

Most of all, running green is all about engine efficiency so make sure you do your regular maintenance.

By taking these basic steps, your car, your money, and this little planet you're driving on, will last a lot longer.