National Home Services Green Home Blog: November 2014

Thursday 13 November 2014

The Benefits of Choosing an Eco-Friendly Automobile

When buying a new car, there are so many things to consider - financial costs, gas mileage, size, safety features - and that’s all before choosing a color. With hybrid and electric cars becoming more and more popular, you’ve now got one more thing to think about before you drive off the lot. To make your next car-buying or leasing decision easier for you, we’ve put together five important benefits of choosing an eco-friendly automobile.

1. Lower Fuel Costs: This is an easy one. Hybrid cars (which use both gasoline and electricity to power their engines) save drivers, on average, about 38 percent in fuel costs. Electric cars, which don’t consume gas and run strictly on battery power, just need a location to plug in and charge up.

2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decrease: The more gasoline cars use, the more carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, particulate matter and formaldehyde (among other toxic chemicals) are released into the earth’s atmosphere. Eco-friendly automobiles (which use little to no gas at all) reduce or completely eliminate the amount of air pollution created every time you start the car.

3. Fuel Demand Decreases: The less we depend on gasoline to fuel our cars, the less oil we’ll need to drill for (a process that has numerous dangerous environmental and ecological effects) or source elsewhere.

4. You’ll Get a Tax Benefit: If you live in the U.S., the Federal Government will give you a tax credit the year you purchase an eligible eco-friendly car. In some Canadian provinces, local governments will give drivers tax rebates and incentives for charging rather than gassing up their vehicles.

5. Maintenance is a Breeze: Don’t know the difference between a transmission and a catalytic converter? Don’t worry! Because electric cars don’t have traditional engines, they don’t have traditional engine parts (like said converter) and require far less maintenance and upkeep.

Sources:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/hybrid-car.htm
http://greenventuresconference.org/category/benefits-of-eco-friendly-cars/
http://livinggreenmag.com/2013/08/28/green-business/how-hybrid-cars-help-the-environment/
http://rainforestfoundation.org/effects-oil-drilling-0
http://www.washingtonpost.com/cars/federal-tax-credits-for-plug-in-hybrids-electric-cars-what-you-need-to-know/2014/08/20/0ae02718-2886-11e4-8b10-7db129976abb_story.html
http://electricvehicles.caa.ca/government-incentives/
http://www.hybridcars.com/top-10-reasons-you-should-buy-an-electric-car-now/5/
http://www.hybridcars.com/top-10-reasons-you-should-buy-an-electric-car-now/9/

Photo Source:

http://www.hybridcars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Nissan_Leaf_Norway-6681.jpg

Monday 3 November 2014

10 Facts About Remembrance Day

On November 11, Remembrance Day, Canadians everywhere will don their poppies and proudly fly the Maple Leaf as they remember the many men and women who have served, and continue to serve, their country. Brush up on your history and find out more about this important holiday with these 10 facts about Remembrance Day.

1. Remembrance Day was initially called “Armistice Day” and it originated to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918.

2. Poppies are worn during a remembrance period that runs from the last Friday in October till November 11. The poppies are also worn at memorial events throughout the year, such as anniversaries of important battles. Money raised from the “Poppy Campaign” provides assistance for military veterans in need.

3. The poppy tradition began when the noticeable red flower was seen growing over the graves of soldiers.

4. Led by the Governor General, the National Remembrance Day Ceremony is held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa and is broadcast nationally.

5. The National (Silver) Cross Mother represents all mothers whose sons or daughters died while on active duty. Chosen by The Royal Canadian Legion, the annual honoree places a wreath at the base of the National War Memorial at the National Remembrance Day Ceremony.

6. Remembrance Day is a statutory holiday in most Canadian provinces, except Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

7. At 11 a.m., on the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians stop what they’re doing for amoment of silence.

8. Members of the Canadian military have seen combat in both World Wars, the Korean War, the South African War, the Arab-Israeli Conflict in 1974, and in Afghanistan, among other battles.

9. Previously, Remembrance Day coincided with Thanksgiving Day. Many veterans and citizens, however, pushed for the days to be celebrated separately, and in 1931, Thanksgiving was moved to a different date.

10. The poem, “In Flanders Fields,” was written by Canadian John McCrae and has become synonymous with Remembrance Day. It is often recited at many memorial ceremonies.

Sources: