Building Better Manufactured Homes and Cars with Green Technology

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Green technology is vitally important to our planet and our wallets. Regardless if you believe global warming is man-made or a natural planetary cycle – many independent studies prove that our earth is getting warmer and more polluted. Fortunately, there are many advancements in both home construction and auto manufacturing that will help curb global warming and save us a ton of money in the long run.

What is Global Warming?

Our beautiful planet is wrapped in a blanket of air called the ‘atmosphere.’ The atmosphere consists of many layers of gases and the suns’ rays travel through those layers, hits the ground, warms the planet, and then bounces back through the atmosphere and eventually into space. Gases in the atmosphere prohibit too much heat from escaping but an imbalance in the gaseous layers will keep the heat from being able to escape and that excessive heat is what causes global warming.

Why Does Green Technology Matter?

Homes and automobiles are major contributors of greenhouse gases. Lowering the emissions of greenhouse gases will keep our planet healthy and allow everything on it to thrive. Reducing energy consumption saves money, too!

So what are the advancements in home building and how can I save me money?

Homes in North America contribute an estimated 2.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide to our earth’s atmosphere each year. Amazingly enough, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation in Montreal says that we can reduce 1.7 billion tons of carbon dioxide, or greenhouse emissions, by simply installing better insulation and new windows in our homes.

Scientific America states that U.S. citizens spend more money on electricity to power devices while they are off than when they are on. Using energy-efficient products like battery charges could save more than one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity—$100 million at today’s electricity prices—and thus prevent the release of more than one million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Replacing just one incandescent light bulb with compact fluorescents in every American home would save enough energy to provide electricity to three million American homes – imagine the cost saving!

The Energy Star site has tools and tips to help you reduce energy consumption and utilize green technology advancements. Here are a few of the tips they recommend:

• Replace all light bulbs, including your porch light, to compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or install Energy Star light fixtures.

• The exterior of your home-the outer walls, ceiling, windows, and floor is called the “envelope” or “shell.” Sealing and insulating-done by a knowledgeable homeowner or skilled contractor can save more than $200 a year in heating and cooling costs (or up to 10% on total annual energy bills).

• Plumbing stacks, vents, ducts, or electrical wires often have holes or gaps around them that can allow the air in your home to escape, increasing your energy bill and causing drafts. Seal small gaps with caulk and seal holes up to 3 inches in diameter with spray foam.

• In the winter, be sure to insulate room air conditioners from the outside with a tight-fitting A/C unit cover, available at your local home improvement center or hardware store. This keeps heated air from escaping outside. Alternately, you can remove the window unit in the winter months to prevent energy losses.
• Be sure the window unit fits tightly in the window so outdoor air is not getting in.

• Large window A/C units should have their own separate electrical circuit so the system is not overloaded.During the winter months, replace your screens with storm windows to provide an extra barrier to the cold outside air. Caulk and weather-strip around windows and doors that leak air. If replacing windows, choose ENERGY STAR qualified models designed for your area, and save $150-500 per year in energy costs.

What are the advancements in automobiles?

Automobiles contribute over 1.5 tons of carbon dioxide to our atmosphere annually. Burning a single tank of gas releases 20 pounds of carbon dioxide! This makes fuel economy a major theme in today’s world.

Can the I green technologies save us?

The i-ROAD

Green technology in both home and auto building industries have provided several benefits over the last several years. Two recent green technology innovations in home and auto manufacturing are Clayton’s i-House and Toyota’s i-ROAD.

Modern concepts such as Toyota’s i-ROAD are trying to reduce the need for fossil fuels and will be the next generation in automobile design. Recently revealed at the Geneva Motor Show, the i-ROAD was the talk of the show because of its unique motorcycle-like chassis that is completely enclosed. It even drives like a motorcycle, with an ‘Active Lean’steering concept. It seats 2 people and can travel up to 30 miles on a single charge, with no special outlets needed to recharge it – just plug it into any outlet.

Toyota’s official statement on the i-ROAD states “Toyota is paving the way for several types of eco car to co-exist in the future, by adapting its Hybrid Synergy Drive technology for use in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), electric vehicles (EVs) and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). While hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and FCVs are ideal for mainstream use over medium to long distances, Toyota believes in the feasibility of EVs to serve as a main mode of transport for short urban journeys, and has 10 years’ experience in the research and development of PMVs.”

The i-house

Clayton Homes released a concept home called the i-house. Its energy efficiency used many environmentally friendly features such as rain catchment systems, solar panels, bamboo flooring, recycled content decking, low E windows and much more. Although it wasn’t well-accepted in the market, it was the beginning of the manufactured home industries green technology concepts and many more companies have followed in their footsteps.

Green technology has the potential to make our lives and our planet a better place. The possibilities are endless and it is an exciting time to be alive. We are able to use the green technology inventions to save a lot of money and make our daily lives more comfortable.

Thank you for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Toyota. The opinions and text are all mine.