Smart clothing choices:

• Fill out your wardrobe by shopping consignment stores and thrift stores. Get thrift store style tips from Diva Village.com.
• Have clothes exchanges. The more participants, the better! Alejandra Ramos at Always Order Dessert has terrific tips on how to throw a clothes swap party
• When possible, choose sustainable, biodegradable fabrics.  Facts about Clothes from Earth911.com explains how cotton, nylon, polyester, rayon and other fabrics affect the environment.

Green clothes-care tips:

• In most homes, the clothes dryer is the second-largest energy user. Don’t dry clothes during peak demand hours and always clean your lint filter. Dirty screens can make your dryer work 30 percent harder!
• Clotheslines save wear and tear on your clothes, cut your utility bill and make your clothes smell wonderful.
• Conventional dry cleaning involves a toxic chemical called tetrachloroethylene. Look into these  5 eco-friendly alternatives to dry cleaning from Mother Nature Network.
• Choose environmentally friendly laundry products. About.com has good tips on how to green your laundry routine.

Reuse/recycle/relove your clothes:

• Please donate your clothes to thrift stores! Americans get rid of 13 million tons of clothes each year, but only 15 percent are recycled or reused.
• Learn to mend and alter your clothes, or find someone who can. Why get rid of your favorite clothes when all they is need simple repairs? Read 10 Clothing Fixes That Everyone Should Know from about.com.
• Get creative! The Internet is teeming with ways to recycle jeans, T-shirts, and more. Here are a few sites to get you started: 10 Upcycled T-Shirt Projects from greenupgrader.com, 7 Reuse Ideas for Old Jeans from earth911.com and Recycling and Upcycled Fashion from about.com.

Did you have a grandma or aunt who said “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without?” It was a common phrase in the 1930s, but it’s still pretty good advice! We’d love to hear your eco-friendly clothing tips and stories in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for more green tips.

Thanks to Flickr user KateMonkey

Texas weather is tough on A/C systems. Humidity and temperature swings can create rust, which can cause major damage to your HVAC. Don’t skimp on professional maintenance — a yearly visit from your A/C repairman is one of the best investments you can make. But these DIY tips will go a long way to keeping your system running at peak efficiency.

Filter facts
Dirty filters restrict airflow and can even cause your system’s evaporator to ice up! Changing filters on schedule is one of the smartest things you can do to keep your system running efficiently.

• Some filters need monthly replacement; other types of filters last three months or more.  Set a reminder on your smartphone or calendar so you don’t miss a replacement date.
• To make sure you’ve always got a filter on hand, buy several at a time and keep them handy in your utility room.
• Don’t rinse fiberglass filters — discard them and start with a new filter each time.
• If you’re painting or remodeling, change your filters weekly. The dust and paint fumes can damage your A/C equipment.

Be kind to your condenser
Your outside condenser works hard to keep you cool. Here are some simple ways to help it do its job:

• Keep it clean: Rinse your outside condenser with a hose every month.
• Keep it clear: Keep plants, dead leaves, lawn furniture and other obstructions at least two feet from your condenser.
• Kill those fire ants:  Fire ants are attracted by electrical current, and can cause an amazing amount of damage very quickly. If fire ants are a problem where you live, place bait near your condenser at regular intervals, and be sure to apply more after it rains.

You can find more A/C energy-saving tips at the First Choice Power Learning Center. Got a tip for keeping your A/C running smoothly? Please tell us about it in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for more for more energy-saving tips.

According to Feeding America, one in seven Americans use SNAP benefits (food stamps). Nearly 49 million Americans, including more than 16 million children, are facing hunger.

But you can help out. Just collect and bag non-perishable food items, especially canned meats, fish, soup, juice, vegetables, pasta, cereals and rice (no items that are expired or in glass containers, please). Then leave your bag of food by your mailbox, and your letter carrier will deliver it to your local food pantry where it will be distributed to people in need.

As part of our Food First™ program to end hunger in Texas, you can bet that a lot of First Choice Power employees will be putting out bags at our houses. In the comments below, be sure to tell us what you donated. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for information on everything from saving electricity to pitching in for a great cause.

The Library of Congress credits Louis’ Lunch in New Haven, Connecticut, with making the first hamburger in 1900, but research by Texas historian Frank X. Tolbert makes a solid case for Fletcher Davis of Athens, Texas, creating the first burger in the late 1880s, then taking his invention to the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. In 2006 the Texas State Legislature introduced Bill HCR-15, designating Athens as the “Original Home of the Hamburger.”

No matter where it started, the basic burger has spawned a dizzying array of versions in the last 100 years. The website A Hamburger Today offers a glossary of regional American burger styles and cooking methods that covers pub burgers, fast-food burgers, sliders, mini-hamburgers and steakhouse burgers, not to mention stacked, extreme and smashed burgers. What’s the difference between a slider and a mini-burger, you ask?  Slider patties are steamed on a griddle along with onions, pickles and bun. A mini-burger is just a tiny burger.

No one knows burgers like filmmaker, author and hamburger expert George Motz, whose book Hamburgers in America features 150 of the best hamburgers in the country. George, who estimates he’s eaten over 10,000 burgers so far, even has a free iPhone app called Burger GPS to guide your burger-seeking roadtrips. Keller’s Drive-In in Dallas and Guy’s Meat Market in Houston are on his Top Ten list.

For many of us, though, the best burger is the one that comes straight off the backyard grill.  We all love the basic fixins—ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, pickles—but if you want to take it up a notch, check out this 50 Sizzling Burgers list from Food Network Magazine. You’ll also find cooking videos and tips for perfect burgers every time.

And finally—if you order a burger in Australia or New Zealand, think twice before requesting “the works.” A popular burger version called “The Lot” comes with cheese, pineapple, bacon, a fried egg with a soft yolk…and sliced, canned beets!

What’s your favorite way to fix burgers? What legendary Texas burgers have you eaten? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Thanks to Flickr user Lach Mullen

Step 5: Looking for Leaks
Leaky, torn and disconnected ducts can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by a whopping 20%. This not only costs you more, but also puts big stress on your HVAC system.

Guard Your Grills
Start looking for duct leaks at the air registers and returns. Remove the metal grills and check to make sure the ductwork is tightly sealed to the wall, floor or ceiling. You don’t want to lose heated and cooled air to the space between your walls.

Duct It Yourself
Sure, the ducts between walls are hard to get to. But much of your home’s ductwork will be accessible via your crawl space or attic. Start by checking out the ducts you can see. Look for bends or kinks in the ductwork that might restrict airflow. Use a feather or piece of tissue paper to check for air leaks.

Repair & Insulate
If you find leaks or tears, repair them with mastic sealant or metal tape. You actually want to avoid using duct tape—while it’s great for lots of stuff, it does not last long enough to actually repair ducts. You should also insulate your ducts wherever possible, especially those that run through unfinished attics or under the crawlspace. This will help the warm air inside stay warm, and the cool air stay cool.

Time to Delegate?
If it seems like too big of a job, you can always get help from a professional. You can evaluate your ducts as part of a full energy audit, or most HVAC repair companies also do duct inspections and repair. Look for a company that will inspect your duct system, repair and seal loose and torn ducts, and insulate exposed ducts in your crawlspace or attic.

Ready to go? If you liked this post, be sure to check out all the Energy Saving Tips available in our Learning Center. And if you missed last month’s bill-saving tip, be sure to go back and read our advice for getting the most value from your window coverings. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Current blog to catch next month’s tip to help you save money on your electric bill.

Thank you to Flickr user takomabibelot.

Need a crash course? Starting when your grill is cool, remove the cooking grates and spray them down with a degreasing cleaner. Then remove the inner protective plates and burners and clean them with a stiff bristle brush. Empty the ash pan under the grill and vacuum out any remaining gunk/ash/charred pieces with a shop vac. While you’ve got your grill taken apart, examine the burners and protective plates for wear, and replace any pieces that seem rusted out or damaged.

Once all the pieces are clean, reassemble your grill and turn on the burners. This will make sure everything works right and also burn off any remaining cleaner that might be left on the grates. We found a really good video tutorial if you want to see for yourself.

The only other question is, what are you going to grill first? Steak? Chicken fajitas? Veggies? Tell us in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for information on everything from making dinner to saving electricity.

We know ya’ll have been working really hard to be a little greener.  You always recycle your old newspapers, soda cans and pickle jars, you compost your kitchen scraps, and you even setup a rain barrel in the backyard, but how much e-cycling have you done lately?

E-waste or electronic waste refers to electronic products that are discarded by consumers and can include everything from televisions and computers to cell phones and iPads. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the 2.37 millions tons of electronic waste less than 25% is recycled.  While you may not be ready to chuck your iPad just yet, you probably do have a drawer full of retired cell phones you’re not sure what to do with. 

E-cycling or donating your old cell phones, chargers, batteries and accessories has never been easier! Many organizations, such as cell phone manufacturers, retailers, network carriers, charities, and state or local solid waste programs offer cell phone donation and recycling programs.

• Drop it off: AT&T, Best Buy, Office Depot, Sprint, Staples, T-Mobile, LG, and Verizon all have programs where you can drop off your old phones.
• Mail it in: Nokia, Sprint, Samsung, Motorola, LG, Verizon, and let you mail in your phone and most retailers even pick up the postage.
• Donate it: Cell Phones for Soldiers collects your gently used cell phones to purchase prepaid calling cards for US military service men and women.  For more information on how to make a donation or set-up a drive visit http://www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com/.

Before you hand over your old phones, follow these simple 3 steps:

• Terminate your service
• Remove contacts, pictures and other stored information from the phones memory
• Remove your SIM card. If you are not sure if your phone uses a SIM card or if you need assistance removing your SIM card, contact your service provider or manufacturer.

Have more resources for e-cycling? Share them in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for more energy-saving tips throughout the year!

Thanks to Flickr user Ray Van Eng.

Let’s start with a quick math quiz. If you have a 2000-square-foot roof, how many gallons of  water do you think you could you collect for every inch of rain  that falls on your roof? 200 gallons? 600? Maybe even 900? Guess again – the answer is 1240.  A mere 1/10 inch of rain can collect up to 120 gallons of water. And it’s estimated that 50 percent of the treated drinking water in the U.S. is used for watering lawns. Add those numbers to rising water rates, Texas summer heat and widespread drought  and you can see why collecting rainwater in barrels – even in small amounts – makes a lot of sense.

Large-scale rainwater collection systems use filters, cisterns and pumps to collect and treat water for household use, including drinking water (learn more about these systems here). To keep it simple,  we’re going  to talk about setting up inexpensive rain barrels – basically, containers that capture rainwater at the end of your downspout. It’s  a great way to collect water for non-household use, such as:

• Watering your gardens, foundation plantings, lawns and houseplants
• Washing your car and driveway
• Washing your windows
• Filling birdbaths

Because rainwater is naturally soft, oxygenated and unchlorinated, it’s ideal for plants. You’ll also save on your water bill, reduce the load  on sewage treatment facilities and keep runoff out storm drains.

You can find pre-assembled rain barrels at home improvement and garden stores, buy kits or  make your own.  Sizes range from 35 to 80 gallons. If you think you’ll be using a lot of water in your yard, you can link rain barrels to each other. Your rain barrel should have a cover and a tight connection where water enters the barrel – this prevents mosquito breeding and algae buildup.

Tips for success

• Choose a level spot near a downspout that you can shorten (instructions here).
• Elevate your barrel on cinder blocks or some other kind of stand. This improves water pressure and makes it much easer to attach a hose or fill a watering can,
• Your rain barrel will fill very quickly – make sure you have a hose attached to the overflow on the side of your barrel to divert water from your foundation.
• For more info, check out The Texas Guide to Rainwater Harvesting. It’s a great  guide to simple and not-so-simple ways to collect and use rainwater.

Important note: Water collected in rain barrels contains bacteria and is not suitable for human consumption!

How much of a difference do you think a rain barrel could make at your house? If you collect rainwater, have any tips for the rest of us? Please share your comments below!

Image courtesy of Flickr user ohthatheidi.

Anyone who takes steps, large or small, to conserve energy is an energy star in our book. Thanks to the ENERGY STAR® program – a joint project of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy – making smart, energy-saving choices gets easier all the time. The program celebrates its 20th birthday this spring, so now seems like a good time to recap all the ways that Energy Star helps us all save money and protect the environment.

When you see the familiar blue Energy Star label on a product, you can be sure it’s met the strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the DOE and EPA. The energystar.gov site is full of great info about over 60 kinds of products, including:

• Appliances
• Computers and monitors
• TVs, stereos and other electronics
• Lighting and fans
• Water heaters
• Battery-chargeable products
• Heating and cooling

But Energy Star does more than rate products. Here are some programs you might not be as familiar with:

• Easy-to-follow tools and guides that help you  conduct an energy assessment,  seal and insulate your house and get the most out of your heating and cooling systems
• A superstar ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2012 designation that recognizes the most efficient products that qualify for the Energy Star
• Rating programs that award the Energy Star label to new homes built to energy-efficiency standards
• Energy Star products and guidelines for business and government

And the numbers are impressive! American families and businesses have saved about $230 billion on utility bills in the last 20 years, and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon pollution.

What was the last Energy Star product you bought? Tell us about it in the comments below. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Current for more energy-saving tips throughout the year!

In April 1970, gas was 36 cents a gallon. Paul McCartney announced he was leaving the Beatles. Against all odds, the Apollo 13 crew returned to Earth after an oxygen tank exploded on the way to the moon. And a few days later, 20 million Americans ventured out on a sunny Wednesday afternoon to demonstrate for environmental reform – the first-ever Earth Day.

Wide ties, eight-tracks and cheap gas have gone by the wayside, but the need to protect our planet hasn’t changed. With a population of over 7 billion people  (there were 3.7 billion of us in 1970), Earth needs our help more than ever. Going green doesn’t have to be painful, expensive or drastic. Do the planet, as well as your budget, a favor with a few simple steps and new habits:

• Turn off lights when you leave the room (we celebrated Earth Day in our local offices on Friday by turning off the lights and working by the light of the sun).
• Unplug chargers and appliances when not in use.
• Replace traditional light bulbs with CFLs.
• Wash laundry in cold water.
• Recycle reuse, reduce!
• Pledge at least one planet-friendly action as a part of A Billion Acts of Green.

Anyone who needs convincing about the value of resource-saving measures like recycling and composting – stop by your local landfill sometime!  The average American produces about 4.4 pounds garbage a day. That’s 29 pounds a  week and 1600 pounds a year.

Did you know?

One of the most universally recognized symbols in the world, the recycling symbol, was designed in 1970 by a 23-year-old design student named Gary Anderson.

What are your Earth Day plans? Did you take part in the very first Earth Day? Do you still have eight-track tapes from the Seventies? Tell us about it in the comments below! And be sure to check out the energy-saving tips that we share here on The Current all year round.

Image courtesy NASA Johnson Space Center