Bring your power bills down in 2010 with energy-saving ideas - image via Flickr - Tanis Fox

In the spirit of the New Year, we thought it would be a good idea to make some suggestions as to how you might make 2010 greener than 2009. After all, according to a new nationwide survey conducted by Tiller Research LLC, more than 50% of all Americans are likely to get into the green spirit of things in the New Year, which is an increased interest in green compared to years past. In fact, 85% of all Americans are somewhat likely to reduce their household energy use this year, which is great news for the environment and those looking to save money on utility bills.

So here are some great resolutions you may want to try in your quest for saving power:

-          Make a big green impact on your energy consumption by choosing to take fewer flights this year. Since air travel has a significantly bigger footprint than driving or taking the train, this one energy-saving option can have a huge impact on your carbon footprint. Just one fewer cross-country flight can reduce your carbon emissions by 4 tons.

-          Get a power monitor like the Black & Decker Power Monitor (for less than $100) to find out where you’re wasting the most energy in your home. You can then take action to put a stop to energy waste.

-          Tune up your heating and cooling systems with a programmable thermostat and other energy-saving techniques.

-          Drive less by taking public transit, carpooling with co-workers and friends, walking, running, or cycling, or working from home. You’ll reduce wear on your vehicle and save fuel money, too.

For many more power-saving tips and tricks to inspire your New Year’s resolutions, check out our other SavingPower Tips section!

A programmable thermostat can significantly reduce your cooling and heating bills - image via Flickr - Mick Wright

Use alternative modes of transportation for your daily commute - image via Flickr - Richard Drdul

Take fewer flights to shrink your carbon footprint in 2010 - image via Flickr - america.gov

Taking a vacation or getting away for a holiday is the reward for hard work and a well-deserved break from regular life. Making your holiday one that helps the planet rather than harming it is increasingly challenging in a culture that values traveling afar. But there are ways for you to cut your vacation’s impact…

• If you’re able-bodied and looking for an active getaway, why not try an eco-volunteer vacation? They’ll put you to work cleaning-up the planet so you can leave feeling good about your holiday. Many require you to “rough it” a little, which often means lower vacation costs. Search online for “eco-friendly volunteer vacations” to find options near you.
• Whether you’re going off for a long weekend or are going to be away for a month, you can reduce your travel footprint by saving energy at home while you’re away. Turning down the air conditioning or heating, making sure lights are switched off, lowering the temperature on your hot water heater—these are all great ways to reduce energy consumption and save a bit of money while you’re out of the house.
• Instead of flying to your destination, look into taking the train or traveling via motor coach (bus). These options produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than flying and depending on your destination, may just be more affordable, as well.

If you’re open to new possibilities, why not explore a sustainable vacation with a tour provider that’s got the planet’s best interest in mind. While these aren’t always less expensive than traditional options, good deals can often be found. Try out: Green Globe, Sustainable Travel International, or Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Tourism for unique and earth-benefiting getaways.

Marriott is expanding its green hotel program

‘Tis the season to travel as people get ready to hit the road for Thanksgiving celebrations, book ski trips, plan beach getaways to escape the winter, and prepare to get together with family and friends for Christmas, Hannukah, Kwanzaa, or holiday festivities. We love to travel, but hopping on a plane or driving long distances can have a negative impact on our carbon footprint.l

So it’s nice to see hotel chains take climate change and environmental protection seriously. Marriott has recently been running a “green hotel” trial project, testing out the viability of greening their accommodations. The program involved initiatives to reduce water and energy consumption, cut waste, and lower toxicity and improve indoor air quality by choosing greener products used in the facilities.

There were 30 hotels in the initial trial, but Marriott just announced that it will be expanding its eco-friendly hotels by 1,000 percent to cover 500 hotels! But the move isn’t completely altruistic. In this depressed economy, the massive hotel company is also motivated by the bottom line. It seems that they achieved some sizable financial savings through their green hotel program , both in constructing and running the greener facilities.

That’s good news for the hotel industry as a whole, and hopefully Marriott’s ambitious plans will be a signal to their competitors that being green is better for business. So, as you plan your holiday travel, keep green in mind. Choose hotels with a green stamp of approval, ask about your preferred chain’s green policies, and leave comments when you check out encouraging conservation.

Marriot hotels now recycle in-room and beyond

Marriott is saving energy through a varieyt of initiatives