By TIM CHAPMAN

Enma Saiz, who owns this house in Pinecrest and her husband Hadi Yaziji, have made a big investment by putting enough solar panels on the home to power everything they need. A good start for a novice is a solar water heater.

GREEN SOLUTIONS

Solar water heating is a technology that every homeowner can use to save dollars on utility bills. Questions most frequently addressed to the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa about solar water heating are answered below.

Posted - Saturday, February 18, 2012 09:00 AM EST

Paper or plastic? How about neither.

I have joined the ranks of people who go nowhere without their shopping bags. My collection includes grocery-store bags purchased at the checkout and more interesting ones gifted to me by friends and family. Even my husband, who wouldn't normally carry any bag, has his own manly versions purchased from a dive shop and home improvement store.

Posted - Saturday, February 11, 2012 11:00 AM EST

GREEN LIVING

Dear EarthTalk: There are a number of companies out there now doing energy audits for the home, after which they try to sell you attic insulation and other products and services. Is this just a scam or would it be wise for me to look into this? Bill Richards, New York, N.Y.

Posted - Saturday, February 04, 2012 11:00 AM EST

The wind turbines on Cudjoe Key will help power Keys Energy Services' substation.

Keys Energy Services is making the most of a state Clean Energy Grant it was awarded last summer. The most recent initiative -- a pair of wind turbines -- has been getting noticed a lot lately at the Lower Keys utility's Cudjoe Key substation.

Keys Energy spokesman Julio Barroso said the utility plans to track how much energy the turbines produce and make the information available on its website. Barroso said the plan was to install one on Cudjoe Key and another on Stock Island, but instead both were put in the same location.

The smaller turbine is 35 feet tall, the maximum height allowed under county rules. Keys Energy got a waiver to install the other one at 52 feet.

Posted - Wednesday, February 01, 2012 11:08 AM EST

GREEN LIVING

If you don't want to save money you spend on your car -- and don't want to diminish the pollution your car expends -- then don't bother continue reading. But if you do, we've got some basic facts and helpful hints to lower your costs while being more green.

Posted - Thursday, January 19, 2012 03:35 PM EST

Red peppers ripen on the vine in the author's Keys garden.

GREEN LIVING

Over time like many of us, my husband and I have developed minor health issues that we pass off as just something that happens or something to expect as you get older.

These issues include minor skin irritations, mild arthritis in hands, knees and feet, digestive and gastro-intestinal problems, occasional sleeplessness and restless leg syndrome. Despite this, we consider ourselves relatively healthy but we are always open to ideas to keep healthy.

Posted - Saturday, January 14, 2012 11:00 AM EST

GREEN LIVING

Dear EarthTalk: I always hear about hair products and sprays that claim to be natural and organic based. What are some hair products that can be purchased that are legit and cause no harm to the environment?

Posted - Wednesday, January 04, 2012 11:00 AM EST

By SHIRLEY GUN

Red peppers ripen on the vine in author's Keys garden.

GREEN LIVING

Over time like many of us, my husband and I have developed minor health issues that we pass off as just something that happens or something to expect as you get older.

Posted - Saturday, January 14, 2012 10:29 AM EST

GREEN SOLUTIONS

Millions of people in the U.S. work from home, and that saves energy and time by cutting out the commute. But it could also increase your home energy bills a lot unless you use energy-saving office equipment, says the U.S. Department of Energy.

Posted - Saturday, December 17, 2011 11:00 AM EST

Keynoter Contributor

Container-grown carrots, right, offer welcome addition to Keys tables. The large specimen, left, came from an organic farm in the Redland.

GREEN LIVING

I consider myself an adventurous eater. I like to try different foods, but what a challenge when I signed up for the Redlands Organics CSA vegetable share last winter.

Posted - Saturday, December 10, 2011 11:01 AM EST