Everyone knows hanging around a vampire will likely end up in [literally] getting the life sucked out of you.

Why then do we let so many vampires hang around our homes without even a shred of garlic, a piece of silver, or the ever-handy UV light to vanquish them with?

Fear not my friends, for today is National Vampire Awareness Day, as deemed by big box store Best Buy.

Wait, Best Buy??

That's right, because we're not talking about REAL vampires (geez you're gullible), we're talking about electronics that draw vampire load, or sometimes called phantom load.

...and Best Buy wants you to know how to exorcise those phantoms and send the undead back to the ranks of the fully dead for good.

Obama says Americans should inflate our tires to the proper level.

McCain says Americans should drill offshore.

Which plan is more beneficial?

Well, that depends on what you think is beneficial. If you think spending billions of dollars setting up offshore drilling that will further foster our dependence on fossil fuels, destroy marine life, and not make a difference until about the year 2030, then you should go the McCain route.

If you want a difference (environmentally AND financially) RIGHT NOW, today, for free, check out Obama's energy plan.

Here's a video that helps explain it, via ClimateProgress.org:

Everyone sing it with me Alice Cooper style...

"School's...out...for...summa...

School's...out...for...eva..."

Summer time brings with it lots of great things like vacation, fun in the sun, and great green cookouts.

However, it can also bring with it some VERY frustrating schedule changes with school being out.

So how can you settle back into your routine and continue living green through the summer? Here's how...

In the fight to save energy we find ourselves up against a plethora of foes.

Luckily, we also have quite a kick ass arsenal too.

I recently told the tale of my experience speaking to some local 3rd grade elementary classes on Earth Day. One of the ways we talked about kids being able to get involved in living green was to take their parents on a ghost hunt to find sources of phantom power draw in their homes.

But what's a person to do when you find a mass of energy sucking vampires clustered together behind that enetertainment center or under the computer desk?

A smart power strip is better than a wooden stake to those vampires!

Who knew considering a tankless water heater was so complicated and difficult? Not me.

After talking with Gavin Richardson last week about his new tankless water heater, I've been doing A LOT of research on the subject.

Here are some questions that need to be answered when considering a tankless water heater:

• Should you go gas or electric?
• Are both equally efficient?
• How much can I actually save with a tankless water heater?
• How much would it actually cost to install?

It's getting cooler outside and, for most of us, that means higher energy bills. So how can you cut costs from the frost?

Check out some of these free, and more importantly, fun ways to keep warm as the temperature drops.

Looking to save a couple hundred dollars this year in about 30 minutes?

Install an EnergyStar certified programmable thermostat.

Want to save even more on cooling bills this summer? Read on...

This past week my wife and I have been in Northwest Arkansas for a family emergency situation. While there, we stopped in a gas station to "take care of some business" and I snapped this picture with my cell's camera.

The owner of this gas station seems to be a little unsure as to which light bulb is best. So which is it? CFL (compact fluorescent lamp), incandescent, or no bulb at all? Can you help him out?

NBC's Today Show seems to feature at least one "green" story every day...on the days I actually get to watch it, that is.

This morning, they highlighted some handy (and trendy) green gadgets that satisfy both the eye and the environment.

Making the decision to get involved in the environmental conversation and to go green can feel much like stepping into a new world altogether, including in vernacular. RenewableEnergyWorks.com has a great vocabulary resource that will greatly aid in your familiarity, and hence, productivity with the green conversation.