Understanding and Evaluating Energy Saving Technology
With the recent climate change talks in Copenhagen, it is safe to say that even though all countries aren’t actually making an effort to change their actions, most at least understand it is extremely important for the environment for us to change our ways and focus on reducing pollution.
Rather than waiting for our politicians to step up and mandate the changes needed to help save our environment, I feel that it is our duty to help make this world a better place, after all it is the only one we have.
One of the most effective ways of doing this is to help cut down on our energy costs, both in our vehicles and at home. However, when considering some of the technologies available today, it is very important to weigh not just the energy savings, but also the cost of manufacturing these devices.
Heating and Cooling
In the home, there are usually few appliances that are as inefficient as our heating and air systems. However, if you live in an area that gets very hot or cold, simply doing without isn’t safe, nor is it comfortable. Fortunately, there are a number of more energy efficient heating and air systems available, which can cut back on our energy use, without having to sacrifice our comfort.
One of the most exciting technologies available to help reduce energy costs is the Geothermal Heating and cooling unit. Geothermal heating and cooling uses very long tubes that extend into the Earth and actually pull heat from the ground. In the summer, the same process can be reversed, sending the heat from the house, into the ground.
Using a geothermal system, it is possible to heat a 1500 square foot house for less than a dollar a day. Of course, they are quite expensive to install and depending on the location, can require that a very deep hole is drilled. To help off set this cost, many power companies will offer incentives for installing a geothermal heating and cooling system, with some options also available from the government. While the initial cost is very high, the savings over a 10 year period could easily offset this initial investment.
Another option for those wishing to cut heating and cooling costs is the Cold-Weather Air Source Heat Pump, which uses an additional compressor that is used when the temperature drops below 30 degrees. The second compressor is necessary because a traditional heat pump does not work well when the temperature drops below freezing, so auxiliary heat must be used. Auxiliary heat, or emergency heat, is very expensive to operate, as it uses a great deal of energy.
Using a Cold-Weather Air Source Heat Pump ends up using less power than a standard heat pump would when it gets very cold. Further, when the temperature is above freezing, only one compressor is used, so the energy usage is similar to that of a traditional heating system.
Generating Your Own Power
For years, people have been putting solar panels on their home to help reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and the power company. While this can save you a great deal of money and it is even sometimes possible to sell your excess power back to the power company, the initial investment has always been quite steep.
Recently, however, the cost of solar panels has begun to drop, as new manufacturing technologies have been introduced. This, coupled with rising energy costs across the country, has made installing solar panels a much more attractive idea.
Several companies have recently developed very thin solar panels that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture, but because they rely on some semi-rare minerals, so it remains to see whether this can be used on a very large scale.
Going Green in Your Automobile
Another popular move has been to use a more energy efficient vehicle, with a number of hybrids, which are cars that use a mixture of gasoline and stored electricity, and battery powered vehicles available.
Currently, GM, Nissan, Honda, Ford, and Toyota all offer some sort of battery powered vehicle, but when considering these cars, it is important to take into account the environmental impact that manufacturing them has.
For example, the Toyota Prius uses a very expensive battery, which uses nickel that is mined in Canada, using a mining technique that is bad for the environment. Then, the nickel must be shipped across the world, converted into batteries, and subsequently shipped back over to the US. So, with all of the environmental costs associated with the manufacture of the Prius, it tends to off set the benefits of driving it.
It All Starts with You
What a lot of people don’t always realize, myself included, is that the things we do everyday can have a major impact on the environment and the future. Even if you don’t have the money to invest in something like a geothermal heating system, you can still help the environment by changing your actions.
For example, making an effort to shut off the water when you wash your teeth and shave can save a tremendous amount of water. Also, consider setting the heat to around fifty-five and putting on an extra sweater or perhaps wearing some thermal clothing, rather than cranking up the heat.
If everyone made what are essentially very small changes to their lifestyle, it would no longer be a small change and could have a tremendous impact on the World.
About the Author
Tiger is a writer who understands the importance of protecting the environment. In addition to writing about the environment, he also writes about a number of other topics, including lift chairs. Lift Chairs are devices that in design are similar to a recliner, but contain a powerful lifting system, which helps to make it easier to stand. They are especially popular among the elderly and lift chairs Medicare are available, for those who live in the United States and are currently enrolled in Medicare.
Homegrown Organic Eggs
For those of us who live an organic lifestyle (or try really hard to), it’s knowing where our food comes from that matters to us most. What confirmed my conversion was learning my son’s developmental delays were due to a dysfunctional digestive system and vitamin deficiency. Since his system can’t efficiently remove toxins, I have to minimize his exposure. My sister’s organic choices are based on healthy eating and being environmentally conscious. Both of us have chicken coops in the backyard because homegrown organic eggs are an important way we can contribute to our family’s health and be environmentally “green”.
Many supermarkets today do a terrific job carrying organic products, but that still requires us to trust a label. The term “certified organic” can be really confusing because of differing state regulations and industries. Raising your own backyard hens in a chicken-tractor has some distinct advantages over the carton of organic eggs purchased in a store. It can be achieved in even very small backyards. Here are some of the advantages:
1) No egg is more rewarding than eating the one you just collected that morning from your own chickens.
2) You know exactly what you are eating because you feed the chickens – grass, scraps, organic feed, soy-free feed, etc… Grass-fed or pastured chickens have the highest levels of Omega 3, beta carotene, and vitamin E in their eggs compared to store bought.
3) Unless you buy local organic eggs, there is the carbon footprint from shipping and transportation (may even be out-of-state).
4) If you have children, chickens are perfect way to communicate the values of responsibility and informed food choices. Kids these days are disconnected to the origins of food. Many have never seen a live farm animal, much less tended one.
5) Proper use of a chicken-tractor fertilizes the yard with no use of chemicals. It’s green living.
6) Chickens are fun and beautiful animals. They can provide hours of entertainment (running, pecking, exploring) and many become beloved household pets.
7) Home raised chickens are happy chickens. They don’t live in tiny cages or have their beaks cut off. They aren’t stuffed with medication or forced to molt. They can live a carefree lifestyle envious of anyone.
8) Chicken owners are like a special community. You’ll connect with people who have a fascinating view on life, just like you.
Even with these terrific reasons for raising backyard chickens, many still hesitate. There are the questions of time, money, convenience, city regulations, and all that chicken poop. For you doubters, here are some answers:
1) Tending chickens, like any other pet, does take time. Some make it an extensive hobby but it doesn’t have to be. A lot of it depends on how the tending is arranged. Getting the right coop makes a huge difference. Make sure the family is on board in their participation, and get connected with other chicken owners. There is a vast online community happy to help. Owning chickens 20 years ago and owning them now are worlds apart (kind of like raising kids).
2) Chickens are a long-term investment and require upfront capital to get started, but keep in mind the returns are more than saving a few bucks at the grocery store (reference the list above). A hen can lay eggs for many years. A good coop can also last many years. In any case, certified organic eggs are the most expensive eggs to purchase so breaking even in the long run is not impossible.
3) Modern society is all about convenience. We want it all with little effort on our part. Well chicken coop manufacturers have caught on and the options appear endless (like that helps). I recommend a chicken-tractor for backyard poultry owners because of its size and benefits. These can be tricky to build so getting a reliable, prefab one will save a lot of heartache. Believe me, there is a whole science to building a quality coop. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand. You get what you pay for. Here are some quick shopping tips for making a selection:
- Make sure the coop is durable against weather and predators. In suburban areas dogs are the biggest problem. Many coops come with a sunroom or run which are good for chickens but can be an area of weakness for predators if not built well.
- Use accessories like nipple waterers and feeders with a storage bin. This keeps you from having to feed the chickens twice a day (unless you want to).
- The coop should have nests and a way to collect the eggs externally. You don’t want to climb into a coop and search for eggs. The coop also needs a roost to so the hens can sleep comfortably.
- A chicken-tractor coop helps keep chicken poop under control. Regular coops require the poop to be removed (that’s a thankless job). A mobile coop moved every day or so spreads the manure as fertilizer. The coop should still be periodically cleaned (sprayed down) a couple times a year. Access doors make this easier. Read here for a comparison between a traditional coop and a mobile coop.
- If looks are important, there are many cute coops on the market. Just don’t fall victim to only aesthetic charm. Function will matter more to you than form in terms of convenience.
4) Most cities have a regulation regarding poultry or livestock in your backyard. Many cities allow for chickens in small numbers and without roosters. If you aren’t sure and don’t want to risk a fine, check it out in advance. If they aren’t legal you can bet there are citizens already petitioning for a change. Help them out. Chickens are becoming very urban.
Besides eating healthy, backyard chickens are a great family project or personal hobby. If you have computer savvy kids, get them to research chicken breeds, coops, and social networks for support. Set aside a family day to build or assemble the coop. Pick chicken names. Argue over who gets to collect the fresh eggs. Wow friends and extended family with a tasty, fortifying quiche (spinach from the garden, right?).
Written by:
Marguerite Inscoe
Homemaker, part-time employee of Egganic Industries and my dad, the inventor of the Henspa and many other backyard chicken coops.
Organic living is not just about consumption choices, it’s about quality of life. With homegrown organic eggs there is never a dull moment. You can learn more about chicken coops and care at www.tufclimatecoop.com. Also find your closest source of organic chicken feed at www.organicfeeds.biz.
Go Green: 6 Ways to Be a Greener Student
Going green doesn’t just have to be for the adult set, you can get involved as a student. If you learn early on some good habits towards green living, you will be more certain to live a life catered to giving back to the environment.
- Bike to Your Destination: While it’s easy to jump in a car, particularly to hit up your class on the other end of campus, biking can be an excellent way to go green. It’s quite common to see students bike and this is a great way to conserve energy. As you jump on your bike, you can burn some calories and feel good to your contribution to green and eco-friendly living.
- Buy Organic: So your options may be limited in the cafeteria, but whenever possible go for organic foods. Have mom and dad buy you some organic fruits and vegetables, as this is not only a healthier food choice but a more eco-friendly one as well. This ensures that pesticides weren’t used and allows you to do your part for being a greener student.
- Conserve Energy Wherever Possible: Let’s face it, most students tend to leave a light on here and there or let the water run more than they should. Do your part to conserve energy whenever possible. If you’re leaving a room, turn the light off. If you’re brushing your teeth, turn the water off. This is so easy and is really the essence of green living, all easy enough to do as a student.
- Recycle As Much As Possible: It’s easy to fall into a trap of throwing everything out because it’s a lot easier, but recycling is an excellent way to be a greener student. Recycle whatever you can—bottles, glass, newspaper are all easy ways to start and can go a long way in terms of green living.
- Get Involved: If your school doesn’t have a recycling program, then start one. If there is an energy conservation program, get involved in it. Sometimes being a greener student is just a matter of getting involved and being an activist for the right measures. It need not be anything elaborate, but any effort can go a long way.
- Reuse Old Products: You’d be amazed at what new uses you can come up with for an empty milk carton or cereal box. Before you throw out or even recycle, think of unique ways that you can reuse some of your favorite household containers. You just might surprise yourself!
- Use Energy Efficient Appliances and Products: There are a ton of energy efficient products out there from microwaves to cars. As you are working to get your dorm room set up, opt for any energy efficient choices you can find. This is an excellent way to become a greener student.
Living green isn’t as hard as it used to be. Do your part as a student and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how good it makes you feel. Living green can be easy and quite effective if you plan your efforts carefully.
Mary Ward is a freelance writer who writes about how to get a BSN online.
Energy Monitoring: TED 5000 and Google Power meter
I first wrote about the TED 5000 when I installed mine in July 2009. While there are many energy monitoring tools on the market, I am convinced the TED (The Energy Detective) made by Energy, Inc. is one of the best devices for residential consumers. Their new model, the TED 5000 was just picked by Google to be the first device partnership for the Google Power Meter software, so this is a huge vote in confidence in their product and I think validates my opinion.
So why do you need an energy monitor?
Well, you don’t, as long as you are happy just getting the bill from your utility each month. But if you actually want to take a proactive stance regarding reducing your energy consumption then you should consider getting an energy monitor. Studies have shown that an average reduction of 10% is realized just by monitoring energy.
There are two types of energy monitors: appliance level or whole home monitors. Appliance monitors, like the Kill-A-Watt, just measure individual outlets. You plug the appliance monitor into an outlet, then plug your appliance into the monitor. The advantage of these is that they are low-cost ($20-$30). The disadvantage is that they can only measure one appliance at a time (or multiple appliances if you use a Kill-A-Watt strip), but they can’t measure the big loads in your home (like your dryer or AC units) or your whole home’s energy consumption (like the meter that the utility installs on your house).
A whole home energy monitor does just that. It is like the meter your utility installed on your house, but unless your utility has already installed a smart meter, you still have to get your home’s energy usage the old fashioned way: by going outside and reading it yourself or waiting for your utility to bill you. A whole home energy monitor, like the TED 5000, can tell you your home’s instantaneous energy consumption either with computer software or a display unit, or both. The TED 5000 can come with a display unit, but since it will now come with the Google Power Meter software I’m sure more people will rely on that.
What is the advantage of having instantaneous data and computer software?
A whole home energy monitor that stores instantaneous data and comes with computer software (the TED 5000 does) enables you to keep a record of your home’s consumption habits and plot it on a graph. This enables you to see how your home uses energy in a very detailed manner. If you are just relying on your utility, you can probably only see month-to-month history, but this doesn’t help you see how much energy your home used while you were away over the weekend (should be very little, but was it?) or notice the fact that energy use keeps spiking in the middle of the night and you aren’t awake to check a display (was a faulty pool pump at 3 A.M. the guilty party?).
Only by drilling down into your energy consumption can you really begin to understand how your home uses electricity. Once you understand this, you can really begin to take the steps necessary to reduce it. While whole home energy monitors may be more expensive (around $200) than appliance monitors, the amount of data they provide on your home’s consumption habits make them a much better investment over the life of your home.
Chris Kaiser is founder of Mapawatt Blog which focuses on reducing energy and water consumption and sustainable ideas.
Saving More by Shopping?
For some people, no lack of money nor genuine concern for the environment can stop a love for clothes and shopping. Those some people include me. But I try to follow these tips to both save money and stay as green as possible.
First, Look for quality clothing from eco conscious companies.
If your clothes last, you will generate less waste and save more money over time. Simple.
Companies like Patagonia and L.L. Bean also offer unconditional lifetime guarantees on their products. So they guarantee that even though you spend a little more, your clothes will literally last forever or be replaced. I have personally seen this from both companies. I have returned completely disintegrated shorts to Patagonia and received replacements and have returned a completely worn out L.L. Bean backpack and received a replacement. With both companies, they will fix the products if they can and otherwise will replace them either for free or for a small fee.
Additionally, Patagonia has begun a program to recycle all their fibers, so when your clothes are completely worn out, and you return them for new ones, rather than just throw the old clothes into the landfill, they will recycle the fibers and reuse them.
Just to clarify, neither company requires any sort of ownership proof (receipts or anything) so if you haven’t worn out the clothes and simply don’t want them or they don’t fit, make sure to pass them on to friends or even a thrift store. Any person can take advantage of the guarantee. Which leads me to…
Second, Buy used clothes.
Most people know this as a way to save money, but even for people who are scared or think it is dirty, follow a few simple tricks and you will be hooked.
- Look for names you know and trust. So look for Patagonia labels, or L.L. Bean. Products that were made well will last longer and will hold up to a heavy duty hot water wash.
- Think basics and try a lot on. I often go into thrift stores looking for something really specific, like black pants. I grabbed handfuls in my size, looking for labels I know. Usually of 15 or so pairs, only one will fit correctly. Other good thrift store finds are men’s button down shirts (often barely used), tee shirts and turtle necks, and wool blazers. Don’t expect to find perfect jeans or other clothes that are hard to fit, even when new.
- Natural fibers. Stick to cottons and wools. They will hold up better over time and are usually easier to get a proper cleaning out of.
- Boil trends down to basics. When shopping for trends, you obviously won’t find the latest designer duds, so look at trends in their simplest elements. This fall, mustard yellow is everywhere, so look down the aisles for that color. A basic mustard yellow tee or turtleneck mixed into your wardrobe will update what you already have.
- Don’t stick to the women’s (or Mens!) section. I often wear men’s pants and kids shirts and blazers.
- Make sure to bring your used clothing back! Letting someone else have a chance to wear your clothes is just as eco conscious as wearing used clothes yourself. The longer the lifecycle, the less waste!
About the Author
Ali Church is a designer living and studying in Philadelphia. She is one half of the duo behind see.saw, a design and aesthetics blog. Ali is an avid gardener, runner, and shopper and hopes to one day develop a triathlon incorporating all three.
Finding Alternative Ways to Produce Bio-Diesel
When most people think of the junk that ends up in a landfill, it is not uncommon to think of things like old televisions or worn out sofas. However, many do not realize that Fruit and Vegetable Waste actually accounts for a large percentage of what is in our landfills.
Fruit and Vegetable waste is commonly disposed of in landfills, because this is the easiest way of dealing with it. Finding a way to recycle and reuse this type of waste is imperative to cleaning up the environment and can actually have a number of important uses. One of the most exciting uses for fruit and vegetable waste is in the creation of bio-diesel.
Advantages of Bio-Diesel
Bio-Diesel offers several very important advantages over traditional petroleum-based diesel.
One of the most exciting aspects of using bio-diesel as an alternative energy source is that it is made from renewable resources that can be grown anywhere. This means that countries will be able to grow their own diesel and will no longer be forced to rely on oil producing countries.
In addition to helping to reduce dependence on foreign oil, bio-diesel has also been shown to offer lower emissions of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons than petroleum based products. It is also non-toxic and biodegradable, unlike petroleum based diesels.
Problems with Manufacturing Bio-Diesel
While Bio-Diesel has a great number of advantages, it has come under criticism by some because manufacturing bio-diesel could potentially divert food products, like corn, from the Worlds food supply.
Even though the validity of this argument is highly debated, it does present an interesting problem: If farmers were able to make much more money growing plants used to create bio-diesel the amount of food produced could be dramatically affected.
Overcoming the Controversies of Bio-Diesel Production
In large part, the problem of food supply versus bio-diesel manufacturing could be overcome by reusing fruit and vegetable oil. these byproducts would otherwise end up in a landfill, but can be used to produce low cost bio-diesel.
One of the most low cost means of creating bio-diesel is by using used cooking oil and in fact there are several companies in the United States that do just this. Currently, however, the collection of these types of materials is rather inadequate and mostly limited to the restaurant industry.
In order to help reduce the cost of bio-diesel and increase its production, everyone must get involved. This means collecting lard, tallow, used vegetable oils, and other potential sources of bio-diesel not only from restaurants, but also from individuals.
Aside from used cooking oils and other cooking materials, there are a number of other potential sources that could be used to make bio-diesel.
For example, when edible oils are created, such as olive oil or cooking oil, soapstock is created as a byproduct. The soapstock is often simply discarded by manufacturers, but because it contains large amounts of fatty acids, it can be used as a low cost source of bio-diesel.
Soapstock is created by industries using soybeans, hazelnuts, olives, coconuts, sunflowers, and many other types of fruits and vegetables. There are many industries all over the world that end up with soapstock as a byproduct of production.
Creating a Greener Tomorrow
Using Bio-Diesel could not only help reduce green house gases, lower fuel costs, and reduce dependency on foreign oil, but it could also help us make better use of our landfills.
Every year, millions of tons of fruit and vegetable waste ends up in our landfills, which could have otherwise been used to create bio-diesel. This not only helps create low cost bio-diesel, but also allows us to avoid taking food off of peoples plates in an effort to manufacture bio-diesel.
About the Author
Tiger is an established writer that runs and maintains several sites that deal with medical issues. At liftchairguide.net, Tiger writes about topics that relate to senior health, including arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Medicare, and lift chairs. Lift Chairs are a type of standing aid that look like recliners, but help the senior to stand without assistance.
If you have any questions about this post, please do not hesitate to ask.
How to save money by spending more of it
Don’t worry, I’m not promoting some lame credit card scheme. Nor am I trying to convince you to buy stock.
I readily admit that I am trying to convince you to do something, though. And I’m not very subtle about it, either. Ready? Here it is:
DON’T BUY JUNK.
Buy good quality stuff instead – stuff that will last for a long time and spare you unnecessary hassle and searching for replacements.
But quality is expensive!
Yes. And no.
Most of the time, high quality will cost you more than low quality, at the time of purchase. However, as long as quality – rather than brand - is the reason for the increased price, you’ll end up saving money anyway.
If you buy cheap stuff of questionable quality, it’ll break or wear out. Probably in a relatively short period of time. Which is annoying.
Even more annoying is the fact that you’ll have to spend more money to get a replacement. And, to add insult to injury, you’ll even add to world pollution and energy use in the process.
Good quality stuff will outlast low quality stuff many times over, and cost you less in the long run. As an added bonus, you avoid annoyances and reduce your impact on the environment.
Not convinced?
Ok, here’s an example that illustrates my point:
I’ve had a home office for some time now; about 14 years. Within that period, I’ve had two office chairs.
The first one was a cheap affair from IKEA. It offered acceptable seating comfort, but not much in the way of ergonomic adjustments. No armrests or headrest, either.
About one year down the road, the back was coming loose, holes were appearing in the seat cushion cover and the chair had developed a rotten sense of humor: I would sit writing or playing a computer game, and every time I was concentrating really hard, the chair would go pssscht! and I would find myself sitting about four inches lower, concentration broken and mood foul.
My second chair was - is – a HÅG chair. It has fantastic seating comfort, armrests and a headrest. It can be adjusted to match any seating preferences perfectly.
It has seen more than twelve years of daily use, is still great to sit in and shows no sign of giving up. It did cost me about five times more than the IKEA chair, but has still saved me money by lasting about twelve times as long – so far. And sitting in it has been a pleasant experience for the whole period.
A slight lie
I’ll finish off with a slight admission: I lied – just a little – in the previous paragraph.
The cover for the seat cushion finally succumbed to my butt’s relentless pressure after eleven years.
That only serves to illustrate my point further, though. With quality items, replacement parts are usually available. With cheap stuff, repairs are often either impossible or prohibitively expensive.
I had no trouble getting a replacement seat cushion cover for my HÅG chair, so I was easily able to follow my own advice of repairing stuff to save both kinds of green.
About the author
Thomas Winther is the editor of and main contributor to Renewables At Home. There he provides tips about what individuals, households and neighbourhoods can do to reduce their impact on the environment without breaking the bank. When not blogging, he works as a programmer. He’s also an avid reader of hard science fiction, an enthusiastic, medium-skilled downhill biker and is interested in nearly everything.
