Your Questions About Save Energy Tips

admin answers:

The best we can do as individuals is be more responsible ,in our own neck of the woods
Organise well publicized clean up parties ,talk on the radio
Have citizan meetings
Get the shools involved to plant trees and listen to environmental awareness talks,

If you do any cleaning up leave signs behind saying who cleaned,why and ask people not to start dumping rubbish again ,leave a hole or bins ,in case people come with trash ,

POSITIVE ACTIONS)
Classify trash take out all the organic waste and make compost with it ,the worst you can do is throw it with the trash
70% of contamination is due to organic waste that is mixed in with the garbage .
And it is just as bad in the sewer where it helps to breed rats and in the landfill it poisons the ground

And it is the easiest to take care of
o first of all we have to clasify trash at least keep the organic to one side ,like in a plasic bin with a lid
If you got a few meters of ground ,you only need 1 or 2 square meters in a shallow hole ,in the shade ,that you can wet now and again ,where you dump everything that is organic ,from toilet paper,bones vegetable cuttings ,eggshells,,,excrement ,and cover regularly with leaves to keep humid and to hide any smell
the worms will come and decompose the wastes truning it into beautifull black soil for the garden of flower pots .
If you are in a apartment ,if you have a balcony get a big plastic bin drill some holes in the side and lid ,
Add a few buckets of sand now and again to put over the trash ,you should realt stir or move the stuff at times to airate it and ensure that the decomposition is overall ,keep moist
This rubbish does not get big very fast and the thing works for a long time with out getting full
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These are Al gores sites

http://events.stepitup2007.org/…………

Http://www.stepitup2007.org/

http://events.stepitup2007.org/…………

If you want to help the planet ,plant a tree every week ,if everyone on the planet did we we would be able to slowdown the destructive processes
Reduce carbon emisions,and they are already working on that by alternative forms of energy and regulations on carbon producing materials,aerosol cans,burning rubbish,industrial chimneys,powerplants etc.
Waterharvesting projects ,such as millions of small dams.to redirect over ground waterflows from the rains into the ground to supply subteranian water supplies.
The protection of existing forrests.
Stop building more highways,urban planning to include vegetation stop building cities encourage people to return to the land to conduct their business from there which now has become possible thanks to the internet.
Education to motivate people to auto sufficiency by building more home food gardens.
Education on environmental awareness
education on family planning to curb over´population
Agricultural education and improvements to follow the principals or sustainability and soil management.
More environmental or land ,design to prevent bush fires,such as–fire breaks
More dams.regulations and control for public behaviour
Alternative effeciant public transport to discourage the use of the internal conbustion engine

101 Ways To Live More Ecologically,may be you find something that applies to you

1. Avoid disposable in favor of reusable
items.
2. Avoid drying rags in a clothes dryer.
3. Avoid power appliances when handpower works.
4. Avoid highly processed foods.
5. Avoid using styrofoam—it can’t be recycled.
6. Avoid watering driveways and sidewalks.
7. Be responsible and creative with leftover foods.
8. Buy in bulk goods to reduce wasted packaging.
9. Buy energy efficient electric appliances.
10. Buy foods without additives.
11. Buy foods without preservatives.
12. Buy food and goods from sources you trust
13. Buy large quantities to reduce shopping trips.
14. Buy living Christmas trees.
15. Buy locally grown food and produce.
16. Buy organic, pesticide-free foods.
17. Compost your food scraps.
18. Discover and protect watersheds in your area,
19. Don’t burn trash or other smoky materials.
20. Drain cooking grease onto paper bags, not paper towels.
21. Drive a fuel-efficient car.
22. Drive less: walk, bicycle, carpooland use public transportation.

23. Eat foods low on the food chain; avoid meat.
24. Eat more natural, nutritious foods.
25. Educate elected representatives on ecology.
26. Exercise regularly.
27. Explore and learn about your bioregion.
28. Grow your own food, even a small amount.
29. Hang dry some or all of your clothes.
30. Heat your home less and wear warmer clothes.
31. Heat your home more with renewable energies.
32. Hold a potluck dinner to discuss local ecology.
33. If you use a dishwasher, turn off the drying cycle.
34. Install a water-conserving device in your toilets.
35. Install a water-conserving showerhead.
36. Insulate your home to maximum efficiency.
37. Invest for social responsibility as well as profit.
38. Invest in solar power, where practical.
39. Invest in well-made, long-lived clothing.
40. Keep hazardous chemicals in safe containers.
41. Keep appliance motors well adjusted for efficiency.
42. Mend and repair rather than discard and replace.
43. Oppose meddling in ecological balance.
44. Oppose private development of special areas.
45. Oppose roadside use of defoliants.
46. Organize or join a neighborhood toy exchange.

47. Pick up litter along streets and highways.
48. Plant native trees and shrubs around your home.
49. Plant trees throughout your community.
50. Plant your living Christmas tree.
51. Practice preventive health care.
52. Practice responsible family planning.
53. Prepare only as much food as will be eaten.
54. Protect your favorite distinctive natural areas.
55. Purchase goods in reusable/recyclable containers.
56. Put a catalytic converter on your wood stove.
57. Put toxic substances out of reach of children.
58. Recycle aluminum.
59. Recycle glass.
60. Recycle newspaper.
61. Recycle old clothes.
62. Recycle plastic.
63. Recycle used motor oil.
64. Recycle your unneeded items.
65. Re-use paper bags.
66. Re-use plastic bags for storage and waste.
67. Save up for full loads in clothes washers.
68. Save up for full loads in dishwasher.
69. Shop by phone, then go pick up your purchases.
70. Speak out about your values in community groups.
71. Support efficient energy sources in your bioregion.
72. Support elected representatives on ecological issues.
73. Support energy conservation in your bioregion.

74. Support global ecological improvement efforts.
75. Support local credit unions.
76. Support local merchants before large chains.
77. Support neighborhood food cooperatives.
78. Support proper waste water and sewage treatment.
79. Support the cultural diversity in your bioregion.
80. Support the plants and animals in your community.
81. Take shorter showers.
82. Teach your children ecological wisdom.
83. Turn down the thermostat on your water heater.
84. Turn off the lights when not needed.
85. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.
86. Use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
87. Use cloth diapers.
88. Use cloth table napkins.
89. Use less tapwater whenever possible.
90. Use non-toxic pest control.
91. Use only medications you trust/understand.
92. Use rags or towels instead of paper.
93. Use rechargeable batteries.
94. Use the second side of paper for scratch paper.
95. Use water from cooking vegetables to make soup.
96. Volunteer for work in a community garden.
97. Volunteer to maintain local parks and wilderness.
98. Wash clothes in cold water.
99. Wash dishes in still, not running water.
100. Weather-seal your home.
101. Work to unlearn poor ecological habits

admin answers:

1. As you replace your light bulbs, switch them over to the compact florescent light bulbs–they do cost a little more to buy than the regular bulbs, but they last a whole lot longer and you’ll save money in the long run.

2. Change your air filters in the house once a month (unless you are using a 3 month filter-then change it every three months) Clean filters will make your heating/ac not work so hard.

3. Keep the thermostat at 68 or 69 degrees in the winter (throw on a sweater inside the house) and at 78 degrees in the summer. Also switch to an electronic thermostat that you can program for different temps at different times of the day. For example: in the winter, cooler than normal when no one is home, and then warm it up when people are in the house.

4. If you have outside lights, set them on a timer so they come on and go off a specific times, rather than stay on all the time. Or switch to solar powered outside lights. Also use timers inside, so if you need a light to be on when you come home at night, it doesn’t have to be on all day.

5. Use dimmer switches when appropriate. If you have ceiling fans, make sure they are set to the winter setting (turning backwards to help force the warm air down)

6. Make sure your attic space is insulated. Make sure your furnace and hot water heater are up to date–if they are over 25 years old, you will need a new one. In the meantime use a jacket on your hot water heater and make sure there are no drafts around your windows. Use storm windows or cover them in plastic.

7. In winter, on areas of the house where sun comes in the windows–open the drapes to let the sun and heat in. In summer use shades to help block the strong sunlight.

8. Turn off lights and appliances that don’t need to be on when no one is in the room or at home.

admin answers:

Keep your thermostat at 68 during the winter and 76 during the summer.

Better yet, install a programmable thermostat that adjusts the temperature while you’re gone and/or while you’re sleeping at night (cooler during the winter, warmer during the summer).

Make sure your windows are all properly sealed. Your window coverings can also make a difference: Letting in more light during the daytime in the winter allows the sun to naturally warm the interior, causing the heater to go on less often. Conversely, at night one or two good layers of curtains(like sheers layered with thick opaque drapes) or a sturdy set of blinds will help create an insulating layer between your windows and the interior, preserving your home’s heat longer. In the summer, shades and thick curtains keep sunlight out, keeping the house cooler longer.

Consider landscaping. A strategically placed plant or tree (or two or three) will offer shade during the heat of summer and a windbreak during the chilly winter when the winds blow.

Replace all of your incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs… You will use MUCH less energy and, during the summer, generate a lot less extra heat… You’ll be amazed at how much you’ll save… As a side note, I’ve also noticed that many newer homes in the town that I live in have been fitted with MULTIPLE light fixtures that hold MULTIPLE light bulbs… Which in some cases seems completely unnecessary. Granted there are usually one or two key locations where a fixture with multiple sockets is ideal (like a dining table)… But for EVERY fixture of the home??!?!?! Consider eventually replacing multi-socket light fixtures with single socket fixtures down the road (that can accomodate fluorescent bulbs).

Something as simple as washing with cold water, rather than warm/hot, can save tremendous amounts of energy over the long run… And detergents are starting to be formulated to offer effective cleaning, even for whites, in cold water.

I’ve also heard that many hardware places offer special insulating covers for water heaters now, in an endeavor to prevent radiant heat loss… Which means it kicks on less frequently to maintain its set temperature… And that brings me to my last idea: lower the temperature on your water heater (if it’s not already low). Don’t make it so that your water’s luke warm, but just lowering it a tiny amount can save a significant amount of energy.

Regarding unplugging appliances…. My understanding is that plugged-in appliances (except refrigerators) use miniscule amounts of energy… Such an inconsequential amount, that it hardly seems worth going through the trouble.

That having been said, if you DO have an extra refrigerator, even a mini fridge, consider getting rid of it (if you can live without it). My in-laws have a mini-fridge that they only plug in during family gatherings (for more cold storage space). Otherwise, they leave it unplugged. An extra refrigerator can add close to $30 a month extra in energy costs to your bill….

Hope even one of these ideas/pointers proves useful to you. Best of luck!

admin answers:

Replaced all light bulbs with low useage florescent bulbs,

put timers at all light switches to turn off lights you might forget to turn off,

put an energy monitor on our water heater so that it only heats water at high useage times (examples: on 20 minutes before wake up time for showers (no baths), off at the time we leave for the day, on in the evening for cooking and kitchen clean up and off all night and the water tank keeps (50 gals) water warm enough for in between times if we are here at home,

this is the largest energy savings in our home,

we have tried some green cleaning solutions

and wash clothes in cold water only.

Good luck

admin answers:

It is about awareness. Learn how much energy you are using and how you are using it. Many cities or utilities have free energy audits, often they will come to your home and show you ways you can reduce your energy usage.

Help your heater by keeping the warm air in, weather strip and caulk doors and windows, seal off vents and other large gaps. Use heavy drapes over windows. Adjust your thermostat a few degrees, there is nothing wrong with wearing a sweater inside. A programmable thermostat can save money and make the home more comfortable. Many people crank the heat up while they are getting ready in the morning only to leave the house after it gets warm.

Replace appliances with energy efficient models when you need new ones. Even older ones can be used more efficiently, only wash full loads, line dry when possible, don’t over dry clothes and make sure the vent is clean. You can wash fewer clothes by wearing things more than once, I wear my jeans a few times before they hit the hamper. Hanging up clothes that were worn for a brief time or only tried on will stop clean clothes from getting mixed in with the dirty.

If you are replacing lighting look for fixtures with fewer bulbs, and if you hate the look of CFL’s look for fixtures that will hide them. There are a wide range of CFL’s with various strengths and colors of light, try a few to see what works best in various rooms.

Standby energy can be up to 15% of your bill. Not all appliances use energy when they are turned off, but most electronics do as well as anything with a light or clock. Many chargers use energy even when nothing is attached. I use a power strip with a switch for my tv, dvd and game system and for my desktop, speakers and monitor. After I turn things off I flip the switch and stop using standby energy. I also unplug chargers and ipod docking stations when not in use.

admin answers:

How many computers are in the apartment? Are they left on all day? Computers are big energy hogs and hubby makes sure he turns it off before he goes to bed after doing his homework. Thermostat should be above 75 in the summer and around 68 once you have to turn the heat on. Has anyone messed with the thermostat on your water heater? That should be at 120 F. Can you and your roomies afford to change the lightbulbs out for CFL’s? Also, check the thermostat in your fridge and freezer and make sure they are in the optimum range for preserving food without keeping the fridge and freezer too cold. Refridgerators are, without a doubt, the biggest energy hogs in a residence, but since you’re probably renting, you’ll just have to put up with that. Is everyone running large loads through the washer and dryer? Running large loads decreases the number of times you have to run the washer and dryer…if you run smaller loads through unnecessarily, you waste energy and water. Make sure the lint trap on the dryer stays cleaned and wash the trap with soap and water if any of you uses dryer sheets (clogs the trap) to keep the dryer running more efficiently.

admin answers:

Grass cutting is always a horrible chore in Southern Louisiana, where I am from, it’s in the high 90′s and the humidity is in the 80 – 90 percentile! I have come accustomed to cutting the lawn before 10 AM on Saturday mornings, the earliest I can get out there without disturbing the entire neighborhood is about 8 AM. All my laundry is done in the evening hours, after the sun goes down and my house cools down. The air conditioning is not running as hard, therefore you don’t use as much electricity. Other household chores that don’t require electricity (i.e., dusting, bathrooms, mopping), are done whenever its too hot to be outside.

Hope you find your happy medium… No matter how I look at it, housework and yard work sucks! LOL

admin answers:

Install energy efficient window treatments every time you do a room makeover and you’ll be creating energy savings that go on for years and years.