jordan4391
Answer
1 - drive less (if you can walk, bike or take a bus/public transport there, do it)
2 - Check where your electricity comes from? If the plant that produces it is based off natural gas, burning coal, or anything other than nuclear or hydro-electric power (water running through a dam), then use less electricity by turning off the lights, setting the A/C to a higher temp, etc.
3 - Recycle! A lot of products are produced using fossil fuels (plastics, glass, etc)... Recycle your waste from what you consume!
1 - drive less (if you can walk, bike or take a bus/public transport there, do it)
2 - Check where your electricity comes from? If the plant that produces it is based off natural gas, burning coal, or anything other than nuclear or hydro-electric power (water running through a dam), then use less electricity by turning off the lights, setting the A/C to a higher temp, etc.
3 - Recycle! A lot of products are produced using fossil fuels (plastics, glass, etc)... Recycle your waste from what you consume!
What is the first steps in living "Green"?
bokeatong
I see the polution in the air, how do i get a good start living "green"?
Answer
I would recommend starting in small steps. There are certain areas that have large impacts on green living. For example, it makes absolutely NO sense to place solar panels on a poorly insulated house! So here's my list with the most critical items at the top:
1. Increase efficiency of the building envelope - windows, doors, walls, roof, foundations - through increased insulation and air sealing. $100 worth of caulk can pay for itself in less than a year in some climates. Seal around all windows and doors, along sill plate, at rim joists, and at all attic and basement penetrations. Contact a local Energy Star Home Energy Rater (HERS) in your area to have an analysis of your home completed.
2. Increase the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment. Make sure all HVAC, water heaters, and appliances are Energy Star certfied. Remember that once you increase your envelope efficiency, you can downsize your heating and AC equipment if you are buying new equipment. Insulate hot water heaters and water lines, put timer devices on hot water heaters so that you are only heating water when you need it hot. Tankless water heaters use HUGE amounts of electricity, so if you are on a solar system, they may not be a good idea. Some tankless companies make water heaters that are solar hot water heater-compatible. If you like the idea of tankless, consider a tankless/solar hybrid system.
3. Increase water efficiency. Fix leaks, get low flow toilets and faucets, stop using municipal water for landscaping and lawns (use a rainbarrel to collect water for outdoor uses instead)
4. Stop commuting. Discuss the idea of telecommuting - even if only for a few days each week - to reduce the amount of auto use. I telecommute 100% and my spouse works 5 days a week, for 9 months a year at a location 5 miles from our home. If you can reduce your commute to under 20 miles each way, you may consider purchasing or converting your car to an electric vehicle that you can charge overnight or at work. If you have solar panels on your roof, you can drive for free using the sun's energy. (or for pennies if you have a grid-tied solar system) Walk or ride a bike or high efficiency vehicle to work.
5. Stop mowing lawns. Increase the amount of landscaped area around your home and keep manicured lawn areas minimal. Use low mow grass mixes or xeriscaping depending on your climate. Use native plants to eliminate the need for watering, fertilizing, and mowing. As one book's title calls it, grow food, not lawns. Plant a garden.
6. Install a solar hot water heating system. They pay for themselves very quickly.
7. Make the choice not only to live green, but live healthy. Improve your indoor environment by increasing natural light, fresh air, and indoor plants. Indoor plants purify the air and combat toxins. Increased natural light decreases the amount of artificial light and electricity used. If energy efficient windows are used, bringing in natural light also reduces indoor heat loads by eliminating the need for interior artificial lights to be on durnig the day.
I could go on all day, but I'll stop at 7. Enjoy living green!
I would recommend starting in small steps. There are certain areas that have large impacts on green living. For example, it makes absolutely NO sense to place solar panels on a poorly insulated house! So here's my list with the most critical items at the top:
1. Increase efficiency of the building envelope - windows, doors, walls, roof, foundations - through increased insulation and air sealing. $100 worth of caulk can pay for itself in less than a year in some climates. Seal around all windows and doors, along sill plate, at rim joists, and at all attic and basement penetrations. Contact a local Energy Star Home Energy Rater (HERS) in your area to have an analysis of your home completed.
2. Increase the energy efficiency of appliances and equipment. Make sure all HVAC, water heaters, and appliances are Energy Star certfied. Remember that once you increase your envelope efficiency, you can downsize your heating and AC equipment if you are buying new equipment. Insulate hot water heaters and water lines, put timer devices on hot water heaters so that you are only heating water when you need it hot. Tankless water heaters use HUGE amounts of electricity, so if you are on a solar system, they may not be a good idea. Some tankless companies make water heaters that are solar hot water heater-compatible. If you like the idea of tankless, consider a tankless/solar hybrid system.
3. Increase water efficiency. Fix leaks, get low flow toilets and faucets, stop using municipal water for landscaping and lawns (use a rainbarrel to collect water for outdoor uses instead)
4. Stop commuting. Discuss the idea of telecommuting - even if only for a few days each week - to reduce the amount of auto use. I telecommute 100% and my spouse works 5 days a week, for 9 months a year at a location 5 miles from our home. If you can reduce your commute to under 20 miles each way, you may consider purchasing or converting your car to an electric vehicle that you can charge overnight or at work. If you have solar panels on your roof, you can drive for free using the sun's energy. (or for pennies if you have a grid-tied solar system) Walk or ride a bike or high efficiency vehicle to work.
5. Stop mowing lawns. Increase the amount of landscaped area around your home and keep manicured lawn areas minimal. Use low mow grass mixes or xeriscaping depending on your climate. Use native plants to eliminate the need for watering, fertilizing, and mowing. As one book's title calls it, grow food, not lawns. Plant a garden.
6. Install a solar hot water heating system. They pay for themselves very quickly.
7. Make the choice not only to live green, but live healthy. Improve your indoor environment by increasing natural light, fresh air, and indoor plants. Indoor plants purify the air and combat toxins. Increased natural light decreases the amount of artificial light and electricity used. If energy efficient windows are used, bringing in natural light also reduces indoor heat loads by eliminating the need for interior artificial lights to be on durnig the day.
I could go on all day, but I'll stop at 7. Enjoy living green!
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