I tend to like moving in leaps and bounds (or as my sister’s old colleague, whose first language was not English, more appropriately termed it, “leaps and bounces”); Nils sometimes has to (figuratively) grab me by the scruff of the neck and remind me that small, consistent steps are a good thing, and often more effective.
This week was a small steps week.
But, we did make some progress and have a few suggestions on what we can all painlessly do to be more eco-friendly (operative word being “painlessly”).
LIGHTING
As earlier reported, we discovered LED light bulbs. They’ve grown up a lot since they were mere wee red “dot like” indicator lights on tvs and radios. In fact, as far as our own research shows, LED light bulbs are as eco-friendly and energy efficient as we can get for household lighting solutions. And this is exciting news! Added note: for important update on LED light bulbs, click here.
Though we’d changed over many incandescent light bulbs to more energy-efficient Compact Florescent Lamp (CFLs), my failing eyesight hasn’t allowed for a complete conversion. CFLs take several moments before they reach their maximum intensity and, frankly, the quality of light they product just isn’t bright enough for me to use for reading. In contrast, LED light bulbs, like incandescent, light up immediately and, as far as I can tell, new technologies have brought good quality LED light.
But, be forewarned: Though prices for good quality LEDs have come down, they don’t come cheaply and still cost several times that of CFLs. However, the lifespan of an LED is approximately 4 to 5 times that of a CFL. So, without going through all the calculations that Nils (did I mention he’s an engineer geek?) provided me, believe me when I say that if you combine the long life with the energy/utility bill savings, the LED seems to come out on top.
We opted to order the LEDs online versus heading to a DIY market as the price differential was significant. So, we won’t actually be able to report in results til some time next week.
INSULATION
Our entry hallway (which is quite long) has always been freezing! Now that’s a boon when it’s the peak of sweltering summer. But, during winters, I brace myself when I open a door to the hallway and must skitter across to the bathroom. But No More!
Before insulation: Note the draft against the flame.
At the weekend, Nils installed foam weather stripping around the huge hall window and the front door. We did a “flame test” with a candle to test the draft and the before and after result was remarkable. What is most thrilling is that I no longer have to dash across the hallway to go to the loo! (well, if I do, it’s not because of the cold)
After insulation: the flame is "un-moved"
At the suggestion of a follower, we also tried the bubble wrap insulation on a window that faces an ugly interior courtyard. In this particular case, we get double return: good heat insulation and improved view — a sort of watery, abstract look upon the world.
STAND-BY POWER LOSS
The results from monitoring Stand-By or Vampire Power (power consumed by electronic appliances when switched off or in standby modes) of our computer / entertainment center were, unfortunately, as we had feared. There is a lot of power “leakage.” With DVD, Wii, TV and TV receiver all on standby, PC and receiver off, we’re drawing almost 20 Watts. Yikes!
As of this past weekend, these are all on a power outlet that completely cuts off power to the devices — Vampire power = zero!
To Read or Not to Read
What remained was the modem and WLAN which, when left on, draws approximately 50 Watts. That’s a lot of juice to be consuming 24/7. Keeping these on all night just so I could have my morning reading-the-news-on-my-iPhone-in-bed routine became a bit difficult to justify (for background, see previous posting: Eco-Friendliness: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly). I steeled myself to give up that luxury.
Note pure joy! Guiltless reading of news on iPhone in bed.
BUT, enter engineer geek husband (currently referred to as “My Hero”). He attached these two essential pieces to another power outlet that shuts power off completely at night, AND that connects to a remote that I take to bed with me. So, now, in the morning, from bed I groggily hit a button on the remote, it starts up the WiFi modem and router in the living room, and I’m good to go with my iPhone news. No getting out of bed. I love my iPhone and I love my husband. Only thing missing? Coffee delivery (that’s with milk and sugar please).
The days and weeks to come will bring other eco-friendly, energy-saving efforts in our household (we’re still researching on the wisdom of our recycling when we have a Waste-to-Energy plant in our city). So, please continue to send in your tips and suggestions on how we can make the world more eco-friendly through the Monthly Impact Challenge.
Veerrry interesting. I talked to Reid about the LED bulbs and he had considered and rejected their use (for now) as being expensive but mainly because the maximum wattage they are available in is 60-equivalent. He wants 80 – 100. I’ll have to check to see if that has changed since he last looked into it because, like you, eyesight is a factor.
My big contribution to energy saving this week has been purely accidental. 18 hours without power meant that I used none of the electricity I normally use: for lighting, computer, cell phone charging, tv, cooking (well, not really, since I don’t), heat. So if we just have power outages a couple of times a year my average energy use will go way down. Perhaps I can hypnotise myself into thinking there’s snow on the ground in July… I wonder about the possibility of just giving up power a couple of times a year and whether that total withdrawal would counteract the vampire sufficiently to make a difference (Cue: Oh, Nils…)
Seriously, though, I have the same issue of round-the-clock charging/items on sleep mode/router always on that you do. I’ll see if we can rig up a router timer similar to the one Nils did. We already use the compact fluorescent bulbs in almost every light fixture and set the thermostat appropriately low or high depending on the season.
And to reduce my carbon footprint I’ve decided to stop wearing those designer coal shoes.
From what I saw demonstrated in the store, the LED light bulbs are a lot brighter than I expected them to be. We’ll know more once we actually have them in the apartment and in our lighting fixtures. Watch this space!
LOL. Designer coal shoes. Would that be “Haan” or “Kenneth”?
Let’s see. Small steps we have taken:
1- Compact fluorescent bulbs in almost all lamps.
2- Energy-saving frig and dishwasher, and possibly washer/dryer but they are pretty old, so don’t know for sure.
3. LED lights strung on our Xmas tree last and this season. Recyled the old lights. Those LED lights are definitely more expensive, but they are really bright and cheerful.
4. Husband changes the heater filter often. This keeps the heater from straining and using up more energy, plus keeps the air particulates down.
5. Husband or son changes the oil in our cars frequently. Same principle: less strain on the engine.
Some time ago, Consumer Report did a study on Christmas lights versus “old style” and LEDs really came out shining. Not only do you get the energy saving, but LEDs proved considerably more durable and long-lasting. And, the bonus was that LEDs run cooler, so less chance of Christmas tree fires!
And you remind me that we need to vacuum the backs of our heating system.
Thanks for these!
I try to simply turn on as few lights as possible, and while I am using cf bulbs right now, and they AREn’t as bright, if I really need to see something, I simply remove the lampshade, and it’s amazing what a difference that makes. But another thing, it’s an old trick—mirrors. Reflected light doubles the amount you have, so whether it’s to catch and redirect daylight into darker areas or to increase the degree of artificial light without need for more lights/lamps, it pays off.
I’d also like to say that living cat ear muffs at night lets me lower the thermostat by several degrees and still stay warm!
While it’s difficult to think in these terms with 3+ feet of snow blanketing everything, I AM still saving up everything that can possibly be composted. Composting and recycling drastically reduce the amount of genuine garbage that must go into landfills, and we conserve resources at the same time. Plus, that beautiful compost does wondrous things for flowers, vegetables, trees, and lawns, all without the need for hazardous chemical applications. It’s both a natural fertilizer and natural pesticide.