Are you interested in reducing your water consumption around the house? It doesn’t have to be as hard as you might think to conserve water, and while you’re at it, save energy. Here are seven of the top ways to reduce your water consumption:
1. Achieve Efficient Dish Washing
See if your dish detergent maker recommends not pre-rinsing – many don’t require it these days, and it can save a lot of water to skip this step if possible. If you’re washing dishes by hand, you can also save water by turning the faucet off while washing dishes in a sink filled with soapy water, then gathering them together in a rack to rinse all at once.
2. Cut Your Showers in Half
Reducing the amount of time everyone spends in the shower can save thousands of gallons of water per year. Just four minutes in the shower can use between 20 and 40 gallons of water, depending on the showerhead! If cutting your shower down to four minutes sounds like too much to handle right now, just try turning off the shower while you lather up, work conditioner through your hair and perform other tasks. While you’re at it, turn off the water after you wet your toothbrush and rinse your razor in a sink full of water rather than leaving it running, too.
3. Get New Pipe Insulation
One of the simplest and easiest ways to reduce your water consumption is to insulate (or re-insulate) your water pipes with an affordable, pre-fit foam insulation product.
4. Maximize Clothes Washing
If you want to make the most of your dish and clothes washing, even if you can’t afford to install all of the latest energy and water efficient appliances, you can start today by waiting to run the washer until there is a completely full load. Avoid the permanent press cycle in the clothes washer, as well.
5. Reduce Use of Garbage Disposal
Every time you use a garbage disposal, you have to use water to dispose of your food waste properly, and if you have a septic tank, it can cause additional problems. By reducing use of the garbage disposal and possibly by starting a compost pile, you can greatly reduce your water and energy consumption in the kitchen.
6. Install High Efficiency Showerheads
When it comes to energy efficient products, showerheads are among the most affordable and easiest to install. This simple little piece of equipment can save many gallons of water with every shower, but to make the most of your low flow showerhead, also make sure everyone is taking the shortest shower possible. By reducing unnecessary use of hot water while showering, it’s possible to save 10, 20, 30 or even 40 gallons of water with every shower.
7. Invest in High Efficiency Aerators
Make sure to outfit every faucet in the home with low flow aerators. From kitchen aerators to bath aerators, it’s important to keep water flow at an appropriate level in these rooms, or anywhere else in the home where there’s a faucet. This method is affordable and easy, and makes a big difference.
Jasmine is a DIY guru and loves to protect the environment. She enjoys advising people on ways they can make a difference with simple, easy-to-do fixes around the house. She hopes these tips help her readers make small changes for a big impact.
Showing posts with label sustainability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sustainability. Show all posts
Wednesday, 29 January 2014
Saturday, 25 January 2014
The Three Best Ways To Protect The Planet
The planet we live on is changing and as a result of our actions its lifespan is reducing dramatically. There are so many different companies out there nowadays that then profess to offer ways to reduce the damage we are causing but in truth these methods are often born out of fantasy and are extremely difficult to implement.
Moving forward, naturally a focus on renewable forms of energy will be extremely beneficial and have an extremely positive effect but these methods have to be much more affordable and relative to the environment they are contained within.
As I have mentioned before, we live in the internet age and there is an abundance of research data available online that can help us understand and engage with the problem at hand. Protecting the environment should be high on the agenda for our governments as it is the simplest and most effective way to put in place mass changes on a vast scale, quickly and efficiently.
The fact that it is a form of energy that is reliant on the weather makes it almost impossible to universally apply but in certain countries renewable forms of energy can be a brilliant way to generate efficient and cost effective energy.
The non-renewable forms of energy are going to run out one day, that is something that cannot be disputed and therefore governments must be looking towards renewable forms of energy to create the basis for an energy efficient future.
Instead of investing time and money in wars that are wholly unnecessary, why not invest in the future of the planet that has given us this wonderfully unique and rare opportunity.
Energy is so abundant nowadays and people can be forgiven for being a little frivolous but with just a little education, we can nationally save a hell of a lot of cash. There are companies out there such as Agua Flux that sell great accessories designed to save you water in your house for example and must be looked into.
Moving forward, naturally a focus on renewable forms of energy will be extremely beneficial and have an extremely positive effect but these methods have to be much more affordable and relative to the environment they are contained within.
As I have mentioned before, we live in the internet age and there is an abundance of research data available online that can help us understand and engage with the problem at hand. Protecting the environment should be high on the agenda for our governments as it is the simplest and most effective way to put in place mass changes on a vast scale, quickly and efficiently.
Renewable Energy
This is pretty much the best way to protect the planet in the long term. There are so many companies out there that have the technology we need but it is simply a question of cost. It cannot be disputed that renewable energy is both expensive and difficult to install.The fact that it is a form of energy that is reliant on the weather makes it almost impossible to universally apply but in certain countries renewable forms of energy can be a brilliant way to generate efficient and cost effective energy.
The non-renewable forms of energy are going to run out one day, that is something that cannot be disputed and therefore governments must be looking towards renewable forms of energy to create the basis for an energy efficient future.
Instead of investing time and money in wars that are wholly unnecessary, why not invest in the future of the planet that has given us this wonderfully unique and rare opportunity.
Utilities
This is another simple yet effective way to protect the planet and save yourself a lot of money personally too. We all waste so much energy in our homes and that in turn costs us a lot more money each week on our bills. It is a vicious cycle but I do agree it is something that is extremely tough to quantify.Energy is so abundant nowadays and people can be forgiven for being a little frivolous but with just a little education, we can nationally save a hell of a lot of cash. There are companies out there such as Agua Flux that sell great accessories designed to save you water in your house for example and must be looked into.
Recycle
This is the simplest and the most widely used method of protection and conservation but again it isn’t that efficient nor effective. Naturally, recycling is better than not recycling but I think there are a lot better and more effective methods or protection. Spend a little time researching and start taking care of this fragile planet we all share.Featured images:
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
Great Sustainable Energy Sources for Your Home
You don’t just have to rely on Electricity and Gas to provide a steady stream of reliable energy to your home anymore.
With the advent and improved development of sustainable energy sources there are now ways in which you can generate electricity cheaply, and in some cases even sell surplus electricity back to the electricity suppliers.
Solar Panels
People tend to think you can only use solar panels if you live in a sunny climate but this isn’t necessarily true. Though more sun does subsequently produce more energy your solar panels will still absorb light during the day.
The great thing with solar panels is that the number of panels you have is only limited by the space you have and you don’t have to put them on your roof, although this does mean they are less likely to be shadowed by surrounding objects.
Solar panels produce enough energy to run many household items and many governments now have schemes in place which allow you to sell electricity back to the board for a reduced energy bill.
Wood Burners
Wood burners are great for heating a room or providing energy to heat your water or central heating systems.
They are sustainable as long as the wood you are burning is sourced locally, otherwise the carbon offset is negligible if you start buying wood that has been imported and transported to your location.
The cost of burning wood is much the same as gas, but wood is more sustainable as it can be replaced more quickly than gas sources can.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are a good source of energy for those living in relatively windy areas; however, they don’t require you to live in a hurricane zone to make best use of them.
Like solar panels the electricity they generate can be sold back to the electricity board for money off of your energy bill.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is a relatively new concept which allows you to collect rain water from your guttering and immediate vicinity of your house. It then stores this water and uses it for activities such as laundry and flushing the toilet.
The rainwater can also be used for irrigation systems and feeding animals.
In some cases it has been used for human drinking water but this not advised (unless it’s an emergency) due to water sanitation requirements.
Whether you want to find a system to reduce your energy bills or do your bit for the world, choosing one of the above systems is now cheaper and easier to do than ever has been.
Solar panels are a great way to create clean energy for your home or business.
With the advent and improved development of sustainable energy sources there are now ways in which you can generate electricity cheaply, and in some cases even sell surplus electricity back to the electricity suppliers.
Solar Panels
People tend to think you can only use solar panels if you live in a sunny climate but this isn’t necessarily true. Though more sun does subsequently produce more energy your solar panels will still absorb light during the day.
The great thing with solar panels is that the number of panels you have is only limited by the space you have and you don’t have to put them on your roof, although this does mean they are less likely to be shadowed by surrounding objects.
Solar panels produce enough energy to run many household items and many governments now have schemes in place which allow you to sell electricity back to the board for a reduced energy bill.
Wood Burners
Wood burners are great for heating a room or providing energy to heat your water or central heating systems.
They are sustainable as long as the wood you are burning is sourced locally, otherwise the carbon offset is negligible if you start buying wood that has been imported and transported to your location.
The cost of burning wood is much the same as gas, but wood is more sustainable as it can be replaced more quickly than gas sources can.
Wind Turbines
Wind turbines are a good source of energy for those living in relatively windy areas; however, they don’t require you to live in a hurricane zone to make best use of them.
Like solar panels the electricity they generate can be sold back to the electricity board for money off of your energy bill.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is a relatively new concept which allows you to collect rain water from your guttering and immediate vicinity of your house. It then stores this water and uses it for activities such as laundry and flushing the toilet.
The rainwater can also be used for irrigation systems and feeding animals.
In some cases it has been used for human drinking water but this not advised (unless it’s an emergency) due to water sanitation requirements.
Whether you want to find a system to reduce your energy bills or do your bit for the world, choosing one of the above systems is now cheaper and easier to do than ever has been.
Thursday, 16 February 2012
Looking To The Future: Urban Farming
The world today
As you read this the world’s population is booming. Advances in medicine and technology have meant that more of us are living longer and less people are dying. As a result the increased pressure on the planets natural resources is set to create new food and water shortages, a crisis in the provision of food and water could lead to tensions over resources, which is bad for the future prospects of humanity.
Urban areas are set to become the homes for 61% of the Earth’s population by 2030. Whilst farm land is taking up more and more of the remaining wilderness on the planet, there has to be a point where rural agriculture will not be sustainable. The challenge facing mankind is how to increase food production whilst protecting the environment.
What are urban farms?
Enter the concept of Urban Farming. Urban Farming has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce food and the way we view agriculture. Simply put urban farms will essentially be greenhouse skyscrapers growing fresh produce right in the heart of the metropolis. The potential to start a boom in sustainable green architecture as well as promote sustainability to the heart of our cities is an amazing opportunity and it is looking more and more likely that the increase in demand for organic locally sourced produce will make Urban Farming the most viable solution for city planners to solve the problem of future food provision.
The benefits
Cities are densely populated areas, space is a valuable commodity and Land prices are sky high. Urban Farming would have to be supported in vast sky scrapers in order to make the scheme financially viable. The city of the future will be filled with vertical farms. A huge benefit to this scheme is the reduction in food miles. The fresh vegetables you buy from the shop could be grown less than a mile away and therefore not need to be transported and thus reduces carbon emissions.
Having healthy numbers of vegetation in the city would also go a long way in improving air quality in our inner cities. Urban Farming is no longer a concept from science fiction, the city of Vancouver in Canada is piloting a multilevel tower which will grow and provide food for local markets. If successful the tower could potentially be as high as 30 storeys with solar panels and irrigation systems.
The world will be watching and eagerly anticipating the outcome because if the scheme works then urban farms will be set to change the skylines of all of the world’s cities. The concept of urban farming is not just limited to skyscrapers. Roof terraces, apartment blocks and potentially any flat roof space could eventually be used to benefit the environment.
The future
Urban Farming offers the opportunity to benefit the environment whilst providing a secure food source for future generations. It is a great milestone in architecture and agriculture and can potentially help feed the growing population and allow access to fresh, organic locally sourced produce which is the most beneficial to us. A healthy resource, A healthy population, A healthy planet.
As you read this the world’s population is booming. Advances in medicine and technology have meant that more of us are living longer and less people are dying. As a result the increased pressure on the planets natural resources is set to create new food and water shortages, a crisis in the provision of food and water could lead to tensions over resources, which is bad for the future prospects of humanity.
Urban areas are set to become the homes for 61% of the Earth’s population by 2030. Whilst farm land is taking up more and more of the remaining wilderness on the planet, there has to be a point where rural agriculture will not be sustainable. The challenge facing mankind is how to increase food production whilst protecting the environment.
What are urban farms?
Enter the concept of Urban Farming. Urban Farming has the potential to revolutionise the way we produce food and the way we view agriculture. Simply put urban farms will essentially be greenhouse skyscrapers growing fresh produce right in the heart of the metropolis. The potential to start a boom in sustainable green architecture as well as promote sustainability to the heart of our cities is an amazing opportunity and it is looking more and more likely that the increase in demand for organic locally sourced produce will make Urban Farming the most viable solution for city planners to solve the problem of future food provision.
The benefits
Cities are densely populated areas, space is a valuable commodity and Land prices are sky high. Urban Farming would have to be supported in vast sky scrapers in order to make the scheme financially viable. The city of the future will be filled with vertical farms. A huge benefit to this scheme is the reduction in food miles. The fresh vegetables you buy from the shop could be grown less than a mile away and therefore not need to be transported and thus reduces carbon emissions.
Having healthy numbers of vegetation in the city would also go a long way in improving air quality in our inner cities. Urban Farming is no longer a concept from science fiction, the city of Vancouver in Canada is piloting a multilevel tower which will grow and provide food for local markets. If successful the tower could potentially be as high as 30 storeys with solar panels and irrigation systems.
The world will be watching and eagerly anticipating the outcome because if the scheme works then urban farms will be set to change the skylines of all of the world’s cities. The concept of urban farming is not just limited to skyscrapers. Roof terraces, apartment blocks and potentially any flat roof space could eventually be used to benefit the environment.
The future
Urban Farming offers the opportunity to benefit the environment whilst providing a secure food source for future generations. It is a great milestone in architecture and agriculture and can potentially help feed the growing population and allow access to fresh, organic locally sourced produce which is the most beneficial to us. A healthy resource, A healthy population, A healthy planet.
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