energy conservation

Growing Green Kids

For a long time, we've been a "disposable" society. We use things for a brief time and throw them out; we don't pay attention to how much energy is consumed at our homes or offices. Conserving and cutting down on waste now seems like a chore or extra work and we don't even realize that these practices are actually more expensive for us, let alone far worse for our planet!

We've been wasteful for so long, that movements now exist revolving around raising green kids and instilling conservation values and practices in our children at a young age. We need to teach them quality over quantity and reduce reuse recycle.

At first, I thought this seemed silly. Why did we need a movement to raise green kids? However, I had already grown up as a green kid and didn't realize the extent of our throw-away society. My parents recycled, composted and were adamant about conserving energy. I grew up thinking it was normal and something everyone just did. I hated landfills and didn't understand why we would add to the smelly, toxic monstrosities. My sister and I were always told to turn the water off when we brushed our teeth. Even though we lived in upstate New York, our house was and still is kept at 63 degrees in the dead of winter; we were told to just layer up in the house and on our walk to school. When I'm home now, my dad still shuts the light off in my room even if I've hopped across the hall to the bathroom for ten seconds or less.

This guys looks like he's tough on waste!
Photo Source: purecostumes.com
Then, I remembered my surprise when I went to my fiancé's hometown for the first time in 2012 and learned that the city was just beginning to hand out flyers about their new free recycling program. Yes! To recycle before late 2012, you had to pay and that's never the way to motivate people to "do more work". What stunned me even more is this city is Columbus, OH, the country's 15th largest city! This was not a small town without resources for a free recycling program. Maybe this green kid movement wasn't so silly after all.

As we have figured out the importance and the benefits of conservation and recycling, there is a push to reevaluate our buying and disposing practices. Growing green kids has to be done! We need superheroes who will fight for our future! This does not mean your child can't have fun decorations or activities at their birthday parties or exciting toys to play with, it just means you can and should get creative! Your kids will love making things themselves, too, and everything will be much more original and valuable.

Changing our society to one that protects our environment and our wallets is now a priority. We'll be healthier, happier, more prosperous and more creative. What's not to love about that?

How are you raising your green kid (or your green self)?



Keeping Up With the Joneses



I wonder what life would be like if friends’ Facebook statuses looked less like ‘OMG Little Timmy used the potty for the first time today!’ and more like ‘Heck yes! Saved a few bucks this month by swapping out some light bulbs!’? One can dream, right? {Courtney Kalashian, I see you smiling.} Well, for those who choose to opt for a little friendly competition while tracking their own home energy usage this is a real possibility according to this article.  A company called Opower uses behavioral psychology tactics with its software in order to encourage energy efficiency. We all likely know what we could and should be doing to save energy, but let’s get real, that twenty minute steamy shower is much better than a quick three minute rinse in arctic cold water. But wait, what’s that? Your BFF is saving how much per month on her utility bill and that adds up to how much per year? ‘OMG she’s like totally going to think she’s better than me. I can do better than that!’ Nothing like a little peer pressure.


Opower works with utility companies to automatically pull your energy usage data so that you can see where you stand in relation to your friends, similar homes, and efficient homes. It also provides energy saving tips so you can reach those savings goals. You can sign up using your Facebook account by visiting Opower’s site here. For my competitive and curious friends who have PG&E they are a participating utility. Who’s in?


EE Tip from Fig: Do NOT do this

Fig says, “While I can’t resist the lure of the cool air and an empty shelf, you most definitely should NOT linger with the refrigerator door open.” 

According to The Daily Green, the less time that fridge door stays open the better. In fact, you could save 7 percent on operating costs.

 {Fig also says, "You need to go grocery shopping, mom!"}

Flex Alert in Effect for July 2, 2013

Remember, we're on day two of a Northern California only Flex alert.  What does that mean?  Well, it means that the projected need for energy may exceed the amount available, so please do what you can to conserve at your home and business, especially between the hours of 12:00-7:00 p.m.

So, you're at the office and you're wondering what can you do to make any kind of difference? Let's start with the easy stuff:

  1. Turn off any unnecessary lights.  Does you office or common area have more than one light switch?  Try using only one.  If you're really hardcore about your conservation turn them all off and use a small desk lamp with a CFL or LED bulb like I do. Do you think that the bathroom or break room lights really need to be on when no one is in there?  Of course not!  Do everyone a favor and turn them off.  
  2. Give your computer a break!  I hope to God you don't spend your lunch sitting in front of your computer screen and if you do, STOP IT!  Now that that's out of the way--when you leave for lunch turn your monitor off.  Simple, right? You can also enable power saving modes on your computer to turn off the screen or go to sleep when not in use.  Like when your boss unexpectedly calls you into his office for a quick hour long chat.  
  3. Unplug and let go!  How many non-critical machines are currently plugged in at your office?  That letter folder in the corner that gets used once a month but always plugged in?  Unplug it. The toaster over that one lady from HR uses every other month? Unplug it.  The cell phone, tablet, blue tooth chargers that aren't actually charging anything?  Unplug them. Unplug them all!  Even machines at rest and inactive chargers steal electricity (for the most intellectual explanation of this effect please check out my friends, Carl and Eddy).  
The three tips listed above are all things you can easily do that will help lighten the load for California, and it means that this guy won't have to worry about losing power and melting into a puddle on the kitchen floor...

Dutch the St Bernard keeping cool in his summer cut! 

FLEX ALERT ISSUED JULY 1 TO JULY 2

From flexalert.com 


California-ISONorthern California - ONLY
Flex Alert issued by California ISO as heat wave intensifies
With hot temperatures bearing down on Northern California and with a major generation unit off line, the California Independent System Operator Corporation (ISO) is issuing a Flex Alert for Northern California Only on July 1, 2013, through July 2, 2013. No Flex Alert is issued for Southern California as temperatures moderate but watch for updates on www.caiso.com. Consumers are encouraged to reduce their energy use during the late afternoon when air conditioners drive consumption to the highest point of the day. Go to www.flexalert.org or www.caiso.com for conservation tips.
24-hours ahead: Northern California ONLY Flex Alert Day! on July 1, 2013. High temperatures are forecast throughout the state and region. Energy demand is expected to be high and Californians are asked to avoid using heavy electrical appliances until after 6 p.m. tonight.
Monday's forecast peak demand: 48,300 MW around 4:30 p.m.
48-hours ahead: Northern California ONLY Flex Alert Day! on July 2, 2013
Tuesday's forecast peak demand: 47,808 MW around 4:30 p.m.
72-hours ahead: July 3, 2013 No Flex Alert Day
Please monitor the California ISO website at www.caiso.com for updated information about the electricity supply. Track grid conditions in real time via Today's Outlook also available on smart phones. Go to your app store for a free download.
This advisory is based on the best data available at the time of its release. Grid conditions can change rapidly and are subject to change without warning. This forecast is accepted by the recipient on the condition that errors, omissions and/or changes to the contents shall not be made the basis for any claim, demand or cause of action against the California ISO.
Funded by the investor-owned utilities and authorized by the CA Public Utilities Commission, Flex Alerts are part of an educational and emergency alert program that informs consumers about how and when to conserve electricity.

EE Tip From Fig & Olive: Laundry Day


Olive says, "in our house we wait until we have a FULL load of laundry before washing in order to help save energy. In addition, we like to use cooler water settings, hang clothes to dry when possible, and if we do dry we make sure not to over dry or else mommy's pants get too tight...oh, and it saves energy and money! Now, who wants to help me fold?!"

Wellness Wednesday: Smart Phones & Energy Usage



Smart phones are everywhere. This past year the iPhone 5 was launched and within three days over 5 million units had been sold. Apparently I wasn’t the only curious one wondering how much energy these and other smart phones use. This posting by Barry Fischer explains that the costs to charge the iPhone are really very minimal – about $0.41 per year for the new iPhone 5. Other smart devices cost about the same, more in the case of those with a larger battery. Literally pennies a year. Not too shabby for each individual; however, with estimates saying by 2016 over 1 billion individuals will own and operate a smart phone, that’s a lot of pennies and a lot of energy! Fischer’s post says that the iPhone 5 sales are projected to reach 170 million within a year. Those 170 million devices will have collective electricity consumption equal to the same usage of about 54,000 U.S. households. Not only do the devices use energy while charging, but they also put a strain on data centers because of the Internet usage. On the flip side, Fischer does add that smart devices will really decrease energy usage over time because they actually divert usage from larger, less efficient devices (i.e. using your phone to check your email as opposed to using your desktop computer).

It’s amazing to watch and be part of a culture immersed in technology. So much has changed just within the past five years. Even children know how to operate smart devices. But how much is too much when it comes to smart phone and technology use? I already mentioned how the cumulative effect of use has a big impact, but a guide on WebMD discusses smart phone addiction and the negative consequences on one’s health. The constant distraction can diminish the ability to concentrate and has the potential to disrupt your work life and interpersonal relationships. 

Organizations such as the ‘Digital Detox’ offer entire weekend retreats to escape technology and immerse participants in days of healthy foods, meditation, yoga, hiking, guest speakers, good company, and a little R&R. My favorite idea is the concept of ‘Device-Free Drinks’, a happy hour sans any technology. No sharing of Facebook photos, texting, checking email, or taking calls. Instead, you show up, drop off your devices, and enjoy conversation, board games, massage lounges, music, and more.

There’s nothing wrong with indulging in Apps, playing games, keeping in touch with your friends or whatever you like to do with your smart device; however, what would be really smart would be to power down a little more frequently for a little bit longer. If not for the sake of the power grid, then do it for the sake of your own sanity and well-being. 


Photo sources:
www.thedigitaldetox.org
gear.tend.com

Holiday energy saving, a family affair...

With the holidays fast approaching, many of us are trying to decorate our home to receive family and friends. Not only are we putting up holiday decorations to get into the spirit, but many of us are also spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I know that for my family, baking is part of the holiday tradition and with a wedding quickly approaching there is even more excitement. Last night we made brownies and cookies to put into the freezer for the big events in the coming weeks and tonight we are working on my award winning cheesecake (I cannot share my recipe for the most excellent cheesecake but trust me…Y.U.M.). 

With all this hustle and bustle in the kitchen it occurred to me that this could be a great teaching opportunity and a chance to refresh with my family why I feel so strongly about conservation and how every action we make will have lasting effects on our environment in the future. 
I've been able to enjoy the company of my daughters and share some environmental lessons as well.We decided to change out the light bulbs and seal the doors and windows before the cold set in--just like the Department of Energy recommends--, and boy can we tell the difference. With the oven on, we are forced to open windows to bring in some cool air. Nice problem to have at this time of year, but also because I refuse to use the heater until it is really cold! I’m always telling the kids to put on a sweatshirt or grab a blanket, but as an added bonus my utility bill has dropped about $300 a month by making a small investment in some minor fixes to the house like weather stripping and caulking. I also reduced the temperature on the water heater and got rid of the old refrigerator that was only holding water and other drinks (and the occasional left over from diner).

So, after all that, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy holiday. Remember to have a grateful spirit and enjoy your family this holiday season; I know I will be living with a grateful spirit this year and spending the extra $$$ I don't have to give to my energy provider.

For more tips on mistakes to avoid when winterizing and weatherizing your home visit our new friends at eZing Inc. 


photo credit: alaczek via photopin cc

photo credit: Stuck in Customs via photopin cc