[Jumpin Jupiter]

I would like to know what all YOU have done to promote energy savings, plus helping out the environment. This is NOT a global warming debate here, as you all know where I stand on that issue. OK?

A few years ago I checked into a hybrid vehicle, but was not practical for my location. I am still waiting for something that will yield better fuel mileage.

I also recently have been changing over to light bulbs that use less energy, yet provide more light than the regular light bulbs.

Cutting back on lights when not in use, teaching the kids to do the same, and explaining to them (the best I can) why.

In a recent addition to the house, we faced it to the south with two large windows, to help out in the winter time for sun to come in the house.

Last spring I also bought a motorcycle for both fuel mileage and enjoyment, although it is mostly for mileage concern, better mileage and less fuel consumed.


What I am asking here is what have you all done to save energy, maybe we all can share ideas here. Maybe some simple things that go a long way toward helping both the energy costs and the environment.

[Jane of Arc]

Great post JJ ~

1. I bought a new energy efficient car that uses much less gas.

2. I called up endless companies and told them to stop sending me catalogs. And the same with junk mail. Send a short letter to: DMA Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. You can read more about this at DMAConsumers.org. List your name, in all its infinite variations, and request that all of these names be removed from their national database. This removal lasts five years, so keep this address handy. For more information contact the DMA at 212-768-7277.

3. I'm a vegetarian with a diet for a shrinking planet.

4. I insulated my home.

5. I only use compact fluorescent bulbs.

6. I check my tires monthly and keep them inflated.

7. I check my car's air filter monthly.

8. I only run my dish washer with a full, full load.

9. I recycle plastic.

10. I weatherized my home.

11. I buy local produce.

12. I unplug unused electrical appliances. (pain in the ass, but I do it.)

13. I air dry as many as my clothes as possible.

14. I buy organic food. (Reduces pollution from chemicals in our water supply.)

15. I keep my house thermostat set low in winter and use my AC sparingly.

16. I installed low-flow shower heads.

17. I use recycled paper.

18. I change my AC filters on time.


I'm sure there's more. I'll think about it. But I have a goal to live in a sustainable house.

(ps - But I'm a bit confused. If you think global warming is a "hoax", why do you do the things you do?)

[Jumpin Jupiter]

Great post JJ ~

2. I called up endless companies and told them to stop sending me catalogs. And the same with junk mail. Send a short letter to: DMA Mail Preference Service, P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512. You can read more about this at DMAConsumers.org. List your name, in all its infinite variations, and request that all of these names be removed from their national database. This removal lasts five years, so keep this address handy. For more information contact the DMA at 212-768-7277.

6. I check my tires monthly and keep them inflated

12. I unplug unused electrical appliances. (pain in the ass, but I do it.)

13. I air dry as many as my clothes as possible.


(ps - But I'm a bit confused. If you think global warming is a "hoax", why do you do the things you do?)

Mostly affects the bills. I am not here to destroy the environment. I wish there were free energy, but there isnt, yet. Technology will improve with time and for me it cant get here fast enough.

Some things I WAS doing, after reading and educating myself about it, I changed for the better. Such as disposing of used motor oil properly, not using some certain chemicals for the lawn to kill weeds, etc.

We also try to dry the clothes in the summer time. My tires are also checked monthly. Forgot about that one. Your # 12 though, are you using electric even if the appliance is plugged in but not in use? I have heard about that before but never researched it.

I also found this site about a year ago or so, good info that some of actually works. Keeps from buying and using chemicals that you may not have needed in the first place.

http://eartheasy.com/live_natpest_control.htm

[Wafflepudding]

1.- I use public transportation.

2.- I only use the AC unit when I'm going to sleep.

3.- I wash and dry both dishes and clothing by hand. Sometimes when it's for some reason unpractical I do use washing machines though.

4.- I use biodegradable detergent.

5.- I don't use heating, that's what jackets, sweaters and blankets are for.

6.- I use fluorescent lighting.

7.- I take 15-20 minute showers.

8.- I only iron shirts when I must.

9.- I try to carpool when I can hitch a ride (although this might have more to do with being a cheapskate :p).

10.- I use a bike or go on foot for short trips.

11.- I recycle paper and aluminium.

12.- I prefer digital over paper format.

13.- I only use the water heater when it's absolutely necesary.

14.- I buy only what I need at the moment, unless it's tools or canned food, in which case I stock up. Yes I'm a bit of a survivalist, got a problem with that? :p

15.- I avoid battery powered electronics.

16.- I use rechargeable batteries (Ni-MH).

17.- I only buy what I KNOW I'm gonna eat.

18.- I use grocery bags to carry other groceries and use them to toss the garbage in (as opposed to buying garbage bags).

19.- I don't own ANY sort of motor vehicle (Oh your god! I'm insane! :p)

Edit: Jane, you don't need to believe in global warming to know that the less resources you waste, the cheaper those resources are for everyone (lower demand and such). Also, the bills come cheaper every month. Also climate change is far from being the only source of pollution from power generation.

[-V-]

a tip of the hat to all of you!

In addition to many of the things others have mentioned,

- I sold some stocks invested with corporate pig people and bought into a mutual fund that invests only in alternative energy research and develpment companies.
- I drive a Geo Metro
- My thermostat is set to 83 degrees in the summer (I can handle it -- it's AZ, it's a dry heat)

[JamesP]

MSNBC
Updated: 2 hours, 54 minutes ago

A Purdue University engineer and National Medal of Technology winner says he's ready and able to start a revolution in clean energy.

Professor Jerry Woodall and students have invented a way to use an aluminum alloy to extract hydrogen from water — a process that he thinks could replace gasoline as well as its pollutants and emissions tied to global warming.

But Woodall says there's one big hitch: "Egos" at the U.S. Department of Energy, a key funding source for energy research, "are holding up the revolution."

Woodall says the method makes it unnecessary to store or transport hydrogen — two major challenges in creating a hydrogen economy.

"The hydrogen is generated on demand, so you only produce as much as you need when you need it," he said in a statement released by Purdue this week.

So instead of having to fill up at a station, hydrogen would be made inside vehicles in tanks about the same size as today's gasoline tanks. An internal reaction in those tanks would create hydrogen from water and 350 pounds worth of special pellets.

"No extra room would be needed," Woodall said, "and the added weight would be the equivalent of an extra passenger, albeit a pretty large extra passenger."

The hydrogen would then power an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell stack.

"It's a simple matter to convert ordinary internal combustion engines to run on hydrogen," Woodall said. "All you have to do is replace the gasoline fuel injector with a hydrogen injector."