“The footprints you leave behind will influence others. There is no person who at some time, somewhere, somehow, does not lead another"~Author UnknownWherever we go we leave them....footprints, that is. In the sand, in the snow, in the newly vacuumed rug, in the mud, in the yard, in life. We...leave...footprints.
It is up to us how big they are...if they are our shoe-size, or if they (environmentally-speaking) super-size our normal size.
Today at GTG we're going to analyze our shoe size with a little help from a friend.
Special thanks this week to Guest Blogger Krista Peterson for sharing her commitment for the environment and volunteering to share a little bit with our GTG readers about "Reducing our Home's Carbon Footprint." As a person who is very passionate about the health of our environment and of others in our community, Krista is the perfect person to put in her GTG "2 cents' worth." She give's some practical, every day ideas as to help our energy efficiency by doing little things everyday to help make our footprints as small as humanly possible!!
Thank Krista for your blog article, and your commitment to the environment, encouraging us all to put our best foot forward!!
Reducing Your Home’s Carbon Footprint with Energy Efficiency ~ by Krista Peterson
Ideally, we would all be able to get our electricity from renewable sources like solar panels or wind farms. Although they may not be an option for everyone right now, there are many ways to make your home more energy efficient today.
Insulation
Heating is generally the third major cause of energy consumption in the household. Adding insulation has been estimated to cut the energy bill from heating in half. The heat-resistance of insulation is measured in R-value, and the Thermal Insulation Association of South Africa recommends different R-values for seven different climactic zones. If you have insulation at home, it would be wise to check in your ceiling and attic to make sure that it is sufficient for your area. If you are insulating your home for the first time, loft insulation or a geyser blanket are two great choices.
A word of caution: though the use of asbestos waned in South Africa in the 1980s and 1990s, the material was not actually banned until 2008, so asbestos-containing insulation can still be found in many homes built before this time. Inhaling loose asbestos fibers has been shown to cause a variety of diseases including mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Mesothelioma life expectancy is tragically low, so you must take caution with any materials you suspect contain asbestos. If they are in good condition, they will not release the dangerous fibers, and should thus be left alone. If they are damaged or if you are performing renovations, contact a licensed abatement team to remove and dispose of them. There are a number of alternate organic types of insulation such as cellulose fiber which uses recycled paper.
Hot Water
Electricity is not needed to heat just the air, but also the water in a home. There is some debate as to whether or not turning your geyser on and off during the course of the day is more efficient, but one indisputable way to use less electricity is to simply use less hot water. Wash your hands, fruits and vegetables, and clothes in cold water whenever possible, and try to take shorter showers. Do not run the dishwasher unless it is full, and if washing the dishes by hand, plug the sink to conserve hot water in the basin.
Efficient Appliances
While we should all have the most energy efficient appliances available, there is no need to rush out and buy all new equipment – throwing out working appliances is rarely smart, and only serves to contribute to wastefulness. However, as your old appliances wear out or break, do a little research and buy efficient replacements. In recent times, appliance companies have started to make energy efficiency and protecting natural resources a priority. Most products are accompanied with an energy efficiency rating, look to use products with A or B ratings for the most sustainability. Perhaps the simplest way to start this habit is to replace burnt out light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which not only use less electricity, but also last six to eight times longer.
Saving energy will not only help the earth; it will lower your monthly bills. It is good for your health, too – less energy use means less coal burned and fewer air pollutants. Until we can all switch to entirely renewable sources of power, making small changes around the home can have a big impact.
Grassy footprint image from http://www.gogreenplus.org.
Ideally, we would all be able to get our electricity from renewable sources like solar panels or wind farms. Although they may not be an option for everyone right now, there are many ways to make your home more energy efficient today.
Insulation
Heating is generally the third major cause of energy consumption in the household. Adding insulation has been estimated to cut the energy bill from heating in half. The heat-resistance of insulation is measured in R-value, and the Thermal Insulation Association of South Africa recommends different R-values for seven different climactic zones. If you have insulation at home, it would be wise to check in your ceiling and attic to make sure that it is sufficient for your area. If you are insulating your home for the first time, loft insulation or a geyser blanket are two great choices.
A word of caution: though the use of asbestos waned in South Africa in the 1980s and 1990s, the material was not actually banned until 2008, so asbestos-containing insulation can still be found in many homes built before this time. Inhaling loose asbestos fibers has been shown to cause a variety of diseases including mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the lining of the lungs and chest cavity. Mesothelioma life expectancy is tragically low, so you must take caution with any materials you suspect contain asbestos. If they are in good condition, they will not release the dangerous fibers, and should thus be left alone. If they are damaged or if you are performing renovations, contact a licensed abatement team to remove and dispose of them. There are a number of alternate organic types of insulation such as cellulose fiber which uses recycled paper.
Hot Water
Electricity is not needed to heat just the air, but also the water in a home. There is some debate as to whether or not turning your geyser on and off during the course of the day is more efficient, but one indisputable way to use less electricity is to simply use less hot water. Wash your hands, fruits and vegetables, and clothes in cold water whenever possible, and try to take shorter showers. Do not run the dishwasher unless it is full, and if washing the dishes by hand, plug the sink to conserve hot water in the basin.
Efficient Appliances
While we should all have the most energy efficient appliances available, there is no need to rush out and buy all new equipment – throwing out working appliances is rarely smart, and only serves to contribute to wastefulness. However, as your old appliances wear out or break, do a little research and buy efficient replacements. In recent times, appliance companies have started to make energy efficiency and protecting natural resources a priority. Most products are accompanied with an energy efficiency rating, look to use products with A or B ratings for the most sustainability. Perhaps the simplest way to start this habit is to replace burnt out light bulbs with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs, which not only use less electricity, but also last six to eight times longer.
Saving energy will not only help the earth; it will lower your monthly bills. It is good for your health, too – less energy use means less coal burned and fewer air pollutants. Until we can all switch to entirely renewable sources of power, making small changes around the home can have a big impact.
Grassy footprint image from http://www.gogreenplus.org.
No comments :
Post a Comment