Saving- money, energy, etc

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

Per the request of another forum member who shares my interest in being "green", I'm starting a thread here to discuss ways (even simple ones) that we can make things better for ourselves and our world. This thread will be all about saving money, being eco-friendly, conserving energy, and being self-sufficient (along with anything else you feel like contributing that's relevant).

To start things off, I'm going to be cross-posting bits from another forum that I've been participating in for some time.. we have an ongoing discussion along these lines and quite a few great tidbits have been contributed. Feel free to jump in with anything you can suggest, any comments or questions you might have, or any product reviews/recommendations that you think others could benefit from.

To start off the discussion, here's a few of my favorite recommendations:

*Put EVERYTHING you plug in on a surge protector with a power switch, and TURN IT OFF when you aren't actively using things (or even better, unplug the entire strip). That little charger for your phone (or camera, or rechargeable batteries, etc) draws power even when the phone is not plugged into it. As do most other teeny tiny plugs that you don't think about. The surge protector also does quite a bit to extend the life of the appliances themselves, in the case of computer bits and sensitive equipment. If you're building from scratch, having switches installed that cut the power to entire rooms is a great idea (TVs and such draw power even when they aren't on, to maintain the "standby" mode).

*Wait until your dishwasher is full before you run it! Contrary to popular belief, a well maintained newer-model dishwasher does NOT use more water/energy than doing dishes by hand, *IF* you run it full (but not overly full, don't stack dishes, because running it twice or re-washing ruins the whole plan).

*If you are re-modeling or adding on to your house, go ahead and spend the extra dollars to do it the right way. Sure, that extra insulation is pricey and that no-tank water heater seems a bit on the high side, but you will more than make up for it a couple years down the road! Also, putting some energy-efficient improvements into your house may get you a deduction on your taxes- make sure you mention any improvements you've made to your tax preparer if you have someone else do your taxes.

I can't wait to see everyone else's ideas!
--Gwendolynn aka punstergal

[knarlyknot]

Our family has greatly reduced our consumption of plastic products.  I purchased cloth shopping bags and use them whenever I shop.  We also stopped buying bottled water.  I have a water filter pitcher at the house that we filter tap water through and then each family member has a sports bottle to reuse.  And we started all of this because of a blog by another one of our members, verymerryseamstress. 

We also live in an older home with window a/c units.  During the day we only have 2 of these on, in the 2 rooms that we use, and close off the rest of the house.  So that we are only cooling the areas that we are in.  In fact, even though our kids "had to have their own rooms"  they usually all sleep in one room so we only run one additional a/c at night.

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

Welcome to the discussion, knarly!! Cloth shopping bags are a great idea (I didn't even buy mine, I made them out of recycled military duffel bags and they are the envy of every punky teenager I've run into in the checkout line).

I never did buy bottled water (just didn't see the point), but I did start doing the filter-at-home thing when we realized that my SO's debilitating allergy seems to have something to do with one of the things in the water supply. It saves us a lot of money (in Dr's bills, if nothing else).

Since you brought up A/C units, it reminded me to mention that having a programmable thermostat for your central air/heat (assuming you have and use it) can save you a fortune! Set the unit to go off 10 degrees earlier about an hour into your "night" (sleep cycle) and to resume your preferred temperature an hour or so before you wake up. Most folks will not notice the change in temperature while they are sleeping (yes, I know there are some exceptions, but in general, 10 degrees isn't enough to wake a person up).

[knarlyknot]

Yeah, we didn't used to buy bottled water either, we had well water that tasted great then we moved into the city proper with city water and now you can actually smell chlorine in the water, among probably other things.  But it's all better now.

[theChuck]

since i moved last year, i almost exclusively use my canvas bags. $3 at trader joe's or whole foods, and ive got two bags that hold up pretty damn well. whatever plastic bags i do have, i either use them to throw out garbage/recyclables, or i just take them to whole foods and drop them in the recycle bin there. i've also taken to using my brita filter and metal bottle a whole lot more. since i live in the city, i use mass transit as much as possible, or failing that, walk where i can. and i recycle basically everything possible; the city will fine the building if i don't.

one thing i'd recommend to people who get a lot of catalogs that they don't read: call the companies and ask them to remove you from their lists. i used to get a ridiculous amount of catalogs, but now it's down to basically nothing.

[Morgan Dreadlocke]

The drains from all  sinks, tubs and showers is plumbed to the outside to water plants. The commodes still go to the septic tank, ain't that desperate fer water

Over the years we've tried directin' rain water to tree wells but mother nature's plans fer runoff differ from year to year. All overgrown vegetation, branches, leaves an cactus clippins goes through a 10 hp shredder fer reuse.

[Kiss-me-Kate]

I love this thread.

I use CFL's where ever possible.  (Can't use them in recessed lighting yet.)

I LOVE my programmable thermostat.  I know it has saved me money-it was free.  AND it remembers to turn the heat/ A/C up and down for me, and not leaving it on all day when I am not home.

I use the canvas bags wherever possible AND if I remember to.
I have one (Chico Bag) that scrunches up to fit in my purse for trips the store where I know I will need a bag, but not a bunch of them.  Also, if possible, I forgo a bag entirely if it is one or two small item(s). 

I recycle just about everything possible.  I even bring my  pop cans/bottles from work to home to recyle.

I shop at thrift stores a lot.  I only buy new if I can't find it there first.
I also donate most stuff rather than throwing out.

We use the filter/pitcher thing too, and I recently purchased SS water reusable water bottles to use when possible. 
However when fest season fires up, I will probably go with plastic bottled water for the cooler.
I also have a filter on my shower.  It has helped clear up my skin a little.

I use cloth napkins and SS "silverware" instead of disposable plastic ones for my lunch at work, in my reusable lunch bag, with reusable ice packs.

Is any of this helping global warming?  Probably not in the grand scheme of things.  But it makes me feel better AND I don't care if people think I am a weirdo. 

[knarlyknot]

I also shop at thrift stores, most of my clothes are second-hand, either from a thrift store or my sister (who is a shopiholic).

You can also save the water used when boiling or steaming veggies, rice or pasta and once cooled use to water plants.

[Noble Dreg]

I drive my convertable with the top down and the AC on full to fight global warming...


Seriously though, I mail-order just about everything, and I mean everything!  You save on gas (no emissions), rarely pay tax, shipping is almost always free, and one UPS/USPS van delivering to multiple homes burns a whole lot less gas than a gagillion cars making a gagillion shopping trips.

Biggest impact you can have on the environment...stop drinking bottled water and start a garden!  No cheaper way to transport produce than growing it in your back yard!  Fewer chemicals, and completely organic.  It will also save a boat load of money!  (always thought it was the height of stupidity to eat a tomato grown in Mexico when I could grow dozens for pennies in my own garden, don't even have to be a green thumb, they grow like weeds.  Asparagus and rhubarb too, WAY easy.).

[Charlotte Rowan]

Some great ideas here!! I need to start unplugging things. I know it sucks energy to leave them plugged in, but that's just something I haven't been good about...

I use reusable shopping bags too - I LOVE them because not only are they Earth-friendly, you can also load them up heavier without worrying about breakage, AND mine have super long handles so you can carry them over your shoulders. Anytime we forget the bags (which happens), we reu-se the plastic bags as garbage bags for our bathroom garbage.

We also have a Pur filter on our kitchen sink, and a refillable pitcher so we don't have to use bottled water (drinking the city water is a big no-no!). I have a jug that I refill to bring to work, too.

I use my Curious George lunchbox to bring my lunches in to work. I need to get some of that sandwich tupperware too, so I can stop using plastic baggies.

I take the bus to work.

I save prescription bottles (and people at work give them to me too) and when I get a big batch, I send them all here: http://waste-not-want-not.tripod.com/id14.html. The kid gives them to a free clinic in his area.

My fiance works at a recycling paper plant, so he takes all our paper recycling directly to work. (I guess this doesn't really help the earth any more than having the recycling picked up, since our glass and plastic are picked up, but it is a renewable resource for his work and helps him have a job!!)

We can't do this while renting obviously, but when we buy a house I REALLY want to get rain barrels and use that water for plants, etc.

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

See, just one day and LOTS of good ideas already! I particularly like theChuck's idea of getting yourselves removed from all those useless mailouts. Years ago, I started paying just about everything online, and now I opt for paperless statements (the ones that go to your email instead). I have no doubt that it seriously cuts down my carbon footprint- all those trees that aren't earmarked for my trash pile anymore, plus less paper headed to the landfill, plus less fuel wasted for shipping and delivering the papers that I never looked at anyway. And the great thing is that signing up for paper statements usually only takes a couple of clicks on the same site that you're on paying your bill anyway.

I also agree with Noble Dreg in that one of the biggest impacts you can have on your environment (and pocketbook too) is to start a garden (or join in a community garden). The transport of food goods and feed for livestock is a HUGE contributor to the worlds pollution output. The more local you can get on any goods you consume the better. Our family grows tomatoes (which are nearly weeds, in that they require almost no personal attention). We also do cucumbers, bell peppers, red okra, and a few herbs. We trade with another fellow nearby for fresh brown eggs. We also have access to a zillion cumquats, although nobody is quite sure what to do with them, lol.

I know a few folks who have gone the route of piping their "grey" water (non-toxic wastewater from sinks and such) into their gardens. If you can do that, it's a magnificent idea. The organics that go down the sink drain (including most non-caustic soaps like dishsoap and handsoap) are all good for the garden. If you're on city sewer and don't have means to seperate your pipes, another option growing in popularity is rainwater collection. Not long ago, I was discussing this with a good friend in Georgia because of all the serious drought issues in the last couple years. We found this site, which has everything you could ever need to know about harvesting the rain in lots of ways http://www.motherearthnews.com/Green-Homes/2003-08-01/Harvest-Rainwater.aspx

[Trillium]

Something small and easy to do, have a glass and coffee cup at work instead of using the styrofoam and plastic cups.  I watch people using them everyday and throwing them away.  BRING ONE FROM HOME!!!

[Charlotte Rowan]

Oh here's another one I forgot that I really like:

I wash all my laundry on cold (except sheets). Saves on heating all that water!

[Gwen aka Punstergal]

Trillium, AWESOME observation!! I wouldn't have thought to mention it, but in hindsight, I do remember how much I hated seeing the dr's and nurses and office folk pick up those Styrofoam cups day after day- and we had real cups in the cabinet!!

In coffee mode, another simple energy saver is a good thermos. My dad has one that will hold a half a pot of coffee. He makes his pot in the morning, drinks his two cups, and puts the rest in the thermos. It actually stays HOT, so he can turn the pot off, and still have two warm cups (without having to reheat them) later in the morning. I didn't think it was a big deal at first (how much energy can a coffee pot take to stay on, after all?) but he's been doing it for nearly six years now.. every day.. I suppose that has to have added up a bit.

[Morgan Dreadlocke]

I wash all my laundry on cold (except sheets). Saves on heating all that water!

A 10 foot x 4" piece of black ABS sewer pipe holds about 6 gallons of water. Connect 5 together on your roof and you've got free hotwater.
The waste washing machine water goes to the tree wells too.