Global Warming ???

[Reverend Rick]

BC is powered by existing hydroelectric dams, so I don't feel too guilty about using electricity (although I don't want more dams either). Nevertheless, we are replacing the lightbulbs around here with low energy bulbs as they burn out to lower the bills. I still have to drive to work, but if our business does well enough I will be working from home a few months down the road. Then, since we will be able to live anywhere, I'll build an off-grid eco-home for us to live in and start making the transition to local food (from the garden, the beach and the woods). So, modest achievements thus far and bigger things to come.

You better be careful Hon, You might end up being an evil capitalist like me. When you have the ability to effect positive change and see the direct results, it is a feeling like no other.

 

[Alceste]

Sounds good so far. Hope the business works out for you so you can accomplish all of those things. If you plan on living off the grid you should check out "real goods solar living". It will give you some good ideas of different systems like microhydro,wind,solar or hybrids of those and the pros and cons. They also have appliances etc. and what would work best for each system. They have some very interesting products and alot of good info.

I'm thinking solar panels, geothermal and a design that makes the most of sunlight for heating. I don't like windmills for their impact on birds and bats. If I can get my hands on a piece of land with a stream I'll have a go at a mini-hydroelectric generator. I will burn a bit of wood in winter, but with a very efficient stove. Thanks for the tip, I will check it out.

 

[Alceste]

You better be careful Hon, You might end up being an evil capitalist like me. When you have the ability to effect positive change and see the direct results, it is a feeling like no other.

I get that teaching music.

Capitalism isn't evil. Wastefulness, greed, selfishness, hoarding and living extravagently without concern for the environmental consequences are evil.

 

[Sententia]

Im not going to go against your doctors suggestion of diet and exercise to help treat cholesterol(I would be out of a job if i did). Clearly those are great methods for treating it. However regular blood donation could likely contribute to that treatment. I am not saying it is the cure, i am saying it can be a part of effective treatment. If you are really interested i will start a thread but i have pretty much made my point already.

LOL... You made your point that my doctor is a moron for not prescribing blood letting as a means to treat cholesterol? Continue here: http://www.religiousforums.com/foru...loodletting-high-cholesterol.html#post2348701

So back to global warming. What are some effective strategies or things you do personally to reduce human impact on climate change?

I personally use propane heating, all computers are on automatic standby and my entire house uses only LED lighting. I also plan to go 100% solar for electricity or as much as a possible. (100% might be too low some years and too high others... but I want to be in that range)

 

[Reverend Rick]

I get that teaching music.

Capitalism isn't evil. Wastefulness, greed, selfishness, hoarding and living extravagently without concern for the environmental consequences are evil.

Damn, we agree?

 

[Alceste]

Damn, we agree?

I think we agree on a lot of stuff. Everything you're right about, for example.

 

[Revoltingest]

I get that teaching music.
Capitalism isn't evil. Wastefulness, greed, selfishness, hoarding and living extravagently without concern for the environmental consequences are evil.

Don't knock hoarding. Were it not for hoarders, much of our history would be lost.
Some mental 'illnesses' are just a useful variation of normal.
Besides, shrinks need to make boat payments too.

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

Don't knock hoarding. Were it not for hoarders, much of our history would be lost.
Some mental 'illnesses' are just a useful variation of normal.
Besides, shrinks need to make boat payments too.

They also give us great reality TV shows.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Various studies have shown that those who use fossil fuel heating have an extremely low risk of having the bacteria that cause legionnaires disease in their water tanks. Those who use electric heating have a much greater chance of having the bacteria in their water tanks. So being i said "save electricity" you are correct.

However i have installed water filters in my house which are supposed to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria including the bacteria that cause legionnaires disease. My shower filter also eliminates 99.99% of bacteria including the bacteria that causes legionnaires disease and also chlorine which basically turns to chloroform in the shower. The initial system cost less than $1000 and the replacement filters are like $200-300 a year. My guess would be the average person would save the cost of the filters every year by turning off their water heaters at night and while at work during warmer months. Not to mention the reduced chance of various cancers etc. from the chemicals in the water.

Or... they could get a tankless water heater.

No standby heat loss (i.e. the kind you're reducing - but not eliminating - by turning your water heater off at night) AND no lukewarm water hanging around to grow nasty things, so it's a win-win.

However, it creates another problem: while the total energy used is less, tankless heaters are more "peaky", using high power over short durations instead of low power all day. This can create problems for a utility trying to control demand, whether electricity or natural gas... though it probably wouldn't be much worse than what you do, heating up your whole hot water tank from cold at some of the higher-demand times of day.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

Just had to go back to this:

My shower filter also eliminates 99.99% of bacteria including the bacteria that causes legionnaires disease and also chlorine which basically turns to chloroform in the shower.

Umm... no.

Unless you're using isopropyl alcohol or acetone as your shampoo, you won't get chloroform in your shower. And even then, the chlorine level in your water would have to be ridiculously high... as in "it hurts to stand in the shower" high, probably.

Chloroform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Alceste]

Or... they could get a tankless water heater.

No standby heat loss (i.e. the kind you're reducing - but not eliminating - by turning your water heater off at night) AND no lukewarm water hanging around to grow nasty things, so it's a win-win.

However, it creates another problem: while the total energy used is less, tankless heaters are more "peaky", using high power over short durations instead of low power all day. This can create problems for a utility trying to control demand, whether electricity or natural gas... though it probably wouldn't be much worse than what you do, heating up your whole hot water tank from cold at some of the higher-demand times of day.

I like the notion of inline water heaters myself. Sort of begins to touch on the notion that if you want to seriously reduce your consumption you almost have to knock down your house and start over. Our communities are designed to be terribly wasteful.

 

[Reverend Rick]

In the summer, I utilize my solar water heater. In the winter, I turn on the in-line heaters.

I also have a grey water tank, (shower drain fed). I water my garden, wash my car, and flush the toilets with the grey water tank. I also collect the rain water run off from my down spouts for the garden.

People used to call me cheap. Now they call me green.

 

[Alceste]

In the summer, I utilize my solar water heater. In the winter, I turn on the in-line heaters.

I also have a grey water tank, (shower drain fed). I water my garden, wash my car, and flush the toilets with the grey water tank. I also collect the rain water run off from my down spouts for the garden.

People used to call me cheap. Now they call me green.

Such a good boy! * pat pat pat *. When I finally build my house I'm going to pick your brain.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I like the notion of inline water heaters myself. Sort of begins to touch on the notion that if you want to seriously reduce your consumption you almost have to knock down your house and start over. Our communities are designed to be terribly wasteful.

I've thought about how it would be cool to have a proper grey water system in my house, but I realized quickly that it'd mean ripping down lots and lots of drywall.

If my wife ever decides that the bathroom needs re-doing, I might reconsider. For now, we just keep the plug in the bathtub drain until my wife has a chance to scoop some water out for the houseplants.

Anyhow, in terms of energy consumption, I think my windows are a higher priority.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I also have a grey water tank, (shower drain fed). I water my garden, wash my car, and flush the toilets with the grey water tank. I also collect the rain water run off from my down spouts for the garden.

We've got a regular rain barrel right now, but I've toyed with the idea of putting one on the upstairs balcony so that I could get some useful pressure from it.

However, I think before I do that, I'd have to do some head-scratching to decide whether the structure of the house can handle the load of a few hundred kilograms of water.

 

[Reverend Rick]

I've thought about how it would be cool to have a proper grey water system in my house, but I realized quickly that it'd mean ripping down lots and lots of drywall.

The drains usually go through the floor. If you have a crawl space under your home or an unfinished basement, it is not too hard a project. People with concrete slabs have a challenge that makes it less advantagous.

Anyhow, in terms of energy consumption, I think my windows are a higher priority.

Mark the ol Reverend's words, right now the house payment is the biggest check in a household budget. In the future, utility bills will be the biggest chunk. Replacing windows will pay for themselves.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

The drains usually go through the floor. If you have a crawl space under your home or an unfinished basement, it is not too hard a project. People with concrete slabs have a challenge that makes it less advantagous.

I've got a finished basement and two bathrooms on the second floor.

The plumbing run for my master bedroom ensuite goes up the exterior wall of my kitchen, across the ceiling over my back door, and then up to the bathroom fixtures.

This also means that the water pipes for my master bathroom freeze at least once every winter. I'd like to go find the person who designed my plumbing and give his/her head a shake... though I suppose that in a modern "open concept" house, there aren't always a whole lot of interior walls to put the plumbing in.

Mark the ol Reverends words, right now the house payment is the biggest check in a household budget. In the future, utility bills will be the biggest chunk. Replacing windows will pay for themselves.

I aspire to have a sailboat - i.e. a wind-powered RV - be our biggest chunk of our household budget once the mortgage is paid off.

 

[Lavender]

About half way on my walk outside this morning in 10F weather, I was thinking global warming sounded pretty darn good.

 

[iholdit]

Just had to go back to this:


Umm... no.

Unless you're using isopropyl alcohol or acetone as your shampoo, you won't get chloroform in your shower. And even then, the chlorine level in your water would have to be ridiculously high... as in "it hurts to stand in the shower" high, probably.

Chloroform - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Unfortunately i find wikipedia to not always be the best source of information.

"Chloroform was the most frequently detected VOC in the Nation’s aquifers;"
"Chloroform and other THMs are commonly produced during the chlorination of water and wastewater"
Chapter 5 - Additional Information for Selected VOCs

 

[Wannabe Yogi]

In the summer, I utilize my solar water heater. In the winter, I turn on the in-line heaters.

I also have a grey water tank, (shower drain fed). I water my garden, wash my car, and flush the toilets with the grey water tank. I also collect the rain water run off from my down spouts for the garden.

People used to call me cheap. Now they call me green.

I would call you one of those hippy types.

I put in barrels to catch the water from the down spouts. It was a dumb idea. I live in California most of the time it does not rain from May to November. Live and learn.