Christina Miller
Green Tips for Summer: Wet Wisdom
Summer droughts can water an especially precious gift. Here are five ways you can conserve water this summer, and throughout the year: Water outdoor plants in the early morning or late evening, to reduce evaporation loss. Wash dishes in a tub, and use the dishwater on plants. You can do the same with bath water — and get a little exercise scooping up the water and carrying it outdoors. Turn off the tap while shaving and brushing teeth. Take a … Continue reading
Save Money While you Brush Your Teeth!
Q: How much do we really save by turning off the water while brushing our teeth? A: A lot! For an average family of four, 48 gallons of water a day is saved by turning off the water. That’s as much as $70 per year! Keeping the water running while you brush is like pouring money down the drain. Replacing bad habits with good ones is well worth the effort.
Light Switch Dilemma
Q: Doesn’t it use more electricity to turn the lights off and on than to leave them on? A: This is one of those urban myths that seems to persist, despite evidence proving the opposite…Bottom line: No. Turn off the lights whenever you leave the room. Often we get up to go to the bathroom or get something to eat, but then get busy doing something else and a half hour goes by with the lights on and no one … Continue reading
What temperature is best for my water heater?
Q: At what temperature should I set my water heater? A: We keep our water heater set at around 120 degrees. In summer, we turn the heat down, since the water coming into the house is already a warmer temperature. Here’s the bottom line: adjust the temperature seasonally to the place where you don’t need to add cold water when you take a shower. (In general, we adjust the temperature two or three times a year.) If your heater is … Continue reading
How should I wash my clothes?
Q: I can’t afford to buy a new washing machine. What are some ways to use less energy while using a standard, top loading machine? A: First of all, only run full loads. Secondly, because 80-85% of the energy used goes to heating the water, it is best to wash all clothes in cold water. Also, there are now many options for eco-friendly laundry detergents available at most stores. Finally, really think about whether or not your clothing needs to … Continue reading
Getting a new heating and cooling system?
Q: When should I consider replacing the heating and cooling system in my home? A: If your furnace is over 20 years old, it would be a good investment to replace it with a high-efficiency model. New models can be over 90% efficient. Replace your filter every three months.
Showers vs. Baths
Q: Which uses less water and energy: showering or taking a bath? A: In general, baths use three-times more water than showers. If you do take a bath, consider re-using the bath water in your garden or on indoor plants. If you have little kids, have them bathe together or use the same water for multiple children. Our kids used to spend at least an hour playing in the bath together. Either Matthew or I would bring a book … Continue reading
Quick Fixes for Your Energy Budget
Q: We are on a tight budget. My husband wants to invest in energy savings that have a quick payback. What are some easy, low-cost home improvements I can make? A: I tell people to go after the low-hanging fruit first, and then use those savings to pay for some of the bigger investments. Here are some quick payback ideas to get you started: Purchase a programmable thermostat. Replace furnace and air-conditioning filters at least 3 times a year. … Continue reading
Eco-Friendly Appliances
Q: What are the most eco-friendly types of appliances? A: There is no one-size-fits-all response to the appliance question. In general, we wait until an appliance dies since so many resources go into manufacturing new items. The exception is something that uses a lot of energy or is on 24/7, like a refrigerator, where the efficiency has improved dramatically in recent years. In the case of a refrigerator, it probably makes sense to replace it if it is more than … Continue reading
How can I insulate my home on a budget?
Q: I can’t afford to replace the windows in my home. How can I better insulate my home? A: When we moved to Kentucky, we couldn’t afford new windows either. Instead, I made heavy curtains lined with white material. Lined curtains do an amazing job of keeping the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. Remember to close curtains at night in winter and during the day in summer. You will notice an immediate difference in the … Continue reading
What can I do with old plastic bags?
Q: I’ve switched to using cloth bags, but sometimes, when circumstances can’t be helped, I accumulate some plastic bags. What’s the best way to handle them? A: First, you’re to be commended on making the switch to reusable bags. Every single plastic bag that isn’t used is one less item that’s sent to the landfill. But sometimes you just can’t control getting a plastic bag. The good news is that if you recycle and reuse the plastic bags, you’re still … Continue reading
Buying New Furniture?
Q: What are some things to consider when buying furniture? A: Shopping for secondhand furniture is the way to go. Check out www.craigslist.org for local furniture listings. When we set up our son’s first apartment two years ago, we furnished it with beautiful, solid wood furniture that will last a lifetime. We found most of the items on Craigslist. Total cost: under $500, including his sofa, maple bed, mattress, a maple butcher block table and desk (former university tables), antique … Continue reading
How do you dispose of light bulbs?
Q: How are we supposed to dispose of the lightbulbs – do they really have mercury in them? A: Great questions! It’s true: a CFL bulb contains a minuscule amount of mercury (5 mg), about one-fifth of the mercury found in the average watch battery and less than 1/600th of the mercury found in a home thermostat. However, the tiny amount they contain is dwarfed by the extra amount of mercury that coal-burning power stations emit to power the … Continue reading
Recycling Medications
Q: I’ve been reading through Serve God, Save the Planet and been challenged in a variety of ways through reading it. I’m also hoping to share the book and ideas in it with as many other people as I can. I’m e-mailing because reading the stories where donated medications were given away on a medical trip caught my interest. I have a good amount of Wellbutrin leftover and would like to donate it instead of throwing it all away. I … Continue reading
Matches vs. Lighters
Q: Should we use matches or lighters? A: Matches, while made from trees (although many matches are now made from recycled cardboard) don’t use very much wood. The wood that is, in fact used, can be composted and return to nature easily. Need to put the amount of wood used in perspective? About one million matches can be made from each average-sized aspen. Therefore, three 20-a-day smokers would take about 45 years – if they lived that long – to strike … Continue reading
Is it safe to turn the fridge temperature all the way up?
Q: Isn’t it dangerous to have my refrigerator and freezer on the highest setting? A: Matthew is a doctor, and I trust him! He has assured me that it’s perfectly safe to have our refrigerator and freezer set to “cold” rather than “coldest.” We’ve had ours on the highest setting for 10 years now, with no problems beyond slightly softened ice cream.
With Clothing, Less is More
Q: What are some things to consider when buying clothes for my family? A: When it comes to clothing, less is more — and I’m referring to your closet, not your body! The biggest savings is not being a slave to the latest fashion trends. Be happy with what you have in the closet. When you do buy clothes, visit secondhand stores and consignment shops. Let friends know that you are always happy to accept outgrown clothes for your kids. … Continue reading
Hand-Washing vs. the Dishwasher
Q: Which method uses less water and energy: hand-washing dishes or using the dishwasher? A: My husband says that when something doesn’t make sense, follow the money. The original studies showing that dishwashers use less water were sponsored by applicance companies. Not hard to guess their bias! The average dishwasher uses more than 10 gallons of water; energy-efficient dishwashers use about half of that. Part of the savings comes in HOW you wash the dishes. If you keep the water … Continue reading
What is a phantom load?
Q: What is a phantom load? A: Phantom load refers to energy used by products even when they are turned off. For example, audio systems in the United States use more power when off than when on because they are off (but partially powered) for all but a few hours per week. If your TV, DVD player, stereo or computer is emitting a little light when you’ve turned it off, it is still using energy. About 5% of a household’s … Continue reading
Doesn’t it use more energy to return my home to the desired temperature than to leave it at my optimum?
Q: Doesn’t it use more energy to return my home to the desired temperature than to leave it at my optimum temperature all the time? A: No. This is another one of those urban myths that persists despite all evidence to the contrary. In the winter, most nights we turn the heat completely off. When we leave the house, we adjust the thermostat by at least ten degrees. If you work a regular schedule outside the home … Continue reading
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