It is a "soft" passion of mine to build something to alleviate my homes energy crisis. "Soft" because I have only looked at the options.
The most obvious areas where your contribution (reducing consumption and managing carbon footprint) could be made are:
- household insulation : reducing heating and cooling requirements (including double glazing, ceiling insulation etc.)
- hot water pipe insulation : not loosing heat between geyser and outlet (shower, tap)
- solar geysers : from what I have read and heard these work really well and ROI is great
- solar panels / battery combinations : although still not fantastically efficient, panels are great for charging batteries that can run notebook, TV, kettle
- generators : mmmm, still burning fossil fuel unless you get a diesel one linked into your home supply and get some bio diesel to run it on
- a bicycle : obvious if you work close by - not great when it rains and you need to shower when you get there
- an electric vehicle : there are production vehicles - hybrid and 100% electric. The disposal of batteries is becoming less of an issue where the right ones are used e.g. NiMH which are recyclable. There are also a number of kits and plans for building your own.
- Laptops in general are becoming a real alternative to a desktop (as the desktops for gaming are becoming more power hungry even when on standby)
- Low watt lighting or LED's : LED's have come a long way and there are now numerous applications where these have replaced more draining alternatives - bike lighting etc.
I am certainly interested in stuff I can do myself so my checklist will include :
- solar geyser
- my bicycle (there are quite a few electric bikes out there that can do a bit more than assist you to get to your destination)
- a plan for an electric car - probably the Doran. However, there may be issues with regards roadworthy and licensing here that need sorting first
- laptop
- low watt lighting
What would you do?
1 comments:
Hi Shane
Great post - if only more people would think along those lines.
When I built my house last year I wanted to make it as green as possible - unfortunately PV cells to take me off the grid were waaay too expensive, but I do have a solar geyser (with v cool temp/timer device which really reduces how often the geyser is powered by electricity) and I also had a rainwater system installed. All the rainwater from my roof is caught into a big tank and is used to fill my toilets (no more flushing with drinking water) and for the garden.
Other little things I do are to switch off all my appliances at the wall when not in use and I've also got a gas hob which is a lot more efficient than electric. Little things, but if we all did them, they'd make a big difference.
Cheers
Jo
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