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Saving energy

11/24/2019

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If you keep your eyes open, you can find many ways to save energy.  Some are obvious, such as driving fewer miles each week or turning off lights.  Others are just as useful but you may not think of them.  The article at the link below has more than 7 ideas, in spite of the title. I hadn’t heard some of them before and am glad I found the article. Please take the time to read the whole article.  Here are some of the ideas, with a few of mine added:
  • Wash dishes in the dishwasher instead of by hand.  And eliminate the pre-washing step before you put dishes in the dishwasher unless you have dishes that are really gooey or the food is baked on. 
  • Close curtains when the temperature difference between the outside and inside is large.  The curtains and the dead air space behind them provide extra insulation. 
  • Keep your food freezer full.  The freezer operates more efficiently when it’s full. 
  • Keep furnace, air conditioner, and dryer vent filters clean.  Lint and dust on the filters reduces the efficiency and so the appliance uses more energy. 
https://earth911.com/home-garden/7-surprising-ways-to-save-energy/
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Clothing repairs

11/17/2019

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It’s not hard to make simple repairs to clothing so that the item can be worn longer.  Some repairs are easier with a sewing machine if you have one, but many repairs can be made using hand stitching and a needle.  Here are two websites to get you started.  https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/diy-clothing-repairs/  and https://lifehacker.com/five-basic-hand-stitches-you-should-know-for-repairing-1723233194
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Hot water heater temperature

11/11/2019

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More than 15% of the energy used in a typical home is used to heat water.  There are several ways you can reduce the energy used by your water heater.  There is also a link below to an article that lists some additional cautions and ideas.  Keeping the temperature setting too low can allow bacteria to grow in the water heater tank.  Keeping the temperature higher than necessary uses more energy and can lead to skin injury from hot water burns. 
  • For most households, setting the temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit is the best balance between saving energy and keeping the water hot enough to kill bacteria that could otherwise grow in the water.  Many water heaters have controls (usually a dial near the bottom of the outside of the tank) that allow you to change the temperature.
  • If you have people living in your home who are more susceptible to disease, you may need to keep the water temperature a little higher (see the link below for more discussion). 
  • Keep the temperature of the water in your shower a little cooler.  You will save energy and your hair and skin will thank you. 
https://www.mrrooter.com/about/blog/2018/april/what-temperature-should-a-hot-water-heater-be-se/
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Reducing food waste

11/2/2019

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There are many reasons to reduce food waste.  Obviously, waste in general is bad.  But in addition to wasting the food itself, the resources that went into producing the food are also wasted.  And if the uneaten food goes to a landfill, it generates methane (a powerful greenhouse gas) as it decomposes.  Food waste happens at many points in the process.  Sometimes a particular crop cannot be sold by the farmer because it has been damaged by weather or uncontrolled insects.  Grocery stores discard food that cannot be sold because it has spoiled before being purchased or because produce is “ugly” and no one wants to buy it.  Another source of waste happens in homes and restaurants, when people do not eat all the food they buy.  While most of us cannot control what happens at the farm or in the food processing chain, we can control what happens to the food we buy. 

​Here are some ideas:
  • Plan your meals before you go to the grocery store so you don’t overbuy.  Then stick to your plan. 
  • Use your freezer for leftovers or if your eating plans for the week change.  The frozen leftovers are great for lunches or those days when you don’t feel like cooking something new.  Learn what can be frozen and what cannot. 
  • Keep an eye on the freezer, refrigerator, and pantry to make sure that items in the back are not getting too old to eat.  Put new food in the back and bring the older food to the front where you will see it first. 
  • Shop the “last chance” section of your grocery store and watch for items that are on sale because they are nearing their “sell by” date.  Be sure to eat them before they spoil.
  • Learn the difference between “ugly” and “spoiled” produce so you know when it’s okay to buy.  Ugly fruits and vegetables have blemishes that do not affect the quality of the item but reduce the visual perfection that consumers want.  Spoiled produce is not "ugly" – it’s spoiled and should be thrown away or composted. 
  • Take your own reusable container to restaurants so you can take your leftovers home without generating the waste of a temporary “to-go” box.  
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