AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502 
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Post by AmandaA on Jun 28, 2017 13:17:36 GMT
We have geothermal heat, but solar wasn't cost effective for us. Our power company doesn't offer green power options and we live in such a bass ackwards part of the country that personal windmills aren't allowed anywhere in the county or we would have one for sure. Our home is pretty new so energy star appliances were standard choices. But we did choose our building materials and insulation to be as energy efficient as possible.
We rarely use outside water except for a few pots on the porch so the rainwater collection wouldn't be a huge benefit. But I refuse to buy bottled water for DH which does irritate him. I also largely cloth diapered my children.
I am a recycling and reusable bag stickler. We love our reusable snack bags.
I wish there was electric or hybrid vehicle that met our needs for size and handling the terrain out here in winter besides a super expensive Yukon that just seems frivolous. I would love to have a Tesla (partly because they are great for the environment, partly because they are gorgeous, and partly because we have some douchebags in our statehouse trying to get laws passed requiring them to open full fledged free-standing dealerships to be able to sell... and make it "fair" for other manufacturers with more overhead).
I have tried to eliminate as much plastic as possible in the kitchen for environmental and health reasons. I would like to try and make my own waxed fabric to use in the kitchen too instead of plastic wraps, but I rarely use those anyhow.
We have a great recycling place in the nearby city that will take almost anything from the usual electronics to car seats and small home appliances to break down and recycle the materials. They are also a wonderful asset to the community that helps get former felons back into the workforce. I love supporting that place!
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Post by elaine on Jun 28, 2017 13:22:14 GMT
We have geothermal heat, but solar wasn't cost effective for us. Our power company doesn't offer green power options and we live in such a bass ackwards part of the country that personal windmills aren't allowed anywhere in the county or we would have one for sure. Our home is pretty new so energy star appliances were standard choices. But we did choose our building materials and insulation to be as energy efficient as possible. [ We rarely use outside water except for a few pots on the porch so the rainwater collection wouldn't be a huge benefit. But I refuse to buy bottled water for DH which does irritate him. I also largely cloth diapered my children. I am a recycling and reusable bag stickler. We love our reusable snack bags. I wish there was electric or hybrid vehicle that met our needs for size and handling the terrain out here in winter besides a super expensive Yukon that just seems frivolous. I would love to have a Tesla (partly because they are great for the environment, partly because they are gorgeous, and partly because we have some douchebags in our statehouse trying to get laws passed requiring them to open full fledged free-standing dealerships to be able to sell... and make it "fair" for other manufacturers with more overhead). I have tried to eliminate as much plastic as possible in the kitchen for environmental and health reasons. I would like to try and make my own waxed fabric to use in the kitchen too instead of plastic wraps, but I rarely use those anyhow. We have a great recycling place in the nearby city that will take almost anything from the usual electronics to car seats and small home appliances to break down and recycle the materials. They are also a wonderful asset to the community that helps get former felons back into the workforce. I love supporting that place!This is awesome! I wish we had something like this. |
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Post by Merge on Jun 28, 2017 13:23:35 GMT
Other: Recycle everything that can be recycled, use cloth bags for shopping, repurpose old items or donate them to charity rather than throwing them in the landfill, choose native plants for our yard that don't require much/any water other than rain, eat local/grassfed meat and dairy as much as possible.
We choose to live in a smaller home than we could afford, partly as a result of choosing to live in town and reduce our commute time. (We could afford more house in the suburbs, but would be contributing more to pollution with a longer commute and using more electricity/gas to heat and cool it.) Unfortunately, the public transportation system here sucks unless you live/work in very specific places.
Xeriscaping is an interest of mine, and eventually I'd like to get rid of the lawn entirely except for a small patch for the dogs to use.
Collecting rainwater is something I could look into - the concern with any standing water here is mosquito breeding (and Zika in this area) so it would have to be sealed off somehow. Solar panels - it's on the list of things DH wants to do to our house; just haven't prioritized it yet.
My next car will be a hybrid. For now, we choose to drive smaller/more fuel efficient cars rather than the giant trucks and SUVs that are so popular here.
And DH just left a job in the traditional oil and gas industry for one that focuses on renewable energy - win!
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likescarrots
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,879
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Post by likescarrots on Jun 28, 2017 14:32:12 GMT
The no kids thing is a big one. Also we are vegetarian.
We don't drive hybrids but we do drive small fuel efficient cars (Honda fit/Honda civic), and we commute to work together.
We don't own a house currently, but solar/wind generated energy are an immediate plan once we do. Our energy provider doesn't offer green energy purchase a far as i can find.
I try to limit my consumption of disposal plastics and reduce waste. I avoid chemicals whenever possible, especially outdoors.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 11:23:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 15:20:20 GMT
A hybrid car isn't in our budget right now but I do want one in the near future. We do try to keep our driving limited and group errands as much as we can. Both cars get decent gas mileage.
Solar power isn't an option in our area just yet. We've talked about investing in it when we move since our next house is going to be our long term home, hopefully. It's not worth investing in here though.
Rain barrels can be used here. We're not in a high drought area. We tried it once and failed.
However, we do recycle as much as we can. The city has a pretty good program where we have a 55 gallon can to fill and they'll collect it every week. If we use plastic bags, I try to reuse them as trash bags or recycle them at the store (a few stores have collection bins for plastic bags).
We're replacing all of our light fixtures. As we do, all of the lightbulbs will be LED. About half of them are currently and the rest are cfl. We keep lights off as much as possible. I've put heat reflecting film on the windows that get the most of the summer sun. It gives those windows a slight tint.
I line dry as much as possible. In Michigan, that's about 5 months out of the year.
We do grow some of our own food. We don't eat as much meat and diary as most. We're not 100% vegan or vegetarian but we're working towards it. DH likes his eggs and won't give up a good steak but it's not often. I have flowers, a peach tree and two cherry trees in hopes of attracting bees to keep things pollinated.
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Country Ham
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,314
Jun 25, 2014 19:32:08 GMT
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Post by Country Ham on Jun 28, 2017 15:23:47 GMT
I don't consciously do anything. I just live and let live. I have HE appliances cause they were on sale not because of any conscious effort or thoughts on the environment. My husband is the head of the recycling committee at his work but thankfully doesn't make a huge deal at home other then collect cans etc for recycling. Most of what you listed are not really options for middle of nowhere, small town USA anyhow.
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 28, 2017 17:15:28 GMT
we capture all the rainwater from our roof and the guttering connects to pipes under the lawn - so all that rainwater goes directly into our pond we don't water the grass - it rains enough here to take care of that i water all my outdoor plants with pond water we don't log many miles in a week - my husband works 2 miles from home i go to town once a week and take care of all our errands we built an earth home - it has lowered our heating and cooling bills tremendously i'm a reuser and a lot of clothing purchases are second hand i don't compost but i do save scraps for my neighbors chickens i don't buy bottled water - we have a well and our water is delish (as far as water goes!) we participate in 'farm to table' - cept around here that just means you get a couple pigs and cow from a farmer friend and have it processed at the meat market up the road - friends share garden bounties and i buy additional produce from the old guy that sets up at the junction another friend drops off eggs once a week - she's the gal i give my produce scraps to = win/win i cook from scratch as often as possible all the options on the poll seems to be cost-prohibitive for a lot of people it's a shame it's so expensive to help save the earth! i do what i can gina If you are willing to share, I'd love to see photos of how the house fits into the landscape, ginacivey. SaveSave |
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Post by deekaye on Jun 28, 2017 17:23:18 GMT
Up until the last year, capturing rain water in colorado was illegal. There are still rules governing how much you can save. How have I lived 50+ years and not known that there was a law like this? I guess spending all this time on the rainy side of Washington State, I've never thought that rainwater would be restricted. I just spent a fair amount of time googling this law and was surprised that our neighbors to the south, Oregon, have this law... |
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 28, 2017 17:24:31 GMT
We have geothermal heat, but solar wasn't cost effective for us. Our power company doesn't offer green power options and we live in such a bass ackwards part of the country that personal windmills aren't allowed anywhere in the county or we would have one for sure. Our home is pretty new so energy star appliances were standard choices. But we did choose our building materials and insulation to be as energy efficient as possible. We rarely use outside water except for a few pots on the porch so the rainwater collection wouldn't be a huge benefit. But I refuse to buy bottled water for DH which does irritate him. I also largely cloth diapered my children. I am a recycling and reusable bag stickler. We love our reusable snack bags. I wish there was electric or hybrid vehicle that met our needs for size and handling the terrain out here in winter besides a super expensive Yukon that just seems frivolous. I would love to have a Tesla (partly because they are great for the environment, partly because they are gorgeous, and partly because we have some douchebags in our statehouse trying to get laws passed requiring them to open full fledged free-standing dealerships to be able to sell... and make it "fair" for other manufacturers with more overhead). I have tried to eliminate as much plastic as possible in the kitchen for environmental and health reasons. I would like to try and make my own waxed fabric to use in the kitchen too instead of plastic wraps, but I rarely use those anyhow. We have a great recycling place in the nearby city that will take almost anything from the usual electronics to car seats and small home appliances to break down and recycle the materials. They are also a wonderful asset to the community that helps get former felons back into the workforce. I love supporting that place! I didn't know much about geothermal until a friend was involved in building an entire master planned community with geothermal heat/cooling and I'm surprised it isn't used more. Is it a common option where you are? SaveSave |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Jun 28, 2017 17:57:56 GMT
If you are willing to share, I'd love to see photos of how the house fits into the landscape, ginacivey. SaveSai call it an earth home for the sake of explanation - it's built into the earth but the top is not grass around here we call them basement homes but that tends to confuse people   |
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Post by anonrefugee on Jun 28, 2017 18:02:45 GMT
Up until the last year, capturing rain water in colorado was illegal. There are still rules governing how much you can save. Thanks for this. It's too easy to forget, or become sanctimonious  ) about what works in one environment isn't appropriate in another! |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 11:23:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 18:28:51 GMT
Up until the last year, capturing rain water in colorado was illegal. There are still rules governing how much you can save. Thanks for this. It's too easy to forget, or become sanctimonious ) about what works in one environment isn't appropriate in another! It's also important to work to change these outdated laws as much as and wherever possible. I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon. |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Jun 28, 2017 18:32:59 GMT
I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use that's an interesting quote considering i just posted a photo of my pond is there something you disagree with? to be specific - it's spring fed and goes out a spillway into the creek |
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 28, 2017 18:34:57 GMT
Thanks for this. It's too easy to forget, or become sanctimonious ) about what works in one environment isn't appropriate in another! It's also important to work to change these outdated laws as much as and wherever possible. I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon. water laws are huge deals and business in colorado. The water here is worth a lot to our farmers and ranchers and cities and towns and... |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Jun 28, 2017 19:06:46 GMT
I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use that's an interesting quote considering i just posted a photo of my pond is there something you disagree with? to be specific - it's spring fed and goes out a spillway into the creek And the fact that you own the property. sheesh. |
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 28, 2017 19:09:26 GMT
that's an interesting quote considering i just posted a photo of my pond is there something you disagree with? to be specific - it's spring fed and goes out a spillway into the creek And the fact that you own the property. sheesh. I don't think she was saying anything about the pond the poster lived on, but rather city homeowners saving too much rain water |
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scorpeao
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,521
Location: NorCal USA
Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jun 28, 2017 19:13:09 GMT
When my appliances need replacing I replace with HE ones. I had a hybrid, but I found that a simple Honda Civic gets as good of gas mileage as my hybrid without the battery issue...did you know that those batteries are a HUGE hazmat issue? It kind of defeats the purpose of driving a hybrid if you're doing it for the environment. I take Navy showers. I keep my ac set at 78 when home and 85 when out. I open windows at night and close up the house in the am. I typically ride my bike or walk on the weekends...I avoid driving if I can. I recycle, but again, this isn't as great for the environment as people would like you to believe. I also reuse bottles, jars and butter/cottage cheese/yogurt containers.
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AmandaA
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,502
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Post by AmandaA on Jun 28, 2017 19:17:16 GMT
We have geothermal heat, but solar wasn't cost effective for us. Our power company doesn't offer green power options and we live in such a bass ackwards part of the country that personal windmills aren't allowed anywhere in the county or we would have one for sure. Our home is pretty new so energy star appliances were standard choices. But we did choose our building materials and insulation to be as energy efficient as possible. We rarely use outside water except for a few pots on the porch so the rainwater collection wouldn't be a huge benefit. But I refuse to buy bottled water for DH which does irritate him. I also largely cloth diapered my children. I am a recycling and reusable bag stickler. We love our reusable snack bags. I wish there was electric or hybrid vehicle that met our needs for size and handling the terrain out here in winter besides a super expensive Yukon that just seems frivolous. I would love to have a Tesla (partly because they are great for the environment, partly because they are gorgeous, and partly because we have some douchebags in our statehouse trying to get laws passed requiring them to open full fledged free-standing dealerships to be able to sell... and make it "fair" for other manufacturers with more overhead). I have tried to eliminate as much plastic as possible in the kitchen for environmental and health reasons. I would like to try and make my own waxed fabric to use in the kitchen too instead of plastic wraps, but I rarely use those anyhow. We have a great recycling place in the nearby city that will take almost anything from the usual electronics to car seats and small home appliances to break down and recycle the materials. They are also a wonderful asset to the community that helps get former felons back into the workforce. I love supporting that place! I didn't know much about geothermal until a friend was involved in building an entire master planned community with geothermal heat/cooling and I'm surprised it isn't used more. Is it a common option where you are? SaveSaveIt is still pretty rare here. Most of that is due to cost... when building new most people around here would rather spend every last penny on their hardwood floors and granite than to invest in geothermal. But in all fairness there are issues with space. Most of the new home development towards the suburbs are in super tight neighborhoods where it really isn't feasible (and using natural gas just seems to be a given). But I grew up out here "in the country" and my parents had a very early system back in the 80's and we have friends who have put them in too. So there is a long answer to a short question, ha ha! And I guess I shouldn't have just referred to it as geothermal heat because it is both heat & AC as well as a preheat for water before it goes into the water heater. We love it and would do it again if we ever built another home. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Jun 28, 2017 19:19:40 GMT
And the fact that you own the property. sheesh. I don't think she was saying anything about the pond the poster lived on, but rather city homeowners saving too much rain water "I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon." So someone owns a pond or a small lake, pays taxes on it, uses it for their home or farm and they are "greedy". |
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Post by freecharlie on Jun 28, 2017 19:25:24 GMT
I don't think she was saying anything about the pond the poster lived on, but rather city homeowners saving too much rain water "I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon." So someone owns a pond or a small lake, pays taxes on it, uses it for their home or farm and they are "greedy". i didn't use the word greedy, but in colorado there are lots of rules and regulations that cone into play with water rughts. They are as big or probably bigger than the mineral rights. If enough people collected enough water, it could change the water table in an area. The law changed last year. Homeowners can now have up to 2 sealed barrels that can collect up to 100 gallons total (I think that number is right) |
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ginacivey
Pearl Clutcher
refupea #2 in southeast missouri
Posts: 4,685
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Post by ginacivey on Jun 28, 2017 19:30:56 GMT
i didn't use the word greedy you didn't zingermack did It's also important to work to change these outdated laws as much as and wherever possible. I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon. |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Jun 28, 2017 19:34:49 GMT
"I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon." So someone owns a pond or a small lake, pays taxes on it, uses it for their home or farm and they are "greedy". i didn't use the word greedy, but in colorado there are lots of rules and regulations that cone into play with water rughts. They are as big or probably bigger than the mineral rights. If enough people collected enough water, it could change the water table in an area. The law changed last year. Homeowners can now have up to 2 sealed barrels that can collect up to 100 gallons total (I think that number is right) I wasn't quoting you. Zingermack said that, right after Gina posted a picture of her house with the pond. Timing seemed "interesting". I understand some places need water rights carefully monitored though. |
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 28, 2017 19:37:51 GMT
I didn't know much about geothermal until a friend was involved in building an entire master planned community with geothermal heat/cooling and I'm surprised it isn't used more. Is it a common option where you are? SaveSaveIt is still pretty rare here. Most of that is due to cost... when building new most people around here would rather spend every last penny on their hardwood floors and granite than to invest in geothermal. But in all fairness there are issues with space. Most of the new home development towards the suburbs are in super tight neighborhoods where it really isn't feasible (and using natural gas just seems to be a given). But I grew up out here "in the country" and my parents had a very early system back in the 80's and we have friends who have put them in too. So there is a long answer to a short question, ha ha! And I guess I shouldn't have just referred to it as geothermal heat because it is both heat & AC as well as a preheat for water before it goes into the water heater. We love it and would do it again if we ever built another home. The upfront cost is a challenge for people to wrap their head around, especially if their aren't planning on being in the house longterm, With our friend's development it is a mixed use project with small lot homes, townhomes & condos. The geothermal drilling and piping all part of the master plan and went in with the water, sewer, electrical & gas infrastructure. DH would definitely want to install geothermal if we ever build our own home. SaveSave |
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imsirius
Prolific Pea
Call it as I see it.
Posts: 7,661
Location: Floating in the black veil.
Jul 12, 2014 19:59:28 GMT
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Post by imsirius on Jun 28, 2017 19:41:02 GMT
Replaced our windows for more heat efficiency. Energy effective furnace. No air conditioning. Reduce and re-use as possible. I am not convinced that recycling does a lot for the environment when the stuff has to be transported so far to be used. I would like to see laws in place to reduce packaging so merchandise does not take up so much room when being originally shipped, and then require less recycling later. We do all of this too, plus we don't water our grass or plants unless absolutely necessary. We also only have one vehicle and keep our emissions tests up to date. Got windows and roof replaced last fall. I buy only second hand clothes/gently used for my kids and we never turn our furnace higher then 68 during the day in winter and put it at 63 at night. We also have a woodstove that burns clean. I also compost all the time and we eat eat a ton of leftovers so not a lot of food waste. We buy meat locally and only grass fed. (Pork and beef). I sell or give away toys or clothes. DH repurposed items he can break down and take to the scrap yard for recycling. |
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Post by bc2ca on Jun 28, 2017 19:42:19 GMT
If you are willing to share, I'd love to see photos of how the house fits into the landscape, ginacivey. SaveSai call it an earth home for the sake of explanation - it's built into the earth but the top is not grass around here we call them basement homes but that tends to confuse people Thanks for sharing. SaveSave |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 11:23:14 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 19:42:29 GMT
I have an all electric car, live in the city in an apartment, use ride-sharing and public transportation. I have a very low carbon footprint.
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jun 28, 2017 19:42:57 GMT
It's also important to work to change these outdated laws as much as and wherever possible. I can see not allowing greedy property owners to lock up a small lake's worth of water for private use, but seriously, a couple of rain barrels worth per property?!??! C'mon. water laws are huge deals and business in colorado. The water here is worth a lot to our farmers and ranchers and cities and towns and... Not to mention 6 other states. I can't recalll the percentage of the Colorado River that ends up in Southern California - but if Coloradans feeding into the river basin reduce runoff - nv, az, nm and ca are in a heap of trouble. |
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MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on Jun 28, 2017 20:14:15 GMT
What is that? I recycle what I can, use cloth grocery bags when I remember them. We aren't offered green power, I don't capture rain water, wouldn't want solar panels, and my car which I drive everyday isn't hybrid or EV. Whole Foods Plant-Based No Oil |
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MsKnit
Pearl Clutcher
RefuPea #1406
Posts: 2,648
Jun 26, 2014 19:06:42 GMT
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Post by MsKnit on Jun 28, 2017 20:20:48 GMT
If you are willing to share, I'd love to see photos of how the house fits into the landscape, ginacivey. SaveSai call it an earth home for the sake of explanation - it's built into the earth but the top is not grass around here we call them basement homes but that tends to confuse people It is a smart way to build. Our basement is fully underground. It's the same temp year round, if the fire place isn't going. We close the vents when the A/C is running because it's completely unnecessary. It's a lovely place. |
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Post by anniefb on Jun 28, 2017 20:25:35 GMT
Why don't you do the things you didn't pick? I don't do any of the things specified in the poll, entirely due to the cost of purchasing / installing them. I could be persuaded to do them if they were free or cheaper than the alternatives. There was a government subsidised solar panel installation scheme here a while back, but at that stage we were unable to afford it even at a reduced cost due to being on a single income at the time. Same here. Solar power makes no sense for me - cost of installation is high here and I live alone. It would take in the range of 20 yrs for me to get the value of the investment. Plus New Zealand's electricity is generated predominantly from renewable sources- hydro, geothermal and wind. Hybrid cars are too expensive and I usually only drive at the weekends because I take public transport to work. |
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) about what works in one environment isn't appropriate in another!
