Archives from Béa’s previous website:

... Zero-emission clothes drying (from Summer, 2012):

     Among the many sites I love in Italy are its ancient villages: their homes built from stones dug out of the hills they sit on, each balcony decorated with laundry drying gracefully in the breeze.

     Despite our similar economies, Europeans are way ahead of Americans in energy frugality (as are virtually all the planet’s people). Some of our municipalities have gone so far as to pass laws against air drying clothes—as if this most natural and hygienic act were somehow vulgar!

     My family and I made a vow last year to curb our reliance on electric clothes drying—not to eliminate this convenience completely, just to scale it back. As clothes dryers are one of the greediest energy hogs in most homes, it’s likely no surprise that our energy bill has since dropped about 10%.

     I can hear the excuses some of you may have about solar clothes drying, because I’ve used them myself on occasion: I don’t have the space; it takes too much time; I hate to iron, and my clothes will dry wrinkled…

     One suggestion: start with just a load, or even part of a load. Put your bulkiest items on the line, the ones that take multiple quarters to dry at the Laundromat—especially items you don’t mind being seen in with wrinkles, such as your sweat pants or gardening clothes. Or machine dry items until they are merely damp and wrinkle free, then finish drying on the line.

     A clothesline costs next to nothing, but not everyone has the luxury of room for one. Many space-saving racks and gizmos exist that can dry an entire washer load within a few square feet next to your bedroom window. Gaiam’s home section, for example, carries a few space-saving solar clothes dryers starting at $20: www.gaiam.com. Target.com sells several others (search “clothes drying racks”) starting at $13.

     If you’d prefer an old-fashioned backyard clothesline, but they’re banned by local ordinance, ask the folks at Project Laundry List (www.laundrylist.org) for City Hall-fighting suggestions. According to its website, PLL is the “central organizing force of the ‘right to dry’ movement” and has helped pass air-dry legislation in some states.

     One last thought: save some laundry change while improving the planet, and your bonus will be clothes that smell like fresh air.

 

... Power-saving Power Strips (from Spring 2011)

 

    To my chagrin, I saw that our electric bill for March was about the highest it's ever been—around $40. I suspect our relatively new family computer is part of the problem. Six of us share it (our immediately family and two computerless friends) and not only is it almost always turned on, but a modem, router and a printer are also usually turned on with it. And the wireless router has no "off" button! So I've started turning off the power strip everything's plugged into at night and when no one is home, and I also maximized the computer's efficiency settings. That helped reduce our April bill to about $35. Besides, a computer-geek neighbor reminds me that you reduce your vulnerability to viruses when you turn off your computer when not in use.

     We have a similar problem with the television and stereo. They use stand-by power, and so they're essentially always on, even when it's not obvious. Unplugging when not in use works but it's a pain. Reaching for the plugs takes the contortionist talent of a yogi. So I plan to purchase special surge protectors that automatically turn off the stand-by power to these devices when not in use. I'll explain more about that in a future blog entry...

 

     ... You may have heard that surge protectors can save power in general. While that's sometimes true, proper types and usage can make huge differences in your electric bill. Last month, I mentioned the simple trick of turning off power strips—along with everything plugged into them—when those appliances are not in use (to prevent phantom power drains). But of course, not all power strips/surge protectors are created equal or easy to access.

     Here's one place that sorts through some of the better power strips on the market: http://energysavinggadgets.net/power-strips/

     My personal favorites: The Belkin BG108000-04 allows you to turn your strip on or off remotely at a reasonable price; and Monster's HDP 900, while pricey, cuts vampire loads to all your home theater's peripherals as soon as your remote turns the TV off.

     For a lower price, you can invest in a Watt Stopper Surge Protector. It includes an occupancy sensor that will automatically cut the power to, say, your stereo system when you leave the house, while allowing you to plug in two items you may not wish to turn off accidentally (such as a clock, or a computer mid-project). Here's one website that sells it, though you may be able to find it cheaper elsewhere: http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/36272/WS-IDP3050.html

     So, how much can you save by using these types of power strips? My family and I have been getting better at turning off surge protectors manually before we go to bed each night, and we lowered our electric bill to around $31 this month. But the strip for our home theater system is cumbersome to reach, and the only time we shut it off is when we leave town. So I plan to invest  in one of the aforementioned plugs soon, and I'll report back about how much energy we save.

 

.. From Summer, 2011

 

Dear Air Conditioner: You're Fired!

            My sympathies to our friends in the Midwest and Eastern United States who experienced a severe heat wave last month. Not to gloat, but those of us on the West Coast have mostly enjoyed lower-than-average temps this summer—until Aug. 1. It hit the mid-90s here in central Orange County (considerably higher in the inland valleys) and reminded me why I used to envy my friends with air conditioning. I say "used to" because I've learned how to keep my home and body cool without it. In fact, on those odd days when the outside high hits 100° in the shade, my interior tops out at 82°—at which point I chill with an iced drink sipped under a whizzing ceiling fan. And while my summer electric bill averages $35 per month, my neighbors with AC average $200-$300. I don't envy them for that!

            So here are my tips for surviving without air conditioning. In the interest of brevity, I'm leaving out details as to the hows and whys of my logic; but you can email me for the explanation: info@eco-es.com.

            1. Weatherize and use fans. Well-insulated walls and attic, coupled with a whole-house fan, are the main things keeping the Tiritillis cool each summer.

            A whole-house fan can be used to suck in cold air at night, cooling a warm house almost instantly; and good weatherization will keep it cool after you've turned off that fan in the morning and shut all your doors and windows. (That same fan can also be used to suck in air on warm fall and spring days, and keep it there to save on overnight heating.) Such a fan will set you back $200-$600, plus the cost of installation; and a good insulation job will cost $0.50-$2.25 per square foot. But once you disconnect the AC, these home improvements will quickly pay for themselves.

            Many little details go into having a well-weatherized home, and in addition to insulating you'll want to seal air leaks, especially around doors and windows.  If you're a renter who can't convince your stingy landlord to weatherize, you can still implement door-and-window draft stoppers, and window coverings (including insulated blinds or heavy curtains) which can travel with you to the next rental. And if you're in an apartment or rental where whole-house or ceiling fans are impractical, make the best of your tabletop and bathroom fans. Instead of using AC overnight, turn your bathroom fan(s) on in the evening to suck out warm air, and leave it to door and window fans to suck in the cool evening air. This won't cool your home as quickly as a whole-house fan; and obviously, you're still using electricity—but nothing close to what your air conditioner uses.

            2. Replace your air conditioning unit with an evaporative (a.k.a. swamp) cooler.

            These will add humidity to your home or office, so are advised mainly in arid areas. Cost: starts at around $70 for a one-room model, $300 or more for a whole-house model. (Note: some models require installation.) Potential savings: should pay for itself within a month or two of recycling your air conditioner.

            3. "Give your appliances the afternoon off." I'm putting this one in quotes, as it was the slogan of a public-service ad in the 1970s. (Yes, I'm showing my age. And my memory.) This can save you money in more than one way. The byproduct of any electrical use is heat, which is why your kitchen is probably the warmest room in the house around breakfast time (lights, toaster, coffee pot, etc.—they add up). The less electricity you use at any one time, the less your fans, swamp cooler, or whatever cooling system you use will have to work. You should especially wait till the cooler hours to use your largest energy guzzlers, which may include clothes washers and dryers, stove and oven (and refrigerator, but I'll write about refrigeration-saving tips another time). Grilling outdoors, washing in cold water and drying on the line are possible afternoon alternatives.

            4. Borrow someone else's air conditioning. Although most homes and many businesses can survive without AC, I recommend keeping it in grocery stores, buildings whose windows don't open, hospitals, and businesses with few or no windows, like movie theatres and bowling alleys. So hot afternoons are a good time to visit any of the above.           

            5. Other fun ways to cool down include swimming (perhaps your city's public pool or a local lake or beach), or a visit to the ice-cream truck or parlor. Not necessarily fun: cold showers, iced drinks (depends what kind!), ice packs, or leaving your clothes or sheets in the fridge for a while before slipping them on.

            6. But ___ (fill in the name of a housemate here) has a medical condition and can't survive without AC! If you absolutely can't eliminate it, you can at least reduce your AC use by supplementing any of the aforementioned methods. Additionally, yearly maintenance and quarterly filter changing can also help your old conditioner run more efficiently. You may also want to consider replacing a whole-house unit with a one-room model used in the medically affected person's bedroom. Another AC saver: install a programmable thermostat, and then program it (many people don't) to the highest summer temp your family can stand; and to 80° or more when no one is typically home.

            I'll write more details on weatherization and other energy-saving ideas at a later date. Till then, stay cool!

 

June, 2011: Good news and bad

     Good news: My first Ecology Day Camp was a big success (and lots of fun)! We may have even discovered a viable frog population in a portion of Santiago Creek where I’ve never seen frogs before! Additional camps this summer and fall should be at least as much fun. 

     Bad news: The old fixer-upper I call home has cost my husband and I several hundred buckaroos in maintenance bills this past month, along with a large Motrin bill to deal with all the headaches. The silver lining: these breakdowns help me to appreciate the luxuries I have that I so often take for granted; and they helped me generate ideas for energy tips I can add to this blog. (Aren’t you excited?)

     In early June, both our toilets went out simultaneously. I blame the dog, although I should probably blame myself. The dog may have been the one who vomited all over my bathroom floor, but I’m the one who grabbed a pile of lightly used napkins to wipe it up, then thoughtlessly flushed them down the toilet, causing a sewer-line clog that …

     Well, enough gory details and digressions. We couldn’t get a plumber in till the following afternoon; but fortunately, my Dad put us up for the night, and he has working bathrooms. The kids and I spent the next morning looking for things to do that had clean restrooms nearby, while my ever-frugal and often-wandering brain thought, “Hmm, wonder how much we’ll save on our utility bills because of this?” Which brings me (albeit circuitously) to:

     Energy Tip for the Month of June: The connection between water use and other bills

     Many people rarely if ever give this any thought, but being a water-meter miser can help you save $ on your sewage and energy bills. Municipalities can’t or don’t put a meter on your sewage lines, so whatever goes in, they presume goes out; and they base your sewage fees on your water-use fees, even if you run a water-bottling business.

     Now, some water use—such as your quenching your thirsty lawn—is not tied to your energy bill. But anything hooked up to electricity or a hot-water spigot certainly is. So adding a low-flow showerhead, for example, and washing only full loads in the dishwasher and laundry will lead to savings on more than one utility bill...

 

... One of the highlights of our July camp was watching three raptors hanging out in the same tree. We watched two cooper's hawks taunt a great horned owl that was trying to sleep. The owl wouldn't budge, and the hawks eventually flew off—just as we had readied the camera for a picture! So while we missed photographing all three at once, we did nab a terrific shot of the owl (see Photo Gallery). This second group of campers wasn't as interested in microscope work as the last, so during the classroom portion of the camp, they mostly focused on playing eco-ed games or making crafts from used items. We made recycled paper and amazing sock puppets and other crafts created from scraps courtesy of my rag bin.

 

Camping on an Energy Budget (also June, 2011)

       During a weeklong camping trip earlier this month, I was saddened to witness some of the damage done to the planet by campers, such as using Styrofoam plates or leaving exterior RV lights on all night. Camping and backpacking are often less environmentally damaging than other forms of vacationing; but it has never made sense to me that some people don't think twice about their impact on nature while exploring it.

       Our energy consumption has enormous repercussions for the planet. Even if we ignore the effects of fossil fuels on global warming, there remains the fact that energy use causes all sorts of environmental chaos: mountains destroyed by coal mining, smog produced by autos and electric plants, radioactive waste from nuclear power, wars fought over oil control—I could go on, but prefer to be succinct. So here are a few tips to lighten your energy load while camping:

     Unless you're traveling with a big group, there's no reason to take a large car or RV. Some people may argue that an RV is comfortable and convenient, but by the time you figure in RV payments, camping fees, maintenance and gasoline, you'll probably save money staying at a campground that will rent you a wooden or tent cabin. These often come with roomy, comfy beds and such amenities as a kitchenette, electric lights, and sometimes a private bathroom with towels and toiletries.

     It's easy to start your camping or backpacking adventure from a compact car if you pack carefully. Earlier this month we managed to pack four people and all our gear into a small hatchback. One way to do this is to make use of the trunk's "basement" if it has one. Some compacts have an area near the spare, but under the main trunk, that may include three or more cubic feet of cargo space. You might be surprised what you can cram in there. Think of other ways you can save space before you start packing, such as making use of the area under seats and getting rid of all unnecessary trunk junk. You can leave your tire chains at home, for example, if you're doing a summer beach campout.

     When purchasing camping gear, think small. Whenever possible, use backpack gear instead of regular camping gear. It will not only save space, but will save gas due to the reduced weight demands of backpacking. This includes backpacking dishes, which encompass less weight and space (and environmental impact) than throwaways.

     When packing luggage, save space by packing: clothing that does double duty, such as pants that convert to water shorts; clothes made of quick-drying fabric, which can be washed and air dried as often as needed; and no more than a 1-3 day ration of food and toiletries. You can always buy more at the camp store.

     Have you tried all of the above and still feel cramped in that compact? You can add room via a receiver hitch or rooftop cargo container; and if you don't camp or car-travel often, you might be able to rent these.

Want to make even less of a camping impact? You could just go where your bike or feet can take you, but that's often limiting. So consider traveling with an adventure group. Some examples: The Sierra Club, whose travel options include campouts via carpool, charter bus, or boat; or an adventure bus-travel company such as Green Tortoise.