Posts tagged energy (usage)
5 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Refrigerator
3November 5, 2010
The appliances in your home -- particularly the refrigerator, clothes washer and dryer -- account for about 17 percent of your home's electricity usage, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Since the refrigerator is the one appliance that operates 24/7 year after year, it's a key contributor to your home's monthly energy consumption. If your refrigerator was manufactured before 1993, you're already using twice the energy as a new Energy Star-rated model. But age isn't the only reason you may need to consider purchasing a new fridge. There are five warning signs that it's time. Ask yourself: [ . . . ]
Staying On-Grid, Part II: A Call to Arms to the Citizen-Farmer
6September 10, 2010
by John Poole
in In the 'Hood
Now, to start, here's a personal anecdote that largely initiated my thinking on these matters. I'm a relatively inexperienced gardener. I've only been doing it a few seasons, and while I've not yet met the degree of success I'd prefer, I've at least managed to see first hand how relatively simple, natural approaches to soil management can produce extraordinary results in compact spaces. Provided, of course, you're willing to invest the required sweat equity and forethought in the garden management process. [ . . . ]
Staying On-Grid, Part I: A Hybrid Approach to Sustainability
17August 11, 2010
Now, let's think about what it might mean to find a better way to remain on-grid. Like it or not, the grid is here to stay, and it doesn't matter how many homeowners spend hundreds of thousands of dollars purchasing land and building or renovating homes out in the country in pursuit of an off-grid way of life: There will never be enough true off-grid homes to significantly diminish overall societal dependence on the grid. So the big question is: Is there an alternative way to live on-grid that meets or perhaps even exceeds the goals for green-living, sustainability, and even survivability, that off-grid proponents claim for themselves? [ . . . ]
Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (Shouts to)
0October 1, 2009
by jb
in In the 'Hood
The Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (BNEC) is a nine-month pilot program currently targeting eight neighborhoods in Baltimore City.
The primary goal of the program is two-fold. First, the push is . . . to reduce city-wide energy usage by 15% by the year 2015. The program will promote simple techniques to do this; i.e. turning lights off when leaving a room, setting the thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter and 78 in the summer, wrapping the home's hot water heater, etc. [ . . . ]
