Green Talk

The Geothermal features at Yellowstone Park. Photo by Kevin Saff by permission

I received an email from one of my readers, Ronald, who asked the following question in regards to my geothermal post. I did not want to bury his question in that post, and am giving him a separate forum on the site. Ronald lives in the northeast and his 35 year old house is presently heated by hot water baseboard via an oil furnace. His questions are as follows:

“It is my understanding that geothermal heat can only be used with a forced air system. Am I correct (we have hot water heat and no a/c)?”

“I would also like to understand if our oil furnace can be our backup and does this make sense?”

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Photo by permission of Herry Lawford

Are you in the market for a new car? Lease is up or your car is just had it? My lease expires this week. I have stalled and stalled hoping that a hybrid minivan would some how pop onto the scene. I now have a Toyota Sienna all-wheel drive car to carry my brood around.

I have been scouring the road lately as to what is my next step. Am I ready to give up the minivan for a smaller car? Although many of you may think this is a snap decision, this decision is equivalent to making a new career choice. I have been driving a minivan for fifteen years filling up the seats in that time period. Over the years, some of my children have reached the age and weight requirement to move to the all mighty front seat.

Decisions I had to make. Were we ready for the family to have only one big car that could fit all 6 of us? Could I get away with a smaller car since my husband wanted to keep his large car? Would I be able to car pool with a smaller car? Would I fit three growing boys in my back seat that I would not want to trade in a couple of years from now when they approached teenagehood? (The fourth one would have to sit up front.)This was an agonizing decision for me.

 I drove a myriad of cars to see what I like. Bear in mind, I don’t feel I am one of the best drivers. I need all the help I can get. Plus, safety is a huge issue for me. Was I safer in a larger car with my children? So, I drove or looked at the Prius, Odyssey (Honda minivan), Camry (with an eye for the hybrid), and Toyota RAV-4 SUV, and the Honda CRV. I had previously driven the Nissan Altima.

Here is my own take on these cars from the perspective of an overly cautious driver, mom, and smaller sized person. So, it is slightly skewed towards comfort, does it work for my family and my budget, and can I drive it. Kind of basic, don’t you think?

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Photo by permission of Zonbu

Zonbu is ushering in a new age of computing with its affordable, energy efficient, low toxic Desktop Mini and recently added Notebook. The Company is taking a page from the cellular phone industry and offering computers at such reasonable prices with maintenance plans that make it possible for everyone to afford a computer.

What makes Zonbu different than other computer companies? The Company has made a commitment to create products that are not only affordable, but environmentally responsible as well. The Desktop Mini was the first EPEAT Gold certified consumer desktop based upon meeting stringent environmental criteria and compliant with ENERGY STAR 4 and RoHS standards (Reduction of Hazardous Substances). The Notebook obtained the EPEAT Silver status.

Think of your own consumption. Many people buy a new computer every three years about the same time that Microsoft seems to upgrade their software. My last laptop cost about $1200.00 with a 160 GB hard drive. It did not come with Microsoft Office or other needed software. In addition to the cost of the laptop, I had to spend additional monies on the software applications that I needed and an extended warranty in case of a hard drive failure. (Been there three times.) Yep. I hear it now. Ka-ching Ka-ching!

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One of my geothermal units.

One of my readers (Brian) asked the following question on the article, “Icynene-the Ultimate Barrier to High Energy Bills”:

“You mentioned geothermal in the Northeast and I am curious to see how it works in this area. I am building a house in Mass and interested in geothermal, solar, and Icynene. I know this is a discussion on Icynene, but I have some questions about Geothermal. How much did it cost to install? How big is your house? Did you run into any issues (IE Blasting ledge) and last but certainly not least, how long have you had it and have you had any maintenance issues?”

I wanted to check with my new service company (Perfection Contracting in NJ) before I wrote this post, but Brian asked in another later post, if I could respond to him as quickly as I can since he is breaking ground this week. So, on Sunday evening I am trying to answer his questions without the benefit of checking my answers with my geothermal company. If any installers have anything to add, please do since I am not an installer, but simply a homeowner who drove my installers crazy asking questions.

First, before we go any further, watch this video which explains how a geothermal system is installed and how it works:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AprORaUFwiQ&feature=related[/youtube]

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Photo by Dee Teal by permission.

Would your feet look like the above picture if you took off your socks and shoes in your house? Better yet, does your body feel like the picture? Are you cold, unable to stay warm, and tired of giving away your money to the utility companies? Sometimes, you think they should be considered a charity since you seem to donate to them so often.

Just to recap, I have given your several tips in both my posts, “Look to Your Attic To Lower Your Energy Bills” and “Is Your Living Area too Leaky?” I know, winterizing you house is really sexy. Are you biting at the bit for more tips? So, here are the next 8, starting with lucky number 7! After I am done, arm yourself with your handy caulk gun and go to work so that you can be snug as a bug in your warm house.

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSKTWc9Lq-c&NR=1[/youtube]

(Readers receive discounts for Battic Door purchases. See below.)

Do you feel like Goldilocks in your home? Either it is too hot or too cold. It is never just right? Could your house be suffering from leaky home syndrome??? Is it curable?

I am living proof, having lived in a leaky house, that you can plug up those leaks. Many of these tips for your living area, I actually used to make my prior home more comfortable. For tips to reduce your energy needs due to leaks from your living area into your attic, see my article, “Look to Your Attic to Lower Your Energy Bills.”

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Photo by permission of Creative Energy Technologies Inc.

How many times have you stood by your dryer and felt this cold air near your feet?  Just opening up the dryer door immediately wakes you up from the surge of cold air that hits your face.   For years I have been looking for some device that would stop the cold infiltration from my dryer vent. Those flimsy plastic shutter vents did absolutely nothing to stop the cold air.  Half of the time, the louvers of the vent would get stuck in the open position and more cold air would pour in.

 Winter is fast approaching many parts of the world, and it is time to start thinking about how to reduce those energy bills.  Last year I installed this great energy device to stop cold air in its tracks and to give me back the joys of folding clothes again in my warm again laundry room.  Okay, maybe not the joys of folding clothes but at least I am warmer.  The device is called the Heartland Natural Energy Savings Dryer Vent Closure System DRY21000™. 

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Photo Courtesy of ByebyeStandby.com

For our UK readers, Alternative Consumer contained a post about Bye Bye Standby (“BBSB”), a device that cuts off power to unused appliances that are plugged into wall outlets.   The BBSB maker offers the Intro package which contains 2 smart outlets and a green switch and the Energy Savings Kit which contains three appliance switches and one remote control.   On the “Buy me” page is a list of who supplies these products.

 With any products, the question always comes up, how much am I going to save if I am using this product? 

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Photo Courtesy of SmartHomeUSA.com

With all the talk about lessening your carbon footprint, one of the suggestions is to unplug your computers, televisions, and VCRs.  Even when you shut off these electrical appliances, they are still drawing power. 

 “These ‘phantom’ loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. In the average home, 75% of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. This can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance,” according to the Department of Energy.¹

  Although we all know better, how many people remember to turn off the power strip to their computers when they leave the room?  Don’t all raise your hands at once.  Even though we are trying to be more environmentally conscious, we just forget.  It happens. 

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