15 Earth Day Tips that Really Make a Difference
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For every trash can of waste you put outside for the trash collector, about 70 trash cans of waste are used in order to create that trash. To reduce the amount of waste you produce, buy products in returnable and recyclable containers and recycle as much as you can. The energy saved from recycling a single aluminum can will operate a television for three hours! If your community doesn’t provide containers for recycling, designate a bin in your garage for recyclables to make it easy for you and your family to recycle things like the newspaper and aluminum cans.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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Happy Earth Day on April 22nd 2012
Earth Day is a perfect time to reflect about what you are doing to help protect the environment. There are many ways that you can celebrate alone and with others.
Earth Day is a good time to make a commitment to learning more about the environment and how you can help to protect it. Read up on an issue such as pollution, endangered species, water shortages, recycling, and climate change. Or, learn about a region you've never considered before, like the Arctic, the deserts, or the rainforests. Think about the issues that concern you the most and if you haven't done so already, join a local group that undertakes activities to help protect the environment in your area.
Buy as little as possible and avoid items that come in lots of packaging. Support local growers and producers of food and products - these don't have to travel as far and so reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Take your drink container with you, and don't use any disposable plates or cutlery. Recycle all the things you do use for the day or find other uses for things that you no longer use. Carry a cloth bag for carrying things in and recycle your plastic bags.
Get children to recycle their old toys and games. By giving their old toys and games to younger children who could make use of them, older children learn two lessons: One is about giving to others and the second is about reusing and recycling instead of throwing things away. Adults can also do this with clothes, electrical items, books and more.
Hold an Earth Day fair. Maybe your school, your street, your local neighborhood is interested in getting together to have an environmental fair. Things to have at the fair include demonstrations of environmentally-friendly products, children's artwork, healthy/locally grown foods to eat, animal care demonstrations, games for the children made of recycled products, musicians and actors performing environmental music and skits, stalls which are recycling unwanted treasures and books, local environmental organisations presenting their issues and wares. Money raised can go towards a local environmental restoration project or to an environmental group agreed upon by all the participants running the fair.
Teach others about the environment. Teachers, professionals, students, in fact anyone who cares about the environment and is willing to teach others, can all provide environmental lessons for others. Most schools already celebrate Earth Day in the classrooms with activities but there are many other ways you can teach about the environment.
Wear green and/or brown. Dress in environmental colors for the day.
More than 1 billion people in 192 countries are expected to take part in some type of Earth Day activity.
Will you?
TIPS ON ENERGY SAVING IN HOME APPLIANCES AND ELECTRICITY SAFETY
The Domestic Sector accounts for 30% of total energy consumption in the country. There is a tremendous scope to conserve energy by adopting simple measures.
This information is a guide, which offers easy, practical solutions for saving energy in Home Appliances. Please, take a few moments to read the valuable tips that will save energy & money and ultimately help conserve our natural resources.
It would be useful to know which gadget consumes how much electricity. Economic use of home appliances can help in reducing electricity bills.
Useful Tips to Save Energy
By following these simple tips one can save energy to a large extent.
Lighting
Ø Turn off the lights when not in use
Ø Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight
Ø De-dust lighting fixtures to maintain illumination
Ø Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it
Ø Compact fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting
Ø Use electronic chokes in place of conventional copper chokes
Fans
Ø Replace conventional regulators with electronic regulators for ceiling fans
Ø Install exhaust fans at a higher elevation than ceiling fans
Electric iron
Ø Select iron boxes with automatic temperature cutoff
Ø Use appropriate regulator position for ironing
Ø Do not put more water on clothes while ironing
Ø Do not iron wet clothes
Kitchen Appliances
Ø Mixers
§ Avoid dry grinding in your food processors ( mixers and grinders) as it takes longer time than liquid grinding
Ø Microwaves ovens
§ Consumes 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves
§ Do not bake large food items
§ Unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not even need to preheat
§ Don't open the oven door too often to check food condition as each opening leads to a temperature drop of 25°C
Ø Electric stove
§ Turn off electric stoves several minutes before the specified cooking time
§ Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil
Ø Gas stove
§ When cooking on a gas burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve LPG
§ Remember that a blue flame means your gas stove is operating efficiently
§ Yellowish flame is an indicator that the burner needs cleaning
§ Use pressure cookers as much as possible
§ Use lids to cover the pans while cooking
§ Bring items taken out of refrigerators (like vegetables, milk etc) to room temperature before placing on the gas stove for heating
Ø Use Solar Water Heater – a good replacement for a electric water heater
Electronic Devices
Ø Do not switch on the power when TV and Audio Systems are not in use i.e. idle operation leads to an energy loss of 10 watts/device
Computers
Ø Turn off your home office equipment when not in use. A computer that runs 24 hours a day, for instance, uses - more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator.
Ø If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor; this device alone uses more than half the system's energy.
Ø Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%.
Ø Battery chargers, such as those for laptops, cell phones and digital cameras, draw power whenever they are plugged in and are very inefficient. Pull the plug and save.
Ø Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Start-ups and shutdowns do not use any extra energy, nor are they hard on your computer components. In fact, shutting computers down when you are finished using them actually reduces system wear - and saves energy
Refrigerator
Ø Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running.
Ø Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator
Ø Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold.
Ø Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight
Ø Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Ø Do not open the doors of the refrigerators frequently
Ø Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape.
Ø Use smaller cabinets for storing frequently used items
Ø Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge
Washing machines
Ø Always wash only with full loads
Ø Use optimal quantity of water
Ø Use timer facility to save energy
Ø Use the correct amount of detergent
Ø Use hot water only for very dirty clothes
Ø Always use cold water in the rinse cycle
Ø Prefer natural drying over electric dryers
Air Conditioners
Ø Prefer air conditioners having automatic temperature cut off
Ø Keep regulators at “low cool” position
Ø Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at higher temperature
Ø Seal the doors and windows properly
Ø Leave enough space between your air conditioner and the walls to allow better air circulation
Ø A roof garden can reduce the load on Air Conditioner
Ø Use windows with sun films/curtains
Ø Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be energy consumption.
Ø Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling.
Ø Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
Ø Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
Electrical Safety Tips for Homes
Electrical Hazards
Ø Shocks
§ Electric Shock causes an involuntary grip which prolongs the period of contact.
§ More the period of contact, more the damage
§ Passage of current through the heart , stops the blood supply to the brain , resulting in loss of consciousness and termination of breathing
§ When a person standing at a height receives an electrical shock , it is most likely that he will fall
§ Personal sensitivity to electrical shock varies from person to person
Ø Burns
§ Whenever an electrical flash appears, and if a part of a body comes within flashing distance, burns can be caused
§ Burns may be caused by short circuits as well, because a short circuit could create an electrical fire
Preventive Measures
Ø Allow only a qualified person to attend to your electrical repairs
Ø Service your electrical equipment at frequent intervals through a competent electrician
Ø In case of a short circuit or a fire, switch off the mains instantly Make sure that you have easy access to switch off the supply source quickly, in case of an emergency
Ø Make sure your extension cords are free from cuts, improper insulation, or joints
Ø Ensure pins of your plugs are tight and not loose
Ø Use switches of the correct current rating and preferably with indicators to indicate whether the switch is ON/OFF
Ø Use appliances with 3 pin plugs and connect them to 3 pin sockets
Ø Do not overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in place of additional outlets
Ø Switch off electrical appliances when not in use
Ø Provide proper earthing for the building/house
This information is a guide, which offers easy, practical solutions for saving energy in Home Appliances. Please, take a few moments to read the valuable tips that will save energy & money and ultimately help conserve our natural resources.
It would be useful to know which gadget consumes how much electricity. Economic use of home appliances can help in reducing electricity bills.
Useful Tips to Save Energy
By following these simple tips one can save energy to a large extent.
Lighting
Ø Turn off the lights when not in use
Ø Take advantage of daylight by using light-colored, loose-weave curtains on your windows to allow daylight to penetrate the room. Also, decorate with lighter colors that reflect daylight
Ø De-dust lighting fixtures to maintain illumination
Ø Use task lighting; instead of brightly lighting an entire room, focus the light where you need it
Ø Compact fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and provide the same lighting
Ø Use electronic chokes in place of conventional copper chokes
Fans
Ø Replace conventional regulators with electronic regulators for ceiling fans
Ø Install exhaust fans at a higher elevation than ceiling fans
Electric iron
Ø Select iron boxes with automatic temperature cutoff
Ø Use appropriate regulator position for ironing
Ø Do not put more water on clothes while ironing
Ø Do not iron wet clothes
Kitchen Appliances
Ø Mixers
§ Avoid dry grinding in your food processors ( mixers and grinders) as it takes longer time than liquid grinding
Ø Microwaves ovens
§ Consumes 50 % less energy than conventional electric / gas stoves
§ Do not bake large food items
§ Unless you're baking breads or pastries, you may not even need to preheat
§ Don't open the oven door too often to check food condition as each opening leads to a temperature drop of 25°C
Ø Electric stove
§ Turn off electric stoves several minutes before the specified cooking time
§ Use flat-bottomed pans that make full contact with the cooking coil
Ø Gas stove
§ When cooking on a gas burner, use moderate flame settings to conserve LPG
§ Remember that a blue flame means your gas stove is operating efficiently
§ Yellowish flame is an indicator that the burner needs cleaning
§ Use pressure cookers as much as possible
§ Use lids to cover the pans while cooking
§ Bring items taken out of refrigerators (like vegetables, milk etc) to room temperature before placing on the gas stove for heating
Ø Use Solar Water Heater – a good replacement for a electric water heater
Electronic Devices
Ø Do not switch on the power when TV and Audio Systems are not in use i.e. idle operation leads to an energy loss of 10 watts/device
Computers
Ø Turn off your home office equipment when not in use. A computer that runs 24 hours a day, for instance, uses - more power than an energy-efficient refrigerator.
Ø If your computer must be left on, turn off the monitor; this device alone uses more than half the system's energy.
Ø Setting computers, monitors, and copiers to use sleep-mode when not in use helps cut energy costs by approximately 40%.
Ø Battery chargers, such as those for laptops, cell phones and digital cameras, draw power whenever they are plugged in and are very inefficient. Pull the plug and save.
Ø Screen savers save computer screens, not energy. Start-ups and shutdowns do not use any extra energy, nor are they hard on your computer components. In fact, shutting computers down when you are finished using them actually reduces system wear - and saves energy
Refrigerator
Ø Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers; frost buildup increases the amount of energy needed to keep the motor running.
Ø Leave enough space between your refrigerator and the walls so that air can easily circulate around the refrigerator
Ø Don't keep your refrigerator or freezer too cold.
Ø Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight
Ø Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the refrigerator. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
Ø Do not open the doors of the refrigerators frequently
Ø Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than necessary, as cold air will escape.
Ø Use smaller cabinets for storing frequently used items
Ø Avoid putting hot or warm food straight into the fridge
Washing machines
Ø Always wash only with full loads
Ø Use optimal quantity of water
Ø Use timer facility to save energy
Ø Use the correct amount of detergent
Ø Use hot water only for very dirty clothes
Ø Always use cold water in the rinse cycle
Ø Prefer natural drying over electric dryers
Air Conditioners
Ø Prefer air conditioners having automatic temperature cut off
Ø Keep regulators at “low cool” position
Ø Operate the ceiling fan in conjunction with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively throughout the room and operate the air conditioner at higher temperature
Ø Seal the doors and windows properly
Ø Leave enough space between your air conditioner and the walls to allow better air circulation
Ø A roof garden can reduce the load on Air Conditioner
Ø Use windows with sun films/curtains
Ø Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The less difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower will be energy consumption.
Ø Don't set your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling.
Ø Don't place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
Ø Plant trees or shrubs to shade air-conditioning units but not to block the airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
Electrical Safety Tips for Homes
Electrical Hazards
Ø Shocks
§ Electric Shock causes an involuntary grip which prolongs the period of contact.
§ More the period of contact, more the damage
§ Passage of current through the heart , stops the blood supply to the brain , resulting in loss of consciousness and termination of breathing
§ When a person standing at a height receives an electrical shock , it is most likely that he will fall
§ Personal sensitivity to electrical shock varies from person to person
Ø Burns
§ Whenever an electrical flash appears, and if a part of a body comes within flashing distance, burns can be caused
§ Burns may be caused by short circuits as well, because a short circuit could create an electrical fire
Preventive Measures
Ø Allow only a qualified person to attend to your electrical repairs
Ø Service your electrical equipment at frequent intervals through a competent electrician
Ø In case of a short circuit or a fire, switch off the mains instantly Make sure that you have easy access to switch off the supply source quickly, in case of an emergency
Ø Make sure your extension cords are free from cuts, improper insulation, or joints
Ø Ensure pins of your plugs are tight and not loose
Ø Use switches of the correct current rating and preferably with indicators to indicate whether the switch is ON/OFF
Ø Use appliances with 3 pin plugs and connect them to 3 pin sockets
Ø Do not overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in place of additional outlets
Ø Switch off electrical appliances when not in use
Ø Provide proper earthing for the building/house
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