Collectively, small lifestyle changes can make a huge impact on the environment–and your life. Looking for happiness and health? What’s good for the environment is also, it turns out, great for you. Here’s a collection of tips from the No Impact community.
I made two changes in the last 3 years – the impact became obvious only last month, when I compiled a table of our household gas and electricity use in the last 4 years.
The first thing I noticed was a significant drop from 2006 to 2007. This was noticeable throughout the year. In retrospect, I think it was when the whole house humidifier stopped working and we just put off repairs until we realized we did not need it. We had initially bought it because we were told that our new bamboo floors would be destroyed without it. The humidity level in Colorado is normally below the 30-60% range ideal for bamboo floors. We discovered that our floors are fine without the humidifier.
Then I noticed a bump for 2 months in 2008, then a decrease to levels below 2007. I think that is when we got the advice to turn on the furnace fan to equalize the air temperature between the different floors of our house. After I realized this had increased our electricity use by about 30%, I turned off the fan, with no noticeable effect on the air temperature. The reason the overall 2008 level is lower than 2007 is that I dropped the thermostat 2 degrees. I am assuming electricity use comes from having the furnace turn on and off – and it does less of that if the thermostat is set lower. Of course, in winter, our refrigerator works less if the house temperature is lower.
Finally, in 2009, there is a further drop, to the point where our electricity use is now 1/3 of what it was in 2006. This corresponds to a thermostat setting 2 more degrees lower. This is despite having acquired a new chest freezer in summer 2008.
I’m amazed at how energy intensive central heating and cooling can be, and how we are running some of these gizmos with no noticeable benefit.
This post was submitted by Myrto Ashe.
I am still amazed to see how many people consider themselves “green”in San Diego and keep using a dryer instead of hanging their laundry outside on a clothes line. Such a waste of energy! In Southern California, it only takes a couple of hours to get fresh dry laundry, smooth and ready to be put away in a closet. A dryer destroys your garments, make you use more artificial products and consumes a lot of electricity. A cloth line is basically free! Please next time you are ready to use a dryer think about my post.
This post was submitted by Sophie.
My family and I have down sized due to the economy and our plan for Financial freedom in this quest. I have thought ways how to protect the planet, with my actions. Many times I and My family refuse bags for items at the store or Rancher Market “new concept carry with hands. Here is AZ. It has started to cool off My son walks to school as weather permit for exercise and less consumption.
Our family has down sized to one car for all of us two adult and two teenagers they do not drive yet. until they pay their own way. I hang dry most of my laundry I love the fresh smell and feeling. My HOA like to complain about hanging clothing I just ignore them I know there is a group trying to change weather a home association can regulate people hanging their laundry out. If anyone can help me on this let me know. I got a bigger recycle bin 90 gallon. make sure we use our left over before going to the store too many times I try to hold it down to once a week or once every 12 days. We have lost weight spent less and made less of a carbon imprint on the earth I reuse and exchange many items with friends and purchase second hand repair and recycle everything. right now I am using candles for light even though I have all florescent in the house. We are planning a winter garden in container here in AZ for the winter. make our own snack and drink for trip around town cuts down on everything time gas money wasting gas at the drive through and polluting the earth. I shut off the car when waiting too long. We are holding a garage sale this weekend to lighten the house. when we have Christmas this year we will plant a tree and make edible ornaments. work on making homemade gift from nature.
We are still learning and trying
This post was submitted by Carey Davis.
On the 1st of each month, I record my car’s mileage to see how far I drove during the prior month. My car travel has done down significantly in recent months as I strive to drive less by grouping errands, walking to get them done, or postponing things until I have a number to do.
This post was submitted by Mary Keil.
For the past few months I’ve been living a ‘second-hand life’ – that is that I only buy items from charity shops, ebay, thrift shops, flea markets etc. If I can’t recycle an item I am looking at (and blogging about) ways to upcycle them.
I just want to try and reduce the imapact I’m having on the mountain of rubbish that is growing and growing to the point of sinking the island I live on!
This post was submitted by Polly.