OUTDOOR SHOWER

I live on Cape Cod fairly near the ocean. A common sight on many Cape Cod homes is an outdoor shower generally on the side or back of the dwelling.

It is a good idea to use the outdoor shower if you have one when the weather is warm enough compared with using the shower in your bathroom. The outdoor shower water doesn't enter your septic or sewer system. Also, outdoor showers don't require bathroom lights or exhaust fans.

Outdoor showers reduce the amount of sand tracked through your home if you have just returned from the beach.

For these reasons you use less energy with an outdoor shower. Plus sometimes if the sun is shining while you are taking your outdoor shower it appears like you are taking a shower in a rainbow as the sunlight hits the shower water and refracts this light in to many colors.

LOWER FLOW SHOWER HEADS

It is a good idea to install shower heads that restrict the amount of water that flows through the shower head but at the same time gives you good water pressure. Many inexpensive shower heads, such as the one shown in the picture on the left, also have a water control adjustment so that you can shut the water off while you are putting shampoo in your hair for example, and then turn the shower head back on to rinse the shampoo from your hair.

A lot of energy conservation and water conservation comes from just using your head and not standing under the shower forever. If you cut down on your average shower time you will conserve both water and energy.

So be smart, use a flow restricted shower head and also use your real head to reduce water and energy consumption while taking a shower.

FREE ELECTRIC ENERGY SAVING IDEAS

It sounds so simple because it is. If you or no one else is in a room in your house; turn off the lights. There is probably no such thing as "monsters or boogie men" so there is no need to keep an unoccupied room with the lights on. Even if there were "monsters" it is doubtful that they are afraid of the light.

The same advise for exterior lights. There is no need to keep outside lights on forever unless you live in a crime riddled slum. Get some solar lamps to light your walkway or motion sensitive lights that turn on when you need them and turn off the rest of the night.

It is a good idea to set your computer to the "energy saver mode" so that your monitor isn't using as much energy when you aren't using it. Remember to shut your computer off at night when you are finished.

Shut off your bathroom and kitchen fans as these can blow heated air outside.

I have read that electric appliances such as toasters,battery chargers,printers,televisions, and compact disk players can use up to five percent of your total energy use through stand by energy consumption even when they are not in use. It is a good idea to unplug these items when you aren't using them. Many people use power strips to plug in their appliances and then just turn off the power strip at night.

All these small steps can add up over time to significant electric energy savings. Remember that the more energy you save, the less you pay, leaving you with more money for other things.

A "GOOD DRAFT DODGER"

It is a good idea to eliminate drafts coming into your home to save on your heating bills in the winter and air conditioning bills during the summer. Electric wall sockets on exterior walls of your home should be insulated with inexpensive and easy to install insulation as shown on the photo on the left. This insulation should take you less than a minute to unscrew the wall socket cover, install the insulation and reattach the cover thus reducing the drafts from the outside air. It is also a good idea to make sure your windows are locked to have a tighter seal during the winter months to reduce heat loss. These two small steps can help make your home more energy efficient and reduce your heating bills. The wall socket insulators should be available at your local hardware store or building supply store.

So "dodge that draft and save some cash".

COOKING CONSERVATION THOUGHTS

Every little bit of energy efficiency helps. In the kitchen I do a couple of things that help with energy use that are admittedly hard to quantify but to me can't hurt. The two energy tips can be used during "heating season" when every bit of energy used for home heating is an expense.

The first energy tip is to keep the oven door slightly open after you have finished cooking a meal in the oven so that the heat generated by cooking your meal can enter the interior air of your home. This small step can help heat up the interior air of your home. It is important that if you have small children in your home that you don't keep the oven door wide open as you don't want anyone to burn themselves .

Another energy conservation thought for the kitchen during the winter heating season is to let the boiling water heated on your stove top sit on the stove after you have cooked your vegetables, spaghetti, etc. instead of immediately draining this water down your kitchen sink. This action will allow the heated water energy to dissipate throughout your kitchen and slightly heat up the interior air in your home.

These small actions won't solve your heating costs but they can't hurt and are a more efficient way of using energy already used in preparing your meals.

FLORESCENT FOR NOW LED LATER

The incandescent light bulb is waning in energy efficiency, popularity, and cost effectiveness. Many countries and individual states are considering banning the sale of incandescent light bulbs in the near future. While one can debate whether a governmental authority should get involved in making a decision one restricting the use of incandescent light bulbs; one cannot debate that the compact florescent light bulb uses less energy. A great percentage of the electric power used with an incandescent light bulb is expended on heating up the light bulb compared with the amount of light generated from this type of bulb.

The compact florescent light bulb is longer lasting than an incandescent light bulb, uses less energy and is cooler to the touch. One can debate the quality of light offered by these two types of light bulbs; however from an energy efficiency standpoint the compact florescent bulb is the clear winner.

The next evolution in lighting will be the LED (Light Emitting Diode) bulb. Currently many people use LED Christmas tree lights. The LED technology uses even less energy than the incandescent and florescent light bulbs and last far longer than either of these types of lighting. Currently one of the major drawbacks to the LED lighting is the cost of the LED bulbs. As the production of LED light bulbs increases the costs should start to decrease.

RECYCLE CANS AND BOTTLES

It is important to recycle your aluminum soda and beer cans. It takes far less energy to recycle an aluminum can into a new can than it does to make a brand new aluminum can.

Plastic and glass bottles should also be recycled. In addition to saving energy many states have a deposit on these bottles and cans. By redeeming these bottles and cans you can pick up some "pocket change". Also, if you are walking down your neighborhood street; pick up that stray can or bottle and reward yourself with the deposit as well as reducing the amount of roadside litter.

I read recently that a state representative in Connecticut is trying to expand their deposit laws to include deposits on water bottles and juices. Currently water, orange juice, and ice tea drinks are exempt from redemption deposits. To me it doesn't make much sense that the deposit regulations are dependent on the type of liquid found in the container. As the liquids are consumed and not recycled; it is the container that should be recycled to save energy and also reduce the amount of waste in dumps and landfills.

If you agree with the premise that the recycling laws should be expanded; contact your local elected representatives, express your opinion and encourage them to initiate legislation.

SOUTH SIDE WINDOWS

During the winter season if you live in a temperate area of the world; it is important to open the shades,drapes, blinds, and any other window treatment on sunny days to allow for passive solar light and heating on south facing windows. This solar warming and lighting is "free heating and lighting" and contributes no emissions to the environment.

After the sun sets it is then a good idea to shut the window shades, etc. to retain the passive heat generated from the sunny day.

When planning to build a new home or addition; it is a good idea to consider siting the home with as much southern exposure as the property will allow and plan window exposure to create as much potential passive solar energy as you can.

"IT'S IN THE BAG"

As the "bag" says, You can make a difference. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Re-usable shopping bags like this one can cut down on the number of paper and plastic bags used each year. Some grocery stores even give you a small credit for bringing your own re-usable bag. These bags generally cost around a dollar.

"Metal Bottle"

I received a metal bottle for Christmas from my brother Scott and his wife. This bottle has an advantage over plastic water bottles as it is more durable and holds the coldness of water and liquids better than plastic.

Also by using a metal water bottle you lessen the amount of plastic water bottles used. Plastics are made from petroleum.

Re-using a metal water bottle seems to be a more environmentaly friendly way to carry water.

"LIGHTEN UP YOUR CAR"

I read recently that for every 100 pounds less that a car weighs that you can increase your gas mileage by one mile per gallon. Short of losing 100 pounds of body weight yourself; you can increase your gas mileage slightly by removing unneeded items such as stray papers, cans, clothing, or whatever else you have in your car such as a set of golf clubs, bowling ball among other things.

Basically, any unneeded item in your car adds to your car weight and should be removed for greater mileage efficiency. Little things add up. Do your part and shed some pounds by losing some weight and/or lightening the weight in your car. Plus, your car will look neater with less excess things in it.