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...
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conditioning is eligible to sign up for PEAKSAVER to
receive a $ credit and be entered in cool PEAKSAVER
contests. By participating, you'll join thousands of
others who allow Toronto to reduce the strain on the
electrical system during summer peak periods. It only
takes a little effort to make a big contribution to
conserve electricity and improve our environment.
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Air conditioning tips
We use our air conditioners to protect us from the
effects of hot, smoggy days. BUT
by running our air
conditioners, we are making these days even more likely.
It creates a vicious circle of smog.
Air conditioners can put an enormous strain on our
power supplies. They're the reason the risk of power
shortages is greatest in the summer.
There's a myth that leaving the A/C on all
day uses less energy than cooling the house down when
you get home. That myth is completely false.
Your air conditioner has to work its hardest in the
middle of the day when it's hottest outside. That's a
lot of wasted energy when nobody's home. An air
conditioner can cool a room noticeably in about 10
minutes. That's a much better use of power.
- Keep windows closed and pull the blinds or drapes
closed to keep the house cool.
- Use ceiling fans to supplement, or even replace, air
conditioning.
- Cool your home to 26 C (no lower!) Each degree you
go below 26 C noticeably increases your electricity use.
- Turn off unnecessary lights and equipment in the
house - they produce a lot of heat and make your air
conditioner work harder.
source: http ://www.ene.gov.on.ca/en/myenvironment/home/ac.php
More summer tips
- Don't over-water your lawn
Even though the heat may seem unbearable, your lawn
will only need one inch of water each week. If it
rains, that means you don't have to water. Make sure
to water early in the morning (before it gets too
hot, but not if it's windy). Watering in the evening
can cause lawn disease, as the ground will stay wet
through the night. Watering mid-day is a waste since
water evaporates
- Steer clear of disposable containers for
your outdoor eating If you don't have
enough plates, bowls or cutlery, ask a friend to
bring an extra set over or rent dishes from a party
rental company. Refuse to use disposables, which can
take more than 100 years to break down.
- Don't water your sidewalk and driveway
In an effort to keep their property looking its
best, some people don't realize the true
environmental cost of water consumption. Break the
habit of hosing down concrete, and get out the old
broom.
- Go easy on your air conditioner Home
cooling is one of the biggest energy guzzling
behaviors we have. Try alternative cooling methods
for those unbearable days. Using fans will reduce
your air conditioner use in half. Close blinds and
curtains on bright sunny days. Take a cold shower or
lie in a tub filled halfway with lukewarm water.
Fill a container with ice cubes and point your
oscillating fan in its direction. Use a public pool
or make an iced fruit smoothie to cool your insides.
Sit in your lawn chair under the sprinkler! Get
creative!
- Retire the gas lawnmower and leaf blower.
They are murder ~ especially on poor air
quality/smog alert days. Gas-powered mowers
and leaf blowers feed hungrily off fossil fuels,
releasing 80,000 tonnes of GHG emissions annually in
Canada. Try a push-mower instead and you can save 80
lbs of carbon dioxide per year. And no more gas or
fumes!
- Wait until it rains to wash your vehicle.
Or use a bucket of water and some elbow grease to do
the job
- Use a clothesline to dry
clothes. Set up an outdoor or indoor clothesline.
It's easy, cheap and environmentally-friendly
- Leave the car at home and walk,
ride your bicycle or take public transit. Combine
your car-based errands diligently and carpool
whenever possible. Try the train over air travel for
long distance trips
source: http ://www.straightgoods.ca/ViewConsForum7.cfm?REF=20
Tips for conserving your water use
Do not water the sidewalk and driveway.
For some, this may happen accidentally when using a
sprinkler, for others, it is an intentional method to wash
away debris. Think about the energy required to treat and
pump that water - don't waste it on the concrete.
Just One Drop
You can set your drip irrigation system on a timer and water
precisely the area you want (i.e. the roots]. Some of these
systems deliver water literally one drop at a time which is
the best way to maximize your water resources and get the
most from your plants
Sprinkling Water
A single lawn sprinkler spraying 19 litres per minute uses
more water in just one hour than a combination of ten toilet
flushes, two five minute showers, two dishwasher loads, and
a full load of clothes!
Capture Grey Water
Instead of letting water gush into the sewers, divert it to
the garden. Put a big bowl in the sink and a bucket in the
tub. Keep in mind that tiny bits of food and natural soaps
will not harm your plants or greens.
Wet Enough
Most regions in Canada receive enough rainwater
throughout the year that lawn watering is only necessary on
occasion in the summer.
Rain barrels
Outdoor watering makes up almost 40% of total household
water use in the summer. A rain barrel will help you save
about 5200 litres of water in the peak summer months. Rain
water is also healthier for your plants than treated tap
water. Place the barrel under your eavestrough downspout to
catch rain water. Use the contents on your yard and indoor
plants.
Try a Soaker Hose
When your lawn and garden needs watering, use a soaker hose.
It will help your household reduce water consumption by up
to 70% and deliver the water only where it is needed.
Did you know? Soaker hoses look like black
garden hoses sporting thousands of tiny holes. These hoses
are designed to be laid out in the garden and covered with
mulch, delivering the water on low-pressure at the roots
where its needed. A conventional sprinkler allows most of
its water spray to evaporate.
source: EcoAction Calculator
http://calculator.ecoactionteams.ca/
