Green @ Home

Posts Tagged ‘economy’

Everybody knows reliable, not-expensive telescopic table lamp, widely sold through IKEA. Though, it’s relatively simple to modify it from 25 Watts halogen bulb to the LED and drastically decrease the power consumption with a little bit less brightness.

I found MR16 LED bulb cluster, 12V 1.2W in Rona store for $6. The point is that the socket for original T4 Bi-Pin Base halogen is the same that for MP16 that have almost identical two needle-like pins. And base of lamp is containing transformer, providing 12v AC current, so the modification is simple and easy.

Of course, it can be elaborated more to make design more neat and adding aesthetic features. There is always room to chase perfection. At least main goal – to reduce consumption about 20 times is achieved.

Here is illustrated DIY guide :

[View with PicLens]

 

This great proposition from Home Depot Canada is again in effect and celebrates 10-th anniversary. Now it includes trimmers and leaf blowers too!

Did You Know

• Gas-powered lawn equipment and other off-road small engines are responsible for 9% of Canada’s air pollution?
• An inefficient 2-stroke gas-powered lawnmower can emit the same amount of common air pollutants in one hour as driving a car for over 320 kilometers!
• By switching from a gas-powered lawn mower to an energy efficient, electric alternative, you could save up to $75 a year!

How I made switch two years ago

The Integrated Hot Water Domestic and Heating System is completed!

Old water heater for domestic use was gas-powered 50-gallon tank rented from Direct Energy for $14 a month. Not really efficient and, at a long-term, money burner. Partially driven by inability of Direct Energy to provide acceptable exchange options for loyal customers and future considerations of utilizing solar energy, we decided to go ahead with green replacement option.

The new, 79-gallon, indirect Wiesseman Vitocell-300 model with second radiator coil for using with optional solar power collector, was installed. This tank is connected to high efficiency boiler and has no gas consumption. Yes, this is the point – high efficiency boiler is only the source for hot water, both for heating or domestic use. Note, that new tank don’t need all those safety labels and warnings, as it designed to provide 100% quiet, safe and efficient operation.
The future is friendly – connect solar power water collectors to the second contour and you will have high efficient system that use boiler only as secondary source to heat the domestic water.

The diagram shows how the solar energy may be utilized for heating water for domestic use.

High Efficiency Upgrade – Part One : Boiler