GREEN
BE MORE EARTH-FRIENDLY by Kirsten Alexander
G
oing green isn’t just about recycling or kitting out your house with all the latest tech. It’s a mind-set. Actively considering the environment in everything you do is the first step to living an environmentally considered life. A connection with nature automatically brings more respect for the earth’s resources, it also creates grounding and nurturing energy. This relationship will encourage lifestyle changes with a positive effect on the environment. ENERGY S AV IN G IS M ON E Y S AV I N G Seek out energy efficient technologies and appliances *LIGHTING - An old-style incandescent light has become difficult to find. Stores mostly stock energy efficient CFL (compact fluorescent) and LED lights. Purchase a well-known established brand, and you’ll get a few years use out of each bulb. Although the initial cost is higher, the daily energy saving pays off. Sleeping earlier on at night or using candles limits night time lighting and are good practices. *INSULATION - Proper insulation offers better heating and cooling at no energy cost. Installing insulation above your ceiling creates a thermal barrier between the heat gained through your roof and the room below, keeping warmth in during winter and heat out in summer. A commonly used product is glasswool rolls. They’re easily installed by a DIY enthusiast, they’re fully recyclable, maintenance free and long lasting. *GEYSERS - Heating with gas creates instant hot water as the water flows through the heating mechanism rather than storing a big tank of heated water. Advances in technology means gas water heating systems offer the same pressure as conventional geysers and more efficiency. 62 \\ W W W. W E L L N E S S WA R E H O U S E . CO M
You can set the temperature, so you won’t need to run a tap to get the perfect heat, nor will you need to add cold water to a bath to get an optimal temperature. Of course solar panels are also a good option. *COOKING - A great way to save energy is to adopt a raw food diet. Failing that, gas is efficient and cost effective as it provides instant heat so you don’t have to wait for your plate or oven to heat up before cooking. Another alternative is an induction system, both safe and efficienct as the plate only heats up when a pot is placed on it and instantly cools when the pot is removed. *THE FRIDGE - Figure out what you want from the fridge before you open the door – fridge gazing lets cold air out and kicks your fridge into high gear to restore the temperature. Let food cool down first before you put it in the fridge. Defrost food in the fridge. It takes longer but the cold contribution is an energy saver. Check the door seals. Air leaks make your fridge and freezer less efficient. Keep breathing space around your fridge rather than pressing it right against the wall. Good airflow keeps it efficient. *WASHING MACHINE - Wear it again. Be mindful of what goes into your laundry basket. If you’ve gently worn an outfit, consider using it again. Your clothes will last longer and you’ll save energy and water. Use the cold water setting. Most of the energy in a washing machine goes towards heating the water. Soak highly stained or dirty clothes first, and use the short wash. Wait until you have a full load but don’t overfill as that will affect the cleaning efficiency. Spin dry thoroughly to minimise any tumble dryer time. Even better, use a centrifugal spinner like the Spindel.
WATE R SAVIN G *AERATOR - Two ways to easily save water is to install a water-saving shower head and an aerator on your basin and sink taps. These both work similarly – by introducing air into the water flow, you still feel a full flow but with less water. *LEAKS - Another absolute must is to fix leaking taps and toilets. Huge amounts of water can be wasted by even tiny drips. If you simply can’t fix or replace a broken tap, catch the water in a container and use it. *GREY WATER - There’s some debate about the cost of grey water systems, they need a certified plumber and grey water specialist but, it’s the greener impact that’s the kicker. It certainly helps save water. Most people who install full systems won’t get much investment return for many years but you can do simple grey water practices like: Keep a bucket in the shower and use that water for flushing the toilet. Put a container in your basin to catch running water from teeth brushing or face washing. Use a container in your sink when you wash your dishes, make sure you use biodegradable, no nastie dishwashing liquid and you can pour the run-off in the garden. *RAINWATER - To harvest rainwater, you don’t need a massive tank in your garden. You can place containers or watering cans underneath the downpipes and have filled containers ready to water your garden. If you install permanent containers to the downpipes, you can connect irrigation pipes with a tap (think of the kind of tap you find on box wine). If you do install a rainwater tank, keep in mind that water shouldn’t remain stagnant for too long and use a filtering systems if you intend drinking it or using it for cooking.
