Conservation

Dishwashers vs hand washing is one of those debates that rages though the green community and you can find plenty of facts, research and evidence to support both sides.

Trouble is, that most people try to compare apples and (some un-specified fruit that proves the desired outcome) so we here at greenknowe.org set out to do our own first hand practical kitchen analysis.

Windows, even double and triple pane are still one of the weakest parts of a building envelope.  A typical wall may be R13 while a good double pane window is only R-4.  Adding good insulation to your windows can greatly improve your over all insulation.

These instructions are for DIY insulating roman shades.

This project has an aspect of do as I say (or would have done if I had planned better) not as I did.

We blogged about molten-salt plants a few months ago here on greenknowe.org, and now we have some good news to go along with that. California has approved a molten-salt solar plant, and construction is expected to begin sometime late in 2011. Hopefully the cost and efficiency will play out as expected, and more of these plants will be built in the future.

The Back-to-School ritual that happens ever fall is one of those tides of consumption that periodically sweeps over us in our lives.  We can easily avoid the pit fall of clothing right now as our son is still young and having new trendy things is not important to him.  We are very proud of our little guy who gladly accepts cast-offs and thrift store clothes.  This may change when he gets nearer to his teenage years. 

We are under 20 gallons per day per person.  The Riot4Austerity goal is 10 gallons per person per  day.  The almost 20 gallons we use includes some outdoor watering and some for my work as a costumer.  Textiles is a water intensive profession so we are proud to be as close as we are.

Earlier we talked about how to make your own rain barrel.  The rain barrel project was easy to do, and it was very exciting to see how quickly the barrels filled up when it rained.  Unfortunately, it was also a bit disappointing to see how quickly those sixty-five gallons of water were used up watering the yard when the rain stopped.  C

Recently we set up a TerraCycle collection program for my son's school. We collect certain items and for each item TerraCycle donates 2 cents to the school. Its a little money and great big feeling of happiness that our world is going to be a cleaner place.

Recently, Barbara picked up a new clock for my nightstand.  It wasn't new-from-the-store, but it was new to me, and looks the same as any new-from-the-store clock would look one month after you took it out of its package.  The clock it replaced was purchased used and then donated to a charity.