FACILITATING SUSTAINABILITY

Fossil Homes Are Out

Tiny Homes

Eco-Warrior’s Paradox

The average American home uses about 36,000 kWh of electricity each year—far more than shows up on your bill, since transmission and distribution losses are not reported. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, a whopping 68% of the energy used to provide electricity to homes is wasted in transmission and distribution.

For every kilowatt-hour of energy you use, two are wasted.

Add to this the unpleasant fact that we still make this electricity by burning old fashioned, dirty fossil fuels. It should feel strange to run your new efficient compact fluorescent lamps by burning coal and gas, don’t you think?

In Samsoe, Denmark, ordinary working people used their savings to build enough windmills to provide all of the city’s energy needs. Without all those losses, the world’s first carbon neutral city is also making money.

Following the Samsoe example, here is something you can do. If you still live in a Fossil Home, think about a makeover. Here is your starter checklist:

  1. Hunt for air leaks. Caulk, seal, repair.
  2. Change the thermostat: winter = 65F, summer = 80F
  3. Replace incandescent lights, or don’t use them often.
  4. Replace the old toilet with a 1.0 gallon one.
  5. Replace showerheads with 1.25 gpm or better.
  6. Replace single pane, metal frame windows.
  7. Replace the old refrigerator.
  8. Remove the dishwasher. Look at that new storage space!
  9. Get rid of the garbage disposal and start composting.
10. Replace the furnace with a heat pump or geo-exchange.
11. Get an electric induction cooktop or other electric stove.
12. If you must own a car, buy an electric one.
13. Get a loan to install solar photovoltaics, or better yet…
14. Organize a community-scale renewable power system.

Also, take a peek at this video about the One Planet Living program to get a few more ideas.