How to Use Your Vacuum to Save $$
Practical steps an individual can take to create an energy efficient apartment include: use reflection and thermal mass storage for passive solar applications, caulk-n-seal leaks to (and from) the exterior environment, install efficient lighting (fluorescent, LEDs, or low wattage), and replace old appliances with Energy-Star units.
In the 1960s winterizing our rural west Kentucky home meant: stockpiling firewood, covering single pane windows and screen doors with plastic (on the outside), using heavy curtains to insulating window interiors, and sealing inside seams of doors leading to the outside with overlapping cardboard strips.
Prior to these steps, in order to insulating the tenant farmhouse, three layers of cardboard were attached to interior walls to raise R-Value. The unattractive flat cardboard was covered with printed wallpaper using flour and water paste. My parents’ practical sustainable solutions increased wood-heating efficiency of the brick lined stove by 40%. (My estimate is based on a before and after comparison of trips the author made outdoors to refill the indoor wood box, and mental images of sibling (7) and adult (3) distribution about the indoor environment.)
Today my domestic comfort, in a NY apartment, relies on more than economics and weather stripping. It entails air quality, water purity, and energy efficiency to protect, respectively, my health and the nation’s security through US energy independence.
Water Safety
To my sink and shower I’ve attached small dual-purpose particulate and organic filters that trap solids, excess chlorine, iron (rust), and other soluble contaminate found in the city’s water mains. Average usage-life of each $5 filters is ninety days ($60 yearly).
To conserve water I take short showers, shave with a sink of hot water, rinse my toothbrush before and after use, and limit toilet flushing during evening and weekends.
Breathing Air Quality
Cloth and vacuum are used to manage endemic urban dust in this desert-like environment. I recommend electric air cleaners (like Oreck, or Ionic Breeze) for Northeast US residents.
To retard mold growth I wipe moisture droplets from my shower walls after use. I reduce frying to lower indoors aerosols. And reduce clutter because it hides dust which provides habitat for microbes and insects.
Winterization
To winterize my apartment I close the screen, the double windows, and seal the seam below my foyer door with a towel. People with wood doors can added a $20 attachment that automatically creates a bottom seal when closing a door. I may insulate with drapes.
Energy Efficiency
Because I object to US energy vulnerability from domestic refiners and foreign suppliers, efficiency is my main domestic energy goal.
Therefore my white apartment walls maximize dispersal of the sunlight entering through north facing windows. All light bulbs are fluorescent and power cost 25% less.
A new Energy-Star refrigerator saves another $7 each month ($84 yr).
An ancient in place air conditioner is no longer used because it costs about $50 per month to operate. A 40% more efficient $200 Energy-Star replacement would pay for itself in three years based on usage cost savings.
Benefits
Quality of life benefits like clean water and air cannot be easily measured. But the estimated annual energy cost savings from my modest efficiency effort is:
= 12 months/yr *($10/month Lighting + $7/month Refrigeration)
x 3 months ($20/month future net Air Conditioner Savings)
= $264 annually.
If we assume NYC has 200,000 similar apartments, then the potential annual energy savings from an equivalent (modest) efficiency effort is:
= $264 Yr * 200,000 NYC Apartments
= $ 53,000,000 each year.
Not bad for a middle aged moderate retraining for an alternative sustainable future!
Leave a Reply
