Comments on: My Greatest Environmental Sin http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/ Freelance Writing, Personal Development, and Making Money with Freelance Writer Michael Kwan Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:38:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Deborah http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62501 Deborah Sat, 25 Oct 2008 03:57:32 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62501 I started freelancing full-time on September 1st and I've already noticed a change in my electric bill. Thankfully, I live in a small apartment so it's not a huge difference, but it's noticeable, nonetheless... I started freelancing full-time on September 1st and I’ve already noticed a change in my electric bill. Thankfully, I live in a small apartment so it’s not a huge difference, but it’s noticeable, nonetheless…

]]> By: Mike Huang http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62478 Mike Huang Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:08:29 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62478 Very good post. I usually don't unplug my power bars, but I turn it off. A least that way it does use a lot less power than if it was on with plugs that are off. :P -Mike Very good post. I usually don’t unplug my power bars, but I turn it off. A least that way it does use a lot less power than if it was on with plugs that are off. :P

-Mike

]]> By: Nick http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62448 Nick Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:10:18 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62448 Hmmm, I would have to say that electricity is my biggest thing too! Between used power and vampire power, I go through a lot of it. I have also switched to CFL light bulbs, but I should get into the habit of unplugging things when they are not in use! I've also considered getting a couple of solar panels to help offset this, but it's somewhat cost prohibitive for me at this time. Hmmm, I would have to say that electricity is my biggest thing too! Between used power and vampire power, I go through a lot of it. I have also switched to CFL light bulbs, but I should get into the habit of unplugging things when they are not in use! I’ve also considered getting a couple of solar panels to help offset this, but it’s somewhat cost prohibitive for me at this time.

]]> By: betshopboy http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62443 betshopboy Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:57:28 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62443 My environmental sin would be “vampire power” as I've not develop the habit to unplug the power bars when I left for work each morning. What I've been doing to offset this impact is by using rechargeable batteries, reusable water bottles and reusable grocery bags.I also try to use the laundry water for flushing the toilet. My environmental sin would be “vampire power” as I’ve not develop the habit to unplug the power bars when I left for work each morning.

What I’ve been doing to offset this impact is by using rechargeable batteries, reusable water bottles and reusable grocery bags.I also try to use the laundry water for flushing the toilet.

]]> By: dcr http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62442 dcr Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:16:12 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62442 I've used some fluorescent lighting, but I try to avoid that because of the mercury in them that's unsafe. LED lights, when those become more widely (and affordably) available will be better. They last longer than fluorescent lights, use less energy than fluorescent lights and don't have the mercury hazards. I’ve used some fluorescent lighting, but I try to avoid that because of the mercury in them that’s unsafe. LED lights, when those become more widely (and affordably) available will be better. They last longer than fluorescent lights, use less energy than fluorescent lights and don’t have the mercury hazards.

]]> By: Michael Kwan http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62438 Michael Kwan Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:20:15 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62438 My rechargeable NiMH batteries last a lot longer than regular alkalines. I use 2500mAh for AA. It depends on the application, but for things like digital cameras, you have to go with NiMH. Those Pure Energy rechargeable alkalines are garbage and you really shouldn't bother with NiCad. My rechargeable NiMH batteries last a lot longer than regular alkalines. I use 2500mAh for AA. It depends on the application, but for things like digital cameras, you have to go with NiMH. Those Pure Energy rechargeable alkalines are garbage and you really shouldn’t bother with NiCad.

]]> By: Damien http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62437 Damien Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:13:44 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62437 Michael, do those rechargeables last as long? The ones I tried depleted fast! Michael, do those rechargeables last as long? The ones I tried depleted fast!

]]> By: Bonnie http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62436 Bonnie Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:05:30 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62436 I live in Kits, so I sold my nearly new car eighteen months ago. I take transit and belong to the Cooperative Auto Network for the few times I need a car. I changed over to the compact florescents last year .. now we're being told that's not such a good idea. I'm still using them until there's something new. I unplug my chargers and turn off the lights when I leave a room. My bad .. I live in an older apartment building, so I have cascaded power bars off two outlets for my home office. It's a logistics nightmare and I don't even want to think about the extra power I waste. Maybe I should put a small windmill in the garden to generate my own power .. Do you think the landlord would notice? I live in Kits, so I sold my nearly new car eighteen months ago. I take transit and belong to the Cooperative Auto Network for the few times I need a car.

I changed over to the compact florescents last year .. now we’re being told that’s not such a good idea. I’m still using them until there’s something new.

I unplug my chargers and turn off the lights when I leave a room.

My bad .. I live in an older apartment building, so I have cascaded power bars off two outlets for my home office. It’s a logistics nightmare and I don’t even want to think about the extra power I waste.

Maybe I should put a small windmill in the garden to generate my own power .. Do you think the landlord would notice?

]]> By: Tyler Ingram http://btr.michaelkwan.com/2008/10/19/my-greatest-environmental-sin/#comment-62434 Tyler Ingram Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:54:11 +0000 http://btr.michaelkwan.com/?p=2278#comment-62434 When I leave to stay at the GFs I do ensure everything is turned off or unplugged. Same goes when I am over at her house and we go outside. I plan on moving downtown which means I can get rid of my car and walk everywhere. When I need a car i can borrow the GFs Yaris! but since everything is within at most a 10 min walk I'll be green that way! Or so I'd like to think... If houses' electrical systems were more balanced there would be a more efficient power draw on the circuits too but because we use powerbars and extension cords etc, it throws the balance off and you draw higher amounts. We learn in my electrical courses to load-balance electrical panels. unfortunately its a bit of a guess on what the end-user will plug in and use. When I leave to stay at the GFs I do ensure everything is turned off or unplugged.

Same goes when I am over at her house and we go outside. I plan on moving downtown which means I can get rid of my car and walk everywhere. When I need a car i can borrow the GFs Yaris! but since everything is within at most a 10 min walk I’ll be green that way! Or so I’d like to think…

If houses’ electrical systems were more balanced there would be a more efficient power draw on the circuits too but because we use powerbars and extension cords etc, it throws the balance off and you draw higher amounts. We learn in my electrical courses to load-balance electrical panels. unfortunately its a bit of a guess on what the end-user will plug in and use.

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