 Stories About: advice AND Ask Umbra AND energy at home AND energy efficiency AND green living
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Don't Spray It
On long, hot showers |
Umbra Fisk |
02 Apr 2008 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, The biggest waster of energy in our house right now is our 15-year-old daughter, whose never-ending daily showers must surely be responsible for warming the planet another half-degree. No matter how loudly we bang on the bathroom door and scream for her to stop, she showers on -- 20, 30 minutes at a time. And yes, we have a low-flow showerhead and our water heater is set to 120 degrees. Is there any kind of device -- one t ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, parenting, water conflicts (all these topics) |
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You Look Radiant
On radiant heating |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Jul 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We're trying to build a really small house and be really economical as we do it. Radiant floor heating sounds practical for the first floor, although it's expensive. What do you think about radiant floor heating, pluses, minuses, efficiency? Radiantly yours, Kerry Florence, Mass. Dearest Kerry, Thank you for helping me to write about radiant floor heat basics by sending in your question as requested. How I have coveted a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics) |
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Still Worth It
On mercury in CFLs |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Jul 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dearest Umbra, For the past 10 years or so I have been patiently and methodically replacing the incandescent light bulbs in my house with the more efficient compact fluorescent ones. Even though they cost more than incandescents, I have been confident that their lower energy requirements and longer life span more than made up for the increased cost. Thus I was greatly dismayed the other day when I went to our local transfer station and ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, green products, toxics (all these topics) |
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You Were Always Cozy Like That
On insulation |
Umbra Fisk |
31 Jan 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I recently discovered that our attic is not insulated. While I live in the fairly warm climate of San Diego, we've been hit by a cold spell the last few weeks and I've cranked on the heater. I'd really like to insulate my home and was wondering what is the most planet-friendly method of doing so. I know it is good to reduce energy output, but I've heard that the insulation itself is not so environmentally friendly ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Logging On
On which wood to burn |
Umbra Fisk |
17 Jan 2007 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I live in Maine, land of many loggers. My home is heated by an oil furnace, and I try to keep the temps down with thermostat timers to use as little oil as possible. I supplement my heat with a wood stove, as many Mainers do, and in my travels I have noticed a big variation in how much smoke is coming through chimneys and stovepipes. Is there a better type of seasoned wood to burn as far as reducing pollutants? Wendy H. Free ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Minding the Gap
On weather-stripping |
Umbra Fisk |
27 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, With rising heating costs on the horizon, we're looking to install a storm door, seal gaps, etc., around the house to prevent air leaks and increase efficiency before old man winter arrives. What are some good resources (how-to's, sustainable product suppliers, etc.) for the job? Scott Roswell, Ga. Dearest Scott, Hi-dee-ho, dee-ho, to the hardware store we go. To choose vinyl or metal, adhesive or nails, That will pro ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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Chilly Screens of Winter
On inefficient windows |
Umbra Fisk |
08 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am lucky enough to have a home I really love and food to feed my family and my pets. However, the home has one major energy flaw: it is older and has huge, single-pane window/walls with aluminum frames, in two adjoining rooms. We currently are not able to replace them, and they lose heat rapidly. With this winter being a bit colder, is there anything that you can suggest we do, other than the window upgrades ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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A View to a Sill
On window manufacturers |
Umbra Fisk |
06 Nov 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We are looking into replacing some of our windows. Any thoughts on which companies are more environmentally friendly, not just in the energy-efficiency of their windows, but in the manufacturing process (Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood, recycling materials, etc.)? Lyell Slade Concord, Mass. Dearest Lyell, Let's warm up on this topic: Windows in residential buildings are responsible for about 2 percent of th ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, green products (all these topics) |
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Follow Her LED
On LEDs |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Sep 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Where are the LED replacement bulbs for normal household incandescents? They're supposed to be more efficient, cheaper, cooler, longer-lasting, and less toxic, right? So why aren't there any LED bulbs similar to CFLs? I've been looking around but haven't been able to find any yet besides flashlights, holiday lights, and the like. Still in the dark, Tim Eureka, Calif. Dearest Tim, As you suspected, LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, are ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Just Screw It
On replacing light bulbs |
Umbra Fisk |
21 Jun 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I am reluctant to switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs because that means tossing out not only used-but-still-working incandescent bulbs, but also the brand-new bulbs I have waiting in the closet. Is it really a positive effect overall when we're reducing our carbon emissions but adding to landfills? Julie Pittsburgh, Pa. Dearest Julie, Damn fine idea ... don't know why I didn't think of it myself. The gummint sa ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, waste (all these topics) |
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Matters of the Hearth
On fireplaces |
Umbra Fisk |
23 Jan 2006 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We pile on socks and sweaters, but there are just times you need more warmth. Should we use the fireplace or our central (gas-powered) heater? Also, can you let us know which is better, natural firewood or those chemically infused logs that claim lower particulate matter is released? Kas Sut Davis, Calif. Dearest Kas, Although we've contemplated this heating dilemma before, I find I have more to say about fire. Don't use ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Do the Bath
On heating with bathwater |
Umbra Fisk |
16 Nov 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, After a hot bath, I leave the water in the tub so the heat will go into the room. My husband says the heat saved is inconsequential. How would one calculate the BTUs saved this way? J. Reiman Helena, Mont. Dearest J., I do that too. I'm trying to heat the entire office building with my baths, and I've been making my editor bring me my encyclopedias in the tub. Ay, there's the tub. Roughly speaking (and cut me a little s ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Over the Chill
On preparing for winter |
Umbra Fisk |
05 Oct 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, With the coming winter, our local news did a story on how to save on heating. The tips included window treatments, lowering the water heater, etc. But those of us in apartments are limited in what we can do. I can feel the cold air seeping through the cracks, and laying towels on the window sills doesn't seem to help. Any advice? Carol Lafayette, Ind. Dearest Carol, Yar. It's going to be doom and gloom this winter acro ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics) |
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Sill and Grace
On windows |
Umbra Fisk |
12 Sep 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I just bought an old house and need to replace some of the windows. Are there alternatives to vinyl windows that will still cut down on heat loss? Noah Winer Philadelphia, Pa. Dearest Noah, I hope I've caught you before you've placed your window order, because you are at a moment of opportunity. Window replacement will make a huge difference in your house's energy efficiency. You could be losing up to a third of your heat through t ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green building, green living (all these topics) |
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Get a Load of This
On washing machines |
Umbra Fisk |
11 Jul 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have a top-loading washing machine that's nine years old. I've heard that front-loading machines are a lot more efficient and use less detergent, so I'm thinking about taking the plunge, even though my old machine works fine. How much less water do the front-loading machines use, and why? And is it true that they use less detergent? (I just switched to an environmentally friendly detergent, but boy, is it expensive -- ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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String Theory
On clotheslines |
Umbra Fisk |
08 Jun 2005 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We would like to install a clothesline this summer to take advantage of the few months of sun that we get here in Oregon. Any advice on the best kind, and how to keep air-dried clothes from feeling like cardboard? German Whitley Philomath, Ore. Dearest German, Excellent. If your power supplier is, as I suspect, Consumers Power Inc. in Philomath, you are paying about 7 cents per kilowatt-hour; their handy electricity calculator ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, fashion, green living (all these topics) |
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Fan Attic
On whole-house fans and their righteousness |
Umbra Fisk |
29 Jul 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, We just moved to the steamy climate of Washington, D.C., from the other Washington. Faced with our first experience using air-conditioning to cool our home, we've got some questions about efficiency. The house we're renting has a central AC unit that we can control with a thermostat. It also has a roof ventilation system that circulates air under the roof using a fairly noisy and probably pretty old and ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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To Air Is Human
On opening windows versus running the AC |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Jul 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My friend and I have been having a debate that I hope you can help us settle. What is the rule of thumb when turning off the air and opening the windows? I live in Texas and in the spring we have one or two days in a row that are cool enough for open windows followed by four that are not. Should I open the windows when it is nice only to have to close them again and turn the air on in a day or two? ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Icebox, Icebox, Baby
On when to retire a fridge |
Umbra Fisk |
15 Jul 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I love to freeze fresh veggies at their peak of ripeness during the summer. Then, in the winter, I don't have to buy commercially frozen veggies or long-distance transported ones. In order to do more of this, I'd like to move my 1985 refrigerator to the basement and use its freezer entirely for this purpose. I would buy a new one designated Energy Star. Would this end up being environmentally a plus, a minus, o ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, food and agriculture, green living, local food (all these topics) |
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The Heat Is On
Advice on heating tiny urban dwellings |
Umbra Fisk |
25 Feb 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| OK, Umbra, I live in a building in Brooklyn where, in typical Brooklyn style, we do not control our own heat. That is, there is no thermostat in our apartment. Thus, our only options for regulating the temperature in the winter are turning off the radiators or opening the windows. Obviously the latter is an absurd waste of energy; I don't want my poor radiator trying to heat all of the outer boroughs of New York City ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Tank You Kindly
On tankless water heaters |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Jan 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, While you were warning folks to plan ahead for a potential water-tank failure, I thought you should mention the natural gas heat-on-demand systems that they should use to replace their tanks. Last spring, when our 50-gallon tank decided to give our basement floor a thorough cleaning, we had to scramble to find an energy-efficient alternative. First, we had trouble finding a plumber who knew how to install the new ene ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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The Tao of Stove
On wood stoves |
Umbra Fisk |
26 Jan 2004 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, When you suggested that someone may want wood heat because it "makes you feel like a country stud," you made an erroneous assumption -- that your audience is entirely urban. Here in Skamokawa, Wash., many a mile from the nearest natural gas line, the choices are essentially wood or electricity. In September, my family installed a Blaze King wood stove, which uses a catalytic converter to convert smoke to heat. Not on ... |
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| Topics: advice, air pollution, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Aqua Delve-a (Sorry)
On water heaters |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Dec 2003 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, I have a question that's been nagging at me for some time. Since I have a water heater inside my house, any waste heat from the water heater contributes to heating the house. Does it still make sense in terms of energy savings to put an insulating blanket on the water heater? Kurt Littleton, Colo. Dearest Kurt, Getting tanked. Photo: PNNL. After space heat -- that is, heating your entire home -- water heaters are the l ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Thermostatic
On turning down the thermostat |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Dec 2003 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, My housemates and I are engaged in an ongoing argument about the heat (gas) in our somewhat old house. I argue that for the minimum eight hours that we are out of the house during the day, we should turn our heat down to at least 62 degrees. They argue that we should leave it at 68 at all times, because it takes more energy to heat up the house later when we all arrive home. Not surprisingly, we can't agree about a ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living (all these topics) |
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Naturally: Gas
On home heating |
Umbra Fisk |
18 Dec 2003 |
Ask Umbra |
| Dear Umbra, Can you shed some light (or some warmth) on the most environmentally sound ways to heat one's home this winter? Natural gas over coal and oil for its lower carbon (and particulate) content? What about fireplaces: good or bad? Would burning gas logs be a good alternative to burning real wood? Thanks for your help! Janet Washington, D.C. Dearest Janet, What we cold eco-folks are looking for is a heat source that is clean to prod ... |
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| Topics: advice, Ask Umbra, coal, energy, energy at home, energy efficiency, green living, natural gas, oil (all these topics) |
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