Donna asks…
Poll: How can you save energy in your home without making yourself uncomfortable?
Besides turning off lights, and turing down your heat / air conditioner and using fluorescent bulbs….
I want to for the environment and for my pocket book!
adminsta answers:
Buy energy star appliances, install energy saving windows that keep heat in etc..
Http://www.alliantenergygeothermal.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_000498.hcsp
Mary asks…
Do you think the government should force you to make energy saving improvements to your home?
Consider this…. if Cap and Trade is implemented and you decide you want to sell your home, would you be happy to have a government inspector do an energy audit of your house and then force you to spend the money to upgrade your house before it can be sold?
Wouldn’t you think that upgrades ought to be the buyer’s choice after they own?
Would you approve of energy saving tax credits instead of forcing a person to do this stuff? Often, people who sell homes are not in the best of financial circumstances, especially nowadays. I think of the elderly who are trying to downsize and how little income they might have.
What other alternatives can you think of to making laws like this? Or, do you think this is just fine?
You are right, some energy improvements do have tax credits, but not all and there are several restrictions involved.
adminsta answers:
By government do you mean the people living in mansions and flying around in jets? The ones that know every trick in the book to avoid taxes? Well maybe if they practiced what they preach…
Cap and Trade is a scam!
Lizzie asks…
what are some ways to save energy in your home?
adminsta answers:
Turn the lights off when your not using them, install energy efficient light bulbs, use energy efficient appliances (saves money in the long run). Also, turn down your heater a couple degrees, and use air conditioning a little less. You should also try to turn off appliances and electronics your not using (ie the radio, your computer, etc). You know, the basics…
William asks…
are there any courses you can go on to learn how to fit solar panels to your home or other energy saving stuff
i live in cheshire england
adminsta answers:
I put up solar panels on my house. It was so simple no class was needed. The panels come with a guide when you buy them, and any carpenter (even hobby level skills) is sufficient to help you.
Steven asks…
how to save energy in your home?
adminsta answers:
According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NAHB Research Center, home buyers can ensure they are getting the most energy efficiency for their dollar by asking the right questions about products and building materials. Consumers should inquire about the availability of the following features when they shop for a new home, or upgrade their existing home’s energy efficiency:
* Check for the appropriate amount of insulation for your climate in the walls, roof assembly, and floor;
* Look for high-performance, double-pane windows that have high-performance (e.g., low-e coated or solar control spectrally selective) glass that helps reduce heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer;
* Ask for highly efficient heating and cooling equipment. Nearly 50 percent of a typical home’s utility bill goes toward heating and cooling;
* Choose energy-efficient appliances and lighting by checking the appliance’s Energy Guide label; this label will provide an estimate of the unit’s annual operating costs;
* In some parts of the country, consumers can consider using the sun’s energy to help reduce utility bills via solar water heaters that can meet a home’s hot water needs and photovoltaic (PV) systems that can convert sunlight into electricity;
* Use hot water wisely, by turning down the water heater’s thermostat setting to 115 from 120 degrees Fahrenheit; buying an energy-efficient water heater; installing non-aerating, low-flow faucets and showerheads; using the “warmer water setting on the clothes washer instead of the “hole water setting; and setting the dishwasher to “energy saver or “water saver;
* Check to ensure that the house is well sealed against air leakage. In some areas of the country, as much as 30 to 40 percent of a home’s energy load can be attributed to the leakage of outside air into the home.
Maria asks…
What have you done to make your home energy efficient?
Hi,
I’m currently doing a student research project on home efficiency. How can we combat peoples bad habits on energy saving around the home?
Also I would greatly appreciate if you can spare a few minutes filling in my on-line questionnaire. The link to the questionnaire is
http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?…
Thanks for your time 
Happy New Years.
Sorry about the broken link. Please try this link http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=plErZIFYclr8dS03kgQbWZA . If it does not work than copy and paste the address in the address bar.
Many thanks again for all your help and for filling the on-line questionnaire.
Sorry about the broken link. Please try this link http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=plErZIFYclr8dS03kgQbWZA . If it does not work than copy and paste the address in the address bar.
Many thanks again for all your help and for filling the on-line questionnaire.
adminsta answers:
Replaced all light bulbs with compact fluorescent. Ordered a free plug from my energy company which turns off all the computer equipment when the main computer is off. Installed a dual flush lavatory system to save water. Increased the insulation in the loft to 12 inches thick. Installed thermostatic valves on almost all the radiators.
BTW, Your form seems to have disappeared.
James asks…
Do you use energy saving light bulbs? If so how many are in your home ?
adminsta answers:
We have like 4
John asks…
How can you save energy in the following places in your home . . .?
. . . proper doors and windows, heating and air conditioning, water heating, reduces water, electrical, appliances, lighting?
plz plz plz answer! i need it cuz i’m studying for my exams!
adminsta answers:
Windows should be double glazed to avoid using up as much energy for heating. Doors should have strips on the sides to avoid cold air coming through and warm air going out. Electrical appliances should be switched off at the wall when you are not using them. Lights should be turned off when you do not require them on and when you leave the room, also use energy saving light bulbs. Water reducing, use the least amount of water that you need. When brushing your teeth, don’t leave the tap running. Turn off taps PROPERLY!
Hope this helps x
Betty asks…
How energy efficient are you?
Please feel free to answer the following questions…
I am a student from the University of Ulster currently undergoing research on attitudes towards energy saving measures and climate change/ green consumerism in the current economic climate. The importance of behavioural change is needed and should be encouraged for individuals to ‘change their habits’ and be better ecological citizens to prevent the consequences of our consumer behaviour, damaging the environment.
The questions that are used in this questionnaire are solely for the use of my research for my dissertation. The questionnaire is to be completed anonymously and you will not be treated as an individual participant. Please answer as truthfully as possible.
Many thanks
PART 1
Personal Details
1) Male/ Female
2) Age- under 18
18-35
36-59
60+
PART 2
Q3) Please state how you feel to the following statements
Climate change is a major issue that needs to be addressed now
There needs to be greater public awareness and understanding of energy generation and consumption
Responsibility for combating climate change starts in the HOME
Q4) Please state if you do any of the following in your household.
(a) Do you use energy saving light bulbs
Yes No Sometimes
b) Do you re-use plastic bags/use environmentally friendly bags
Yes No Sometimes
c) Do you turn off appliances/lights when not in use
Yes No Sometimes
d) Do you recycle
Yes No Sometimes
If yes what do you recycle and how often?
e) Leave appliances on standby
Yes No Sometimes
f) Leave the water running while washing/brushing teeth
Yes No Sometimes
g) Wash clothes at 40 rather than 30 degrees
Yes No Sometimes
h) Use public transport more than driving a car
Yes No Sometimes
Q5) Do you feel that it is due to Habits which makes you reluctant to change your routine to be more environmentally friendly?
Agree Disagree Not sure (please explain briefly your answer)
Q6) a) Do you feel you could do more to reduce you carbon footprint? (
Yes No Not sure
b) If YES will you do anything in the near future to reduce your energy consumption?
Q7) Have you adopted or would consider Energy saving measures in your home?
Power from Renewable energy resources
Yes No Would consider it
Home improvements E.g. (Double glazing, loft insulation
Yes No Would consider it
Energy efficient appliances
Yes No Would consider it
Q8) Which of the following options matches reasons for not implementing more measures for being more environmentally friendly. (May stste more than one option)
Lack of awareness
Too expensive
Too much effort
No interest in the environment
Difficult to change routine
Other (please state)
Q9) Which of the following would be the main incentives for you to manage your consumption patterns
(May tick more than one option)
Financial
Eco- Friendly home
Feel good factor
Positive influence on others
Better for the environment
Other (please state)
Part 3
The questions below are related to changing attitudes and consumption patterns. Please state whether you agree/ disagree or are not sure to the statements.
Please circle appropriate answer and you may give a brief explanation
Q10) A) Individual action alone will not make any difference so why bother being an ‘ecological citizen’
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
B) I encourage penalties/ fines and enforcement actions upon large companies that are substantial carbon emitters
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
C) Breaking habits is difficult for an individual, being part of a group and encouraging community citizenship would encourage me to change consumption patterns
Agree/Disagree/Not sure
D) Green consumerism and Green products is just a money making scheme for large companies as opposed to being ‘environmentally friendly’
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
E) The Government should support local community action by funding programmes for behavioural change
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
F) Value for money/the quality of the product/the function of the product is more important than energy saving
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
G) Telling people how to behave is not always practical; people buy what is within their budget limitations regardless of the consequences on the environment
Agree/ Disagree/ Not
H) The products that I buy are what as an individual I Prefer regardless of the consequences on the environment
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
I) The current economic recession is more of a worry for me than preventing climate change
Agree/ Disagree/ Not sure
PART 4
Q11) Overall do you believe that ‘Going Green’ could be advertised and encouraged more in the UK? If so how?
Q12) Do you believe that sustainable consumption/better consumer behaviour is achievable even during the current economic recession? Have you found yourself buying more ‘green products’?
Q13) Do you have any intentions to change your behaviour and have a ‘greener attitude’ towards your consumption and daily patterns in the foreseeable future? What measures are you willing to take/not willing to take?
Have you got any further views on issues raised in this questionnaire?
Thankyou very much for your cooperation. Much appreciated.
adminsta answers:
1-f 2-18-35 3-100% agree with each one 4-ab yes c yes d yes paper, glass plastic tins weekly/ monthly efg no h sometimes 5-disagree as I have been doing this for years now 6- yes b get a new car that is better energy consumption 7-yes, already have double glazing, insulation etc 8- I don’t know what others think maybe too expensive 9-better for the environment and financial 10-a disagree b agree c agree d not sure e agree f not sure g agree h disagree i disagree 11- yes it could be done by getting more schools and councils on board, getting children involved for the pester power of parents is a good way and councils actually recycling instead of going abroad with it would encourage people 12- people have less money so are currently using less of everything, and being more aware, not so much buying green products. 13-I already take a lot of measures, I will be getting a newer car as soon as I can afford it to more be more energy efficient for the car.
Good luck with the paper
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