Energy Consumption

Appliances

As we continue our Climate Change “make a difference hints”; here we focus on the home. If you are buying new appliances, we suggest purchasing those with an ENERGY STAR label, however; there many other things that you can do with household appliances and temperature settings to save energy and protect the environment

Here are just a few:

Don’t know what wool dryer balls are? 

Wool Dryer Balls

 Wool dryer balls may be used instead of fabric softener or dryer sheets. Made of all natural wool, they are ideal for those with sensitive skin to use. They bounce around in the dryer, separating clothes and towels. They dry clothes more quickly and efficiently; wool in the balls helps absorb moisture and prevent static. Clothes will have fewer wrinkles and be soft to the touch. They prevent damage to clothing from extended drying time.  Bonus: towels will have better absorbency because fabric softener is not being used. They may be used over and over (per Consumer Reports they may be used in 1000 loads). Many brands are on the market; a Consumer Reports found Simple Natural Products Wool Dryer Balls held up best to testing.

Energy Use Of standard Household Appliances                                                                                

Dishwasher:  206 kwh   Refrigerator 596 kwh     Clothes Washer:  590 kwh    Clothes Dryer: 769 kwh    

(Source: U.S. EPA)

25% of energy used in house is for heat, 13% to heat water, 11% for cooling, remainder for appliances (51%) (Source:  Natural Resources Defense Council).

https://Consumerreporting.org/wool-dryer-balls
https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/laundry
https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint                               

Automobiles

There are three considerations to make regarding the purchase, servicing, and driving a vehicle:

Vehicle Purchase

• Consider an electric or hybrid vehicle
• Don’t purchase a minivan or SUV if 4WD is not needed, or if extra space is needed only occasionally
• Should one be needed, use a hitch-mounted cargo box instead of a roof-top box, which are more costly and decrease fuel economy.

Vehicle Service

• Regularly servicing a vehicle makes it operate more efficiently. (Ex.-repairing a faulty oxygen sensor may increase fuel efficiency by 40%).
• Remove any excess weight from the vehicle
• Fill gas tanks early in the day or after sunset. This will result in a greater gas volume as sunlight can expand volume. Refueling after sunset aids in decreasing volume of ground level ozone.
• Keeping tires properly inflated can increase fuel efficiency by up to 3%.

Driving Your Vehicle

• Decrease the need to drive by: walking, biking, car pooling, or using public transportation when possible
• Utilize traffic websites and apps when stuck in traffic to find alternate, more efficient routes
• Avoid speeding/unnecessary acceleration which reduces gas mileage significantly.

Food and Feeding the Hungry

Energy Consumption: Food Sources

Eating low on the food chain as often as possible is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint. Red meat can have up to 100 times the environmental impact as plant-based food. Eating locally grown food that is seasonally appropriate for the climate where you live, impacts greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles used to transport the food.

Americans waste approximately 40% of the food they purchase or prepare. To decrease food waste:

• Organize your pantry and refrigerator. Make a grocery list after you have checked your stock.
• Avoid bulk food purchases if it cannot be stored or used promptly
• Freeze leftovers and herbs for reuse at a later date
• Bring a container from home with you when dining out and you anticipate leftovers
• Skip disposable tableware. It is more environmentally friendly to wash tableware and use over and over.

Energy Consumption: Donate Leftovers to Address Hunger

Sharing the abundance we enjoy is our calling at Christ Our Light, which provides many ways to contribute.

Have you had a party, special event that has left you with extra food, beverages, tableware?

The Cherry Hill Food Pantry, Joseph’s House, Cathedral Kitchen, and other local organizations would welcome them. In addition, sandwiches are made monthly (Sunday mornings) for several nonprofits; food is taken to Cathedral Kitchen every Thursday. Please check the Christ Our Light website and weekly church bulletin for additional information.

Additional Articles
https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/10/health/planetary-diet-longevity-study-wellness/index.html

Water

Water is a life-saving gift from our Creator. It has become scarce throughout the world in locations where drought conditions exist. In the US, many of the aquifers that supply 90% of the nation’s water systems, which have transformed vast stretches of America into some of the world’s most bountiful farmland are being severely depleted.  Groundwater loss is harming Kansas; that state’s major aquifer can no longer support industrial-scale agriculture, causing corn yields to plummet.  In New York, over-pumping  drinking-water wells on Long Island.  The State of Arizona stated there is insufficient groundwater in parts of Maricopa County in the Phoenix area to support new home construction that rely on aquifers. 

 All of us can do our part to conserve water.

 Water-saving Hints

• Purchase water-efficient shower heads, faucet heads, toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. (A family of four using low-flow shower heads can save approximately 20,000 gallons of water annually).
• Take 5-minute showers. (If you normally take baths, consider switching to a shower occasionally or often. A full bathtub uses about 70 gallons of water; 10-25 gallons are used for a 5-minute shower.  A low-flow showerhead saves the most water).
• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth or shaving.
• Wash full loads of clothes in cold water.
• In the kitchen, run water only when rinsing dishes. A better idea: scrape food off dishes which can eliminate the rinsing, especially if you are ready to run your almost full dishwasher.
• Cook food in as little water as possible. Bonus: less waters helps retain nutrients in food which makes it more healthy healthier as well as tastier.
• Consider reducing your coffee and tea consumption. 600 cups of water are required to grow and process the beans for one cup of coffee; producing one cup of tea requires approximately 130 cups of water.
• Conduct a water audit. Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when water is not being used; if the meter number changes you have a water leak.  A small drip can waste up to 140 gallons of water per week.
• Use 2“of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save hundreds of gallons of water annually.
• Apply the minimum amount of fertilizer; fertilizer increases water consumption.
• Water your lawn, plants, and flowers in the early morning or evening when it is cooler; never water when it is windy. This prevents water loss due to evaporation from heat and wind.
• Install drip irrigation so plants receive only what they need.
• Don’t overfill your pool. Lower water levels will reduce water loss from splashing.
• Use a broom instead of water to clean your driveway, patio and sidewalks.