A More Sustainable World How the Individual Can Help
We are modifying physical, chemical and biological systems in new ways, at faster rates, and over larger spatial scales than ever recorded on Earth. Humans have unwittingly embarked upon a grand experiment with our planet. The outcome is unknown, but has profound implications for all of life. ~President, American Academy for the Advancement of Science, 1999 We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. ~Albert Einstein
Sustainability is Environmental such as efficient water and energy use and waste minimization Social such as considering needs of people with different abilities, safer communities, and global distribution of resources. Economic which includes a balance between construction costs and long term operational costs
U.S. vs The World Ecological Footprint is An estimate of human pressure on global ecosystems, expressed in area units -food, wood, infrastructure, CO 2 absorption
http://wwf.panda.org
United States http://wwf.panda.org
World Water Usage http://www.forbes.com Worldmapper.Org
Energy wasting Habits What is an Energy Vampire? Major contributors Energy Saving Tips Stand-by Power use How can the waste be reduced Leaving the lights on
Personal Habits UN-PLUG!! One of the leading wastes of electricity is just leaving unnecessary appliances plugged in when they are not in use. Even when your not using it, it uses power. Known as- Energy Vampires
Energy Vampires Common major Standby users How does this happen Devices that don t use Standby energy
Annual Waste Assuming Device is not in use Comp. LCD Screen: 27.61 W Desktop Comp: 73.97 W Print/Scan/Fax: 49.68 W Cable Box (TV off): 24.65 W Comp. speakers: 1.79W TV (Rear proj.): 6.97 W DVD player: 7.54 W Game Console: 23.34 W Microwave: 3.08 W Audio System: 13.99 W Clock: 3.48 W Phone (w/ Ans. Machine): 4 W Mobile Phone charger: 2.24 W Notebook Computer: 29.48 W
Calculations Annual average watts consumed by standby power: 274.06 W Annual W x 9 = 2,466.54 KWh / yr of wasted energy!!! Annual $ waste = 2,467 KWH x $0.102/KWh = $251.63 CO2 Emission for wasted energy = 1.37 lbs CO2/KWh x 2,466.54 KWh = 3,379 lbs CO2
Comp. LCD Screen: 27.61 W Desktop Comp: 73.97 W Print/Scan/Fax: 49.68 W Cable Box (TV off): 24.65 W Comp. speakers: 1.79W TV (Rear proj.): 6.97 W Ease of saving By plugging in these items to 1 surge protector and unplugging this when devices are not in use you will save: 160.92Wx9=1440.18KWh 1440.2KWh x $0.102/KWh= $146.90/yr. This would be the annual saving for just using ONE surge protector and unplugging when not needed
Ammount of Money that could be saved: $29,269.60 /yr. Savings = Std. cost/yr - H.E. cost/yr. Standard Light Bulb: Low Energy Light bulb: Average wasted time lights are on: Households in Rapid City, SD: Cost for Power /KWh by Black Hills Power: 100 Watts 18 Watts 0.4 hrs/day 23969 Homes $0.10 /KWh Calculations: Hours of waste in Rapid City, SD: 287628 hrs/month hrs = homes*light wasted/day*30 3499474 hrs/yr. hrs = hrs/month*12 KWh used annually by Std. bulb: 28762.8 KWh/month KWh month=(hrs/month*std. Watts)/1000 349947.4 KWh/yr. KWh yr.= KWh month* 12 KWh used annually by H.E. light bulb: 5177.304 KWh/month KWh month=(hrs/month*h.e. Watts)/1000 62990.532 KWh/yr. KWh yr.=kwh month*12 Cost for annual power wasted: Standard Light Bulb: $35,694.63 /yr. Cost/yr.= Std. KWh yr.*bhp cost High Efficient light bulb: $6,425.03 /yr. Cost/yr.= H.E. KWh yr.*bhp cost
Sustainable Lighting Types of High Efficiency Light Bulbs Compact Fluorescent (CFLs) most common 4X more efficient than incandescent LEDs longer life than CFLs can t radiate light 360 degrees Cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) longer life than CFLs high cost of production stability of the product
How They Work CFLs composed of a phosphor-coated glass tube with electrodes at the ends and mercury vapor as the conductor when voltage is applied the mercury vapor emits UV light which is filtered by the phosphor coating Concerns with mercury and UV light typical CFLs contain 5 mg of mercury (1/100 th the amount in fever thermometers) if one breaks, air out the room and dispose of the vacuum bag recycle the used bulbs law in some states (CA, MN, WI) If you dispose, double bag the CFL or place in a jar UV light not a problem if you stay more than a foot away
CFL Benefits Economical 9% of household electricity usage is for lighting reduce monthly bill by 7% If half of the incandescent bulbs were upgrade in America, this would result in a 116 million MWh reduction in energy saving 10 billion dollars Ecological Less energy use results in less stress on the environment Upgrading half the lights in America translates to taking 14 million vehicles off of the roads each year
Energy Star Appliances. Cost variances per year Non-Energy Star Energy Star 0.970 0.267 0.380 0.352 0.200 0.083 Washer Microwave+ Dishwasher+ Cost variances per year 350.000 300.000 250.000 200.000 150.000 100.000 50.000 0.000 Electric Heater+ Non-Energy Star Energy Star These graphs showcase the amount of savings in the first year of introducing Energy-Star Appliances as compared to a comparable model that does not meet Energy-Star requirements.
Energy Star Appliances. Cost variances per year 25.000 20.000 15.000 10.000 5.000 0.000 Refridgerator The refrigerator and electric heaters are where greatest savings occur. The upfront extra costs as showcased below will be overcome in a matter of years before true savings will be met within a household. Non-Energy Star Energy Star Electric Heater+ 299.82Refridgerator 399Microwave+ 49.99 Energy Star Heater* 1128Energy Star Fridge* 404.1Green Microwave+ 59.99 Washer 223Dishwasher+ 219 Energy Star Washer* 358.2Energy Star Dishwasher* 279
Composting Food Statistics and Facts Waste 96 billion lbs/yr Throw away 25 % of what we prepare $590/year in food
Composting Food How to compost Home waste plan Do compost: Fruit and vegetable waste Flour based food Egg shells Coffee grounds Don t compost: Meat Fish Dairy products
Composting Food Types of composting Trench Composting Raised-bed garden integration Add-as-yougo composting
Composting Food Incentives 60 % of landfillorganic matter Compost.02$/ lb Worm Castings 4$/ lb
Windows The biggest source of heat loss in buildings There are important differences in the types of windows Air leakage around windows are important to keep in mind
Important Terms U-factor measures the rate of heat loss and how well a product insulates Solar Heat Gain Coefficient measures how well a product blocks heat from the sun R-value measures resistance to heat loss Design Pressure Rating measures the amount of pressure product will withstand when closed and locked
Window Labeling
Energy Savings To find out how much you can save by changing windows go to: http://www.efficientwindows.org/s election.cfm
Insulation New Construction Existing Structure Home Energy Audit Air Sealing Infrared Cameras Weather Stripping Moisture Control Mildew Air Quality D-I-Y Energy Audit
What Kind and Where? Zone Heating System Attic Cathedral Ceiling Cavity Wall Insulation Sheathing Floor 6 All R49 to R60 R30 to R60 R13 to R21 R5 to R6 R25 to R30
How much money will I save?! Heating and Cooling account for 50-70% of total energy costs in our homes! Average Savings 10-20% Actual savings will vary by house and Insulation used Many websites can help! Department of Energy Build It Solar.com Black Hills Power
Money Down the Drain Saving Money with Water Conservation in the Home
Global Issues
Filthy water cannot be washed. --West African Proverb
Saving Water Outdoors A running hose can discharge up to 10 gallons a minute. Xeriscaping landscaping with low water plants Saves up to 550 gallons each year Use a hose nozzle or turn off the water while you wash your car Saves up to 100 gallons every time
Fixing Leaks Put food coloring in your toilet tank. If it seeps into the toilet bowl without flushing, you have a leak Fixing a leak can save 300 to 1000 gallons a month. Leaks can occur both outdoors and indoors
Appliances Energy Star clothes washers can save up to 20 gallons per load Run clothes washers and dishwashers only when they are full Saves up to 1,000 gallons/month. If a shower fills a one-gallon bucket in less than 20 seconds, replace the showerhead with a water-efficient model. Saves up to 750 gallons a month.
Bathroom Shorten showers by 1 2 minutes Saves up to 150 gallons per month. Turning off the water while brushing teeth Saves 25 gallons a month. Turning off the water while washing hair Saves up to 150 gallons a month. Turning off the water while shaving Saves up to 300 gallons a month.
Additional Information and Sources http://www.wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-toconserve/index.php http://www.csgnetwork.com/waterusagecalc.html http://eartheasy.com/water-conservation
When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. --Benjamin Franklin, (1706-1790), Poor Richard's Almanac, 1746
Federal tax Credits for Energy efficiency For consumers: Home improvements Efficient cars Solar energy system Fuel cells
Federal Tax Credits for Energy efficiency For home builders $2,000 tax credit for energy efficient homes that achieve 50% energy savings for heating and cooling $1,000 tax credit for energy efficient homes that achieve 30% energy savings for heating and cooling For commercial builders Tax deductions of up to $1,80 per square foot for commercial buildings that save at least 50% of the heating and cooling energy Partial deductions of up to $0,60 per square foot for measures affecting any one of three building systems The building envelope Lighting or heating Cooling systems
Energy efficient appliances In the kitchen Dishwashers Refrigerators freezers save $90 over its lifetime in utility cost use 20% less energy than the federal minimum standards use 10% less energy than the federal minimum standards Heating and cooling room AC central AC boilers programmable thermostats use 10% less energy than conventional models 14% more efficient than conventional models use 6% less energy than conventional models save $180 a year Other appliances washing machine TVs light bulb printers and scanners save $550 over its lifetime in utility costs use 30% less energy than standard units use 75% less energy, work 10 times longer than standard bulb 25% more efficient than conventional models
Cost segregation benefits Accelerated Federal Tax Depreciation Increased Current Cash Flow Business growth
Tax Incentives Federal - Energy Star The credits for the home shell and HVAC are available if you make these investments anytime before Dec. 31, 2010. Investments in renewal energy systems are eligible for credit until Dec. 31, 2016. State Utility Companies and State Incentives There are five utility rebate programs for residential buildings. South Dakota does not have any tax incentives for residential modifications.
Energy Star http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index Tax Credit: 30% of cost up to $1,500 Expires: Must be installed by Dec. 31, 2010 Details: Must be an existing home & your principal residence. New construction and rentals do not qualify. Biomass Stoves Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC) Insulation Roofs (Metal and Asphalt) Water Heaters (Non-solar) Windows and Doors
Energy Star http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index Tax Credit: 30% of cost with no upper limit Expires: December 31, 2016 Details: Existing homes & new construction qualify. Both principal residences. Rentals do not qualify. Geothermal Heat Pumps Small Wind Turbines (Residential) Solar Energy Systems
Energy Star http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index Tax Credit: 30% of the cost, up to $500 per.5 kw of power capacity Expires: December 31, 2016 Details: Existing homes & new construction qualify. Must be your principal residence. Rentals and second homes do not qualify. Fuel Cells Residential Fuel Cells and Microturbine System
South Dakota Programs http://www.dsireusa.org/incentives/index.cfm?re=1 &ee=1&spv=0&st=0&srp=1&state=sd Utility Loan Programs: Otter Tail Power Company Southeastern Electric Utility Rebate Programs: Black Hills Power MidAmerican Energy Montana-Dakota Utilities Otter Tail Power Company
Don t leave that light on Top 10 EASY habits to develop 1) Turn Off lights 2) Use power strips 3) Recycle 4) Smarter water use 5) Motion sensing lights 6) 68 indoor temp. 7) Turn off ceiling fans 8) Adjust water level to appropriate load size 9) Clean lint trap before drying 10) Use efficient light bulbs
Summary Being sustainable can save money (energy, water bills, tax incentives) Preserve resources such as coal, oil, and water Keep the planet pristine and habitable for all life and for future generations. http://www.interweb.in http://www.alkalima.com
Presenters Order of Appearance Aaron Oswald (Introduction) Trevor Roberts..(Habits) Christopher Lupo.(Light Bulbs) Carissa Baumeister..(Appliances) Maria Squillace..(Composting) Erin Metzler (Windows) Robert Prann.(Insulation) Cassandra Schultz...(Water) Dashdori Battsengel (Tax Credits) Katherine Aurand.(Tax Incentives)