What did I learn?
In conducting this research project I learned valuable information on how I can make some very basic changes in my daily activities and as a result of these changes I will save myself money, save my community energy, produce less harmful carbon dioxide, and save water. Hot water usage in households is the number one energy consumer. More than half of my electric bill can be attributed to hot water use. Since we, living in Juneau, are surrounded by and drenched in water, we often take for granted the plentifulness of this natural resource. However, water is in shortage all over the world and in conserving our own water usage, we can help provide water to those that need it. The top four ways you can minimize your water consumption are:
- Wash your clothing in cold water (this is the greatest user of hot water)
- Shower for only ten minutes, once a day (you can cut your water usage, literally, in half by only showering for ten minutes)
- Turn the water off when you brush your teeth
- Run a sink full of hot water to wash dishes in: don't run the water or use the dishwasher
I also learned that hot water heaters use the most energy out of any appliance in the household, so if you want to spend the extra money on energy efficient appliances, spend it on a energy efficient hot water heater. Old hot water heaters drain power stations during power outages and when they are not properly insulated, the cost more money to keep the water home. When I have my own home I plan on purchasing an energy efficient hot water heater, but until then, I have been taking shorter showers, shutting the water off when I am not using it, and continuing to wash my clothes in hot water. I've already cut by bill down by nearly $5. Now, if I could just fix my leaky sink!
Click below to read the my self-evaluation, which includes the four proficiencies we were asked to evaluate: presentation, visuals, organization, and content; and to view my powerpoint presentation.
No comments:
Post a Comment