Conservation

[aliki]

Poll Conservation Practices

Comments

[xraytheenforcer]

Re: Not always conserving -- it's not so much that it's not convenient, but sometimes it's actually impossible to find a recycle bin and therefore perfectly recyclable materials get thrown in the trash. :(

Oh yeah, and there's no such thing as a thermostat in a pre-war apartment with steam heat. ;-)

-b (the architect)

[xraytheenforcer]

In actuality, pre-war apartments with steam heat are more efficient than single family detached homes (no matter how efficient the heating and cooling system is). This is due to the stacking of floors. It provides a much better system for heating a building, even though it seems a lot is lost (e.g. keeping your window wide open in February because it's 98 degrees in the apartment and you're already in your underwear). Manhattan is one of the most efficient places when you look at heating costs versus cubic feet of residence and office. So you can feel good about the radiator. :-)

[smittenbyu]

I wish I did more than I do to be more sustainable in my living habits. Come spring husband and I are planning on going to the farmer's market at least for veggies that are in season and grown locally. Although a lot of my habits would be considered "sustainable" by US standards, but is a common practice in India - water "conservation" was a habit because we only got water at certain times of the day; electricity "conservation" was a habit because we saw the effects of abuse with power outages on a weekly basis if not more frequent (during summers). So, those habits just stayed here

[aliki]

The power outlet thing was something I had to get used to too! My husband frequently will leave his computer on (and just let it go to standby), whereas I always insist on turning it completely off! He also insists that you don't lose that much electricity by having a TV off vs. unplugged, but I'm not sure if I should believe him.

I am in the same boat as you for diapers. We also similarly do not have a washer/dryer at home, and use a coin laundry in our apartment complex (about a 2-minute walk, but you have to go downstairs, outside, across the complex...) and I'm wondering how practical this will be.

[tediousandbrief]

My thermostatic at home is set to go down when I'm not there; however, I'm probably going to have to change it since it claims it's 70 in my house when I wake up, but my bedroom is 66 and makes it very difficult for me to get up in the morning

[aliki]

How low do you set it when you're not there?

My work does not have recycling either, which is kind of weird, given we're very Environmental-themed... I suppose it's just difficult because we're far from the recycling routes.

[tediousandbrief]

I wasn't sure so I checked. It goes to 62 both when I'm not here and when I'm asleep. I really need to raise it when I'm asleep.

My office is small (6 people total), so I guess it's understandable.

[senoritafish]

I admit I'm somewhat bad about turning out lights. I do try to turn them out when no one is in a room for awhile. However, I also hate feeling like I'm in a cave at night. I leave them on in rooms that I'm constantly in and out of, like the kitchen. My father grew in the Depression Era and is constantly griping if light is on a minute longer than it has to be; and I suppose part of this is me being rebellious because that drives me nuts

[devilgrrl]

We don't use public transportation because it's inadequate, impractical, and too expensive for us.

We're both regularly frustrated by how many recyclable things aren't accepted in our city, as well.