Sustainable Living Stack Exchange
Sustainable Living Stack Exchange

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1500 questions
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Heat Pump vs Air Exchanger, What's the difference?

I hope this is the right place - I'm looking at buying my first home in a climate where a heat pump would make a significant difference on our energy requirements for heating and cooling. I've done some research and I'm really excited about the idea…
Ryan
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Does it make any difference to charge my electronic devices using an USB port?

I work with a computer and I was wondering if using its USB ports to charge the devices that I use the most (mostly my phone and my e-reader) while working as opposed to charging them using a normal wall charger would make any impact. I am…
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Is pellet fuel a sustainable energy source in the way it's used now?

Pellet fuel is considered a sustainable energy source. But the way it's used now seems to produce air pollution which I think should not happen in case of sustainable energy source. So is pellet sustainable energy source in the way it's used now?
Marian Paździoch
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Why do similar buildings use different types of cooling methods and which one is more environment friendly?

Which type of air conditioning is more environment friendly - doing the cooling per apartment or central cooling (for high rise residential buildings)? My understanding is that central cooling is more effective than using separate units. We see…
Jain Paras
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What is more sustainable, using a mechanical pencil or a pen?

I was considering to use the same device for writing from now on and I was considering two alternatives: a mechanical pencil or some kind of refillable pen. Which of these two options is more sustainable? By sustainability here I mean which option…
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Quantity of new trees needed to compensate all human CO₂ pollution

That trees are the major tools to remove CO₂ from the air is clear, but how many new trees need to be planted to compensate all human CO₂ pollution (6 gigatons / year?)? We should work with standard tree and count a tree in the tropics double since…
Ferdinand Swart
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How many hours a day would you have to pedal to generate enough electricity for your apartment?

The bicycle is the most efficient machine ever invented in terms of energy conversion. The idea of converting the energy produced by exercise machines to electricity is hardly new. Now suppose that your family's house (or apartment) were equipped…
Ricky
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Would saving winter ice for summer A/C be more energy efficient?

Scenario 1: Ice blocks are harvested from frozen river in early January, then stored in underground cellars. When summer comes, the same district heating network is used for circulating cold water. Scenario 2: Ice blocks harvested in the manner of…
George Chen
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Are my compost piles adding CO2 to the atmosphere by offgassing?

I make several compost piles, flip them regularly, add some additives and apply them to my crops. I often cover the piles when its rainy, will this affect the offgassing? Some of my neighbors apply some of some things to their plants (coffee cherry…
Alex
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What is required to make air travel sustainable?

Is there a plausible scenario where humans can continue traveling in airplanes? I have heard that airplanes create a tremendous amount of greenhouse gas emissions, the global number of air miles continues to increase and that there is no technology…
Trav
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Can solar energy be too focused onto a solar cell?

I want to focus solar energy on a solar cell with the use of mirrors (that I already have) and maybe some aluminum foil. Should I not go overboard on the focusing? How can I detect if the focused solar is too much? Background information: I live at…
Sustainable Programmer
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Is gasoline or Diesel refining less sustainable, per energy output?

Inspired by my own answer here, I'm wondering what the actual numbers are regarding gasoline and Diesel fuel refining. I have read (don't remember where) that refining of Diesel fuel is less environmentally damaging than that of gasoline. But is…
Flimzy
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Non toxic insect(ant) repellent for use in the kitchen

I have an ant problem in my house, specially in the kitchen, where they seem to have taken over. Just found out that they have cut through the plastic packaging of some food items and gotten inside. Is there a non-toxic pesticide or repellent I…
elssar
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What is the best vegetation to build a thatch for British climate?

Thatch as the roof has that advantage, that it is very light and it is done for quickly renewable resources. But what is the best vegetation to build a thatch for very rainy climate, such as those of British island? From what plants would you build…
Danubian Sailor
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Indoor tilapia aquaponic farm in condo/apartment?

Are there problems with an aquaponic tilapia farm for a condo/apartment living space? Is this sustainable and safe? I'm thinking there might be problems with humidity/mold and possible water pump noise?
EhevuTov
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