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1500 questions
24
votes
1 answer
Do small portable solar chargers generate more energy than it costs to produce them?
I know large solar panels generate more energy than is needed to manufacture them, but what about small portable solar chargers for mobile phone or radio? I've read somewhere that their efficiency is much lower than that of the large panels.…
THelper
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24
votes
8 answers
Is driving an electric car any better than driving a conventional car if electricity is generated with fossil fuel?
Is driving an electric car any better, GHG-wise, than driving a conventional car if 100% of its electricity is generated by fossil fuel combustion? Are there any peer-reviewed studies of that?
Sergey Zolotarev
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24
votes
5 answers
How to determine whether hybrid cars are really more sustainable than traditional cars?
I purchased a Prius many years ago, but many of my friends have put forth claims that the batteries are very toxic and thus I may in fact be creating more harm than good in using a hybrid and that hybrid's are a less sustainable solution than…
WilliamKF
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23
votes
6 answers
How can I add thermal mass to a woodstove, without a lot of weight?
It's well-documented that adding thermal mass to a woodstove will improve efficiency.
You can burn smaller splits of wood hotter, causing more complete combustion. The additional heat output won't over-heat the room, because it is buffered by the…
Jay Bazuzi
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23
votes
2 answers
Do "100% renewable" electricity plans increase renewable electricity production?
In the advertising for this year's earth hour in Sydney, Australia, it encourages people to switch from conventional electricity to renewable energy. A number of electricity providers offer "100% renewable" plans.
This sounds like a good idea, but…
Golden Cuy
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23
votes
4 answers
How to recover water from washing machine for toilet
In the last years I have been very concerned about the incredible waste of water from washing machine that could be easily used for toilet use, but up to now I have not found an easy way apart from filling some containers and manually lifting them…
sagitta
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23
votes
1 answer
Before drilling a well, how can I determine any water table impact?
I own a property that has no water service and thus I need to drill a well. My neighbors have expressed concern about the water table being lowered by too many people with wells in the area.
Before I drill the well, what steps, if any, can I take…
WilliamKF
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23
votes
4 answers
Dealing with bugs in compost
My community compost pile is incredibly buggy. It's a ~30 gallon bucket, with a closed lid and ventilation holes. It has hundreds of flying bugs swarming in it. As soon as the lid is open they're all over the place. They strike me as being…
Laizer
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23
votes
6 answers
Alternative for electrical washing machine
I don't by any means live an electricity-free life, yet, but more than any other household item, I think I would miss the washing machine the most.
Sweeping with a good broom is a good alternative to vacuum cleaning. Washing dishes I do by hand…
Earthliŋ
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23
votes
4 answers
How can I seal a pond without using a plastic pond liner?
I'd like to create a pond in a wet spot in my yard so that I can plant some beneficial water plants and possibly attract frogs and toads to help control pests. Is it possible to seal the pond so that it consistently and naturally holds water with…
Daniel Bingham
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22
votes
2 answers
Local greenhouse/hothouse vegetables vs. remote naturally-grown vegetables
I've often wondered what is ecologically better:
A tomato from the region grown in a (heated) greenhouse/hothouse
A tomato from several thousand km away grown naturally
Ceteris paribus, are there any reliable studies comparing the ecological…
gerrit
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22
votes
5 answers
What non-toxic products can I use to keep my kitchen counters clean and safe?
I'm wondering what kind of products I can use that are not dangerous to keep kitchen surfaces clean and safe.
Should I get different products for different types surfaces (e.g. granite top vs. wooden cutting board)?
Should I get different…
WilliamKF
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22
votes
8 answers
What advantages (any?) has water heating via photovoltaic system over solar thermal system?
Both solar thermal water heating systems and photovoltaic systems already have a good commercial background. Efficiency of energy gain of a solar thermal system is about 80%, while photovoltaics is up to 20% nowadays. Producing electricity is a…
Peter Ivan
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22
votes
5 answers
How should I collect and convert rain water into drinking water?
I would like to convert my current rain gutter system into a collection and recycling process. Currently the water is just runoff and ends up in the storm sewer creating more work for my cities aging and already overburdened infrastructure.
Is…
user141
22
votes
5 answers
What can I grow for chicken food?
I live in the northeast US, with relatively cold winters (USDA zone 5, about -15°F ) and a short growing season (about 90 days frost-free; snow possible October through April).
I have a small flock (less than 30) of chickens for eggs, and raise a…
bstpierre
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