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1500 questions
5
votes
2 answers
Size of wood lot required for cooking/heating (US west coast)?
On the west coast of the US (WA, OR) how many acres of trees would be required to keep a single family home supplied endlessly?
If I and my family plant a tree for everyone tree we cut for fuel, how much property would we need in our tree lot to…
James Jenkins
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5
votes
1 answer
Glass Recycling Case Study
Does anyone have a case study on community glass recycling. Specifically the cost/ton to crush/pulverize and screen into usable traction control sand for winter applications?
BeyondtheBox
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5
votes
2 answers
Store drop-off vs curbside recycling plastic bags
The curbside recycling service in my town accepts plastic bags. I wonder whether there is any difference in the recycling process (thus there is any environmental benefit) between this and taking them to the grocery store, where there is a container…
johnysmith
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5
votes
2 answers
Converting from W/m² to kWh/m²/day
I have access to live solar irradiance data (in W/m²) at each minute of the day in my location, they come in 3 types: minimum, maximum and average. How do I make use of these datas to convert to kWh/m²/day?
I thought of summing each minute of…
ttinggggg
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5
votes
1 answer
Electrical usage data logging with wireless data transfer
Does anyone know of a wireless energy usage capture device, that one can attach to an appliance and find out the energy usage?
I know that there are certain energy monitors that do the job to some extent, however I am looking for a small device/tag…
Sharingan
- 159
- 1
5
votes
2 answers
Notifications for outside temperature negating need for air conditioning
How can I get automatic notifications that the outside temperature (in Sydney CBD) is below a certain threshold, and therefore the best option is to turn off the air conditioning and instead open the windows?
The automatic notification should…
Golden Cuy
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5
votes
1 answer
Hydro-electric generation from roof-collected rainwater
Can electricity be produced from running water by the use of dc motors?
For example rainwater collected from from the roof of a very tall house say 15m high is directed through a pipe and at it's exit, makes the wheels of a dc motor turn.
Frank
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5
votes
2 answers
How can one accurately estimate their carbon footprint?
After taking a few different "tests," I have realized that results may vary quite significantly.
Is there an online, comprehensive carbon footprint "test" that is both precise and accurate?
user2433
5
votes
1 answer
What is a sustainable way of removing oil stains from my concrete driveway?
Yes, I know that having a car is unsustainable, but nevertheless I'm interested in the most sustainable way to remove an oil stain from my driveway.
Unsustainable suggestions I've had include using kitty litter (mining bentonite is hardly…
Highly Irregular
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5
votes
2 answers
Which is more energy efficient, a washing machine express wash, or normal?
My electric washing machine has an express wash button (they seem a common feature) that reduces the washing time by a lot. My first thought would be that using it would save energy because of the much shorter time, but I'm guessing it has to do…
ian
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5
votes
1 answer
The sustainability of Spotify
What are the arguments in favour and against using music streaming services such as Spotify in comparison to having music stored in a local folder and accessible offline?
Sustainability can refer to:
content accessibility
energy use of streaming
orschiro
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5
votes
1 answer
Is the production of hydrogen fuel more efficient than storing the excess solar energy in a battery?
Can energy be stored long enough in batteries so that the cold winter days can go without any shortage in power supply, or should the energy be converted to hydrogen which will be used as a fuel later on?
Alternatively, is there some other way…
vortex_sparrow
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5
votes
2 answers
Which is better for carry-out eating: disposable bamboo chopsticks or disposable plasticware?
Assuming that I throw them away each time, and taking transportation out of the question, which is the most environmentally sound choice: single use bamboo chopsticks, or single use plasticware?
What are the factors involved in the analysis, like…
user2423
5
votes
2 answers
Home owner doesn't care about house having insulation
I'm renting a home with central heating and air conditioning in Oklahoma. It's really hot now (90 inside) so I have the A/C on all day but it's cold at night because the attic has no insulation and the owner isn't interested in installing any. I'm…
sandra overly
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5
votes
2 answers
What depth of soil is required for a roof top garden?
What depth of soil is required for a roof top garden?
In particular I am looking to grow plants that will produce food without requiring re-planting yearly (like strawberries and chives). However I would also like to plant some root plants like…
Gram
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