Most Popular
1500 questions
5
votes
2 answers
Aquaculture from nothing
I'm in the process of setting up an aquaponics (recirculating aquaculture) system. The main fish being raised are Channel Catfish, and in a separate tank I am also attempting to raise Guppies as a primary food source for the catfish.
Catfish, being…
William S.
- 161
- 3
5
votes
3 answers
Can I use Ni-MH batteries in my garden solar lights?
The solar light batteries in my garden are dead. Upon replacing them, I realized they were the old Ni-Cd rechargeable batteries.
I have heard that these batteries are not so good for the environment because they contain toxic chemicals (see…
dizzy
- 280
- 2
- 7
5
votes
1 answer
Is there an "energy returned on materials invested" index for energy sources?
We already try to measure how much energy is invested (EROEI) in the production of energy, but I have a hard time finding numbers on the materials invested.
For example: What is the total energy a wind turbine produces in it's lifetime divided by…
Duvrai
- 151
- 5
5
votes
3 answers
Can The UK Be Powered Practically By 100% Renewables?
Taking into consideration the landmass of the whole of the United Kingdom, areas of open country where windfarms could be placed, areas of country designated as wildlife havens and also areas of particular scenic beauty or with notable wildlife such…
Enchanter
- 67
- 2
5
votes
1 answer
Which country produces clothes in an ethical way?
I decided to avoid buying clothes that have a non negligible probability of being made in on-ethical conditions, e.g. by people younger than 15 years old, or working more than 12h a days. When not buying in ethical shops, I look at the label and see…
caprica
- 51
- 1
5
votes
3 answers
Is there a way to melt down plastic lenses used for eyewear?
I'm looking to recycle used eyewear plastic lenses for a sculpture. I want to try to manipulate the plastic to give it a more organic look. I'm also concerned about toxic fumes, so I want to find the best/safe way to do this... if at all possible.
I…
Derek
- 51
- 3
5
votes
2 answers
How much energy costs do portable solar panels save in a house?
Our Houston area HOA does not allow roof top solar panels and I doubt they would survive our hurricanes too. I discovered NRG Energy sells these portable solar panels under their goal zero brand.
If we used these solar panel kits to simply charge…
Danger14
- 179
- 8
5
votes
4 answers
Can alloy wheels (for a car) pay for themselves through fuel savings?
Magnesium alloy wheels (aka mag wheels) are desirable to car enthusiasts due to an increase in performance, but with reduced weight there would also be a fuel saving.
Obviously prices and fuel efficiency varies for different cars and parts, but has…
Highly Irregular
- 8,795
- 10
- 38
- 78
5
votes
4 answers
Pool, sauna and shower with electric heating and solar thermal vs gas heating?
I have four things that need to be heated on my house:
Pool (28.000 liters solar thermal heated)
Jacuzzi (I think that is like 400-600 liters is gas heated)
Showers (actually they are all electric)
Sauna (not sure here but I think it's gas…
Freedo
- 281
- 1
- 6
5
votes
1 answer
Comparative impact of individual airlines
Are there any significant differences to the ecological impact of flying based on which airline you choose? The Guardian seems to suggest that maximizing economy seats per plane could help determine the best airline, though I don't know whether such…
prpole
- 125
- 5
5
votes
1 answer
How much moisture is left on the walls and floors of a shower after use? Is it significant?
Our shower has 2 plastic walls and 3 (smaller) glass walls, and a plastic floor. My family prefers to squeegee it to remove at least the water from the glass so that minerals from the water don't build up on the glass (making it rough and spoiling…
Highly Irregular
- 8,795
- 10
- 38
- 78
5
votes
1 answer
What is the least dusty Earthen Plaster mixture to use on interior walls?
What Earthen Plaster mixture is least dusty for use on interior walls? The Earthen plasters I've seen, usually some mixture of earth, manure (horse or cow) and sand are pretty dusty. They work, but, well, it'd be nice to have a more cohesive…
Daniel Bingham
- 1,581
- 2
- 11
- 22
5
votes
1 answer
What is the most effective mixture of soil and amendments to use with Open Source Ecology's compressed earth brick press?
What is the best input mixture to produce cohesive, strong bricks when using Open Source Ecology's compressed earth brick press? I've heard that lime and sand should be added to help brick cohesiveness. What proportions? Are there other…
Daniel Bingham
- 1,581
- 2
- 11
- 22
5
votes
1 answer
What's the applicability of biochar?
Could the cost of biochar production ever be less than that of coal extraction? Is the thermal potential good enough?
I have seen certain articles (sorry, no links) that point to its applicability for sugar cane.
Would it work for corn properly?
At…
Sustainable Programmer
- 576
- 2
- 12
5
votes
2 answers
When transporting high-end food stuff from Chita to Moscow, which method is more fuel efficient, by rail or by air?
Chita is a Russian city nestled between Mongolia and Manchuria. Although Chita is located on the trans-siberian railway, I wonder if it is more energy efficient to ship 100 tons of cut beef every day by air, assuming that, for five months a year, no…
George Chen
- 525
- 2
- 8