Green Tips Videos

Every week the Office of Sustainability offers a new Green Tip, which can be seen on Cleveland TV, Channel 23.  Subjects previously aired:

More Tips on Making Cleveland a Green City on a Blue Lake

Ways to Be More Sustainable Flyer

Energy prices are rising as households use more electronics, appliances, and lights. At the same time, power generation is quickly approaching its limit. The solution's not as simple as building more plants because coal and gas are running low and becoming more expensive. More importantly, these types of energy generation are major contributors to climate change.

Renewable sources of power generation like wind and solar energy, though currently being introduced, do not solve the current problem. One solution for short and long term energy cost reduction is using power more efficiently.

Heating and Cooling

• If 10,000 natural gas customers insulated their attics, 50 million less tons of carbon dioxide could be released each year, or 140 million lbs. if they used electric heat. Heat lost through a basement floor can be nearly 1/3 of a heat bill
• Turning a thermostat down one degree in winter cuts heating bills about 3%, turning it up one degree in summer cuts air conditioning bills around 5%. If the temperature of each US home was 6 degrees lower in winter, the equivalent of 500,000 barrels of oil would be saved daily. A tree shading a house cuts down on electricity used for air conditioning, and can help a home stay warmer in winter
• Gaps around windows and doors of the average home equal a 3 foot square hole. Weather-stripping gaps means less leaks and energy savings. A drape can cut 1/3 of a window’s heat loss, but if insulated, can reduce it by 1/2. In a year, energy escaping through American windows equals all the oil that flows through the Alaska pipeline

Lights and Appliances

Compact Flourescent Light Bulb Flyer

• Electricity used to run a refrigerator over 15-20 years is several times the appliance's cost. In a year the average fridge uses power generated from nearly as much coal as it can hold, but efficient models use about a freezer-full. A refrigerator with a freezer on top or bottom uses about 20% less energy than a side-by-side. Doors should close and seal tightly. Every time a door is opened, up to 30% of the cold air escapes.
• Washing clothes on the cold setting can save up to 40% of energy costs
• Air drying dishes saves energy - over 80% of a dishwasher’s energy use is for heat
• If every US home replaced one standard bulb with a compact fluorescent, it would save the equivalent of all the energy generated by one large power plant in a year. 90% of an incandescent bulb's electricity is wasted as heat, but compact fluorescent lights provide better light, can last 12 times longer, and use about 80% less energy

Stormwater

Rain Barrel Flyer

Stormwater (rain and snow) flushes material into storm drains including trash, dirt, oil and other pollutants. Since some drains lead directly into waterways, this causes water quality problems.

Some stormwater goes to water treatment facilities, and is treated and released into Lake Erie- clean and clear. However, when rains are heavy, sewers can overflow sending untreated water- including raw sewage and other pollutants- directly into the lake. An increase in the frequency of storms means there is more stormwater. Residents are encouraged to consider the following:

• Rain barrels – capture free water from the roof for plants
• Rain gardens – native plants might not need chemical sprays
• Cars washed on lawns - keeps water out of storm drains 
• Pesticides and fertilizers- using little, none, or eco-friendly ones
• Pet waste- affects water quality
• Hosing yard and sidewalk debris- sweeping is better
• Composting or recycling yard waste
• Green cleaning products instead of chemicals which pollute water
• Unused medicine- goes in trash or hazardous waste round-ups, not the toilet
• Planting trees - they provide enormous support in managing stormwater
• Oils- not to be dumped into sinks or storm drains