DoGoodedness

Not Your Typical Commute

My love affair with the automobile began rather early in life.  I don’t know if it was the go-kart or Bigfoot Power Wheels, but somehow my right foot became directly linked with a feeling of bliss.  As the son and grandson of stock car racers, I felt that my destiny would eventually lead to the field of motor sports.

Moving on to Auburn University, my interest and a pursuit for a Mechanical Engineering degree led to involvement with the Solar Car Project.  This turned out to be a tremendous undertaking, consuming two solid years, $200,000, and a team of about twenty students to pull off.  Our preverbal light at the end of the tunnel was the North American Solar Challenge; a race taking us across 2,500 miles, eight states, and three Canadian Provinces over the course of ten days.

This experience completely changed my perspective on the modern automobile.  As one of our three drivers, I learned (sometimes reluctantly) how to drive conservatively, to save as much energy as possible.  Although this felt rather Un-American, the concept made a lot more sense than the lead-footed approach I was so accustomed to.

Nowadays, when I hear about a two-passenger car having 400+ Horsepower (a la 2010 Camaro), my first question is “why is that necessary?”  Most daily commutes are a far cry from the Daytona 500.  Our project vehicle could easily run highway speeds with an 11 HP electric motor, by the way…If you can safely and speedily accomplish your daily driving with much less, then why do we indulge in the excess?

Rest assured, I am not here to sell you a solar-powered car (this concept isn’t commercially viable), but I do want to speak to the ideas of fuel conservation and reducing emissions.

If you look at countries that are already dealing with high gas prices and increased congestion, you will notice some obvious differences in the vehicle market.  Ford, an American staple, recently released a 65mpg (diesel) compact in Europe that may never see the light of day on our side of the pond.  What does this say about us as a country?  Are we so obsessed with mechanical muscle and third-row seating that we aren’t even being considered as a marketable audience?

I think most can agree that we will have to adopt some new technologies in order to meet higher emissions standards and combat petroleum dependence.  Below are some existing technologies that could offer viable alternatives for today, tomorrow, and ten years from now.

The Hybrid

I remember when the first Prius came on the market eight years ago.  It was ugly, small, and exuding as much masculinity as a man purse (or satchel, if you will).  The argument I heard repeatedly was “It would take too many years to pay back the cost difference in gas savings.”  Well people, the year is almost 2010; gasoline prices are increasingly volatile, and the sticker for a Prius is about $22 Grand.  Now what do you think?

2010 Prius

By the numbers, here is what we are talking about.  First of all, the Prius has a 51mpg rating in the city and 48mpg highway.  How does it accomplish this?  There are two main things that contribute to such exceptional stop-and-go longevity: the electric motor and regenitive braking.  By virtue of being a hybrid, this vehicle can operate completely under power of the electric motor or assist it with the gasoline engine.  Under 15 mph, the Prius does not use the internal combustion engine – thus the off-the-charts city rating.

Another plus with this hybrid arrangement is regenetive braking.  Essentially, the car reverses its electric motor (turning it into a generator) to slow the car down, which serves to return some of the energy back to the batteries.  Our solar car had this technology on board, and it really came in handy for stop-and-go driving.

Now, let me reiterate that the Prius is not the only Hybrid on the market, but it is currently head and shoulders above others in the US.  Most major automakers are now adding this option on several of their popular models.  Buying a hybrid version of larger vehicles will certainly increase their fuel mileage, but bumping up your Lexus to that technology will cost a chunk.

Electric Vehicles

The electric vehicle, or EV is making headway as a viable alternative, but it will be a while before the common man (or woman) can justify such an investment.  As you may have heard,  the highly publicized release of the Chevy Volt will be taking place in 2011.  Although touted as the savior of GM and American oil dependency, the limited initial production will probably keep them out of your reach for a while.  Additionally, the $40,000 price tag may be a little steep for most consumers.

2011 Chevy Volt

The general concept of the Volt is to operate on electric charge (about 8 hours) until the 40 mile capacity, and then will use a gasoline engine to take you up to a 300 mile range.  For those who rely on their vehicle for extended commutes, this car is not even close to being practical yet.  The technology is out there, but it will be years before this will catch on.  It is also worth noting that the grid system will need to be beefed up if we are all charging our cars every night.

CNG

Due to our stake in the natural gas industry, my company has recently invested in several CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) powered Honda Civics.  This technology has been around for a while, and this is not our first foray into a CNG fleet, but significant strides in recent years have brought it back into the conversation.  First of all, natural gas is plentiful and cheap.  Additionally, the US has enough locally to be self-sufficient, thus avoiding dependency on other countries.

With regards to emissions, CNG vehicles produce much less than the gasoline equivalent.  For example, the regular civic (1.8 Liter Engine) produces about 6.3 tons of CO2 per year (15,000 miles/yr), while the natural gas version is rated at 3.6 tons CO2.

What about the cost?  While the CNG outfit will raise the price tag slightly, the estimated fuel costs will save nearly $500 per year.  However, most sections of the country do not currently have the infrastructure to support such vehicles.  Natural gas filling stations are few and far between, but are growing steadily.  If you are willing to make the large initial investment, there are in-home compressors that can be hooked up to your existing gas line.  They typically take a solid overnight (8 Hour) cycle to completely fill the vehicle.  People tell me they are also quite noisy.

Diesel

Undoubtedly, we are no strangers to the diesel powered car.  Currently, these are much more popular in Europe, as evidenced by the previously mentioned Ford compact. Diesel is no longer just the smelly, clunky fuel for 18-wheelers.  Some of the most efficient cars on the road are now turbo-diesels, and for good reason.

Hydrogen Internal Combustion

What about Hydrogen-power you say?  The technology works, but as long as people still remember the Hindenburg, I wouldn’t bank on this being widespread.  The emissions are much lower for this fuel.  However, the H2 has to be manufactured somewhere.  Implementing an infrastructure and manufacturing for this would also be quite the undertaking.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

This one is definitely one of the coolest methods of producing power, but it is currently way too expensive and inefficient to be taken seriously.  The basic concept is to break down hydrogen, draw oxygen from the air, and put these through a proton exchange membrane, thus creating electricity.  The byproduct of this reaction is water, making the overall emissions much lower than an internal combustion engine.

Ethanol

Fun fact: in the US, you must obtain a permit before making your own ethanol, because the fermentation very closely mirrors that of moonshinin’ (in the south, there is no “g”).  It is one step in the process away from being ingestible Pure Grain Alcohol.  Chances are, your car is already running off of a small amount ethanol, as the government mandates that your gasoline contain some.  Benefit: it doesn’t come from the Middle East, burns a little bit cleaner than petroleum based products, and it already works in most new cars.  Downside: unless you are using a very sugar rich plant in the distillation process (sugar cane, sugar beets), then the amount needed to make fuel is a bit gaudy.  Using corn for this, frankly, is quite inefficient.

And there you have my take on where are automotive options are headed.  Please feel free to comment or send me any questions you have: Matt@DoGoodedness.com!

Thanks,

Matt

In my day job, I am an engineer for a natural gas distribution company.  With the shroud of uncertainty surrounding the gas and oil business as of late, it has been an interesting place to be employed.  Prices fluctuate constantly, inciting friends to request that my discount be applied to their bill each month.  Unfortunately, no such discount exists, and even I cringe a little when my company sends a bill to the house (especially when it gets cold outside).

As a consumer, it sucks to feel helpless while everything around you is slowly getting more expensive.  Cost of living raises are falling by the wayside, even as the cost of living continues to go up.  I’m here to tell you that there is hope.  There are plenty of ways to combat your energy bills.  I have assembled a list of cost-effective and very doable options for reducing your home energy consumption.  Added bonus: these cutbacks lessen your environmental impact!  I have broken all the options down by cost and difficulty, so you can choose your speed.

We’ll begin with some very simple things you can do around the house.  Anybody can do these with relative ease and very minimal investment.  You will see a difference in your bill immediately!

Turn off Stuff You Aren’t Using

Here’s a shocker!  If you are not in a room, turn the lights off.  If you aren’t watching the television, listening to the radio, or benefitting from any other electronic device, then they should be in the off position.  That is, unless your household pets or ghosts seem to be enjoying their use.

Close the Refrigerator

Another less-than novel revelation, but an effective thought nonetheless.  Try not to leave the fridge open for extended periods of time, and let any warm food cool before throwing it in there.  Fun engineering/nerd fact: a refrigerator with its door open long enough will actually heat up the surrounding space.  This is largely due to the amount of energy needed for a compressor to cool the air.  All totaled, this appliance accounts for roughly 25% of your electricity costs.  See below on how to buy a more efficient version.

Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

Unlike the previous options, this one will actually cost you a little extra money.  However, using compact fluorescent bulbs is a no brainer.  When compared to incandescent light bulbs, these last four to ten times as long (less waste!) and use about a quarter of the energy.  As your other bulbs die out, start replacing them with these.

Turn Down Your Water Heater

Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees during when you aren’t home.  When going on vacation, you can turn it down even lower.  Doing this could save you in the neighborhood of 10% on your heating bill, booyah!  You can also save a little by ensuring that the pipes are insulated properly and losing as little heat as possible.

Cut Back on Washer & Dryer Usage

As a dude, I admittedly was not aware of this, but did you know that many clothes can be washed on a cold cycle and hung on drying racks instead of using the dryer?  Minimize your dryer time with smaller loads and a low- or no-heat setting.  Cold cycle washing can save around sixty bucks a year, and air drying could reduce costs by close to $120 (source: peachygreen.com).  Also, be sure to clean the vent so that the dryer works more effectively.  Otherwise, you are restricting air flow.

Here a few more ambitious options for those of you who aren’t afraid to spend some money for a return on your investment in the near future.

Programmable Thermostat

If you still have a manual thermostat, it might be time for an upgrade.  Programmable thermostats are reasonably priced (about $100) and will save you a ton of cash when used appropriately.  This handy device ensures that the temperature is regulated 24/7 whether you are home or not.  Check here for tips in finding the appropriate unit.

Adding Insulation

One of the best ways to increase the efficiency of your home is to add insulation in areas where it is lacking, especially in older houses.  This will help retain the heated/cooled air that you pay so dearly for.  Target areas for this are the attic and walls.  For less than $1,000, you can hire someone to blow insulation or you can rent equipment and do it yourself.  Be sure to read this before going it alone.

Laptop

If you are looking to purchase a new computer this Christmas, consider buying a laptop instead of a desktop model.  Laptops consume one-fifth the electricity!

Double Pane Windows

Along the same lines as adding insulation, replacing older windows with double paned ones will help reduce the energy loss from your home.  I have these in my house, and they really do make a difference, especially since my place was built in the 1950s.

And for the grand finale!  These are for those who are planning on being in the house at least a few years and want to make significant cutbacks in your grid-based energy consumption.  I shall call you my overachievers!

Energy Efficient Appliances

As I mentioned earlier in this post, the typical refrigerator can constitute 25% of your total electricity bill.  Why then, would you not consider getting one that uses less power?  While the higher efficiency appliances do cost more up front, most will pay back the investment within a year or two.  This goes for just about anything with a 220 Volt plug that you use on a regular basis.  A little research before heading to the appliance store could save a lot of money in the long run.

Solar Panels

Sure solar technology is great, but it’s super-expensive, right?  Well I have good news: the cost of solar is dropping rapidly.  Whereas, rich hippies have traditionally been the only ones with panels on their roofs, the price point is steadily migrating into the middle-class range.  Depending on where you live and how much sun your house receives, the payback period for complete off-the-grid solar power could be much less than the ominous 30 years that has been intimidating buyers.  Additionally, if the up front investment is too high for a complete system, consider a step-by-step removal from grid power.  Start by powering your outdoor lighting with solar.  Then gradually build up the capacity to handle indoor lighting and appliances.  The great thing about using solar technology is that adding on to the system (panels, batteries, etc) is relatively easy.  Stay tuned to DoGoodedness for instructions on how to build your own solar panel.

Solar Hot Water Heater

In addition to powering your home, solar is also great for heating your hot water.  The payback period for these systems can be two to three years, and installation is much less complicated than the panel-type.  If you have an older hot water heater, check and see if a solar replacement is viable for your area.

Wind Turbine

I have to preface this option with a “only if you live out in the country” clause.  Wind turbines are a great source of energy, but as with solar, the potential is largely dependent on your region.  There are plenty of people out there who have put one of these on their property and produced enough electricity to run their house and then some.  Whatever extra you produce, the power company must buy back, so with the right setup, a wind turbine can turn into a profitable venture in time.

LED Lights

For the uber-ambitious among you, consider replacing all of your lights with LED bulbs.  Outfitting your entire house can be quite pricey, but the energy savings can be rather impressive.  These last up to ten times longer than compact fluorescents (see above) and use less than a third of the power.  If you are looking at switching to solar power, then these babies will drastically reduce the number of panels that will be needed.  Read more here.

Feel free to send in your tips for cutting back to me (matt@DoGoodedness.com).  I would love to hear them!

DoGood!

Matt

Photo by Jeremy Levine Design

Like This Dude

Here at DoGoodedness, we are trying to cultivate our own breed of overachievers.  Our mission is to show you how to go the extra mile.  We want you to be the trendsetter: a positive influence for those around you.  Help lift up the collective average!

When you think of the easiest way to make a positive Environmental impact, the first thing that comes to mind is recycling.  Cheaper than buying a hybrid and easier on the back than saving a whale, taking an extra second to sort your recycling is a pretty simple gig.  Accordingly, most municipalities have caught on, and now offer a pickup service (although sometimes limited) for your recyclables.  In the grand scheme of things, however, quite a bit of waste is still being produced at your house and business on a daily basis.

So what can you do to go above and beyond the norm?  What other options are out there for those who want to do more?  Well, after a little digging and some asking around, I have found some extra credit options for up-and-coming overachievers.  Check out the list and let me know what you think!

Reusable Shopping Bags

Here’s something you might have considered already.  After all, it doesn’t take a lot of effort to bring your own bags to the store and forego the paper or plastic variety.  I have found that it is quite easy to amass a handful of these reusable bags at no charge, but remembering them every time can be tricky.  Keep them in your car for easy access!

Cash for Trash

A novel concept: Get paid for your trash.  The good people at TerraCycle.net have a variety of offers for recycling your everyday products (chip bags, drink pouches, wrappers, etc).  Just sign up for one of the “brigades” and they will send you the shipping labels.  For larger households and companies, this is a great way to make a little money off of waste that otherwise was headed to the landfill.  Plus, you have the added bonus of doing a little good for the planet.

Composting

If you are the gardening type, chances are you already do this.  The concept of turning food and plant waste into a natural fertilizer has been around for a long time, but having a smelly pile of garbage in your backyard is not exactly the coolest.  Thankfully, with more sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing composters available these days, the whole process can be less intrusive.  I’m planning a “Composting 101” article for the near future, so expect more info just around the bend!

Bottle Caps

If it pains you (at least a little) to throw away the caps every time you recycle your plastic bottles, then here is a little peace of mind.  There are several programs now available that are specifically targeting the previously unwanted plastic #5 (made with polypropylene).  Check out these initiatives from Aveda and Whole Foods to learn more!

Water Collectors

From an economical and environmental standpoint, the water collector is a great thing to have.  There are plenty of styles to choose from, installation is simple, and the benefits are immediate.  Each year, Americans use millions of gallons of processed (potable) water on their lawns.  Last time I checked, my grass doesn’t demand drinking water.  It’s about time we save the energy and use what is already falling naturally on our property.  Here are some good examples of what rain collectors are out there.

Smart Buying

One of the easiest ways to save on your end waste is to be a conscious consumer.  If your local pickup service does not take glass, then buy cans instead.  If companies are making a concerted effort to cut down on their packaging, then show your appreciation with the almighty dollar.  Money talks.

Electronics

As we have become a technology driven country, the need to recycle our old electronics has grown significantly.  I have personally killed two iPhones in the last year, and while they make great coasters, I wanted to see what options they have for the afterlife.  Well, Best Buy now has a program in place to take most of your old electronics. Just be sure to read the guidelines before you haul a truckload over there.  There are also plenty of companies that will recycle cell phones and used batteries.

Lend a Helping Hand

In addition to your own efforts, be conscious of those around you that could use a little encouragement or assistance.  If you are making a trip to the recycling center, ask your neighbors if they have anything you could take for them.  Check here to see where the nearest drop-off locations are for different materials.  The best thing you can be is a good example and a cheerleader for those around you.  Talk to your employer about ways to reduce waste around the office.  Little things such as replacing Styrofoam coffee cups with washable mugs or thermoses can save the company money while cultivating a positive mindset.  If your office does not recycle, then offer to start an initiative.

The Kegerator (Yes, Really)

This will be music to the ears of Men and College Students (21+ of course) everywhere.  Want to spare the world of hundreds of empty beer cans?  Just get yourself a kegerator.  This wonderful contraption keeps a keg of beer cold and fresh for extended periods of time.  It also makes your house the place to watch any sport imaginable (Curling World Championships anyone?).  When you use up a keg, just be sure to keep the shell so you can exchange it for another one.  In addition, keep plenty of reusable glasses on hand instead of plastic cups.

I hope these tips were helpful, and I would love to hear your feedback or ideas.  Email me at matt@dogoodedness.com or post a comment below.

DoGood!

Matt