Conservation 101: the Compete to Conserve Blog

photo credit: psd

There is a lot of talk about how much energy a typical consumer uses, but how much do you use? After all, if you’re a Compete to Conserve member you’re probably already trying to cut back. That’s why the energy calculator on myGreenElectronics by the Consumer Electronics Association is so handy–and engrossing.

On one easy page, you fill out how many hours each day your electronic devices and appliances are on, idle, or completely off the grid. The calculator then estimates how much energy you use and what your costs per month and per year are. Neat!

The site also provides resources for donating used consumer devices and recycling:
http://www.mygreenelectronics.com/home.aspx

photo credit: chispita_666

Skeptical that your dishwasher is more energy and water efficient than washing by hand? To test this theory, Leah Ingram of The Lean Green Family suggests stopping up your sink as you hand-wash dishes and then measuring the water you’ve collected. It’s likely more than you think.

Ingram is right. In my test, I used 8.25 gallons on a day’s worth of dishes (breakfast, lunch, dinner) for a family of four. My methodology? I quickly rinsed our dishes, turned off the water, scrubbed, and then rinsed off the soap. I’m not sure I would have saved water even if I had filled the sink first, as the sink itself would have required a good scrubbing and rinse, too.

Considering the average standard dishwasher built since 1994 uses 9 gallons a load, and I can fit two day’s of dishes in one load, I can cut my water usage, not to mention my water-heating, by more than half. Good-bye dishwashing gloves!

They’ve Done Studies
I’m not the only one who found dishwashers come out on top. Researchers at the University of Bonn in Germany studied 113 people across seven countries and found that new, energy-efficient dishwashers use only half the energy, one-sixth of the water, and less soap than hand-washing. The study also notes that dishwashers get dishes cleaner, too.

More resources:
Energy Star Dishwashers

American Council for and Energy Efficient Economy

Waterwise a water-industry organization in the UK

Water Usage Calculator