Nissan Leaf Zero Emissions Electric Vehicle

It’s a New Year and New Year’s resolutions abound. Turn over a new leaf with the Nissan Leaf, zero emissions all-electric vehicle. In the case of San Diego Gas & Electric, they’re turning over the whole forest with a brand new fleet of all-electric vehicles. The state of Washington is already making plans for 2,200 electric vehicle charging stations across western Washington. There are other states as well with charging stations in the workings.

I had the chance to see the Leaf up close as it passed through Las Vegas this week on the Leaf Zero Emissions Tour. Surrounded by Lamborghini’s and Ferrari’s at the Celebrity Cars Showroom in the Palazzo Hotel & Casino, the Nissan Leaf was the star last Tuesday night. It will go 100 miles on a charge, with a maximum speed of 90 mph. The console has a big navigation screen that will tell you where the nearest charging station is. There is a little track ball that looks like a mouse between the 2 front seats where a manual shifter might normally be. And speaking of shifting, electric vehicles don’t have a transmission. Quiet acceleration is instant since the conversion from electric energy to mechanical energy is immediate. There is no need to wait for  fuel combustion, so the response when your foot hits the pedal occurs right away. The lack of a transmission or combustion engine is a HUGE plus for me because it means no oil changes, no maintenance. Owners would have to  buy new litium-ion batteries every 10-12 years. There is talk of leasing batteries, and they will be recycled and reused.

There is a mini solar panel on the back fin on top of the car, so when the vehicle isn’t in motion, you can store a small amount of energy for things like windows, lights, door locks, etc.).

The shape lends itself to a lot of space. Five passengers can ride comfortably with storage in the back (my husband and I both joked you could fit two bodies in the trunk, or three of us asians).

The charging outlets are at the front of the car, under the Nissan logo. There is an industrial (208-230 volts A/C) plug and the more common 110-120 volt A/C. Twenty-five minutes is all it takes to charge it up to a full charge. I forgot to ask our tour guide how that time changes if you use the industrial vs. regular plug.

To see if the Leaf is coming to a city near you, go to http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/. We can expect production in December 2010 for $28,000-$32,000. Just for fun, check out what rebates your state has for electric vehicles. While you’re there look at the Federal incentives as well. Come December, you might feel compelled to ask Santa for different kind of gift.

Here are some notes to think about when you set up your tree for next year:

ARTIFICIAL TREES

-There were 8.9m artificial trees imported to the United States in 2008.

-A typical artificial tree contains 7.3lbs of plastic, mostly poluvinyl chloride (PVC).

-It takes 20 years of re-use for an artificial tree’s carbon footprint to be lower than that of an actual tree’s.

-In an entire year, approximately 600,000 U.S homes could be powered using the energy required to run decorative lights during the holiday season.

THE REAL THING

-In 2008 there were 28.2m real trees sold in the U.S.

-Each year, 5.8lbs of pesticides are sprayed on real holiday trees in North Carolina.

-There are approximately 4,000 tree recycling centers in the U.S.

-It is estimated the average conifer tree can absorb 1 ton of carbon dioxide over 60 years.

* Check out www.greenpromise.com/resources to find organic, pesticide-free tree farms near you.

*Stats are from Wired Magazine

If you live in the City, you can sign up at homefreenevada.org but be sure to press the More Info button and request SolarEnvi to be your auditor. Please tell people you know who live in the City, after all it is a freebie. The program will run through December.

I argued with myself for 2 weeks before deciding to not send holiday cards this year. This was a big thing for me. Let me explain, I love creating my own holiday cards. There are so many types of papers and ways to creatively express thoughts of holiday cheer. Sending holiday cards is fun for me. I love receiving similar wishes of peace and happiness for the coming year. My favorite is to display cards prominently to remind myself of all the love that is shared between us. Then, what immediately follows is guilt. Because I see the heavy metals in the inks, the water and chemicals used to process the paper, the smell of the paper plant near my sister’s house, polluting the air my family breathes. I see the petroleum required to ship the seasonal greetings cross-country, money spent on stamps…  I wonder, must sending messages of peace and love have to be so toxic? The answer is no. An even more personal message can be sent electronically or using a telephone, I mean, I already have the computer and the phone; it isn’t like I have to go out and buy new ones.

There is a comedic documentary about seasonal consumerism called, “What Would Jesus Buy” you might want to check out. It jokes about the hysteria around Black Friday and the holiday season in general.

So, if you don’t get a card from me this year, please don’t take it personally. It is another step I am taking to live a simpler, healthy life and every little step counts. I’d like to say, “Season’s Greenings” from the Aldan family. I truly hope this holiday season brings you joy and laughter and a blessed new year!

Natural Fiber Rugs. Image from seville.com

Cold feet are a bummer. No one understands that better than I, having been born and raised in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, But is wall-to-wall carpet the answer? Consider this: You know that “new carpet smell?” Those are Volatile Organic Compounds or VOC’s, which are harmful inhalants. The carpet fibers, the adhesives and the padding all off-gas harmful VOC’s, which dissipate over time as they are released into the air. Depending on your level of sensitivity, this could cause headaches, dizziness, respiratory problems, auto-immune reactions and more. While formaldehyde hasn’t been used in the manufacture of carpeting for nearly 30 years, 70% of all flooring used in the U.S. is carpeting and most of it is petroleum based.  In my opinion, the less dependent we are on petroleum, the better.

Often times, to sell a house, a homeowner will remove old carpeting and install newer, cheaper carpeting. Upon purchasing the house the new homeowner will rip out the cheaper carpeting to decorate with a more plush, comfy option and the cheap carpet, having been walked on only by those showing the house is thrown to the landfill (Over 6 billions pounds of carpet are sent to U.S. landfills each year *).

Usually Pyrethrins are used to treat carpeting. Pyrethrin I and II act as an insecticide and will cause burning, itching, asthmatic breathing, sneezing, nasal stuffiness, headache, nausea, tremors, convulsions, facial flushing and swelling. An alternative is to install vegetable dyed wool carpet with a jute backing that is nailed instead of glued down. Wool area rugs that can be routinely maintained and cleaned are another option.

John Travolta and Kelly Preston’s son had serious autoimmune problems to which they suspect are a result of multiple professional carpet cleanings in their home while he was a baby just learning to crawl. They have been advocates of chemical-free homes for years.

Recycling carpet is not free. While there is a big payoff in the resources you will save through recycling, the work involved in physically recycling the product comes at a cost. The carpet must be collected and transported to the recycling center. Then it is identified, separated and broken down. These substances must be converted into a form which other manufacturers will purchase and then shipped to the manufacturer to become a new product.

Also, carpeting is toxic to recycle – re-manufacturing produces pollutants and requires a lot of energy. Even though it is not as easy to recycle carpet as other materials (such as paper or glass), the benefits of doing so far outweigh the cost and time associated with it. By saving millions of pounds of wasted resources from landfills and preventing the use of virgin materials for new products, each person’s collective participation in this process promulgates the importance of continuing the development of this recycling sector.

http://www.carpetrecovery.org/ The carpet recovery center nearest to Vegas is in Los Angeles (LA Fibers Company) or Phoenix (A1 Planet Recycle).

http://carpet-rug.org/ The Carpet and Rug Institute has been testing carpets since 1992 for VOC emissions.

A great example of a carpet fiber that is made from 100% recycled content is Mohawk’s EverSTRAND^® fiber which is made from recycled plastic bottles (also known as Polyethylene Terephthalate or P.E.T. carpet). Collins and Aikman (C&A) takes a different approach by manufacturing carpet backing made from glass recycled from vehicle windshields.

Carpet made from recycled content doesn’t end with recycled carpet fibers. Carpet can also have backings made with recycling content such as Shaw’s EcoWorx^® backing. In addition, carpet can be installed with padding or cushions made from recycled material. Be sure to ask your carpet retailer for carpet made with a high percentage of recycled content.

The people at Syndecrete have found another way to extend the lifespan of carpet fibers. Syndecrete makes gorgeous modern tiles from recycled materials, incorporating carpet fibers into the matrix. This allows for a lighter tile, thus lower shipping costs. Carpet fibers also increase tensile strength of the tiles. They can be used in horizontal (ex. kitchen floors) or vertical (ex. showers) applications.

Carpet Tiles. Image from Chicago.SunTimes.com

When it comes down to it, if you want that plush feeling under your feet, go for area rugs instead of wall-to-wall carpet.  Install carpet squares instead of rolls, that way, when an area by your front door wears out, you can replace a few squares rather than replace 500 square feet of carpet. There are plenty of options for recycling carpet fibers so if you replace carpet, send it to be recycled.

*http://www.texascarpetrecycling.com/status_industry.html

Make Love Not Trash. www.makelovenottrash.com

Trendy re-usable shopping bags are everywhere now. They are cheap, hip and you can rest a little easier each night knowing that you have helped make the world a better place…or have you?

I’ve got 5 shopping bags of various sizes, colors and sayings (“Make Love, Not Trash!” or “Westin Princeville”). All but one are ratty and the vinyl graphics are peeling off, but I love them. The problem arises when you discover you are the proud owner of 30 re-usable shopping bags (Read Dmitri Siegel’s fantastic article here). I like clever graphics and free stuff just as much as the next person, but I’d like to think I know when to cut myself off. Conference booths entice with freebies. Forgetting my bags in the car sometimes leaves me contemplating buying a new one for 99 cents. But I dutifully turn back to my parking spot and select from my trusty pile the shopping bag du jour. If you only have a few purchases, ditch the bag! Check-out employees are always confused when I tell them I don’t need a bag. It throws them off. They don’t know where to put their hands or if they should look me in the eye and make small talk while finishing my transaction. Sometimes they will bag my purchase anyway, even if it’s just a single item until I cheerfully remind them that I carried it to the counter in my hands and I can walk it to my car in my hands.

An ironic thing has happened with the explosion of re-usable shopping bags. Seen as an opportunity for cheap marketing, they are everywhere. People wanting to reduce consumption and manufacture of plastics are now buying petroleum-based re-usable bags. Cotton canvas bags require mass amounts of water and pesticides in their manufacture. (Check out 1 Bag at a Time for the numbers). The best thing is to use no bag or to keep just a few on hand. If you have more than a few…share the wealth with someone who doesn’t. Owning 30 re-usable shopping bags defeats the purpose. So what if they get ratty after years of washing. Is your goal to show off how many trendy new bags you own when you are at the grocery or is your goal to buy nourishment for yourself and for your family while consciously creating less waste? In a society that encourages excess, let’s just take a step back and think about what you are packing into those bags. I hope it will help you consume less junk and more quality sustenance, for better health.

Canister Light. Image is author's own.

Air Leaks

Canister lights are a big source of air leaks. Also, moisture from condensation can form on the recessed canister, damaging insulation around it. They can especially cause problems in cathedral ceilings because it is so difficult to properly insulate around them in such a narrow space. If your lights aren’t the insulated kind, you can change them out. Find out how here.

Drifts of Uneven Insulation. Image is author's own.

Displaced Insulation

Baffles are installed in your attic to divert airflow so insulation is not displaced. Air blowing into your attic through soffits will create drifts in blown-in insulation that doesn’t have baffles. R-value is a material’s resistance to heat transfer. If insulation does not have even loft, the R-value will be inconsistent and temperatures in your home will be inconsistent. Here is a video showing the function of baffles.

Uninsulated Speaker with displace insulation. Image is author's own.

Retrofits

If you’re considering upgrades to your home which involve going into your attic, you may want to inspect your insulation once the job is complete. Notice the photo on the right from a speaker installation. The speaker itself is not insulated and the insulation is so displaced you can see to the bottom! This can be fixed by placing a bucket over the top of the speaker and backfilling with insulation. Also, check where new wiring or lighting has been installed to ensure insulation wasn’t moved around unevenly.

Other Stuff

If you have other tips regarding attic insulation, please share! Here is a great article at Insulation Blog describing the different types of insulation used in your attic. I have also written about denim insulation here. If you are not comfortable handling or being around insulation, it’s best to call in the professionals.

Blower Door Fan. Image is author's own.

What to Expect

An average audit costs around $500 and up. Cost depends on things such as how many square feet your house is and how many air conditioning units you have. Set aside 3-5 hours for your audit. The audit will consist of an occupant interview, examination of your energy bills, a duct test, blower door test and gas leak check. Water heater and heating and cooling units will be tested for efficiency. Auditors will also measure the area and volume of your home to make sure you are getting proper air circulation for a home your size. Lighting, appliances, insulation and building tightness are all things quantified a home energy auditor’s report. The auditor will make suggestions based on their findings so you can start saving immediately. Begin small and make changes in phases. Your auditor will be able to recommend steps to take.

Using smoke machine to check attic hatch for leaks. Image is author's own.

Start Here

If you live in Las Vegas, you can visit HomeFree Nevada (HFN) to schedule an audit with a qualified auditor (Such as SolarEnvi 702.401.6126 or 702.340.9081). HFN will also connect you with contractors who have undergone training for building sciences and can retrofit your home with properly sized ductwork, air conditioning units, water heaters, etc. GreenChips is an organization that helps subsidize the cost of an audit. You can also get rebates from NV Energy for replacing your refrigerator, installing a programmable thermostat and more. Their HELP Program is giving $7500 to qualifying families in need of replacing heating systems, installing solar screens and other retrofits. Check their website for updates.

Is an Energy Audit Right For Me?

All homes are not created equal. Many factors are involved to ensure your family is living in a healthy environment that doesn’t waste energy. Getting a report from an energy auditor helps you make smart choices for lowering your energy bills. Here are some things to think about when considering if a home energy audit is right for you:

• Does it seem like your energy bills are higher than your neighbors’ energy bills (go to nvenergy.com to compare your energy use with your neighbors’)?
• Do some rooms in your home heat up or cool down faster than others?
• Do you want to lower your energy bills?
• Are you in the market for a new heating, cooling or water system?
• Do you wish your current systems would run more efficiently?
• Do your windows, ducts, basement or attic seem to leak air?
• Not sure how to operate your equipment for optimum performance?

If you’d like more information or wish to share your energy audit experience, please contact me.

Image from Wild & Scenic website

Tonight I was lucky enough to catch Nevada Wilderness Project’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival at the Las Vegas Spring Preserve (btw: they’ve already started stringing LED’s for the Winter Lights Festival at the Springs. Highly recommend you check it out).

Springs Preserve Winter Lights. Image is author's own.

The festival took place in the OriGEN theater. They had an information booth for the NWP and concessions (who doesn’t enjoy a little popcorn and wine when watching a film?). Short films of different lengths were shown with themes from urban farming and community gardening, to social responsibility and landscape ecology. The effects of fragmenting our national parks and preserves was something that really resonated with me. There are studies in Banff National Park that are tracking the results of highway bridges for animals to cross. I come from a place where they close down schools for huntin’ season to help control deer populations. Those suckers are everywhere, so I’ve seen plenty of road kill in my day. However, as it applies to the range of the grizzly bear population there is something quite disconcerting that shows the immediacy of the need to rethink how we have been designing and shaping our landscapes.

The urban gardening also really resonated with me. Since I moved to the desert, I’ve had the hardest time keeping plants alive. I just haven’t been able to figure out how to grow anything other than the most hardy succulents. Last week it was lavender. This week, it is my orchid that has fallen victim to my desert gardening skills (or lack thereof). I keep promising myself that I must slowly build up before I start growing food…mastering first the house plants, then the herbs, then tomatoes and broccoli and peppers (after 2 years, I’m still on herbs). At this rate, Las Vegas will become a rainforest again before I ever get to harvest a tomato!

Oh well, I guess I should start taking some gardening classes at the Springs. You’d think someone who has studied the morphology, physiology, biology, taxonomy and ecology of plants would be able to keep them alive in any climate. Whatever your climate, you should check out urban farming projects in your neighborhood. Seattle, Detroit, Pittsburgh…they all have projects where people are successfully growing their own organic, non-genetically modified food in small spaces. In Las Vegas, we have the Gilcrease farm (gilcreaseorchard.org) where you can pick your own seasonal fruits & veggies. Right across the street you can get fresh eggs. If you are involved in an urban farming project in your area, please share. I am inspired by stories of hope and health.

This is a national festival, with showings in 90 cities across the U.S. Visit wildandscenicfilmfestival.org to find a showing near you or host an event in your area.

Foldaway wooden laundry rack. Image is author's own

Here are some tips:

• Smooth wrinkles before hanging.
• Pop towels and shirts into the dryer for a few minutes to fluff and de-wrinkle.
• Hang clothes to dry away from direct sunlight to preserve colors (airflow is more important than light when drying laundry). Turn clothes inside out to avoid uneven fading.
• Always lay sweaters flat to dry to avoid stretching them.
• If you must use the dryer, do several loads, back-to-back while it is still hot.

Location, Location, Location
Set up a line inside where there is good airflow. I’ve got a foldaway wooden hanger that can be tucked away when not in use. Plus, it adds moisture to our home, which my lungs and sinuses appreciate. Watch for dripping sap or birds’ nests if you will be hanging your line outside.

Simplify, Simplify
My favorite laundry detergent is “Charlies Soap.” No fabric softener needed. No fragrances or dyes. Just an 1/8 of a cup per load is all you need (and if you have a stackable compact washer/dryer combo like I do that only fits one sock and a pair of pants, you can use a little less detergent). I was skeptical about the whole cold-water-no-fabric-softener-thing at first so I tried different experiments designed to disprove it (residual programming from my Chemical Engineering studies). I used hot water. I added more soap than it called for. I did a cold water soak followed by extensive “gwhoosh-gwhoosh” action. Finally I came to the conclusion that even the grimy, sweaty work clothes emerged fresh and static-free after their cold-cold bath. Life is complicated enough. Who wants to think about sorting laundry according to hot-cold, tepid-warm or frigid-lukewarm water cycles? I prefer to just set it on cold, put in a little detergent and hang’em to dry. Simple. No fabric softeners to add before the wash cycle ends, no perfumes or dyes, no dryer settings (“Is this load ‘Normal,’ ‘Perm-press,’ ‘Timed’ or ‘Air-fluff?’”). Think about this: fabric softeners leave a wax-like residue on your clothing. Wax is sticky so your clothes will actually attract dirt requiring more washing, which will break down the fibers sooner.

Saving Energy = Saving $
You hear a lot about Energy Star^® rated appliances. Visit their website to find out about the best clothes washers and rebates. Dryers do not get a rebate because the energy consumed in all models is about the same. People have saved as much as $25 a month by simply hanging clothes to dry. You won’t be replacing worn out clothes as often, so you will also save money by shopping for clothes less frequently. And when your jeans do wear out, they can be turned into insulation (learn more here). That’s a terrific example of “Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle.”