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Reduce Energy with Community Solar Farms

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Reduce Energy with Community Solar Farms

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Go Greeners by investing in Solar Farms and getting a discount in your ConEd Utility Bills

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Community solar makes it easy to access clean energy and solar savings — without the costly, logistical barriers associated with private solar panels.

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Recycle and hand to people for them to make use of your plastic, give it to the needy

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refuse single-use plastic by consistently bringing reusable bags to the store, carrying a reusable water bottle and coffee cup, and saying no to plastic straws

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1. Give leftover food to people in need so you don't waste food.

2. Keep a compost bin in your kitchen to separate food waste for the BROWN bin

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A simple thing you can do from the comfort of your home to raise sustainability is:

turn off and unplug any electronics not in use by anyone. (Some examples are: TVs, Printers, PCs, Gaming consoles, cellphone chargers, etc)

some electronics that have a “ready” state when plugged in still draw small amounts of energy even when turned off if it’s unplugged, this is called phantom energy so if possible, use power strips to shut all cords plugged to it off with a simple, single lever switch.

This benefits you:

Financially:

on your home energy bill, saving at least 240$ bucks a year. (Depending on how many devices you have)

Environmentally:

by reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases particularly if your devices aren’t energy-efficient. (aka, use a lot of power)

Creditable Sources: https://homeefficiencyguide.com/phantom-energy-guide/

https://www.powerwizard.com/blog/vampire-energy/

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There was a time when a device's energy consumption was easy to understand and estimate. When you turned a device off, it was truly "off" and no power was drawn until it was turned on again.

Today, however, we live in a world of always-on electronics. Even when "turned off" these always-on devices continue to draw a small amount of power.
With recent studies raising the estimated average of phantom energy consumption to almost a quarter of a homeowner's total energy use, it is critical that you fully understand this phenomenon and understand how to take control of it. You can realistically reduce your electric bill by enacting smart strategies to control phantom energy consumption!
This guide is intended to help you fully understand the impact of phantom energy consumption on your home's electrical usage and to provide specific strategies to overcome this growing source of energy waste.

What Is Phantom Energy?

Before we can address a problem we have to fully understand it. While we all understand phantom energy at least at a rudimentary level, most homeowners don't truly appreciate the significance of this trend on their energy bills.

What is phantom energy? Phantom energy, also known as vampire power, represents a draw of electricity that electronics consume while not being actively used. The "off-but-ready" or "standby" power mode of modern electronics add to the total energy use of your home and may account for a significant portion of your electric bill.

Although you may only "actively" use a device for an hour or two each day, that device is still using electricity for the remaining 20+ hours! When you add that usage up over the course of a year, it can make a sizable impact on your electric bill.

Phantom Energy Waste Is Increasing

In 2015, the National Resources Defense Council (NRDC) found that around 23% of a household's energy is wasted in phantom energy use according to this study.

Previously, studies had estimated closer to 10% phantom energy impact on the total energy use of the average American household. You may have heard these references to 10%. It's important to understand that much of that was based on this study conducted way back in 2005.

A lot has changed since then. NRDC contributes the rise in phantom energy use to the ever-expanding list of always-on electronics in homes. Examples provided included appliances like washers and dryers that now have electronic panels instead of strictly mechanical functioning.

Smart Televisions, computers, security cameras, and countless other electronic devices continuously sit in an inactive but ready state. As they lie in wait, they are steadily seeping electricity.

What Is Driving The Rise In Phantom Energy?

The worse consequences begin with the best of intentions.
In an effort to provide consumers with an ever-growing demand for features and convenience, electronic manufacturers have steadily strived to outpace the competition in providing innovative solutions to common annoyances.
We want our coffee to turn on automatically at 4 am. We want to turn on the television and find that the latest firmware has automatically updated.

In response, manufacturers have modified their electronics to meet these expectations. Unfortunately, in order to do this, the devices must continue to consume energy even when they appear to be turned off.

We are paying increasingly higher electrical bills. Yet, we are the creators of our own misfortune.

Welcome to the age of phantom energy consumption! By our own design, we have created an ecosystem of power-drawing devices that cost us hundreds of dollar per year, even when we are not using them.

What Devices Use Phantom Power?

The number of electronics in a home consuming phantom energy can be surprising. Basically, any device that is plugged in and has a "ready" state is using some level of phantom power.

Some of these are easy to identify. A programmable coffee maker for example requires a certain amount of power so that it can monitor the time and turn on automatically.

There are other devices, however, that you may not realize are drawing power when not in use. A laptop's charger, for example, will continue to draw a small amount of electricity even when not plugged into the laptop.

My laptop, for example, has a small light that reminds the user that power is being drawn even when it is not in use (as long as plugged into an outlet of course). According to Berkley labs, a power supply like this continues to use 4.42 watts even when the laptop is not connected.

It's not feasible to unplug every device that draws power when not in use. Microwaves, for example, often have a digital clock that would have to be reset each time the device was plugged back in. Security cameras continuously draw power but are useless unless they are plugged in.

Basically, any device that requires some level of reprogramming when power is interrupted is not a candidate for our vampire hunt. Still, these devices can consume a decent amount of energy.

Here's a notable example. According to the Associated Electrical Cooperative, a DVR uses an average of 37 watts of phantom energy in a 24 hour period accounting for nearly $30 per year in unused energy costs. That's just one device!

But since a DVR can't function properly if it does not stay plugged in, we will have to find phanton energy savings elsewhere.
Here's a list of common devices that waste electricity through phantom power:

Televisions, surround sound systems, stereo equipment, and gaming consoles

Computers, printers, monitors, and some powered PC speakers

Cordless landline phones, cell phone chargers, and battery chargers

Depending on your situation, you may have many others. The point is to identify devices that can safely be unplugged when not in use. Don't worry, we aren't going to try to run around the house and manually unplug devices every day. We want to establish a sustainable and automated approach to dealing with phantom energy usage.

How To Determine How Much Phantom Energy A Device Is Using

To really get a handle on phantom energy, it's important to know the extent to which individual devices are consuming power while in a standby mode.

The key to identifying the amount of phantom energy a device uses is with a Watt-Meter. A Watt-Meter plugs in between the device you want to monitor and the wall. It measures the energy used both while in use and at rest. This is the most precise way to determine how much phantom energy a device is consuming when it is not in use.

I've covered this process extensively in Step 5 of the DIY Home Energy Efficiency Audit which you can read if you want an in-depth walk-through of the process. Essentially what you want to do though is to use the Watt-Meter to measure how much energy is consumed while the device is not being used.

I also recommend obtaining an in-use measurement so that you know just how much energy that device is consuming when you are actually using it. The results of your Watt-Meter testing may surprise you.

As consumers we want convenience. As homeowner's however, we want energy-efficiency.

It will take some time but this is worth the effort. Follow the instructions that come with your Watt-Meter and account for the in-use and at-rest energy consumption of each device.

You can use the free downloadable worksheet that comes with the DIY Home Energy Efficiency Audit to document these measurements. Below are links to both the EXCEL and PDF version of the audit worksheet.

How To Reduce Phantom Energy Consumption

Now that you a clear understanding of what devices are consuming phantom energy and how much, it's time to put together a strategy for dealing with the biggest violators.

Individual Devices

For single devices, consider purchasing a set of wireless electrical outlet switches. These devices plug into your wall outlet. You then plug your device into them and using a remote control you can turn them on or off without having to walk around the house doing it manually. The remote is an RF transmitter style so it works through walls, making the process much less of a headache.

If you like smart home devices and have an Amazon Alexa, you may prefer an Alexa-ready smart plug. These work essentially the same way but can be controlled from the Alexa app on your phone or by voice using an Amazon Echo or other Alexa-enabled devices.

I prefer smart home switches for individual devices because you have the ability to set up routines to automatically turn these devices on and off at certain times of the day. Plus I tend to lose remotes but always seem to have my phone close by me. But there is no wrong way to do it. The only wrong way, in fact, is to ignore it.

Group Devices

Individual smart plugs work great when you only have a single device here and there that you want to cut power to, but what if you have a group of electronics that work together?

Take a desktop computer for example. You have the computer itself, the monitor, printer, and possibly powered PC speakers all connected to electricity. When the computer turns off, many people leave the rest of the equipment on.

But what if you could have it so that when you shut down the computer, it automatically cut power to those other electronic devices?

For this, consider an energy-saving surge protector. These power strips have a master and slave outlets that will automatically shut off accessory devices when the main device is turned off.

This energy-saving surge protector from APC provides 1 master outlet and 4 slave outlets that will only turn on when the master device draws power. It also includes three additional always-on outlets so that you can include devices that you do not want to automatically shut down. It provides 2,030 joules of protection against electrical surges and even provides protection for a phone or fax line.

Another great example for an energy-saving surge protector is a home theater system. Imagine turning on your game console, for example, and your television, surround sound and any other accessories automatically turn on. Then when you shut it down, all of those other systems shut down with it. Energy saving and convenience all rolled into one! 🙂

Conclusion

However you approach it, the point is to make controlling phantom energy as effortless as possible. If it's too difficult to do, it won't happen. If we can make it simple, however, then we stand to save a decent amount on phantom energy waste.

There are a lot of ways to save money on energy costs. For quick and simple ways to save money, r ead 20 Tips To Reduce Your Electric Bill - #16 Is Amazing!

To really understand what drives high energy bills, read Why Is My Electric Bill So High? Here's The Answer!

I also want to encourage you to to take the time to conduct your own FREE Home Energy Audit. I've written a comprehensive guide on doing this and it will provide you with in-depth information on the energy efficiency of your home.

Get control of the phantom energy waste in your home but don't let that be the end of the journey. Make home efficiency a quest and always look for ways to conserve energy and save on those monthly bills!

You can automate your phantom energy savings! Read What Can A Smart home Do? Complete Guide With Pictures!﻿

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Phantom Energy: Facts, Examples, And Real Solutions!

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There was a time when a device's energy consumption was easy to understand and estimate. When you turned a device off, it was truly "off" and no power was drawn until it was turned on again. Today, however, we live in a world of always-on electronics.

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Plant trees

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You would be surprised how much trash gets generated on holidays, just through decorations alone. Instead of buying single use decor opt for something reusable so you can use it for years to come. not only will you be doing the planet a favor but you'll be helping your wallet!

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Reuse Plastic water bottles

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Got ecobricks? Need ecobricks? For Earth Day 2022, the Global Ecobrick Alliance launched the Brik Market: a space to post and arrange ecobrick exchanges with local ecobrickers, projects and hubs.

The Brik Market has been under development for the last three years by the Global Ecobrick Alliance (GEA). It is a space where ecobricked plastic can be used as a medium of local exchange and currency- a key part of the GEA's mission of accelerating plastic transition and adding further value the ecological service of plastic sequestration. The Brik Market GoBrik platform and connects to the brikcoin manual blockchain.
Authenticated Ecobricks Only
The Brik Market only works with ecobricks that have been logged onto the GoBrik app and that have been sucessfully authenticated to meet GEA standards. This way, community hubs and project leaders can review the ecobricks that are being offered, and be confident that they are properly made
Offer for Nothing at All
Alternatively you can offer your ecobricks gratis. Be sure to specify the details for delivery when you make your offer
Trade & Barter
Offer your ecobricks for a product or service. You get to specify what you'd like to offer for exchange.
Sell using Brikcoins
Soon you'll be able to use your brikcoins on the market to avail of offers, barters and sales. This is not yet available, but coming soon!
Community Hubs
Some ecobrickers offer the service of collecting, storing and distributing ecobricks to community projects. This involves costs to them that they defer by charging for the service of collecting ecobricks or serving as drop-off centers.

We refer to these locations as "Ecobrick Community Hubs". They include cafes, zero-waste shops, restaurant and community centers that are helping accelerate plastic transition in their area. Paying their requested 'hub fee' is a way to support their valuable service. Hub fees are calculated as per Kg of AES plastic. When offering ecobricks, the system will automatically calculate the net weight of your batch and the total fee to be paid to the community hub upon delivery.

In order to provide a consistent means of pricing ecobricks across their various sizes and shapes, we cost then per kg of authenticated ecobricked sequestered plastic (AES plastic). As only ecobricks that have been logged and authenticated on the GoBrik system are eligible for exchange, the net weight of each ecobrick is already recorded. This enables the calculation of the total weight of the batch of selected ecobricks being offered for exchanges.

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Community Hubs specify their fee per Kg of AES plastic. This fee is arbitrary and set manually by the Hub. However, pricing is guided by the global AES price set by the GEA each year. This fee is multiplied by the net weight of the offered batch up ecobricks.

Start Exchanging

Starting perusing the Brik Market today. You'll need your GoBrik account to take or post offers. But that's ok, its easy and free to create one!

🚀 Launch the Brik Market

We'll send you over to GoBrik in a new window!

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The Brik Market | Drop off & Exchange Ecobricks

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Got ecobricks? Need ecobricks? For Earth Day 2022, the Global Ecobrick Alliance launched the Brik Market: a space to post and arrange ecobrick exchanges with local ecobrickers, projects and hubs. The Brik Market has been under development for the last three years by the Global Ecobrick Alliance (GEA).

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Give people bottles to recycle to give them 5 or 10 cents

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One way to recycle is use plastic bottles for planting.

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maybe we can recycle plastic to make interesting inventions

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instead of giving students paper assignments use google classroom, google docs etc. its easier to grade assignments online it requires less contact and it saves space and paper.

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donate clothes

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City of New York. 2016 All Rights Reserved,

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donating your clothing rather than throwing it away

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Bring your own Tupperware when you go out to restaurants 

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Bring your own Tupperware when you go out to restaurants 

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This would reduce single use containers, so you can pack your own leftovers

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Plant Trees as you use an eco-friendly search engine!

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Plant Trees as you use an eco-friendly search engine!

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Seems like a green idea!

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Ecosia - the search engine that plants trees

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Ecosia uses the ad revenue from your searches to plant trees where they are needed the most. By searching with Ecosia, you're not only reforesting our planet, but you're also empowering the communities around our planting projects to build a better future for themselves. Give it a try!

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Thrift stores for clothing instead of buying new clothes. Or, buy a better quality item (rainjacket, boots, etc.) that will last a lot longer than cheaply made products.

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Using products than can be refilled. Shampoo bars instead of shampoo with bottle packaging. A cleaning tablets vs. buying a new container every time!

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Stop using so much paper and move to digital documents and resources. Less trees will be cut down this way!

Also, stop getting plastic bags from grocery stores and just carry the items or bring a reusable bag.

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Do something like riding a bike or taking shared/public transportation to reduce pollution

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Deforestation is a huge issue right now even more since of the wild fires contribution, planting more trees is essential not only for bio diversity but also to clean the air air.

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almost everything can be recycled including metal, plastic, wood and ect. Theirs special plants that you can dump your recyclables off or bins in the city.

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single use plastic bags are one of the most environmental killing substance, bringing your own bags can save the ecosystem.

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Heavily enforce recycling, if you are not recycling you need to pay a fine. This should be easy since everyone is under surveillance basically 24/7. Usually when you want to be lazy you throw, say a plastic bottle on the floor. Yet you wouldn’t go out of your way to go to a place that has no surveillance just to throw something on the floor.

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If something is 100% necessary to make out of plastic, find a way to reuse, 90% or more of that product.(plastic water bottle, this outdoor be turned into a small plastic piece, like a guitar pick)

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To use reusable bottles over plastic bottles.

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To use reusable bottles over plastic bottles.

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When you buy something, and it comes with any add ons that you may not need, opt to not receive any add ons

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when ordering food tell them to not put in extra utensils like napkins,spoons and etc.

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To order items in the store  rather than online because there will be less CO2 when transporting multiple items.

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To order items in the store  rather than online because there will be less CO2 when transporting multiple items.

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taking out all the metal,paper and plastic i have stocked up

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I use reusable bags when shopping.  I bring my own bags into the store to pack my own items.  I always have a reusable in my purse or pocket and they are always store in my car when I go shopping.   I also reuse take-out containers for food storage. 

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I use reusable bags when shopping.  I bring my own bags into the store to pack my own items.  I always have a reusable in my purse or pocket and they are always store in my car when I go shopping.   I also reuse take-out containers for food storage. 

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by reducing the amount of meat we eat then it will be in less demand reducing the amount of animal's needed to meet the demand, allowing

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I bike instead of driving or taking a cab.  Saves money, often reduces commute times (anything less than 8 miles , bikes can make it quicker because traffic is almost a non-issue), and allows me to get exercise! So many benefits to biking....

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We have a worm recycling bin in our back yard.  The worms are less active in the winter, but come back strong as the weather gets warmer!  And they can decompose a lot of organic material much quicker than passive composting.

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One way to help increase recycling is to hold each other accountable whenever we don’t recycling properly. Another way is to hold yourself accountable and think before you recycle, so that you are recycling properly.

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You can save and repurpose paper to create beautiful new paper for all kinds of projects!  It is easy and inexpensive.

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Customize the Pulp

To add texture, blend plant parts into the basic pulp to add an interesting fibrous texture to homemade paper. Leaves with long fibers, such as those of yuccas, hostas or ornamental grasses, work very well. Onion skins, fruit peels and fresh or dried corn husks also produce interesting results. Cut the pieces into 1/2- to 1-inch-long sections, then use 1 or 2 handfuls of chopped plant parts for each 1 or 2 handfuls of soaked paper when blending the pulp.

To give your paper a nice scent, add a few drops of your favorite fragrance, such as perfume, cologne or an essential oil made from herbs, before blending the soaked paper and water. You can also sprinkle a little fragrant spice, such as cinnamon or curry powder into the pulp.

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Customize the Pulp To add texture, blend plant parts into the basic pulp to add an interesting fibrous texture to homemade paper. Leaves with long fibers, such as those of yuccas, hostas or ornamental grasses, work very well. Onion skins, fruit peels and fresh or dried corn husks also produce interesting results.

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When asked

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You can reuse delivery and takeout containers for your own personal use. You don't need to buy separate food containers. (And you can use them to store other things, like kids toys that end up all over your apartment.)

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Use public transportation or bikes whenever you can to reduce your personal emissions.

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I love my contigo water bottle and haven't purchased a plastic water bottle in years!

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Reduce your beef consumption to have a positive effect on our planet since methane is 14x more harmful as a greenhouse gas. Eat greener and healthier.

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Choose to compost leftover organic waste in a bag in your freezer in order to reduce landfill wastes. You can drop off your compost at nearby GrowNYC compost collection bins.

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If you have any plastic bags laying around, they could be used as your next trash bag instead of just littering or buying a trash bag in a store. Plastic Bags can also be reused to help cover up something you don't want to get wet or to get pain on.

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New York City's official Department of Sanitation Website.

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DSNY - The City of New York Department of Sanitation

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Glass is easier to recycle than other products

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Glass is easier to recycle than other products

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Whenever possible, choose glass for recycling over single-use plastics! Obviously, the best option is always to bring your own containers!

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You can drop off any and all of your electronic devices around the city. Most places such as BestBuy and Staples accept electronic items for recycling.

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DSNY - The City of New York Department of Sanitation