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Greening Your Swimming Pool

the Listed Author — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 13:00:52 +0000

Swimming pools can be great fun in the summertime when it’s incredibly hot outside. They are also a wonderful way to get exercise. But have you ever thought about the effects your pool is having on the environment?

By Michael Bloch

By green, I don’t mean the color of the water in your swimming pool :). I’m referring to lessening the environmental impact.

I can’t say I’m a big fan of swimming pools. They seem like a lot of work, are expensive to install and maintain, take up a lot of space and the amount of water and chemicals needed to keep them topped up and clean is mind boggling.

But when I was in the outback a few weeks ago in 100 degree heat, accompanied by dust and flies you wouldn’t believe and staring at a farm dam that had been dry for two years; a pool did somehow seem like a more palatable idea. In fact, a small muddy puddle I came across from a leaking pipe at that time was pretty inviting too :).

If you’re a pool owner, here’s some issues to take into consideration and ideas to help lessen the impact your pool has on the environment – and the one major green step you can take is to use a pool cover.

Evaporation
It’s not just the amount of water that initially is put in a pool that’s a problem, an uncovered pool with dimensions of 18 feet x 36 feet can lose around 7,000 gallons of water a year just through evaporation depending on where you live. To put that into perspective, that’s enough drinking water to sustain a human for 29 years.

A pool cover/blanket can reduce evaporation by a massive 90 – 95% and they are quite inexpensive to buy. While most pool blankets are made from plastics; it’s a case of the lesser of the two evils.

Leaks
I’ve read that up to 1 in 5 inground swimming pools leak. A small leak in a pool cause the loss of 700 gallons of water per day. If your pool is losing over a quarter inch of water every 24 hours (or half an inch in particularly hot, dry regions), it’s a good indication you may have a leak.

By addressing leaks and evaporation, you’ll not only save precious potable water, you’ll likely save a ton of cash as well.

Chemicals
Chlorine can be nasty stuff and a recent study drew a possible link between chlorinated pools and asthma in children. Draining pools and discharging backwash can cause problems to waterways if it isn’t done correctly. If you do need to use chlorine in your pool and find the occasion to drain it; avoid adding chlorine for a full week before emptying the pool. Again, a pool cover/blanket can reduce chemical use by up to 50%. Evaporative pool chemicals contribute to the production of greenhouse gases; so you’ll be doing good there as well in chemical reduction.

Some alternatives to chlorine include copper ionization and oxygen systems, ultraviolet (UV) sanitization systems or possibly salt, although I believe with the latter, other chemicals also need to be added.

Energy/Heating
If you heat your pool you’re in for a nasty shock when it comes time to pay your utility bill; not to mention the impact the energy consumption has on the environment if your electricity comes from a coal-fired power station. Building on the pool blanket idea, you can buy bubble covers that are basically a solar energy collector, increasing your pool temperature substantially and helping to lock the heat in. Apparently clear blankets are the best option.

Not being a pool owner, that’s about all I can come up with at this point. If you have green tips for more environmentally friendly pools, I’d welcome your additions – please add your comments below!

Michael Bloch
Green Living Tips.com
Green Living Tips is an online resource powered by renewable energy offering a wide variety of earth friendly tips, green guides, advice and environment related news to help consumers and business reduce costs, consumption and environmental impact .

Mopeds and Electric Bikes – a Greener Transportation Alternative

the Listed Author — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:00:35 +0000

If you need a light vehicle to take you short distances or for just driving around town, check out the economy factors in Mopeds and Electric Bikes.

By Michael Bloch

If you’re ready to ditch the car for the sake of the environment, aren’t keen on a motorbike or motor scooter and excessive pedalling isn’t yet your scene, consider a moped or electric bike.

Mopeds (short for Motor/Pedal I guess) are basically a motor assisted bicycle, usually powered by a gas (petrol) engine up to 49 cc’s or increasingly, an electric motor.

They aren’t speed machines, attaining speeds of only 20 – 30 miles per hour (35 – 50 km/hr), but as such often don’t require registration, insurance or a license in many states and countries. In places where they do; the fees are generally far less than even a motorbike. In some places, mopeds can also be used on bicycle only paths. Mopeds also have pedals, allowing you to add some human power as you wish, further conserving fuel/electricity consumption.

Gas powered mopeds

In regards to fuel economy, many of the gas powered models I researched boasted consumption of 200 miles per gallon (85 kilometers per litre)! That’s pretty incredible!

On the down side; these mopeds still use fossil fuels and as they often have 2 stroke engines needing oil in the fuel mix, emissions can be a real issue. Even 4 stroke engines may be comparatively high in emissions as they don’t have all the pollution controls you find on a car.

A two stroke engine also is noisier than a 4 stroke; but I was pleasantly surprised by the noise levels of modern mopeds – somewhere around the 60 decibel level. To give you an idea of how loud that is, a lawnmower is around the 90 decibel mark and general conversation is around 50-60 decibels.

Mopeds powered by gas engines tend not to be ultra-light; most I looked at were around the 100 pound (45kg) mark; but that’s easily manageable for most adults.

While probably not well suited to carting the weekly shopping, gas powered mopeds in the 50cc engine size range are able to carry a load of just under 300 pounds (135 kilos). Whether they do that well up a steep hill is another matter.

Gas powered mopeds can be purchased new for under USD$1000 and you can also buy kits for attaching to regular bicycles.

Electric bikes and mopeds

Aside from gas engine powered models, electric engines are also becoming increasingly popular for mopeds, which is a more environmentally friendly option – and the range available nowadays is quite impressive.

Eco Wheelz has a good selection of electric moped and bike models on their site, starting out at around $900.

The technology used in electric bikes and mopeds has improved a lot in recent years; for example, the XB-500 has a top speed of 20 mph unassisted and will travel 20 – 25 miles on a single charge. It weighs around 100 pounds (45 kilograms) and will carry 300 pounds (135 kilos) – not too shabby for an entry level vehicle.

Moving up through the range sees improvements in speeds (to the point a licence is required), range (65-70 miles) and/or SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries being replaced with Lithium Ion or Nickel Metal Hydride batteries for longer life and faster recharging. Electric bicycles and mopeds using Lithium Ion or NiMH batteries weigh as little as 48 lbs (22 kg)!

While the higher end models do cost a bit, bear in mind that recharging electric bikes and mopeds works out to be around 40 cents per 100 miles – under a penny a mile.

Even taking into account battery replacement costs, over the long run it still works out a good deal cheaper than a gas powered moped.

When it comes to a comparison with car running costs, according to U.S. Government figures, the average cost of driving and maintaining a motor vehicle in the USA is 54c per mile.

So if you have a lot of bike paths in your area (check the regulations first) or car drivers in your town aren’t too insane, a moped or an electric bike might be the answer to your green(er) transportation needs!

Uses For Vodka

the Listed Author — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:00:32 +0000

Who knew vodka could be used for so many things other than drinking? Michael Bloch shares with us some creative and environmentally friendly ways to put this clear liquid to good use.

By Michael Bloch

Vodka – Alternative Uses

Ah, vodka – so many memories, or more accurately, lack thereof.

While I haven’t taken a sip of the stuff in nearly 15 years, I can still appreciate what a marvelous substance it can be if consumed responsibly; something I was never able to do.

Vodka is made from either grain, rye, wheat, potatoes or sugar beet molasses as the primary ingredients combined with yeast in order to generate alcohol. After distillation, the product is almost pure ethyl alcohol and is watered down before bottling, after which it usually has an alcohol content of between 35 – 50%.

Aside from drinking, vodka has many other uses, some that can replace environmentally harsh chemicals we use around the home.

Given the lack of ingredients in unflavored vodka, it can be used as a substitute for many cleaners with an alcohol, caustic or solvent base, without leaving the item smelling like liquor.

Of course, good vodka isn’t cheap; so many of the the following ideas I found around the place are based on the assumption you have lost the taste for the stuff; or if you find yourself in a spot of bother and don’t have anything else to use… or if you have a good supply of dirt cheap vodka :).

Remember to always spot test before going all out with any of these suggested uses.

To increase the life of cut flowers, add a few drops of vodka vase water along with 1 teaspoon sugar.
Use it undiluted to remove ink stains from fabric (dab, don’t rub).
Use undiluted vodka to remove paint from clothes.
Vodka sprayed on areas where cats have peed or sprayed will remove the odor.
A healthy splash of vodka in old water storage containers will help kill bacteria.
Spray vodka on clothes to remove lingering odors.
Use vodka as a tile grout cleaner and to kill mold and mildew. Spray affected areas with undiluted vodka, let sit for a few minutes and then wipe off.
A few drops of vodka will clean jewellery.
Vodka can be used as a glass cleaner. Dilution recommendations vary, 25 – 50% vodka and the balance being water seems to be the general guideline. Use in a spray bottle.
Use it to make vanilla extract. Place 4 vanilla pods in a jar and add a cup of vodka. Use an airtight lid and then place in a cool dark spot. Shake the jar occasionally and after two months you’ll have vanilla extract. Top up with vodka as you use it and only add more vanilla pods when it starts to lose potency.
Spray onto old pot pourri to revitalise the scent.
Use vodka it to remove hair dye from your skin.
Vodka can help to remove tree sap from car paintwork.
Add 1 part vodka to two parts water in a heavy duty zip lock bag and tape down the top. Freeze and use as a cold pack.
Use undiluted as a weed killer spray.
Spray undiluted into your washing machine to neutralize odors.

Have any alternative uses for vodka you would like to share? Please add them below!

What’s Growing On My Roof?

Marlene Affeld — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:00:28 +0000

Unsightly and potentially damaging, moss growth on roofs is a maintenance problem common to homeowners all across America. Moss has tiny roots that trap dirt and debris and hold moisture in contact with the roofing material. Moss build-up can deform shingles and accelerate decomposition, causing leaks and deformed shingles that can blow in the wind. Regular applications of herbicide will kill moss and prevent expensive roof repairs.

Controlling Moss With Herbicides

Prior to applying herbicides, clean the roof to remove dirt and debris. Sweep the roof or use a scrapper on a long pole. Always start at the top of the roof and work down. Do not push upwards against the shingles as this may cause damage and lift or loosen the components of the roof. Cleaning your roof is a dangerous job. It is easy to slip and fall. Always work from a dry area and wear shoes with excellent traction. Safety harness should be employed.

Moss can be controlled with products containing Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate or Iron Sulfate. An effective mixture is 3 ounces of Iron Sulfate in 5 gallons of water. Apply the mixture on the moss infected area. 5 gallons will cover approximately 1000 square feet. Apply with an airless sprayer, hand sprayer or cotton mop. Several commercial products containing Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate or Iron Sulfate are available for purchase from hardware stores or home and garden centers. Follow manufactures instructions for application. (Keep Iron Sulfate spray away from foundations and concrete patios. The iron will stain concrete.)

Many states have strict regulations that cover the purchase and application of herbicides that will effectively kill moss. For safe application, employ the services of a licensed roofing repair and maintenance firm.

To achieve optimum results, apply herbicides on a dry roof. Herbicide should be applied in the spring or summer when moss is in a growing cycle. Choose a time when dry weather is predicted for several days. Temperature significantly impacts efficacy; do not apply when the roof temperature exceeds 85 degrees F. After applying the herbicide to the roof, be sure to clean out the rain gutters. Herbicide trapped in the gutters will cause the gutters to rust and reduce the useful life of the gutters.

Roof moss should be treated every three years or as required to control growth. Moss flourishes in shade and on sections of the roof that have a northern exposure. Pay close attention to these areas to avert serious roof damage.