Installing solar isn’t all plain sailing. In addition to the complexities of matching energy production to energy use, and the huge amount of math that goes into crunching whether you will or won’t break even, there are other obstacles. This article is about the biggest ‘trap for young players’ that I fell into when installing solar.
Tag: Carbon Friendly
Ideas that result in a lower household carbon footprint.
Using social media to save on meat
I’m still tossing up the idea of going vegetarian – despite the health benefits and value benefits, and the fact that I’ve done it successfully for a year and a half before, logistically it would be quite difficult. Unfortunately I am part of a family that, while they tolerate my other eco-friendly activities, if I forced them to go even partially vegetarian they would openly mutiny.
Our plan to cut winter heating costs by 67%
I like to think of a motel as one big eternal cost-cutting operation. The way we can afford to pay our staff more is by keeping overheads as low as possible.
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Winter energy consumption planning
Last year, because of the dry winter and its concomitant effect on hydroelectric energy generation, New Zealand burned its way through a significant portion of its coal reserves, resulting in the release of significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere. At the household level, because of massive pressure on household winter energy consumption, winter energy bills shot through the roof, leaving families across the country out of pocket if they didn’t plan ahead and budget.
Pros and cons of ebikes for seniors
The other day while I stopping by at a local cafe a gentleman buttonholed me before I got on my bike and asked whether I thought the ebike I was riding would be suitable for a senior. He clarified that a lady he knew had recently suffered dementia and as a result had lost her license. She was 69 years old with no form of transportation.
Find out how many trees you save by switching to an ebike
This is a really simple calculator to show you how many trees you save from having to be planted each week, month, and year by switching to an ebike.
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Find out how many carbon emissions you save by switching to an ebike
The Levin Petrol Price Conundrum Calculator
I know that many people in Otaki are currently making the trip each week to Levin to refuel their vehicles because of the cheaper prices that are available up there.
So I’ve created a calculator so people can see for themselves whether the trip is really worth it.
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How ebikes improve accessibility for regional NZ
I live in Otaki – not quite regional enough to be regional, in my view, but certainly no less a town with a distinctive presence and a local culture. Traditionally Otaki has struggled with transportation issues, with many local town roamers unable to manage competing commitments of study and work so far outside of Wellington. In part, this has been remedied by more regular bus routes travelling through the town; but transport is still a major issue, and if it affects Otaki, it will no doubt affect regional areas of New Zealand.
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Why it’s a good idea now to start using inflation smart strategies
New Zealand is nearing full employment. The government has just announced a series of increases not only to the minimum wage, but to allowances and pensions as well. Fuel has jumped above $2 per litre for most parts of New Zealand, with a clear plan to increase the excise by 3c per litre per year. So why is now a good time, with all the money going around, to start to adopt some inflation-smart practices?
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