Star challenge #2 - The ENERGY month!

Energy consumption is one of the biggest improvement areas for us all as citizens of the world. We use energy too freely these days, particularly us in the western world. What would happen if we got "depowered" for a week? Freeze to death? Starve? Panik and anxiety attacks? Take a minute and think about it!

Where do you then draw the line regarding what is "saving energy"? We think a life cycle perspective is in place here. So many people want to justify throwing out their old, fully working, fridge and replacing it with a new one that consumes less (and has a cooler design?). But that is it, right there! Don't throw out any working machinery, unless it is plain bad to the environment to use it**. The energy cost of producing a new fridge is far worse than any energy saved on the switch. Just think about all the material it requires, all the energy needed to refine, melt, weld, assemble etc, and all the packaging and transportation.

Another aspect to energy, other than using less of it, is where the energy comes from. The energy equations sums up way lighter if you power your household with energy from renewable sources as opposed to from some nasty coal plant or other fossils.

There is really a lot you can do to improve your own energy footprint but it is also easy to feel overwhelmed. To not do all at once we will limit the demands for what will earn you 10 points, but will also encourage you to do more.

This month's challenge is to gain awareness about where your household energy comes from as well as to use less of it.
*
Complete the following:

1. Contact your energy supplier and check what sources YOUR energy comes from. Also investigate what green/renewable options you have.
2. Vacuum behind your fridge and freezer (and on their backs) and then defrost them - it will increase their efficiency and save energy.
3. Check that your fridge and freezer temperature is not colder that what is really needed: +5C and -18C respectively (41F / 0F)
4. Leave nothing on standby overnight this month.
5. No washing dishes under running water.

If you manage this, you'll receive a star and 10 points.

Good luck!

Note! If you are a newcomer who wishes to jump on board the Sew for a change challenge, then you'll start with 68 points instead of 75. Check out all the rules here. Welcome!!!


**) Though, for fridges and freezers - if you have one older than 7 years it is actually better for the environment to buy a new IF you choose one marked A+++ and the old one can be recycled. Reference here in swedish.