Greener Bakersfield » Green

An Inconvenient Truth in Bakersfield

Fluxar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:17:07 +0000

I always mention that Bakersfield is 3 to 5 years behind the rest of the world. Today I proved this to be a correct statement once again. While browsing around in the Best Buy DVD section, I ran across “An Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore. I went ahead and picked it up, now take note that I am “picking it up” three years after it was made and had already been a hot topic around the globe. So, I am speculating that a majority of people in Bakersfield have not seen this documentary yet, based on my 3 to 5 year theory.

This is a must see for everybody, whether you believe in global warming or not. I found the video very well made and packed full of valuable information. You can get a used copy for as low as $6.30 on Amazon. Here is the link: “An Inconvenient Truth“.

Here is the trailer: http://www.climatecrisis.net/trailer/

Brief Summary:
Director Davis Guggenheim eloquently weaves the science of global warming with Mr. Gore’s personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. A longtime advocate for the environment, Gore presents a wide array of facts and information in a thoughtful and compelling way. “Al Gore strips his presentations of politics, laying out the facts for the audience to draw their own conclusions in a charming, funny and engaging style, and by the end has everyone on the edge of their seats, gripped by his haunting message,” said Guggenheim. An Inconvenient Truth is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share. “It is now clear that we face a deepening global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly, and wisely,” said Gore.

-Kynan Chambers
www.greenbakersfield.com
www.savebakersfield.com

The Story of Stuff

Fluxar — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 23:15:25 +0000

This is a great video. Its 20 minutes long, but worth every minute of it. It really made me think about how wasteful we are as people. There is a lot more to being green then buying solar panels or using a reusable water bottle. Understanding the entire process is very important, and that’s where The Story of Stuff comes in. Please take a moment and watch the video.

Words by Anne Leonard: What is the Story of Stuff?

From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled look at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It’ll teach you something, it’ll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.

Click here to go to Annes Site and watch THE STORY OF STUFF

-Kynan Chambers
www.savebakersfield.com

The Fall of the Incandescent Army

Fluxar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 05:13:28 +0000

It was a grim site, 48 of them, all lying without movement. Not but moments earlier they were all so full of energy, living their shinny happy lives. Now….. darkness, but only till the new regime moves in.

It all started several months ago with an audit , a walk around the house with my clipboard and an agenda. The agenda you ask? Complete and utter bulbacide. Ok, seriously… my plan?? My plan was to replace every incandescent light bulb in my entire house. This turned out to be more of a task then I could have ever imagined. There were so many wattages, sizes, shapes, and colors of CFL’s. I mean there was warm white, soft white, full spectrum, full spectrum daylight, halogen white, and many more that I can’t remember! Then there was Kelvin, do I want 2700 Kelvin, 3500 Kelvin, maybe 4100 Kelvin, wait, wait perhaps 6500 Kelvin!? I had no idea what kind of compact florescent to buy to replace what incandescent bulb. All I knew was I had almost 50 bulbs to replace. (Click Read More to Continue)

The easiest way for me to accomplish this was to write down the size, location, and wattage of the current halogen bulbs. I then took my list down to a local hardware store and starting sizing up compact fluorescents. I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of choices I had. There were in fact different wattages, brands, shapes, and prices. After about an hour I finally figured out what I ones I needed. It just took some serious box reading and comparing, even a bit of price comparing. At this point I returned home and started the bulb replacement effort. I found some were too bright, some were too big for the ceiling fans, and some were way to sterile looking when turned on. After playing musical bulbs, I finally completed my task. So, what were the results?

Not so fancy mathematical results:

100 Watt X 1 = 100 Watts
75 Watt X 5 = 375 Watts
60 Watt X 12 = 720 Watts
40 Watt X 14 = 560 Watts
25 Watt X 15 = 375 Watts
Total incandescent bulb wattage = 2130 Watts

11 Watt X 13 = 143 Watts
13 Watt X 18 = 234 Watts
7 Watt X 16 = 112 Watts
Total compact florescent bulb wattage = 489

A 1641 Watt difference!

I ended up paying $70.48 for the CFL army including sales tax. I also had a few spares to store away incase needed in the future

So here is the incandescent vs. CFL payback figuring 2 hours of use a day.

CFL will save 3.28 kWh per day and 98.40 kWh per month and 1197 kWh per year. At an average of $.18 per kWh the lights will pay for themselves in under 4 months! That means after the first year I will have paid for the new cfl’s and have an extra $141.68. Not a bad investment in a bleak economy!

Now it’s time for the CFL regime to take over your home…. however…. the LED army approaches silently.

-Kynan Chambers
www.greenerbakersfield.com
www.greenbakersfield.com

Chilipepper Hot Water Pump Saves 15,000 gallons a year!

Lengthwise — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 20:25:37 +0000

Yes, another green gadget that saves time, water and energy.
It seems that sometimes we humans cope with inefficiencies and inconveniencies when we really do not have to. My master bath shower is located the absolute longest distance from the hot water heater. The normal winter season bathing procedure is to turn on the master shower 5 minutes before use as to allow the hot water enough time reach this seemingly remote location. Even with a low to moderate flow shower heads, way too many gallons of water spew into the sewer.

I knew of hot water pumps on timers, recirculation lines, and expensive plumbers, but never could justify the rumored $1000.00 cost or the thought of my water heater in a constant “running” state from 5am to 9am. And what about the occasional noon shower? (Click Read More to Continue)

Two months ago I purchased a Chilipepper CP6000 hot water pump and installed the unit under my master bathroom sink. It was super easy to install(15 minutes) and provides hot water when you need it. The Chilipepper appliance is not a heater, but a 1/3 horsepower demand pump that delivers hot water to my distance shower in under 90 seconds. No wasted water and three times faster than the old water down the drain method. This micro-processor controlled pump installs under any sink and as explained on the Chilipepper website:
“When you push the start button, the Chilipepper pumps the water in a big loop from the water heater through the hot water piping to the Chilipepper, and on through the cold water piping back to the water heater inlet, a big loop. When the electronic control circuitry detects an increase in the water temperature inside the pump of from 6 to 12 degrees, it shuts the pump off. The shut-off sensitivity is adjustable with a knob on the front of the Chilipepper. When the circuitry detects a temperature over 96 degrees it locks out the pump until the water in the pump cools back down to below 96.”
According to the Chilipepper folks, a family of four can save 15,000 gallons of water a year!

Most times it will probably be necessary to install an outlet under the sink. When the pump is operating the noise level is about the same as a small vacuum.

Price? To good to be true. See for yourself on their website: www.chilipepperapp.com or try my friends at buygreen: www.buygreen.com/chilipepperhotwaterpump.aspx

-Jeff Williams
www.greenerbakersfield.com
Green Bakersfield