Everyone has heard the warnings about higher energy cost this winter. Before you start make large investments on improvements or resign to the thought of enormous energy bills, let's look at some simple things we can all do to be more efficient in our homes and at work.
Basic maintenance and management can have a significant impact on efficiency.
Changing filters and heating system check-up/ service.
Caulking and weather stripping. Leaks are a main source of heat loss and cold air drafts in homes.
Open curtains to let sunlight and heat in during the day, close them to keep the warmth in at night and on cloudy days. Curtains made of heavier material provide more insulating effect.
Reverse ceiling fans to circulate warm air. At low speeds, the fans will draw cooler air from below and push the warm air against the ceiling out/ down the walls/ back into the living space.
Keep heat registers (air vents) and cold air return vents clear of obstructions (curtains, furniture, rugs, table drapes, etc.) Vacuum or clean these on a regular basis to prevent lent build-up.
Installing and using a programmable thermostat can result in a savings of 5 to 30 percent on heating cost. The thermostat should turn the temperature down while you are sleeping and away from home during the day. This can be accomplished manually by remembering to adjust the thermostat each night and morning when you leave home.
These are a few suggestions on ways to have a positive impact on your energy cost. Simple changes in our mindset, resolving to be more efficient in everything we do can help reduce our energy cost. This does not mean we have to plan on freezing all winter either. Have a comfortable, efficient winter.
- Jay Solomon, Extension Educator, Engineering Technology
Illinois Watershed Association
Improving Communication Among Watershed Organizations
Have you ever heard of the Illinois Watershed Association (IWA)? If not, you could be missing valuable information that might help you with your watershed partnership.
To find out more information on IWA, including contact information for the interim officers and directors, please visit the University of Illinois Watershed Management Clearinghouse website at www.watershed.uiuc.edu.
Don't Let Firewood Spread Emerald Ash Borer
A new pest problem, the Emerald Ash Borer, has been found in several communities in the state, but so far only in northeastern Illinois. The borer only affects ash trees. The Department of Agriculture is working to try to control the spread. Along with official efforts, individuals can also help prevent the problem from spreading.
First, become a good observer. Adult Emerald Ash Borers are small metallic-green beetles, approximately one-third to one-half the size of a penny. There are other metallic-green beetles, so be sure to get an accurate identification. They lay eggs in the bark of the tree. They hatch and tunnel under the bark as larvae and feed on the sapwood of the tree. The feeding causes the leaf canopy to thin and foliage to begin to yellow with eventual dieback of the limbs.
D-shaped holes in the bark are also a clue. No other insect creates the BB-size D-shaped holes on ashes. Watching the trunks of trees for these exit holes is important as it is one of the first signs of infestation. By the time the tree shows top dieback, damage may be very extensive. Trees may produce shoots around the trunk at ground level which is another indicator since other problems, such as wilt diseases, seldom have this characteristic.
Areas identified with the Emerald Ash Borer are officially quarantined to restrict the movement of wood, wood products and the borer. Individuals can follow similar guidelines, voluntarily, to help prevent the spread. One helpful practice is to only use local firewood and simply don't bring in firewood or other ash wood products from infested areas or from a long distance. If buying firewood for the winter, try to make sure it is from a local source. Adult borers can fly, but not for long distances. Reducing human transport can help reduce the potential spread of the problem.
- John Church , Extension Educator, Natural Resources
Tree Stand Safety
Each fall over 300,000 Illinois residents head to the fields, woods, and waters in pursuit of wild game. Statistically speaking, hunting is an extremely safe activity. However, any injury or fatality is tragic. Sadly, most accidents are preventable.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources keeps records of all known accidents related to recreational hunting. Type A accidents involve the discharge of a firearm or bow and Type B accidents do not. Most years document that Type B accidents are not only more numerous but also result in more serious consequences.
By far, the most common Type B incident is related to deer hunting from elevated tree stands. Knowledgeable hunters take precautions against this danger. Tree stand safety should include:
Wear a safety harness at all times while climbing and in the stand.
Choose a live tree that is large enough to support you.
Use only high quality tree stands manufactured for this purpose. Do not make your own tree stands.
Do not leave tree stands unattended for long periods of time and inspect the tree stand for defects before each use.
Use a haul line to raise your equipment into the stand after you are secured.
As the holiday season is approaching, we are all bombarded with pleas to consume. I don't know about you, but it is only November, and I have already received several pounds of catalogs.
If all of this has you thinking that there needs to be a better way, perhaps sustainable living is for you. Sustainable living has been defined as "a thoughtful approach to leading fulfilling, productive and environmentally responsible lives, by balancing our economic, cultural and environmental needs, to meet the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations."
At first glance, pursuing a "sustainable life" may seem a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. What we need to do is to think about the consumer choices that we make, consider the options, and find possible alternatives.
Here are some excellent resources (books and websites):
Brower, Michael and Warren Leon. The Consumer's Guide to Effective Environmental Choices: Practical Advice from the Union of Concerned Scientists. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999. ISBN0-609-80281
Menzel, Peter. Material World: A Global Family Portrait. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1994. ISBN 0-87156-430-0
Schor, Juliet. The Overspent American: Why We Want What We Don't Need. New York: HarperPerennial, 1998. ISBN 0-06-097758-2
Schor, Juliet and Betsey Taylor, editors. Sustainable Planet: Solutions for the Twenty-first Century. Boston: Beacon Press, 2002. ISBN 0-8070-0455-3
