Conserving

        Conserving

    Energy Conservation

   What is Energy conservation?

    The practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used while achieving a similar outcome is called energy conversation. Individuals that are direct consumers of energy may want to make it so you conserve energy in order to reduce the prices. Energy conservation reduces the energy consumption and energy demand, and this offsets the growth in energy supply to keep up with population growth. This reduces the need for new power plants and the rise in energy costs. Energy conversation is the most economical solution energy shortages, and is a benign alternative to increase energy production.

    Transportation

   The transportation includes all vehicles for freight or personal transportation. Approximately 65% is consumed by gasoline-powered vehicles. Diesel-powered transport consumes about 20%, which includes: merchant ships, heavy trucks, trains, etc. Air traffic consumes most of the remaining 15%.

    In 1975, the federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy program required auto manufactures to meet higher fleet fuel targets. The next decade saw improvements in fuel economy. These gains eroded somewhat after 1990. This was due to the growing popularity of sport utility vehicles, minivans, and pickup trucks.

     Through tax policy, the U.S. government has tried to encourage better vehicle efficiency. Since 2002, taxpayers have been eligible for income tax credits. A "gas-guzzler" tax has been assessed on manufactures since 1978. This tax still remains in effect but it currently generates small revenue. Overall fuel economy has tremendously improved.

Water Conservation

Why is it important?

   Reducing our water use will make it so there is a decrease in water pollution, create more efficient use of water sources, and increase energy savings. In an on-site sewage treatment system, too much water can flush untreated material through. If untreated material gets to the drain field, the material can plug up the soil, and may even lead to the shortage of the life of the septic system.

When we reduce our water use, within the municipal water system, it can: reduce household expenses, increase treatment plant efficiently, and reduce the amount electricity. Conserving water, in both situations, protects water quality through improved wastewater treatment.



   How much water do we use?

   A normal household of about four uses 260 gallons of water each day. Most of it is uses in the bathroom. Faucets and baths use about 35% and toilets use 40%. The kitchen takes 15% and washing clothes takes 10%.

    How can we use less water?

     Bathroom

    For the toilet, replace your old 5 gallon per flush toilet with a new 1.5 gallon per flush. By just doing this, you are using the most effective way to decrease the amount of water flow used in the bathroom. Plus, flushing twice doesn't save water! For the tub/shower, install a low-flow showerhead. New designs are in the range from using 1.5 to 2.5 gallons per minute and still provide a powerful stream of water. There are even some newer models that allow you to temporarily turn off the water without changing the water temperatures. Take short showers instead of baths with the tub filled to the top. Don't run the water full force when showering. If you decide to take a bath, keep the water shallow when doing so. But baths are sometimes better if you are one to take a very long shower.

    Kitchen

    Saving water in the kitchen is very simple if you get a low-flow faucet aerator and a few new habits. When you get a low-flow faucet remember that flows less than 2.5 gallons per minute are very inconvenient when you are trying to fill big pots or wash dishes. The best choice for kitchens is using a dual flow faucet. Other ways to save water in the kitchen include hand-washing dishes in a basin instead of under running water or storing a container of water in the refrigerator to avoid running water every time you want a cold drink.

   Utility Room/Laundry

    Washing machines that are front-loading use 40% less water than machines that are top-loading. Front-loaders may not be very common because they are more expensive than top-loaders, but they are more convenient. Washing full loads saves water instead of washing a bunch of different little loads. When you need to wash smaller loads use partial load settings.



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Grace High School BPA

Grace, Idaho 83241

Schae Richards and Scott Murdoch, Team Members