Water conservation

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by ken0042

If it was really a problem, why do they let businesses run "air conditioners" using nothing but cold water? For example, at my old work we needed to be able to cool a server room without adding ventalation. So a system was brought in that basically had cold water running through a device like a car heater core. And that water once used was then discarded. It was probably very clean and could have been used for toilets as an example, but instead went into the sewer system.

When I think about how many businesses do the same thing, it makes me really wonder if doing some rationing will really have an impact; it's like me deciding not to litter while standing at the city dump.

At least downtown they no longer allow those to be isntalled. When we were thinking about upguaging offices we needed to install a 15K Glycol based system in the new building as the city doesnt allow you to tap into the buildings water.

[CGYTransplant]

Originally Posted by ken0042

If it was really a problem, why do they let businesses run "air conditioners" using nothing but cold water? For example, at my old work we needed to be able to cool a server room without adding ventalation. So a system was brought in that basically had cold water running through a device like a car heater core. And that water once used was then discarded. It was probably very clean and could have been used for toilets as an example, but instead went into the sewer system.

When I think about how many businesses do the same thing, it makes me really wonder if doing some rationing will really have an impact; it's like me deciding not to litter while standing at the city dump.

I hate this reasoning. "Nobody else is doing it" isn't an excuse to NOT do the right thing. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to preserve our resources, regardless of who else is doing the same thing.

One person by themselves isn't going to save the planet. But one person can inspire someone else, and it cascades from there. I mean, look at recycling- everyone used to think it was stupid, and now Calgary looks stupid for being one of the last major centres in Canada to not have a curbside recycling system.

Being innovative is expensive, time consuming and difficult, and for these reasons, we can't expect industry (meaning, anything that is not an individual!) to lead the way in every case. Sometimes, change has to start from the bottom.

FYI, I'm not some tree hugging enviro-nazi. I just hate people justifying their own inaction by saying "Nobody else does it".

[Shazam]

Used to get curbside recycling, including plastics. I ended the service in December and recycle everything at the depot. I am storing plastic until the city's recycling program is up.

I compost as well. The landfills are the biggest generator of greenhouse gases in Calgary, due to organic matter anaerobically decomposing. I'm also going to start a vermicomposting box this year. I grow most of my own produce in spring and summer; built out the basement this year, so now there's a cold room that I can store root vegetables for the winter.

All taps and toilets are low flow. I want to look into installing a solar water heater this spring. I'm going to get a couple of rain barrels this spring (I hardly use any water for my garden anyhow). I also have a front washer that seems to reduce my water bill noticeably.

Most of my lights are CFL. If Enmax ever gets their act together I want to install solar panels.

I mostly work from home, my wife works pretty close to where we live. We put on about 5000km a year total in mileage.

I'm trying to get our trash output down, but with two kids and their diaper output I've only been able to get it down to about 1.5 bags/week. Without diapers we're down to 1/2 a bag.

MORE:

Reinsulated much of my basement, especially the rim joists, which builders never get right. Sealed up many holes. Use cellular blinds on many windows to up their abysmal R value (even the best windows have an R value of like 3).

Planted lots of trees that will provide shade for the house in summer and buffet cold winds in the winter.