Comments on: New Frugality is Greening America http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/08/05/new-frugality-is-greening-america/ News & commentary on sustainability, activism, urban planning, politics, and our world. Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:32:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Mary Ann Martorana http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/08/05/new-frugality-is-greening-america/comment-page-1/#comment-61106 Mary Ann Martorana Thu, 06 Aug 2009 21:23:09 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/?p=3509#comment-61106 It is wonderful hearing about the energy efficiency these folks have achieved. Unfortunately, the many tens of thousands of us in sunny California who must rent due to being priced out of ownership cannot do this. Renters have to pay all utilities, so landlords don't care how inefficient appliances are and how poorly insulated and leaky their apartments are and would NEVER consider solar panels. Isn't here some way to get landlords to do something? It is wonderful hearing about the energy efficiency these folks have achieved. Unfortunately, the many tens of thousands of us in sunny California who must rent due to being priced out of ownership cannot do this. Renters have to pay all utilities, so landlords don’t care how inefficient appliances are and how poorly insulated and leaky their apartments are and would NEVER consider solar panels. Isn’t here some way to get landlords to do something?

]]> By: Susan Kraemer http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/08/05/new-frugality-is-greening-america/comment-page-1/#comment-61108 Susan Kraemer Thu, 06 Aug 2009 05:38:18 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/?p=3509#comment-61108 Good for you! "The installation of our solar system is what alleviates the guilt I would otherwise be prone to feel with so many labor saving devices" But when you make your own clean energy with solar, there's no reason to feel guilty about using electricity! Good for you!

“The installation of our solar system is what alleviates the guilt I would otherwise be prone to feel with so many labor saving devices”

But when you make your own clean energy with solar, there’s no reason to feel guilty about using electricity!

]]> By: california reader http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/08/05/new-frugality-is-greening-america/comment-page-1/#comment-61107 california reader Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:08:38 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/?p=3509#comment-61107 After my husband and I retired, we installed solar panels on our roof using the financial assistance of a government subsidy available at the time. This system has all but eliminated the need for our already energy efficient air conditioner because the panels create an air space between them and the roof. The temperatures here can reach between 100 and 110 at the most extreme during the summer. After six months of little or no rain, we get almost constant rain for several months in our winter. Although I am able to use our energy efficient dryer much less for much of the year, I must admit, it does a nicer to the touch job on towels and eliminates the extra work of hanging sheets and blankets. All in all, over the past two years, we feed more energy into the grid than we use, giving us the access to our admittedly luxury appliances when we need them. I must admit to feeling spoiled and very fortunate to have the wonderful appliances in our home. The installation of our solar system is what alleviates the guilt I would otherwise be prone to feel with so many labor saving devices. For anyone considering the installation of a solar system, but leary of the cost, here is a thought. The cost of the panels is less than any new vehicle on the block, and unlike a new vehicle, over the course of a few years, gives you back all of your money. We already own 15 year old vehicles which get nearly 30 miles per gallon, so the cash for clunkers doesn't apply to us. We are very excited about the current development of more and more fuel efficient and alternative vehicles and look forward to going that way with our next purchase, as funds allow. I think we all have a great deal to be thankful for as we move toward a cleaner, healthier and sustainable life on earth. After my husband and I retired, we installed solar panels on our roof using the financial assistance of a government subsidy available at the time. This system has all but eliminated the need for our already energy efficient air conditioner because the panels create an air space between them and the roof. The temperatures here can reach between 100 and 110 at the most extreme during the summer. After six months of little or no rain, we get almost constant rain for several months in our winter. Although I am able to use our energy efficient dryer much less for much of the year, I must admit, it does a nicer to the touch job on towels and eliminates the extra work of hanging sheets and blankets. All in all, over the past two years, we feed more energy into the grid than we use, giving us the access to our admittedly luxury appliances when we need them. I must admit to feeling spoiled and very fortunate to have the wonderful appliances in our home. The installation of our solar system is what alleviates the guilt I would otherwise be prone to feel with so many labor saving devices. For anyone considering the installation of a solar system, but leary of the cost, here is a thought. The cost of the panels is less than any new vehicle on the block, and unlike a new vehicle, over the course of a few years, gives you back all of your money. We already own 15 year old vehicles which get nearly 30 miles per gallon, so the cash for clunkers doesn’t apply to us. We are very excited about the current development of more and more fuel efficient and alternative vehicles and look forward to going that way with our next purchase, as funds allow. I think we all have a great deal to be thankful for as we move toward a cleaner, healthier and sustainable life on earth.

]]> By: russ http://ecolocalizer.com/2009/08/05/new-frugality-is-greening-america/comment-page-1/#comment-61105 russ Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:07:28 +0000 http://ecoworldly.com/?p=3509#comment-61105 The wording of any poll is very important. This one was fishing for a negative reply and they got it. Big surprise! The wording of any poll is very important. This one was fishing for a negative reply and they got it. Big surprise!

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