UA Experts Discuss Earth Day Tips

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – More than 30 years after celebrating the first Earth Day, environmental consciousness has become more and more heightened. From recycling newspapers and plastics to driving hybrid vehicles, Earth Day has had an immeasurable impact in every community throughout the United States. UA experts can offer commentary about how individuals CAN make a difference in their local community. Earth Day is observed world wide on April 22.

MORE EFFICIENT HOME HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS

Most consumers have become energy conscious and look for ways to make their homes more energy efficient. Dr. Stephen Kavanaugh, professor of mechanical engineering, recommends numerous ways for people to make their homes more energy efficient.

1. Make sure the home is well sealed – caulking (especially floor plates), weather stripping, and using an insert fireplace with outside combustion air rather than a standard fireplace.
2. Insulation is a must for energy efficiency – Request 2? x 6? (rather than the standard 2? x 4?) framing with R19+ insulation. Also, insulate foundation or crawl space perimeter and install R30+ ceiling/roof insulation.
3. Windows let in more than light – install windows with 0.5 or less U-value and low leakage rating (ACH). Also consider installing tinted windows or add shades on east and west walls, and add a small overhang on the south wall to block summer sun but let winter sun in.
4. Heating or cooling in non-living areas – inspect all ductwork in conditioned spaces, such as attics and basements. For ductwork in attics, mastic all joints and put a minimum of two inches of insulation. Carefully seal any ductwork in crawl spaces or in un-insulated basements to prevent moisture and mildew in return ducts or return air.
5. Location, location, location – do not locate equipment (furnaces, air conditioners or water heaters) in the attic because it gets very hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
6. For new construction, consider a closed loop geothermal heat pump. Avoid super high-efficiency 2-speed heat pumps (SEER = 14+). The rating method does not consider the many hours of high temperatures in Alabama. This equipment is more expensive and is actually less efficient on very hot and very cold days.
7. Best Economic Value – replace all incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs last longer, use 70 percent less energy, and give off 70 percent less heat which reduces the load on the air conditioner.
8. Calculate how much you are spending on heating, cooling and water heating before paying extra for energy efficiency upgrades. Sometimes the return on the investment can be many years.

DISPOSING USED MOTOR OIL PROPERLY

Oil pollution occurs every day, yet it’s only the large oil tanker spills on the ocean or the tanker truck accidents on the highway that grab attention. The accumulated impact caused by small amounts of oil dripping from a leaky gasket or someone disposing of motor oil improperly in a backyard is immeasurable and often more harmful to our environment, experts say. This disposed oil can contaminate the soil and get into the water supply that we drink.

“Used motor oil is very dangerous to the environment,” said Sheri Powell, coordinator of Project R.O.S.E. (Recycled Oil Saves Energy). “One gallon of used oil from a single oil change can contaminate millions of gallons of fresh water. It is insoluble and slow to degrade.”

Project R.O.S.E. is one of the first volunteer used motor oil public outreach and education programs in the United States, and it is funded by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Science, Technology, and Energy Division. Project R.O.S.E. coordinates with nearly 600 volunteer used motor oil collection sites throughout the state of Alabama. A collection site list can be located at the Project R.O.S.E. Web site (http://prose.eng.ua.edu) or by calling 1-800-CLEANUP. For more information about Project R.O.S.E., call 1-800-452-5901.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE OLD COMPUTER?

During the last 25 years, the growth of the personal computer industry has been tremendous. With this growth also comes the concern of what to do with the old computers as they are replaced. Dr. Joel Jones, assistant professor of computer science, recommends the three Rs: reduce, reuse and recycle.

Reduce: If you have decided that your current computer is no longer sufficient for your needs, you might consider purchasing an entirely new system. Computer vendors make this the most visible choice, offering discounts for purchasing a CPU, monitor, and printer in a bundle. However, you should ask yourself: Do I need a new monitor? Do I need a new printer?

Monitors, in particular, have lots of materials that are difficult to recycle and are dangerous to the environment.

Also, would your system perform adequately if more memory was added? Most computer systems are sold without enough memory. Do you need more hard disk space? Most desktop machines have the capability to have two drives but are only sold with one. If you decide to purchase a completely new system, consider a system with an LCD display because these tend to use less power to operate.

Reuse: Many volunteer organizations will take used computers. They may keep them for their own use, or they may give them to their clients. In this regard, Apple Macintosh computers tend to have greater value, as their system software tends to “age” better. It can be very difficult to get Windows machines that are more than five years old to be of much benefit, as it is difficult to get older versions of Windows software. (Apple makes older versions of their software available for free on their web-site.) Before donating a machine, make sure any personal information or purchased software are cleared from the machine.

Recycle: Most computer recycling is done on a business-to-business basis. The best way an individual can make a difference in computer recycling is to encourage their workplace to sell obsolete computer systems to recyclers.

HYBRID VEHICLES

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) are the most popular vehicles on the market today. However, Dr. K. Clark Midkiff, associate professor of mechanical engineering, predicts hybrid electric vehicles, a new motor trend, will continue joining the SUV upsurge.

Hybrid electric vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, Honda Civic and Honda Insight, are already on the market, and motor companies will continue to introduce these types of vehicles in the next five years – including hybrid powered SUVs, Midkiff said.

“Hybrid vehicles are a small but rapidly growing segment of the automotive market,” commented Midkiff. “As the hybrid cars are introduced by more companies, people will start to see how much more efficient they are compared to traditional SUVs’ low gas mileage.”

In addition to the gas mileage efficiency, original owners of qualifying hybrid vehicles may be eligible to claim a one-time tax deduction on federal income tax returns.

Contacts: For more information on these topics, contact the respective sources: Kavanaugh, 205/348-1649, skavanaugh@coe.eng.ua.edu; Powell, 205/348-4878, spowell@coe.eng.ua.edu; Jones, 205/348-1618, jones@cs.ua.edu; or Midkiff, 205/348-1645 or cmidkiff@coe.eng.ua.edu.