tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5422804100826311617.post-68083284524254100252008-03-02T14:34:00.000+11:002008-03-02T15:19:40.794+11:002008-03-02T15:19:40.794+11:00<em><span style="font-size:85%;">Inspired by a recent entry from Daniel Bowen in his </span></em><a href="http://www.danielbowen.com/2008/02/27/re-living-longford/"><em><span style="font-size:85%;">blog </span></em></a><em><span style="font-size:85%;">. . .</span></em><br /><br />We've heard a lot about 'greening up' our homes. Many of us have made a mental commitment to reduce the impact of our houses on the environment. That is, we want to do the right thing but (for whatever reason) it will have to wait until the next replacement cycle - i.e. when the thing is broken beyond repair.<br /><br />It could be that you are planning to install rainwater tanks, solar power, replace the car, or (in this case), replace the hot water system with a solar heated unit.<br /><br />The problem is, the moment the old system dies, you are left with no hot water. The last thing you want to be doing is spending time deciding which system to buy, what configuration, specification and brand, the best price and delivery and finally a tradesmen to install it.<br /><br />In Daniel's case that was around two weeks with no hot water. He braved it and went without hot water for that period. If you don't have the patience/time/fortitude to wait that long, you are forced to do the 'practical' thing and get an emergency like-for-like replacement or repair.<br /><br />Bang goes the opportunity you had to make your life a little less carbon intensive.<br /><br />So why not either;<br /><ul><li>have your new system already planned and priced and ready to update and implement when the old one dies. Or better still;</li><li>don't wait. Replace the old system as soon as you've made that mental commitment.</li></ul><p>Electrically heated water in storage tanks accounts for a large percentage of our home electricity bills and GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. If you have one, at least swap it out for a gas powered instantaneous water heater, if not for solar heated water.</p><p>Start today. You owe it to the environment and to your wallet. :-)</p>sustainableIThttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05567934905197480682noreply@blogger.com0