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Most of what I write isn't relevant to Instructables. My main blog is here: biodieselhauling.blogspot.com
**End Digression... On to the Good Stuff**
Everyone has a reason to use less energy.
-For the environmentalist, obviously, all forms of energy have some ecological impact, and the ones we use the most (oil and coal) happen to be the ones which are most destructive.
-For the patriotic, using less energy means less dependence on foreign oil (and natural gas).
-For the selfish (I don't mean that in a bad way), it means lower bills, and therefor more money in your bank account (or cash under your mattress) that you can spend on other things.
Using less energy is definitely a win all around.
And yet, as much talk as the idea gets lately, few seem to be very serious about it.
There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of articles consisting of tips and tricks to conserve energy and be a little more ecological.
While they have plenty of valid ideas, a great many of the most common suggestions are things which either:
1) cost a whole lot of money upfront (with a promise of saving money in the long run), making them impractical for most people - things like "buy a hybrid" or "replace older appliances with Energy Star models; or
2) are tiny steps which will save an insignificant amount of energy. You may as well do these things, but you aren't going to see reflected on your next bill, and they aren't going to change the world - things like "clean your air filter" or "turn up the thermostat a few degrees" or "keep your car washed for less wind resistance".
These suggestions seem to be geared towards a very specific demographic, implying that being "green" is limited to middle class families who can afford to be.
In reality, the change to be more environmentally friendly means spending much LESS money than the typical American consumer; not only in the long run, but upfront as well.
I will not suggest that you buy a new hybrid or turn down the heat a few degrees.
If you take some of the steps to follow you will reduce your "carbon footprint" and have more cash in your wallet as well.
Most of what I write isn't relevant to Instructables. My main blog is here: biodieselhauling.blogspot.com
**End Digression... On to the Good Stuff**
Everyone has a reason to use less energy.
-For the environmentalist, obviously, all forms of energy have some ecological impact, and the ones we use the most (oil and coal) happen to be the ones which are most destructive.
-For the patriotic, using less energy means less dependence on foreign oil (and natural gas).
-For the selfish (I don't mean that in a bad way), it means lower bills, and therefor more money in your bank account (or cash under your mattress) that you can spend on other things.
Using less energy is definitely a win all around.
And yet, as much talk as the idea gets lately, few seem to be very serious about it.
There are probably dozens, if not hundreds, of articles consisting of tips and tricks to conserve energy and be a little more ecological.
While they have plenty of valid ideas, a great many of the most common suggestions are things which either:
1) cost a whole lot of money upfront (with a promise of saving money in the long run), making them impractical for most people - things like "buy a hybrid" or "replace older appliances with Energy Star models; or
2) are tiny steps which will save an insignificant amount of energy. You may as well do these things, but you aren't going to see reflected on your next bill, and they aren't going to change the world - things like "clean your air filter" or "turn up the thermostat a few degrees" or "keep your car washed for less wind resistance".
These suggestions seem to be geared towards a very specific demographic, implying that being "green" is limited to middle class families who can afford to be.
In reality, the change to be more environmentally friendly means spending much LESS money than the typical American consumer; not only in the long run, but upfront as well.
I will not suggest that you buy a new hybrid or turn down the heat a few degrees.
If you take some of the steps to follow you will reduce your "carbon footprint" and have more cash in your wallet as well.
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It seems that the "green" craze has finally caught on in America.
But first and foremost, this is the land of consumerism, so of course just about every company is jumping on the bandwagon, and marketing their product as "green"
This leads people to think that being environmentally conscious means paying a premium.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Because, no matter how much better a "green" item is than whatever it is replacing, not buying either one is always the most environmentally benign choice of all.
The truth is that, due to technology, Americans today have access to more stuff for less money than any point in our 500 million year history. Even the poorest among us can afford cars and TVs. And we have long past the point where getting more stuff actually leads to any tangible long-term increase in happiness. We basically buy stuff for no other reason than that we can.
The really great thing about it is, by doing right by nature (by not buying lots of crap, which necessitates stuff being mined, manufactured, and shipped - frequently from the other side of the world - only to eventually end up in landfill a few years later) you also end up saving a truly shocking amount of money.
Personally, I was turned on to this concept less than a year ago, by Jacob of Early Retirement Extreme
All of my life I have made a fairly low amount of money. Due to various life events outside my control, combined with my low income, I had varying levels of debt all my life (or so I thought!).
Well, I finally paid down the last of my debt about a year ago, and started saving a little bit, just before I stumbled across Jacob, who was promoting the idea of early retirement via spending less money.
Not that I was ever an ultra-consumer to begin with: outside of the occasional broken down auto, cross country move, new motorcycle, or going back to school, I generally lived within my means.
But once I discovered this new idea of becoming rich simply by not buying stuff, I started to pay much more attention to what I spent my money on.
So far its only been 8 months. During that time I made about $26,000.
In that time I have saved $17,000 dollars.
And in all honesty, going from spending 100% of my income to spending less than 50%, I haven't really felt any change in my lifestyle.
The trick is really simple.
Literally anytime you are about to reach into your wallet, stop for a second and ask yourself a few questions:
1) is this purchase going to last at least the next 10 years?
2) will this purchase continue to make me significantly happier for the next 10 years?
3) is there an alternate way I can accomplish the goal that buying this will serve, without spending money?
4) can I borrow this item from someone?
5) can I buy this item used?
6) if this is a replacement item, have I tried to fix the old one?
If the answer is "no" to questions 1, 2 or 6, put your money away.
If the answer is "yes" to questions 3, 4, or 5, put your money away.
If the answer is "yes" to 1 2 and 6, and "no" 3 4 and 5, put your money away anyway!
Wait for a month or two. Then ask yourself the same questions again. If after two months you still want whatever it is, go ahead and buy it.
Obviously this does not apply to food - although you can save both money and environmental damage by buying less pre-prepared food and by eating more plants and less animals. As with all shopping, food fits into this general rule for acquiring things:
"If you want it: grow it, raise it, build it, or fix it yourself." (that was taken verbatim from PS118 in the comments)
This concept should seem like a given to readers of Instructables.
For some of the most accessible and fun elaboration on the topic of getting rich by buying less stuff that I have found, try the Mr Money Mustache blog. (When you feel confident enough to call yourself Mustachian - or at least understand the idea - go on to the more advanced and sometimes esoteric ERE blog)
But first and foremost, this is the land of consumerism, so of course just about every company is jumping on the bandwagon, and marketing their product as "green"
This leads people to think that being environmentally conscious means paying a premium.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Because, no matter how much better a "green" item is than whatever it is replacing, not buying either one is always the most environmentally benign choice of all.
The truth is that, due to technology, Americans today have access to more stuff for less money than any point in our 500 million year history. Even the poorest among us can afford cars and TVs. And we have long past the point where getting more stuff actually leads to any tangible long-term increase in happiness. We basically buy stuff for no other reason than that we can.
The really great thing about it is, by doing right by nature (by not buying lots of crap, which necessitates stuff being mined, manufactured, and shipped - frequently from the other side of the world - only to eventually end up in landfill a few years later) you also end up saving a truly shocking amount of money.
Personally, I was turned on to this concept less than a year ago, by Jacob of Early Retirement Extreme
All of my life I have made a fairly low amount of money. Due to various life events outside my control, combined with my low income, I had varying levels of debt all my life (or so I thought!).
Well, I finally paid down the last of my debt about a year ago, and started saving a little bit, just before I stumbled across Jacob, who was promoting the idea of early retirement via spending less money.
Not that I was ever an ultra-consumer to begin with: outside of the occasional broken down auto, cross country move, new motorcycle, or going back to school, I generally lived within my means.
But once I discovered this new idea of becoming rich simply by not buying stuff, I started to pay much more attention to what I spent my money on.
So far its only been 8 months. During that time I made about $26,000.
In that time I have saved $17,000 dollars.
And in all honesty, going from spending 100% of my income to spending less than 50%, I haven't really felt any change in my lifestyle.
The trick is really simple.
Literally anytime you are about to reach into your wallet, stop for a second and ask yourself a few questions:
1) is this purchase going to last at least the next 10 years?
2) will this purchase continue to make me significantly happier for the next 10 years?
3) is there an alternate way I can accomplish the goal that buying this will serve, without spending money?
4) can I borrow this item from someone?
5) can I buy this item used?
6) if this is a replacement item, have I tried to fix the old one?
If the answer is "no" to questions 1, 2 or 6, put your money away.
If the answer is "yes" to questions 3, 4, or 5, put your money away.
If the answer is "yes" to 1 2 and 6, and "no" 3 4 and 5, put your money away anyway!
Wait for a month or two. Then ask yourself the same questions again. If after two months you still want whatever it is, go ahead and buy it.
Obviously this does not apply to food - although you can save both money and environmental damage by buying less pre-prepared food and by eating more plants and less animals. As with all shopping, food fits into this general rule for acquiring things:
"If you want it: grow it, raise it, build it, or fix it yourself." (that was taken verbatim from PS118 in the comments)
This concept should seem like a given to readers of Instructables.
For some of the most accessible and fun elaboration on the topic of getting rich by buying less stuff that I have found, try the Mr Money Mustache blog. (When you feel confident enough to call yourself Mustachian - or at least understand the idea - go on to the more advanced and sometimes esoteric ERE blog)
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I just wanted to add that heavy curtains block out cold (and probably heat too) very well.
I live in an apartment, were i have no control over amount of heating, and there is often too much. So, the other day, i opened to window a little bit before going to bed, but leaved the curtain closed over it.
In the morning, I was surprised that my room was even warmer then when i had gone to bed, despite my having opened the window!
So, i made sure that i had opened the window, as, as i parted the curtain, i was blasted with freezing cold air. The curtain had blocked all the cold at the window sill.
The next day, i learned from it, and opened another window, in front of which i don't keep the curtain closed, and it worked, i didn't wake up sweating from the heat.
So, this is just to show, that, if you don't want those Poor-mans double pane windows, which do not allow you to open windows (As temperatures vary wildly from here (15 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, to 105+ in the summer), you want to be able to open the windows, and curtains (while i think a little more expensive) are very efficient way to do that.
Note: They do have to be thick curtains. (also, i have no idea to the true cost of mine, as they are 15+ years old (I'm only 14).
Once, more, great instructable, though many of your options i will be unable, or just to unwilling (ie: dishwasher, as we don't give it a pre-rinse, or going to sleep, as i play online some, and most people are on after 11 (though if that were not the case, i would gladly go to bed earlier.(Also, your thing about only buying whats necessary... well, i sorta have to do that XD since, because of my age, i get hardly any money XD)
I don't know why I didn't the first time - every day I open the curtains in the morning specifically to let in the sun's heat, and every evening I close them all to keep it in. Mine aren't especially thick, but I have both blinds and curtains, and they seem to do better than no curtains at all.
I totally understand about the online games. I recently started playing the MMORPG DCUO. Its pretty addictive. I'm sure it's helped me break a few of my own rules, going to sleep on time being the main one. At least, unlike most games, it is both free to download and there is no subscription fee...
It is a truly Great Game!
Though lets not start a Conversation on gaming on... an instructable on saving energy XD :)
Did you make any of these pictures yourself? If not, did you get the picture owners' expressed permission to post them here without crediting them?
I was kind of hoping to preemptively cut off this comment by addressing it myself.
Oh well.
The whole massive outbreak of legionella that has caused people to be paranoid of water heaters set too low was in 1976, when it killed the outrageous number of 34 people!
This may sound scary when taken out of context, but you have to keep in mind the size of the population. Like I said in the original post, the annual fatality rate in the US is less than 0.001% of the population.
Nearly all of those people are elderly or have otherwise compromised immune systems, and are frequently smokers as well.
In comparison,
Alcohol kills .008% of the population each year - 8 times more.
Accidental poisining kills .01% - 10 times more.
The flu kills .017% . Not "swine" flu or "bird" flu - the plain old ordinary flu that most people catch every couple of years.
Car accidents kill .014%.
It makes no sense at all to get into a car every day and drive to work, and yet be afraid of your water heater being set to 120. Assuming you are not an elderly smoker, you are many thousands times more likely to die from driving your car than you are from legionellosis.
We can not possibly go through life trying to find every possible way to avoid every possible risk, no matter how remote. We should pick and choose those risks which are most realistic to be cautious of, although in reality most of us base what we are afraid of on what we are used to and what media hysteria is focused on. So instead of having kids walk to school (setting them up for a lifetime of obesity related health problems) we drive them to avoid the one in a hundred million chance they get abducted by a stranger.
Having a hot water heater doesn't erase your risk of coming in contact with legionella anyway. It has been found in hot tubs, pools, fountains, windshield wiper fluid tanks, commercial plumbing systems, humidifiers, and air conditioners.
Most particularly humidifiers, which have a warm supply of stagnant water which is open to the air and produces a fine mist - the absolute ideal for legionel growth. You don't find warnings to never use humidifiers unless they are kept at 140 degrees. If we aren't concerned about humidifiers, it makes no sense to be concerned about water heaters - which are a closed system and have new water cycling though regularly.
If all that still doesn't allay your fears, might I suggest getting a tankless water heater, rather than heating 50 gallons of water far hotter than you need 24/7.
You do need to keep it reasonably high.
It helps if the tank is inside the house, like in a closet, rather than a basement...
Stand-by heat losses (heat lost through the tank walls, even if all hot water taps are off) accounts for between one quarter and one half of the energy used by a tank water heater.
The reason turning the heater lower saves energy is because it reduces stand-by losses.
(This is also the reason that tankless heaters are so much more efficient)
Therefor, the fact that you mix cold water at the tap and use less hot flow in a shower does not matter.
http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/residential/waterheating.htm
140*F or 60*C is what it takes to kill allergens... and then not even all the time...
But anyway... I am the greenest person I know Because I've got the least money! :p hahaa I live on nearly nothing...
Dust mites are killed by direct sunlight, so if you line dry your clothes (which, of course everyone should anyway) it will have the same effect as a 140 degree washing.
And yes, having no money is definitely the greenest way to go.
The trick is to maintain your lifestyle of living on nearly nothing, while having a decent income. If you can do that, you will not only be green, you will also have lots of green - as in you will become rich very quickly!
The part that you're allergic to is a protein and the only way to *frag* it enough so it's not seen as an allergen my the immune system is to cook it at over 140* for animal dander.
I'm an allergy expert. :p
Line drying is very bad for allergies, since most people live in areas that aren't *real* country. In town cat dander is found everywhere and even in places cats have never been just by clothing transfer. Also in the mattresses of people that live over a mile away from cats.
If you hang clothes to dry and have any pollen or dust allergies, you're impregnating your fabric with it. Some people can't even go outside for half the summer... Luckily not the case with me.
Wasn't meaning to pick or anything. But allergens can only really be killed with ozone, and high heat. Regular washing in cool or warm water only wets the allergens and does nothing to remove them any more than blowing on them does. :p The dust mites themselves aren't all that allergenic, it's their shed skin, and dead dust they produce that is the problem for most people.
Also, washing does a lot to remove allergens: it washes them away! (Incidentally, ozone will not denature existing proteins - it could kill living dust mites, but it won't do anything for dander)
Either way, still no need for overly hot water, given that you are already using a clothes dryer.
God Bless!!
I have a tankless heater, and I recommend them to everyone.
The suggestion to just turn it down a bit is something one can do immediately for no money, but instant water heaters are definitely the long-term solution
Ozone is very well known to destroy allergens. It is used directly on dogs and cats to make them more acceptable for mildly allergic humans. The main thing I use it for is dander and pesticide removal. It binds to the proteins and then as it turns back into oxygen, it pulls the molecule apart, rendering it ineffective/useless... it does the same for smoke, pollen etc.
It is indicated for use in homes that have allergic people in them... It doesn't harm living tissues, but does kill mold, like bleach for the air, only it doesn't cause cancer and is way better environmentally. (you can use ozone air or ozone water generators)
I have an energy efficient dryer, it has settings that aren't that hot too...
Allergens stick to fabrics and really, you can still have severe life threatening reactions after washing clothes in not so hot water... it washes some away, but some isn't good enough for people that really are allergic.
Really not picking on you though. :)
You don't have to agree or believe me... but if you want to know about it, it's jsut a google search away. :)
I don't think you are picking on me!
In fact, I would let this go, but this is actually pretty important, both for you and for anyone else who might stumble upon this.
I don't know everything there is to know about allergies, but I do have a background (and degree) in biology, as well as a decent understanding of chemistry.
But don't take my word for it!:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/AN00443
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html
http://www.pennmedicine.org/health_info/allergy/000032.html
Ozone is the main component of smog. It is very very bad for your lungs. It will also do nothing to help allergies - in fact, it will probably make them worse.
The only reason manufacturers can claim it helps is because no one has sued them (yet).
As to denaturing proteins, I looked that (before I wrote last time), and found some proteins have their structure damaged at as little as 105 degrees and many by 120:
http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Co-Di/Denaturation.html
http://www.science-projects.com/catalasekinetics.htm
There are a few proteins that can withstand up to 180 degrees F. So, with a range of 105 to 180, with 120 being most common, thats why I asked where you got the specific number 140 for "allergens" (remember, not all allergens are the same - dander has totally different proteins than dust mites or pollen).
Remember that there is a lot of information on the web, but anyone can write a webpage, so a lot of it is wrong. A forum is just as likely to have misinformation, myths, and urban legends (not to mention false marketing claims) as random people you meet day to day. For something as important as your health, I recommend sticking with legitimate scientific sources.
Back to the main topic though: turning the clothes dryer to high heat to dry clothes for 40 minutes once a week will use much less energy overall than keeping the water heater at 140 degree for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are 2 kinds of ozone and it can save lives... just like aspirin if you use it wrong it isn't good for you. There's liquid ozones and gas ozone. the ozone in water and oils are used when antibiotics no longer work, like in cases of bedsores and immune system problems, etc. It prevents more rot and promotes healing because it's oxygen.
I use ozone in water almost daily. It kills mold and bacteria. It can stop a sinus infection just like that without any harmful effects. It's just like bleach, only it doesn't degrade fabrics or living tissue.
It is also used to purify water that would otherwise be harmful : bacteria, viruses, pathogens in general. It can make filthy water safe. It removes about 40% of fluoride, a poison that destroys the immune system, and all chlorine... it leaves the good minerals like calcium and iron,... so it's great to treat your tapwater and for aquariums.
The gas kind can cause asthma to worsen, a scratchy throat, or wheezing. You shouldn't use an ozone generator in the house full time, but it's better than breathing smoke from the neighbor or mold. It can be used in basements as an *ozone bomb* while you're out. Mold is a big problem here and just about everyone is allergic to it.
Ozone leaves a clean fresh smell like after a thunderstorm or near a waterfall because of the negative ions it produces.
The ozone adheres to allergenic substances and icky smells and as it reverts back to water and oxygen, it yanks those particles apart. It's really amazing stuff and when used properly it really does improve and save lives... but I certainly wouldn't recommend it for general use as an air purifier unless there's a specific reason for it.
I never live anywhere that I don't soak with ozone first. I can't. I spray anything and everything with it. It's safe for plants, good for skin, cures yeast problems in the sinuses, gets white mold off plant pots...and so on... it's good for stains on car seats and clothes too. I use the water to wash the pesticides off my fruit... it makes the wax on apples turn white and the if you put them in the fridge it flakes off... there's a LOT of it...
so all in all, for me ozone has been a really good thing. I can do a lot more because of it. We change cars a lot and some of them, or most of them give me full body hives, dripping nose, wheezing, polyps, and a ton of other rubbish... but after a few hours with the ozone generator, and the water on the fabric it's fine... I find that after a couple of days if I haven't done the plants/pots I have some really serious rhinitis....
I've used ozone for a bit more than 10 years. You can find all kinds of anti-ozone information, but a lot of it is either snake-oil or anti-snake-oil... and not so much based on fact.
They do use it to sterilize surgical tools in hospitals and various therapies in Europe, and they have way better outcomes than in North America with chronic disease... Pharmaceutical companies don't make money curing disease, they make money selling drugs to cope with the side effects of the disease...
An MD. has absolutely no allergy training. All the courses are post graduate... and entirely up to the person to learn or not learn about them. There is a ton of mis-information and ignorance about allergies on this continent.
Even allergists skin test for immuno-globulin reactions that can only be found with blood tests. It's pretty much useless.
Everything is an allergen, so I say allergens in general, one person's dog can kill another person... or a cat, or a peanut... The general temperature stated in most books is 140, maybe they like a bit of overkill to make sure.
Ok, water heaters right?!
Oh, and here you can only hang clotehs out to dry maybe 4mo. of the year... otherwise you have wet and frozen towel sheets! :p and town... not always space...
They Hydro-Quebec site is all into reducing consumption and says:
Improving your water heater's efficiency can be as easy as turning down your water heater thermostat (no lower than 55ºC and no higher than 60ºC) and insulating your pipes. If you have an old inefficient heater, replacing it with a more efficient unit will bring you the most long-term savings.
In addition to contributing to reduced power demand by using a three-element water heater, you can also adopt more energy efficient water heating practices that will lower your electricity bill.
Here are a few examples:
Keep your water heater’s temperature at 60°C (140°F).
Insulate hot-water pipes.
Take shorter showers and use a reduced-flow showerhead.
Use your clothes washer efficiently; for example, by doing your laundry in cold water.
Use your dishwasher efficiently—by running it only when it is full, for instance.
A tank is supposed to last 13 years.
My water tank closet is barely any warmer at all than out of the closet, so I think it's insulated well and that it's not a big issue, the dissipation thing...
If a new water heater saves an average of a dollar a month in energy costs, that amounts to a savings of $12 a year - or $156 over its expected lifespan.
Really not much for all the trouble involved. although insulating is probably a good idea and trying to not have it in an ice cold basement.... Our hot water pipes froze last year at the place we lived... and the foundation had holes to outside... so you could imagine the cost of having a hot water tank in a snow bank pretty much. From what I've found, a tank that's warm to the touch needs insulating... but then again, if you start with a decent one it helps.
The reasons I like hotter water:
1. Washing dishes in hot water actually helps to lift away and clean dirty dishes reducing the amount of time you'll have to spend scrubbing and reducing the need for extra dish cleaning products. (while saving arthritic knuckles..)
2. Killing Bacteria and Microorganisms.-Hot water is needed to effectively kill bacteria on dishes. It may seem like you can squeeze a little more use out of a dishpan full of cool water, but compromising your families exposure to bacteria is not worth the extra trouble of running a new pan of hot water.
3. Water temperatures under about 90 degrees will leave a nasty greasy film on your dishes as they dry. Grease cutting ability is severely hampered by cool water leaving your dishes less than clean. Especially plastic...
4. Drying Time- Hot water dries much more quickly on dishes than warm or cool water. Dishes can essentially dry themselves if the water temperature is right. As an added benefit, dishes will dry spot and streak free with hotter water. Many people try to conserve hot water during the rinsing part of dishwashing and just hand dry dishes. Keep in mind that pools of water and wet dishtowels are a haven for bacteria. You may have just spent a lot of effort to get dishes clean only to allow them to become contaminated.
(around 170 is the recommended temp. for dishes) Then you have ot wash the towels...
All that could sound a little paranoid, so here's this:
Bird cages can't be cleaned without really hot water,
dripped candle wax on things,
Cleaning aquarium things, or reptile tanks is really important.
If you boil water every time you need really hot water it would be crazy.
I don't want mold in my shower head and in the shower hoses... and bio-film and slime. It can really build up.
I am absolutely for conserving, etc. I am interested in Solar Water Heating and house heating, but I'm not sure I'm in the right climate for it, but it would be something of interest to look into at some point.
It says this:
Typically, a homeowner relying on electricity to heat water could save up to $500 in the first year of operation by installing a solar water heating system. The savings over time increases due to increasing electricity rates. The average solar heating system pays for itself in four to seven years.
The sun's heat has been used for decades to heat water for homes and businesses. At the turn of the 20th century, solar heated water systems were common in Southern California. Some countries have made their use mandatory. For example, all homes in Israel have solar hot water systems.
More than one-half million solar hot water systems have been installed in the United States, mostly on single-family homes. The majority of these systems are used to heat swimming pools.
Interesting.
But as far as debating allergy-related things, it's been my whole life every day for so long it's disgusting... so I'd like to stop talking about it. :)
I do laundry almost every day... our electricity bill isn't bad at all... and I cook a lot more here than the last place... the wires there were all jumbled, and I think that dissipates more than people think. Some plugs didn't work, some in an office room were on the same breaker as the fridge and counter plugs... it was just all jumbled up.
anyway... there's my piece... :p
-170
In other words, for all practical purposes, on planet earth, there is no such thing as liquid ozone, and never will be.
What you are talking about is ozonated water (water with a tiny amount of ozone dissolved in it). This is used for killing bacteria and other living things only. It WILL NOT affect allergens. No one who manufactures the things to produce ozonated water claim it does. Also, be aware that ozone does not dissolve well in water, so it is likely to precipitate out into the air. It is normally used only in rooms that are sealed and unoccupied, because "Even very low concentrations of ozone can be harmful to the upper respiratory tract and the lungs. The severity of injury depends on both by the concentration of ozone and the duration of exposure. Severe and permanent lung injury or death could result from even a very short-term exposure to relatively low concentrations."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozone
I don't know where you are getting your information, and clearly you are pretty set in your decision - but I implore anyone reading these comments to actually look this stuff up for yourself. There is lots of very false information in the diatribe above. Ozone is absolutely NOT safe just because it is dissolved in water. It should NEVER be deliberately put into your sinuses!!!!!! It is harmful to skin. It is extremely harmful to breathe. US and Canadian health agencies have stated that concentration high enough to affect bacteria are harmful to humans as well. Any type of ozone generator (including water based ones) should only be used when no one is in the room, or with a respirator.
I know you aren't going to believe me, since its such a big part of your life for so long, but I want to warn anyone who finds this discussion.
-
On to hot water!
I challenge you to set your water heater to 140 degrees, and then wash your dishes by hand with the cold water tap fully off.
Actually, that is a rhetorical suggestion. I would feel really bad if you did it, and had to go to the hospital with 3rd degree burns.
140 degree water will scald human skin in as little as 1 second. Anything above 130 will cause burns. The hottest water temperature humans can stand is 120.
My point was, (and still is), that if you are mixing the hot water with cold water to make the hotter water cooler, than the hot water is hotter than it needs to be. Nobody hand washes dishes with 140 degree water. It isn't possible.
So what is the point of making it that hot if you are just going to cool it down again anyway?
140 degree water will not kill bacteria unless the item being cleaned stays at that temperature constantly for at least several hours. In order to kill bacteria within seconds (which is how long it takes to rinse dishes) the water would have to be at least 165 degrees (which would cause severe burns instantly)
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I am a big fan of solar hot water systems.
It is an interesting fact that in the 1940s and 50s solar heaters were actually very common. Utility companies offered households free gas and electric water heaters so that they would spend more money on utilities. They bought so many free heaters that eventually people forgot about solar heaters, and now we are where we are today!
There are two main reasons I didn't cover them: for most households it is very expensive and complicated to set up a solar hot water system, so it does not fit with the theme of this instructable. The other reason is I have no personal experience with it.
Bacteria Reduction percent Dwell time
Escherichia coli 99.99 5 - 13
Listeria monocytogenes 99.999 3 - 11
Salmonella typhimurium 99.99 11 - 13
Streptococcus faecalis 99.999 23 - 26
Legionella pneumophila 99.99 9 - 33
Bacillus cereus 99.999 9- 33
Viruses Dwell Time (Secs.) Reduction (%)
Bacteriophage F2 2 - 19 99.999
Norovirus 2 99.9
Hepatitus A 1 99.9
Poliovirus type 1 5 99.9
Rotavirus 63-126 99.99
Liquefied ozone kills 99.999 of common flu virus in as little as 2 seconds.
It's effective against:
Molds & Fungi
Alternaria solani
Botritys cinerea
Fusarium oxysporum
Pythium Ultimum
Rhizopus stolonifera
Sclerotium rolfsii
Vibrio clolarae
V. parahaemolyticus
Virrio ichthyodermis
Candida albicans
Saccharomyces
Chloralla vulgaris
Cryptoporidium parvum
Giardia lamblia
Giaria Muris
Nematode eggs
Algae & Yeasts
Cysts & Protozoa
* Ref: International Ozone Association - AOAC Official method 961.02; Germicidal Spray Products as Disinfectants; and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants. FDA GRAS Notification. EPA Organic Program compliance. Data compiled from third party independent industry and academic sources, and is for general information purpose only.
___________________
To get rid of pesticides:
Pesticides
Micro-pollutants such as pesticides may occur in surface water, but also
increasingly in groundwater. Drinking-water standards for pesticides in the
European Union are strict: 0,1 μgl-1 for each compound.
Several surveys show that ozone can be very effective for the oxidation of
several pesticides. At a water treatment plant in Zevenbergen(Holland) it was
proved that three barriers (storage–ozonation–granular active carbon filter
(GAC filter)) are effective and safe enough for the removal of pesticides. From
23 tested pesticides, 50 % was degraded sufficiently (80 % degradation).
Table 1 shows an overview of pesticides that are easily degradedby ozone.
LenntechWater Treatment& Air Purification Holding B.V.
Pesticide
diazinon
dimethoate
parathion-methyl
diuron
linuron
methabenzthiazuron
metobromuron
MCPA
CPP
chlortoluron
isoproturon;
metoxuron;
vinclozolin
And:
The use of ozone in the processing of foods has recently come to the forefront as a result
of the recent approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approving the use of
ozone as an anti-microbial agent for food treatment, storage and processing. The FDA
approval marks a watershed event for the food industry. Prior to the approval, FDA had
approved ozone for use only as a disinfection mechanism for bottled water production
and the sterilization of bottled water lines. The recent regulatory breakthrough is a result
of efforts made by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the panel of
technical experts assembled to review and evaluate the efficacy and safety of ozone in
food processing.
It is worthy of noting that, the use of ozone in food processing has been allowed and
accepted in Japan, Australia, France and other countries for some time. There is a
plethora
of documentation and supporting literature attesting to the benefits of ozonation as a food
product sterilization methodology some of which will be reviewed herein.
washing fish in ozone makes it keep 5 days longer.
if you want to read the rest of this from the FDA it's here:
http://tersano.com/pdf/FDA_RulesRegulations.pdf
Over 2000 North American municipalities use ozone for their drinking water purification needs. The US Army uses it for portable water sanitization and the Olympics use ozone in their competition pools.
Harmless to people but deadly to bacteria, viruses and contaminants, the extra oxygen atom actively detaches and attacks them.
The ozone turns back into oxygen. Only pure oxygen and water remain after heavy duty cleaning and sanitizing has taken place.
USDA: The Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) authorizes the establishment of the National List of allowed and prohibited substances. The National List identifies liquefied ozone as a substance that is allowed for use in organic crop and livestock production.8
OHSA: Regulations address the toxicity of gaseous ozone and acknowledge the safety of liquefied ozone. Strict limits are set for exposure to gaseous ozone while no limits are set for exposure to liquefied ozone even with high concentrations. Liquefied ozone is considered to pose no health or safety threats; requires no safety training, certification or reporting; and requires no protective gear or compliance for safe use.
It carries a zero health hazard, reactivity and fire hazard NFPA ratings.
if you did read all this, it's more than enough proof that ozone is more beneficial than harmful by a wide gap.
1) pathogens and allergens are two different things.
2) industrial use in a controlled atmosphere is not the same as home use.
What you wrote about OSHA was taken from a manufacturer of home ozone generators. It is false. There is a very specific limit set: 0.4 mg/liter http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_259300.html
Its best to never trust anything written by someone who wants to sell you something.
OSHA also states "Ozone has a pungent odor, is a strong irritant, and is highly toxic by inhalation. It is strong oxidizing agent and a dangerous fire and explosion risk when in contact with organic materials. It is more soluble in water than oxygen; however, the minimal solubility results in the liberation of significant amounts of ozone after water is purified with ozone." http://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id214/id214.html
They don't need extensive separate rules for dissolved ozone, because the limits for gas ozone already covers it. If you try to dissolve too much in water, some of it WILL come out of the water and go into the air. If that amount is over the OSHA limit for air, its over the safe limit. Workers do not drink the water in the industrial processes they are working with, nor do they swim in it, so it doesn't need its own category.
This is the really important part that you don't seem to acknowledge, when treating aqueous ozone as something separate from ozone gas: "Dissolved ozone can easily outgas from the liquid and its solubility is inversely proportional with temperature" (Blonshine, 2006)
More specifically, because of its chemical properties, however much ozone is dissolved in water, (very roughly) twice as much will out gas into the air: http://www.lenntech.com/library/ozone/transfer/ozone-transfer-mechanisms.htm
I never denied that ozone can be used to sterilize.
As I pointed out previously, pathogens and allergens are not the same thing. Killing a pathogen does not render its remains no longer allergenic. Ozone does not denature protein, and only denaturing protein can render an allergen ineffective.
"ozone does not remove particles... including the particles that cause most allergies." (Shaughnessy et al., 1994; Pierce, et al., 1996)
I also did not deny that ozone is used in large scale industrial processes. There is a big difference between using it in food processing etc. in an enclosed space where no humans are present, and using it in a household in an enclosed space with people in it. Especially sensitive people!
Aqueous (not "liquified", aqueous) ozone outgases out of the water. If there is enough ozone disolved in water for it to be effective, some of that ozone will outgas from the water into the air. The more dissolved ozone, the more that ends up in the air. The hotter the water, the more ozone will end up in the air. (Which is ironic in a way, since your two methods - ozone, and hot water, are defeating each other)
"Exposure of 0.1 to 1 [ppm] produces headaches, burning eyes, and irritation to the respiratory passages. Even low concentrations of ozone in air are very destructive to ... animal lung tissue." (Folchetti, 2003)
EPA proposes that the standard for safety be set within the range of 0.06 to 0.07 ppm
"Some data suggest that low levels of ozone may reduce airborne concentrations and inhibit the growth of some biological organisms while ozone is present, but ozone concentrations would have to be 5 - 10 times higher than public health standards allow before the ozone could decontaminate ... sufficiently to prevent survival and regeneration of the organisms once the ozone is removed" (Dyas, et al.,1983; Foarde et al., 1997).
Here is the FDAs comment on it: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?fr=173.368
Nothing about it being safe to drink directly, or being suitable for use in the home.
Homeppathic preparations also though, have strong allergens in them, I once took some and end up nearly dead from "water that had nothing left allergenic in it" so it's not all mapped out just yet. I had the notion that it would help me, but I ended up having lungs full of water... apparently I'm tremendously allergic from cockroach carcass .. that technically shouldn't be able to harm me since it was a 30x !! that's amazing.
When you freeze water that had flowers in it, the frozen crystals resemble the different flowers that were in it when magnified and taken pictures of... and we don't have perfect science for that either. So they call it water memory... but that's another thing.
The studies I refer to aren't from salesmen. it's the WHO the CDC and various other places, the info I put down was from those files.
Placebo effect does happen, but it's a clear difference from pregnant or not... or bleach or not... or dead or not! lol... bloodletting compared to ozone or homeopathy is quite a stretch.
a lot of your info. sites 2004 ... 1996 we've learned a lot since then...
as for half the year.... July/Aug/Sept. is when we have the good weather. :p but that's 3mo. anyway... ;p
I have the pdfs where the FDA says ozone water is safe to drink... that's where I got this... you can say it isn't ok all you want.. but we use it all the time... if you live in town you might be drinking it even.
I'm allergic to fluoride, it removes 40% of that... (I don't live in a place with fluoride water anyway)
People aren't just allergic to mites, fluff and fur... you can be allergic to chemical components and even your own hormones.
It does "take apart" proteins therefore it destroys protein based allergens...
anyway. I'm don't have that much time for looking up more reference things.
Luckily I can type really fast.
I just know my life has vastly improved, and I was told by the medical people that I could do nothing, take the drugs and that I would be dead from them at 30 years old.
Enter ozone, and hey I'm 30 on the 24th.
they thought asbestos was wonderful, mercury was great, women went insane and were not worth a thought after menopause, and that if you got sick you needed to have a pile of kids to cure it... at least now we know how things work and there's a better science to things.
at any rate, saving money is good and fine.
I never did use any cleaners other than baking soda... and it get rid of tooth decay, kills mouth germs... leaves a smaller footprint than vim counter scrubber and is a LOT less likely to kill you than the chemicals.
Cheaper.
safer.
then again thinking, as a race we've never been sicker or more cancerous...
so we obviously are doing a lot of things wrong, from the products we use to the things we eat. everyone has something... diabetes at young ages, allergies, immune disease, etc. They need to start looking at alternatives, because they sure aren't getting anywhere looking at the stuff they have been all this time... cancer treatments don't work... so look into something entirely new... cancer isn't the cause... it's the effect of a "wrong" lifestyle/environment...
anyway, none of that is about saving energy!
I read that a PVR or some tv. box thing can take 37watts when it's not even on.
I'll shut up now.
:p
a) you didn't want to talk about allergies anymore, and
b) we would agree to disagree?
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The thing about water crystals resembling the flowers which were once in them was very entertaining.
Some of the actual words you pasted were verbatim from the Tersano and LotusPro websites. They claim that they are referring to information from OSHA, yet it is directly contradicted by the actual OSHA website (which I linked to).
I would be interested to read any links you might have to official sources that disputes anything I have said so far.
Science is constantly learning new things, but the basic laws of chemistry don't change.
Water which was previously purified with ozone is safe to drink. At room temperature it takes between 10 and 20 minutes for the ozone to either out-gas and/or break down into oxygen. It is safe because there is no ozone left.
Again, that it different from adding ozone, and then deliberately drinking it immediately (where the heat from ones body will cause the remaining dissolved ozone to precipitate out all at once, much the way drinking soda releases the dissolved carbonation due to your body heat.
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"as a race we have never been sicker or more cancerous"
Actually, life expectancy (at birth) worldwide from the paleolithic era all the way until the early 20th century ranged between 20 and 40.
Current world life expectancy is 67.
In the US, with all of our chemicals and obesity and everything else, it is about 78.
This is one reason cancer is so much more common today than ever before. In the past, most people died before they would have caught it!
So by that logic we must be doing something right - though overall, I definitely agree with you that American's have unhealthy and destructive lifestyles.
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A PVR is always on, so long as it is plugged in. It just isn't sending signal to the TV when it is "off". This is so that it can start recording at any time. I admit that my RePlay TV is one of my luxuries. I got it for free (would have gone to landfill otherwise) and I use it with old fashioned free radiowave TV signals. I make up for the energy it uses other places, with a total monthly usage (for two people) of just over 200kWh.
We are just going to have to disagree.
It is easily dissolved in water.
Wikipedia can be wrong and I've seen it wrong a lot of times, it's editable by random people, and often incomplete.
It is used in medicine every day and is the one thing that has been a godsend for my sinus problems. I can't get by without it... even a few days and I get incredibly sick. You don't seem to have any first hand knowledge in this issue.
I don't think I'm fireproof, but I can wash dishes in hot water.
I rinse my dishes in over 140* water... I don't leave my hands under that running water, that would hurt, but you don't have to hold a place full on with both hands either.
All of your bacteria and allergy information must be quite outdated from the studies I've seen, participated in and researched. I know not everyone has first hand experience in this field, or has studied so intensely for so long.
Let's agree to disagree on this issue anyway.
Solar water heaters seem like a great idea. Just here in the winter it's dark at 4pm and doesn't get light that early in the morning either... I'm thinking you'd have to be in a place that has longer days in the winter... as for summer use, I'm sure it would work fine here... bright hot sun all day.
Winter is why we have such mold problems here!
Ps. and I'm not being mean or anything negatively toned, just for informational purposes. If you start out against something you often overlook the benefits. :p
I can agree to disagree.
You kept responding, so I I kept responding. Like I said before, I never take any well-meaning debate personally. I hope you haven't either.
I used wiki just because it was quick and easy. They do link to their sources. But in my most recent comment I linked directly to the source material. One thing I avoid is using retail companies as primary sources.
A lot of things are used in medicine everyday, including homeopathy (water that once had some sort of toxin in it, and has been diluted so much that it is now just plain water) acupuncture (using needles in the skin to affect the bodies magic energy force) magnets, prayer...
People used bloodletting as medicine for hundreds of years, to allow evil spirits out of the body.
Thanks to the awesome power of the placebo effect, ALL treatments are effective. But that doesn't mean they are actually effective.
I acknowledge that if one starts out against something, they can stubbornly hold their ground in the face of new evidence. It is just as true that if one is invested in a particular belief, they will stick with it no matter what.
As to the ineffectiveness of solar in winter, that still leaves half a year for energy savings.
People don't end up in the hospital on oxygen because of placebos that they run out of... or didn't take... there are some actual things to this dimension.. lol..
There are some things that you can't say are all in someone's head.
Ozone kills mold cells. Mold spores cause allergies.
If you kill all the mold in a room, and it does not grow back, there will be no source of new spores. So, in the long run, using ozone would reduce the number of spores. However:
"While ozone can kill microorganisms, it does not remove allergens from air, even if they are dead." (Department of Health Services http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/hlthhaz/fs/moldfaqs.htm#remediation)
"Ozone generators are not recommended for mold control. Ozone is a reactive form of oxygen that is toxic to living cells. Ozone levels sufficient to kill microorganisms are predictably irritating to the eyes, nose, throat and lungs and can aggravate asthma. In some cases where ozone has been used for mold control, reported levels were high enough to present a serious health hazard in occupied spaces."
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I do not respond to evidence based on anecdote.
You aren't just allergic to spores. You can be allergic to any part of any thing at all. An altered immune reaction to something is what an allergy is. You can be allergic to things like the mousepad, without anything ever atomizing or being in the air. You'd have to live with a severe case to know about it I guess.
You have said the same thing a few times on the ozone subject. Ozone doesn't harm healthy animal cells like it does a mold or pathogen.
Lotus must have gotten it from the same place I did then.
I got my info., through http://scireg.com/
I never said people should drink ozone water, I said it was used to make clean drinking water. Before I moved I used it on all of my water... it was full of oxygen bubbles after the ozone dissipated, and it was great water.
My fish love it too.
And yes, for oxygenating purposes some people eat baking soda, and drink ozone. (hahaa maybe not at the same time)
The more oxygen you can absorb the better, that's why they have Hyperbaric chambers, and oxygenated cells don't become cancerous... and blah blah blah... oxygen sprays and oxygen bars and tanks and so on...
Here's the FDA stuff: http://www.purfresh.com/library/Ozofood.pdf
I don't know if purfresh is a product, it might be but it's still put out by the FDA.
http://www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/98fr/062601a.htm
the USDA stuff: http://www.ozonetechnologiesgroup.com/datasheet_OzoneFoodContact.php
You can't catch cancer.
The USA is 11th on the list of healthiest countries, Canada is at 8... according to here: http://www.fitsugar.com/Worlds-Healthiest-Countries-1535111 but I don't know where they got that.
I said I wouldn't recommend ozone gas to anyone for constant use in their house, and that it would only be suitable when it greatly improves the situation. Most generators don't produce enough to be a problem anyway... the very expensive ones generate 600mg/h and the cheaper ones produce in the range of 0.09 and 30mg/h and that's insufficient to take care of allergenic substances or mold problems, that actually are causing problems.
Depending on how you look at it, all information is anecdotal.... even the studies....
The byproduct of ozone is oxygen.
If you use it in the house you should do it while away and of course not with animals in the house. They usually have a timer so when you come home you can feel like you're stepping into clean fresh woods.
Even if it were a placebo, then it's curing lyme disease and chronic fatigue, allergies and all kinds of stuff... if it's helping, it's helping... (I believe it actually does something, like the studies and my life shows)
I don't know anything about pvrs or any of the tv. box stuff.
at any rate, yep, I've had enough of the allergy thing and the ozone too...
hahaa, how about ozone being produced in the woods by waterfalls, after storms, by the ocean and after rain... it's clean, fresh and makes you feel alive. That's what everyone says about my place... accept the person that's allergic to certain plants I have... :p
I'm out.
See ya.
:)
We probably have more heater tank insulation where I am in Quebec, because in the winter it can be -50 out at times... -30 is bad enough! ;p
We just moved and our electricity bill is half, the place is bigger and I cook a lot lot more... The old place had the hot water tank in the basement and there were big cracks to outside and no insulation in the whole place.... we had ice in a corner of the livingroom... sorry suckers that might be renting it now... yikes!
There should be some laws in place so that dumps like that can't be rented... it's really environmentally unfriendly.
The closet that my water heater is in at this place just seems a little warmer than the other areas in here, and in the winter I think I won't mind. :p I like to be warm.
I can't say about Canada, but here there definitely are laws that spell out minimum standards for a rental unit. But the tenant has to know about them and act on it.
Like in the USA, certain states must have different regulations somewhat.
They aren't all that high in some places, and if you want to prove it's slummy you need inspectors that cost money etc.
I think if our heater was down we'd have to sit around and wait for it to re-heat for showers... :p
The last boiler that killed here in Scandinavia was back in the late 80's, but luckily only one person passed away before the source was found.
I do believe that we DO get warned about humidifiers and water heaters here, and I don't see humidifiers around very often nearly as often as when I was a child -that may be because of that.
There's actually a trick that allows you to lower the temperature perfectly safely: Lower it to whatever low temp you want, but have a timer increase the temperature twice a week to kill them off before it's ever a problem.
And if loss of heat in the pipes is a big problem, I suggest insulating them or replacing them with pex plastic pipes that supposedly bleed off less heat than copper/brass.
I did write that suggestion in my original post, but I just went back and edited it so hopefully its more clear.
Hot water pipes should be insulated to reduce loss, I agree, but no amount of insulation will stop the heat from eventually dissipating when the faucet is turned off and hot water stays sitting in the pipe for the next few hours. Not using hot water at all when it isn't needed will still save energy.
The reason I didn't mention insulation is because it is one of those things covered by other energy saving guides, and I'm trying to focus on things that are free
I'm glad to hear you live close enough to ride for errands, and actually do it!
30-40 miles, that is a serious commute! My most was 11 miles (each way) which took about an hour. You are seriously hard-core.
One possible intermediate step you might consider is taking the bus (or your car) part of the way, and riding the rest - that way you still get in a good bike ride, and drive fewer miles, but you don't spend 4 hours a day commuting.
As to shopping by bike, I just read this yesterday: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2011/10/20/mmm-challenge-try-getting-your-groceries-with-a-bike-trailer/
that makes the difference. (and neighbors)
It would be nice to sleep naturally... Humans go back to sleeping in 2 blocks a night when left to revert back to their "natural tuning" with an hour or 2 of waking time in the middle.
It's really interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segmented_sleep
Here are some other thoughts I had:
1) Battery-powered items may be more efficient than corded for the short-term, but those batteries are only good for so many cycles, then dumpster. Naturally, you won't be able to buy replacements. They want you to buy a whole new tool instead! This bring me to my next point.
2) Planned obsolescence sucks! When making a purchase keep an eye on this. Shopping at second-hand stores helps a lot. Your 1983 microwave might look funky and not have all the cool whiz-bang, but think about it -- it's been around since the 80's! Buy a "pretty" one at the S-Mart and you'll be lucky to get two years out of it.
3) Instead of moving closer to work, try to move work closer to you! Work at home and your commute is now 0 minutes with 0% chance of getting smooshed by a bus. If you can get out of the city, you ~might~ make less pay, but cost of living is less too. To say nothing of smog, muggings, stress, and all the other finder points of humanity.
4) If you want it: grow it, raise, it build it, or fix it yourself. I'm going home right now to fix my fridge. Do I know what I'm doing? Nope. Could turn into a fiasco. But if I'm successful I save a couple grand. If not, well, it was busted anyway, so who cares! ;)
5) Your tip on hand-washing, line-drying: I've already tried this one, and I find that my clothes smell A LOT better. (Have you ever noticed dryer sheet commercials always show clothes line-drying? It's like "buy this, and you can get your clothes almost as nice as that other thing you could do for free". Saywha??) Also, though it's hard to quantify, it seems that the clothes are lasting longer not being thrashed by a metal machine.
6) The big one I've found is: Don't buy the best, buy what's 'good enough'. For a long time I always had to have the latest up-to-date computer, OS, video card, and so on. That's a good way to be one starvin' geek. Now, it's like "hey, as long as it works, I'm not upgrading". And when it stops working -- let some other schmuck absorb all the early-adopter cost. I'll go with the n-1 model for half the price, thankyouverymuch. (Not to mention since it's been out longer all the biggest bugs have been found and fixed.)
Don't the old microwaves use a lot more power and radiate you?
I had a really old fake wood paneling one, I called it the Radiation Queen, it made a weird noise... and cooked about 10 times faster than any new microwave... and it had metal parts in it... it was a crazy beast!
I don't have a microwave at all now... I have a great toaster oven... so much radiation from everything...
they have a new infrared cooker thing that is supposed to use nothing in electricity comparatively....
I'd really like to get an infrared heater for my bedroom too this winter...
my last new microwave lasted about 9 years... the power went off and on at the dump I lived in before here so many times I think it fried it, it made terrible noises and didn't heat that much... I gave it to a scrap metal guy... I don't often miss it. :)
It just should be rare, and only after lots of thought and consideration. Also, it should be something that will last a decade or more (preferably a lifetime).
Unfortunately most new things are deliberately built like crap so that people will buy a new one every six months, so you have to do a little research to find the Good Stuff (like your last microwave!)
I don't think there is any validity to the radiation scare (from leaking microwaves or cell phones). We get massive doses of radiation every single day, directly from our friend the Sun. It puts out microwaves, gamma rays, UV waves, IR waves, you name it. When you tune into static on the radio, thats radiowaves coming from the sun.
Microwaves are what they call "non-ioninzing" radiation - which basically means that it can heat things up, but it can't change molecular structures. If you climbed in a giant microwave, you might get cooked alive, but you wouldn't get cancer.
As a rule I like to keep the radiation to a minimum and get a lot of sun. :) (when possible)