Time to begin the Green Products Region, Round 2!
Low Energy Lighting
Green Pride (14/20)
I fear that LEL is beginning to follow the path of Recycling. These new Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs have been around for some time now and people are starting to take them for granted. In fact, a lot of countries now have plans to ban the sale of high energy light bulbs within the next ten years, so after that point, people will take no pride in doing what is really the only option that they have.
But for now, people are pretty proud of the fact that they are able to cut down their energy bills by buying light bulbs that look somewhat silly and whimsical.
Green Guilt (6/20)
People aren't too guilty about not using these new light bulbs. Right now there are too many excuses (many not valid) for not wanting to upgrade their lights. They're too expensive (the lower electricity costs pay for themselves within a year or so), they have odd coloring (newer technologies have fixed that), they take too long to turn on (really, you can't wait 1/2 of a second?).
Reader Comments (0/10)
Make sure to comment!
High Efficiency Toilets
Green Pride (12/20)
I really do want to give this a higher score, because I think people would be (and most likely are) proud of their water-free toilets. But when I'm rating these ideas, I like to think about how often and how vocally people like to brag about owning the product. And the one thing that society has taught us well is that you don't talk about toilets to strangers at parties. That's just really weird, even if composting your own waste is really good for the environment.
Green Guilt (7/20)
People will feel pretty darn guilty some day. Right now, things aren't too bad and water is something that is fairly common. But once droughts begin taking hold and water is something that is almost as scarce (and valuable) as oil, people will begin singing a different song. So for now, I'll have to give this a low-ish rating, but if it makes you feel any better, I'll give this one a few future point that can be redeemed in 5 years.
Reader Comments (2/10)
Just think! You, too could contribute to the winner of this tournament!
Time to tally the scores!
Low Energy Lighting: 20
High Efficiency Toilets: 21
I hope you aren't too UPSET by that result! Come on back tomorrow to see how (2) Canvas Bags and (3) Recycled Products fare against one another.
Showing posts with label high efficiency toilets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label high efficiency toilets. Show all posts
Friday, July 9, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Tournament Round 1, Match 14 - (4) Insulation vs. (5) High Efficiency Toilets
Time for (4) Insulation to take on (5) High Efficiency Toilets!
Insulation
Ah, Insulation. It's really nothing new or revolutionary, but it is pretty important in the Global War on Global Warming.
Impact on the Environment (9/15):
Having proper Insulation is like flossing, it's really good to have, but it seems like not enough people actually do it. Insulation keeps energy bills down and reduces the need for natural gas or coal. That's good, I suppose, but there is the issue of what to do with Insulation when it's done being used. It doesn't really break down all that easy, so it's hard to landfill.
Practicality (9/10):
Every home should have enough Insulation. The only issue is for older homes where the Insulation has worn down or never put in in the first place.
Sustainability (8/10):
There's no reason why Insulation shouldn't be around for as long as houses exist. Even if Global Warming warms up the planet, we'll need Insulation for the extra A/C that we'll need in our homes.
Awesomeness (3/10):
Who, other than the good people at Owens Corning, really even cares about Insulation?
User Input (0/5):
Nope, don't see anything here.
High Efficiency Toilets
HET are much like LEL from yesterday, except with water instead of electricity.
Impact on the Environment (12/15):
HET last for a looooong time. Well, all toilets do, but if you think about all the water that can be saved over the life of a toilet, it's mind boggling. If your toilet uses even one gallon less of water for every flush, that comes out to maybe 10 gallons per day or 3650 gallons per year. If a toilet lasts for 50 years, that's 182,500 gallons over the life of the toilet. I'd say that's significant.
Practicality (8/10):
Sure, they're more expensive than regular toilets, but as technology improves and economies of scale take over, the prices come down and HET becomes more of a viable option. That and once we start having droughts, water's going to be pretty darn expensive.
Sustainability (8/10):
Like I mentioned with the LEL, HET is a technology that will keep advancing. What's high efficiency now will be obsolete within 15 or 20 years. Within my lifetime, it's likely that waterfree toilets could become popular.
Awesomeness (7/10):
You know how much I love toilets and bathrooms and such. Just go back and read my old Green Tips and you'll see that. I mention toilets much more often than Insulation.
User Input (1/5):
Ohhhh, I finally get how this is like the World Cup. With a score of 1-0, HET takes it in the awesomeness category!
Alright, let's tally those scores!
Insulation: 29
High Efficiency Toilets: 36
Well, there you have it, toilets always seem to come out on top. Come on back on Friday to learn which is better: (3) Recycled Products or (6) Rechargeable Batteries. And make sure to comment about which one you prefer!
Insulation
Ah, Insulation. It's really nothing new or revolutionary, but it is pretty important in the Global War on Global Warming.
Impact on the Environment (9/15):
Having proper Insulation is like flossing, it's really good to have, but it seems like not enough people actually do it. Insulation keeps energy bills down and reduces the need for natural gas or coal. That's good, I suppose, but there is the issue of what to do with Insulation when it's done being used. It doesn't really break down all that easy, so it's hard to landfill.
Practicality (9/10):
Every home should have enough Insulation. The only issue is for older homes where the Insulation has worn down or never put in in the first place.
Sustainability (8/10):
There's no reason why Insulation shouldn't be around for as long as houses exist. Even if Global Warming warms up the planet, we'll need Insulation for the extra A/C that we'll need in our homes.
Awesomeness (3/10):
Who, other than the good people at Owens Corning, really even cares about Insulation?
User Input (0/5):
Nope, don't see anything here.
High Efficiency Toilets
HET are much like LEL from yesterday, except with water instead of electricity.
Impact on the Environment (12/15):
HET last for a looooong time. Well, all toilets do, but if you think about all the water that can be saved over the life of a toilet, it's mind boggling. If your toilet uses even one gallon less of water for every flush, that comes out to maybe 10 gallons per day or 3650 gallons per year. If a toilet lasts for 50 years, that's 182,500 gallons over the life of the toilet. I'd say that's significant.
Practicality (8/10):
Sure, they're more expensive than regular toilets, but as technology improves and economies of scale take over, the prices come down and HET becomes more of a viable option. That and once we start having droughts, water's going to be pretty darn expensive.
Sustainability (8/10):
Like I mentioned with the LEL, HET is a technology that will keep advancing. What's high efficiency now will be obsolete within 15 or 20 years. Within my lifetime, it's likely that waterfree toilets could become popular.
Awesomeness (7/10):
You know how much I love toilets and bathrooms and such. Just go back and read my old Green Tips and you'll see that. I mention toilets much more often than Insulation.
User Input (1/5):
Ohhhh, I finally get how this is like the World Cup. With a score of 1-0, HET takes it in the awesomeness category!
Alright, let's tally those scores!
Insulation: 29
High Efficiency Toilets: 36
Well, there you have it, toilets always seem to come out on top. Come on back on Friday to learn which is better: (3) Recycled Products or (6) Rechargeable Batteries. And make sure to comment about which one you prefer!
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