7
votes
Accepted
Is it absolutely necessary to agitate/rotate a compost bin?
The bigger the composting pile is, the least turning it needs, because most of the pile remains sheltered from the dry / temperature-changing outside.
If you want to have a compost at your place with ...
- 1,407
7
votes
Accepted
Any problem with storing compost in a sealed container for several weeks? Alternatives?
When you seal everything airtight the contents of your bin will start to decompose anaerobically. There are no big problems with this, but there are a few downsides:
anaerobic decomposition is slower ...
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3
votes
Accepted
Will this work to prevent my pipes from freezing?
Clarification of terms: Your tap is the downstream end. The City water supply is the upstream end.
My understanding of your situation:
City
Waterline
Building shutoff vale
Local distribution valve
...
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3
votes
Accepted
Good alternatives to a fuel oil heating system in an apartment block
TL, DR Solar thermal with a gas burner for peak demand. Possibly improved isolation.
First, you need exact data on how much heat you need, and when, during the year and during each day.
This should ...
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3
votes
How can I be more energy efficient in an apartment?
First, you should really find out what is causing your high electric bill.
You can use watt-o-meter, or simply search. Concentrate on big power eaters, especially anything with heater elements.
...
- 159
2
votes
Good alternatives to a fuel oil heating system in an apartment block
You could definitely switch to an efficient gas boiler system with proper controls to run "cleaner" and more efficiently. Depending on gas/oil prices in your area, this may or may not be economically ...
- 123
2
votes
Low-cost solar energy alternatives to power a single appliance in an apartment?
If you don't have that refrigerator yet and you are a small household, consider what they sometimes have in camping vans. They put a solar panel on the roof and use it to top up a normal 12 volt car ...
- 425
2
votes
Accepted
Most efficient cheap heating system for small apartment in the US midwest?
I'll assume for now the earlier answer on indoor heating systems that you linked remains correct, and address two other points.
Heat pump efficiency and temperature
Engineering toolbox provides a ...
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1
vote
Will this work to prevent my pipes from freezing?
Why not simply install trace htg to the problematic pipe? Of course that's assuming you can access it! Insulation, of itself, does not stop freezing but simply slows down the heat loss.
1
vote
Any problem with storing compost in a sealed container for several weeks? Alternatives?
I can't imagine this will cause you any problems. The only difference is the anaerobic (no oxygen) bacteria will be doing more work in your sealed container instead of aerobic bacteria (requiring ...
- 375
1
vote
Low-cost solar energy alternatives to power a single appliance in an apartment?
Something I've been experimenting with for lighting is called the "Alum Battery" (a good search phrase for youtube or google). If you can find a cheap enough source of aluminum sulfate, you can ...
- 11
1
vote
Good alternatives to a fuel oil heating system in an apartment block
If you have it available switching to natural gas will produce less CO2.
If you have renewable energy surpluses, then TES (Thermal Energy Storage) makes lots of sense. You use MUCH larger water ...
- 7,207
1
vote
How can I be more energy efficient in an apartment?
I know it is not easy, but it starts when you are looking for a new flat to rent. That is the moment when you can influence most your later possibilities to save energy or to live sustainable. Beside ...
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vote
How can I be more energy efficient in an apartment?
Do an inventory of all the light fixtures in your apartment, and re-distribute light bulbs based on how much light you need and how often you need it.
First, for each bulb you have, determine the ...
- 11.8k
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