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Green Garage – Part I



When I got a recycling bin for the house, someone I know said, and I quote, “Don’t take me on this ride with you.” And after the hundredth time of fishing his Diet Dr. Pepper cans out of the regular trash, I realized he didn’t even intend to stand in line for the ride. So I found myself alone in my quest to ‘save the planet.’

Now I’m not pretending to be the world’s best environmentalist, but I do believe there are little things we could all be doing to help make a difference. Of course there are also big ways to go green as well. Take a look at this article from Popular Mechanics. Jay is definitely doing his part…

(For the record, I did see a certain someone in the house finish off the orange juice the other morning and toss the empty jug into the recycling bin. Baby steps.)


See Comments on the forum.

waltmcq

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
252
Location
PT
I live in a hippy town in the northwest so recycling has been around for awhile. My new shop was built by a contractor that walks the line of price vs environment. I could build my new shop and feel a little better about doing it. I would love to get a parts cleaner that isn't so deadly for the world. And a couple of solar panels wouldn't hurt......

money money money
 

Jerm

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Joined
Oct 23, 2007
Messages
104
Location
Nebraska
There is some good info there, I would love to put in a wind turbine on the garage.
 
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bluesman2a

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
Messages
1,312
Location
Atlanta, Ga.
Anybody have any experience with the AO Smith Vertex water heaters?

We recently looked at replacing our electric water heater with a tankless and all the installation $'s made it cost prohibitive. This looks like a nice alternative, but I'm wondering about the reality.
 

bomber

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Joined
Aug 31, 2006
Messages
207
Location
Group W Bench
I know three families with tankless water heaters -- two have had great luck, and love em -- one has been waiting for parts (and hot water) for much longer than I'd be willing to wait (over a month) --

it's a great idea, if the infrastructure is in place to support it (trained service people, for those not inclined to service their own, parts . . . )
 

luvair

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2008
Messages
109
If I can get zoning to approve property to build a large dream garage, I want to pursue solar. Solar canl be important, options for heat pumps will be important.
The "treasury rescue bill" that passed included 2 key provisions regarding renewable energy - they have 30% I believe, tax CREDIT, for renewable energy installations such as solar and heat pumps instead of a limited $ write off. This is a major change. If oil was $5 a gallon, it will indeed be $5 yet again, and higher.
 

e-tek

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2007
Messages
10,690
Location
Saskatoon, SK
My shop is WAY more environmentally freindly than was my Dad's with no insulation and a coal and oil-burning heater! (Plus, I take my oil to the quick lube now, while he poured it into a corner of the yard...) So I'm happy and don't think I'll be adding solar panels to operate my compressor anytime soon!
 
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