This Assignment Is Designed To Help You Reflect On The ✓ Solved

This assignment is designed to help you reflect on the

This assignment is designed to help you reflect on the environmental practices in your home. For the audit, you will each select ten topics of interest in regards to environmental aspects of your household operations. The topics you may choose from are:

  • Waste management: Composting, Trash produced, Recycling, Fast fashion, Paper decor
  • Water: Faucet efficiency, Toilet efficiency, Showers (length, efficiency, temperature, etc.), Washing machine type, Water used to produce your clothing, Water source, Irrigation (sprinklers, drip systems, water barrels, etc.)
  • Energy: Appliance efficiency, Computers, Power source sustainability, Water heater type, Lighting (type, efficiency, age), Energy vampires, External shade on roof (trees, etc.)
  • Air handling: Insulation, Window/doorway sealant, AC age, Keeping vents clear

Task: Select ten topics listed above. Write a paragraph (minimum) discussing how you address and/or implement each topic (ten paragraphs total - minimum). Does your home actively plan accommodations for this topic? What could you do to better on this subject? How much would it roughly cost to do so (look up what it would cost to replace equipment if necessary, ballpark figures are okay)? Evaluate your home. Do you consider your home "green"? Why or why not? Propose some monetarily and personally feasible changes that you/your family should consider. What to submit: Generate a report with the following sections and submit to the assignment dropbox: Introduction - Discuss the specifics of your home. How many people live there? How large is it? This section should familiarize the reader with your home. Topic Discussions - Include the description of each topic in this section. Evaluation - Include your evaluation in this section. References - Include all reference material (MLA format). Minimum word count is 750.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

In the ongoing quest to promote sustainable living, evaluating the environmental practices of one’s home has become increasingly important. My household comprises four members: my spouse, our two children, and myself. We reside in a modest, 2,000 square foot home located in a suburban neighborhood. The home is equipped with standard amenities and services which form the basis of our daily living and environmental practices. In this report, I will explore various environmental aspects of our household operations, emphasizing ten specific topics such as waste management, water efficiency, energy consumption, and air handling. My analysis will detail our current practices, evaluate their effectiveness, and suggest potential improvements while considering both financial feasibility and personal impact.

1. Waste Management - Composting

Our family actively engages in composting to reduce kitchen waste. We utilize a simple compost bin in our backyard that accommodates organic waste such as vegetable peels and fruit scraps. Research indicates that composting can reduce landfill waste substantially (EPA, 2021). The initial cost of the compost bin was approximately $60, which is relatively low considering its environmental benefits. However, we could enhance our composting by using a tumbling composter for better aeration at a cost of about $120.

2. Waste Management - Recycling

Recycling is a significant practice in our home; we have designated bins for paper, plastics, and metals. Each month, we recycle approximately 150 pounds of materials, contributing to the reduction of waste sent to landfills (EPA, 2021). However, we could do better by educating ourselves on local recycling rules and increasing our effort to recycle electronic waste properly, which would require additional services that average around $40 for pickup.

3. Water - Faucet Efficiency

We have installed faucet aerators in our kitchen and bathrooms to conserve water. These devices reduce water flow without compromising pressure. The average household saves over 700 gallons of water annually through such installations (USGS, 2020). The cost for this upgrade was about $15 for each faucet. Looking forward, we could consider replacing older faucets with WaterSense certified models at an approximate cost of $200 each to enhance efficiency further.

4. Water - Toilet Efficiency

Our toilets are equipped with low-flow mechanisms, conserving approximately 1.6 gallons per flush. This technology significantly reduces our water usage and lowers our utility bills (EPA, 2020). The installation of low-flow toilets cost around $300 each. We could replace an older toilet with a dual-flush model for about $350, allowing for even greater savings.

5. Energy - Appliance Efficiency

In our kitchen, the appliances are energy-efficient models, which have helped to lower our energy costs. The refrigerator and washer-dryer units were chosen for their Energy Star ratings, indicating high efficiency (DOE, 2021). The combined cost for these appliances was nearly $3,000. We are considering upgrading our dishwasher, which is an older model, estimated to cost about $800 for a new energy-efficient replacement.

6. Energy - Lighting

The lighting in our home has shifted from incandescent to LED lights, which consume at least 75% less energy (DOE, 2021). The cost of replacing all bulbs was around $200, with an estimated annual savings of $100 on the electricity bill. To improve further, we might install smart lighting systems that could add about $150 - $500 initially but would offer increased energy control.

7. Energy - Power Source Sustainability

We currently rely on the local power grid, which sources its energy from a mix of fossil fuels and renewables. Although our home does not yet utilize solar panels, we have gathered estimates showing that a full installation could cost upwards of $20,000. However, the long-term savings on energy bills, combined with available tax credits, make it a financially sound investment for the future (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2021).

8. Air Handling - Insulation

Our home is fitted with fiberglass insulation, which helps maintain temperature efficiency. This upgrade cost us around $2,000 for installation; however, it has shown to significantly reduce our heating and cooling bills (Energy Star, 2020). We could enhance efficiency further by insulating our garage and attic for an estimated additional cost of $1,500.

9. Air Handling - Window/Doorway Sealant

We have applied weather stripping and caulking to windows and doors to minimize air leaks, which are common sources of energy loss in homes. These materials cost roughly $50 and are an effective solution for improving our home’s air handling capabilities (DOE, 2021). For the future, we could invest in storm windows, which, although costing around $500 per window, could offer significant energy savings.

10. Air Handling - AC Age

The air conditioning unit in our home is over ten years old, and while it still operates adequately, it is not as efficient as newer models available today. The estimated cost of a replacement is around $4,000, but newer systems could save us at least 20% on cooling costs annually (Energy Star, 2020). Upgrading this system represents a crucial step toward improving our home’s overall environmental efficiency.

Evaluation

Considering the entirety of our household operations, I would rate our home as moderately green. We have taken significant steps toward sustainability through various initiatives and improvements. However, there are areas where we can enhance our efforts. Further investments in renewable energy and efficient systems will not only benefit our environment but also provide long-term financial savings. Transitioning to a more sustainable home requires evaluating our practices and continually striving to implement better solutions.

References