It’s October 15th, and once again we’re sharing eco-friendly tips from Almost-Doctor Dan for Blog Action Day 2009. Since we regularly cover practical ways to live greener and give back to the planet (we even have an Eco Living section on our How To page), this online event was a natural fit. But instead of repeating the usual “use CFLs” and “remember to recycle” advice, we asked my scientifically minded brother to offer fresh, science-based suggestions for conserving energy and money.
For those unfamiliar with my brother’s background, here’s a quick summary of his credentials: he graduated from Cornell with the highest GPA in his class (a 4.21) and served as the valedictorian of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He’s now a graduate student at Columbia working toward a doctorate in chemistry on a National Science Foundation scholarship, which even provides a stipend to cover living expenses while he spends long hours in the lab. In short: he knows his stuff.
We figured he’d bring a thoughtful perspective on energy-saving approaches, and he did. Many of his suggestions not only save energy, they simplify life and lower costs. Here’s what Almost-Doctor Dan recommends:
Tip #1: Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius regardless of how vigorously it’s boiling (altitude and dissolved substances like salt or sugar cause minor changes). When you cook pasta, hard-boiled eggs, corn on the cob or anything that requires boiling water, the food cooks at the same rate whether the water is at a rolling boil or a gentle simmer. Many people waste gas or electricity by maintaining a full rolling boil when a simmer would do the job. Once water is boiling, most additional energy goes into turning water into steam rather than heating the food, so using a simmering boil saves energy without slowing cooking time.
Tip #2: On a gas stove, the hottest part of the flame is at the tip. If the flame’s diameter is larger than the pot, much of the heat bypasses the pot and is wasted. Use a flame that fits the size of your cookware so it stays completely under the pot. A properly sized, contained flame heats more efficiently and reduces wasted gas.
Tip #3: While saving air conditioning in summer is useful, heating homes in winter consumes far more energy in many regions. For example, maintaining a 10°F differential in summer (say 80°F outside to 70°F inside) is much less demanding than maintaining a 40°F differential in winter (30°F outside to 70°F inside). Because heat loss increases with larger temperature differences, lowering your thermostat a few degrees in winter can yield substantial energy and cost savings. Likewise, modestly raising the thermostat in summer helps too.
We also reached out to our friend Kristin, another scientist training in Germany, to gather additional suggestions she’s studied and used. She’s involved in research exploring blue-green algae for solar-driven hydrogen production — a promising future energy source — but she also shared practical everyday steps anyone can take.
Kristin’s reminders and suggestions:
- Keep windows closed and well sealed in winter to prevent heat loss.
- Use a clothesline or air-dry some laundry instead of running the dryer frequently.
- Compost kitchen scraps to reduce waste and the need for purchased fertilizer.
- Install a programmable thermostat to reduce energy use while keeping comfort.
- Grow fruits and vegetables in your garden when possible to reduce trips to the store and enjoy fresher produce.
She also highlighted steps that reduce greenhouse gases specifically:
- Choose furniture made from locally sourced wood and avoid tropical hardwoods like teak when possible.
- Eat seasonal produce from local farmers to cut transport and storage energy.
- Eat less meat—especially beef—since cattle produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
- When replacing heating or hot water systems, research energy-saving options such as heat exchangers, improved insulation, or solar technology that can save money over time.
Kristin also warned about some commonly touted “eco-friendly” choices that can be misleading:
- Local but unseasonal produce: Storing local fruits for months in cold storage can sometimes use more energy than importing fresh produce from a region where it’s in season. Choosing produce that’s actually in season locally is the greener option.
- Biofuels: Some biofuels contribute to deforestation and habitat loss when land is cleared for crops like corn or oil palm. Cleaner long-term options for vehicles may include electricity or hydrogen, which can be produced from renewable sources and adapt to future systems without replacing entire fleets.
- Electronic recycling: Recycling electronics can recover valuable metals, but in many places informal recycling exposes workers to toxic substances. Extend the lifespan of your devices by repairing, donating, or reselling them so they avoid premature disposal in hazardous conditions.
In short, Kristin isn’t saying everyone must go meat-free or install solar panels tomorrow. Her point is that small, sustainable changes—like adopting a weekly meatless meal, air-drying bulky items occasionally, or using local seasonal produce—add up. Simple actions such as selling or donating old electronics, using community swap sites, or choosing seasonal fruits at the farmer’s market can save money, reduce waste, and make a positive environmental impact.
Every little bit helps. If you’ve adopted other energy-saving habits or earth-friendly practices, we’d love to hear what’s working for you.
P.S. If you’re curious about more radical lifestyle experiments, there are no-impact and low-impact challenges out there that show how much can change by simplifying daily life. They’re not for everyone, but they can be inspiring.