What Are Some Simmple Ways That Consumers Can Reduce Petroleum Consumption?

Question

Petroleum is everywhere, not just in your gas tank. There is a lot of talk about alternative fuels but what about alternatives for other petroleum applications.

What are some simple ways that a consumer can reduce petroleum dependency?

Answer 1

Other petroleum uses:

1. Plastics: stick with reusable items instead of plastic throw-aways (razors, forks and spoons, cups and glasses, ...) Carry a fabric shopping bag. Be aware of unnecessary use of plastics. Recycle.
2. Fertilizers: don't use indiscriminately. Try to find renewable organic substitutes.
3. Foods: eat more foods that are produced near where we live to reduce transportation costs.
4. Household propane and heating oil: use programmable thermostat and set reasonable temperatures. Update furnace and appliances to energy efficient models. Insulate and seal leaks.
5. Be aware of and limit consumption of nonfuel petroleum products such as asphalt, roofing tar, cosmetics, fabrics, detergents, medical products, lubricating oils and greases, solvents in paints and lacquers, and paraffin in polishes, candles, candies, and packaging.

Answer 2

Ride a bike! Get a cheap commuter with panniers and then a nice road bike you will be hooked! Cycling is the new golf. Plus you lose fat, gain muscle and get fit while looking out for the evironment, all good.

Answer 3

Walk or ride your bike most places, when in a pinch, take public transportation. Buy the old time push lawn mowers with the rotating blades, ditch the weed eater and use clippers.

Answer 4

Drive less. There is no other answer. Why would you want to reduce other uses of petroleum anyway?

Answer 5

initiate using a motorbike, walk, or maybe take the transit. no longer in basic terms will you carry on gasoline intake and help to maintain our air purifier yet i comprehend in Canada you would be getting tax breaks for determining to purchase bus passes. regrettably, that's no longer an selection for all, simply by a pair people vacationing via the GTA for buisness, yet maximum people ought to constructive do our area.

Answer 6

Try and take the bus more, ride a bike. Good old walking never hurt anyone.

Answer 7

Bike walk or carpool

Answer 8

Energy Use
___ I turn off lights when not using them
___ I make the best use of natural lighting by opening curtains during the day
___ I make the best use of light by closing curtains at night
___ I don't leave the TV on unnecessarily
___ I don't leave the computer on when not in use.
___ I watch for electrical vampires: items which use electricity even when not turned on (TV, stereo, cell phone chargers, etc.)
___ I turn the water heater thermostat down to 120°F
___ I have set the energy saving options so the computer shuts off the monitor and disk-drive when not used for 10 minutes.
___ I hang my laundry outdoors to dry
___ I wash only full loads of laundry
___ I wash the dishes by hand
___ I buy "clean energy" from the electric company
___ I adjust my schedule to take advantage of natural daylight
___ I have weather-striped, insulated, caulked, etc.
___ I have replaced standard light switches with dimmers on the fixtures that use over 150 watts or over 2000 lumens
___ I have insulated the water heater and hot water pipes.
___ I have put my electric water heater on a timer, so i will have hot water when i need it, but it won’t be wasting energy the rest of the day
___ I use a setback thermostat
___ I have replaced all my incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents
___ I buy only energy efficient appliances when replacing older appliances
___ I have installed a solar hot water system
___ I have installed solar voltaic panels to produce electricity
___ I have installed a wind turbine to produce electricity

Heating & Cooling
___ I turn-up the thermostat (to no less then 78°F) in the summer and use a fan to help feel cool
___ I turn-down the thermostat (to no more then 68°F) in the winter
___ I dress appropriately for the season
___ I close blinds & curtains in unused rooms
___ In the summer I close the blinds and curtains in those windows where the sun is coming in
___ I don't leave fans on when nobody is in the room
___ In the winter, I purposely let the sun come in during the day to heat the house
___ I have sun shades over the East, West, and South side windows of the house in the summer
___ I don't leave the house doors, refrigerator doors, or windows open longer than necessary
___ I prepare cold meals (salads, soups, etc.) in the summer
___ I minimize my indoor cooking and baking in the summer
___ I keep the coils on the back of the refrigerator clean
___ I have made or bought a solar oven and cook in the sun-light
___ I have installed double or triple pane windows
___ I have plants near the house to help keep it cool from the evaporation through the leaves
___ I have planted trees on the East and West sides of the house
___ I have planted deciduous trees on the South side of the house
___ I properly maintain my evaporative cooler and air conditioner
___ I have ensured my heating & cooling equipment is not older than 15 years

Water
___ I don't let the water run while I'm brushing my teeth
___ I water plants during dawn & dusk, and not when the sun can will evaporate much of the water
___ I turn the shower off while lathering
___ I maintain my plumbing to avoid wasting any water
___ I plant native, low-water-use trees and shrubs (zeriscape)
___ I use the rain water from the roof for the lawn and garden
___ I have mulched outdoor planting areas to maintain moisture
___ I have installed a low-water use shower head
___ I keep my pool covered to reduce evaporation
___ I maintain outdoor sprinkler systems in good working condition and avoid over-watering
___ I have replaced my lawn with mulch and edibles
___ I reuse water from my shower, bathroom sink, and/or washing machine (gray-water) for the lawn and garden

Transportation
___ I call ahead to stores rather than driving around to look for an item I need.
___ I conduct business by phone instead of driving there
___ I send correspondence by e-mail rather than snail-mail
___ I frequent stores, schools, churches, and other services within walking or biking distance
___ I always walk, bike, carpool, or take the bus
___ I am working on developing friendships within walking and biking distance of my house
___ When driving, I drive no more than 55 mph.
___ I roll the windows down for cooling when driving under 50 mph
___ I maintain my vehicle properly with monthly inspections, including inflating my tires appropriately & ensuring no uneven wearing of tires
___ When driving, I anticipate stops, taking my foot off the accelerator ahead of time
___ I drive a hybrid, electric car, a smaller gas engine car, or use waste vegetable oil in a small diesel
___ I vacation locally rather than traveling to distant places

Food
___ I buy local produce (it takes energy to transport it)
___ I buy organic produce
___ I eat lower on the food chain (more vegetables & fruits, little or no meat, and more nuts)
___ I re-use paper shopping bags or use canvas shopping bags
___ I compost kitchen vegetable & fruit scraps
___ I grow some of my own food
___ I don't use chemical pesticides in the garden; I use only organic products or methods
___ I use Permaculture principles to grow food

Household and Personal Items
___ I don't buy highly packaged items
___ I buy only what I need and don't shop as a hobby or pastime
___ I don't buy products in aerosol spray cans
___ I recycle properly
___ I buy previously owned (used) things at second-hand stores or yard sales
___ I donate things I no longer need
___ I put good items I no longer need in front of my house with a sign: FREE
___ I use ’s list-serves
___ I make do with what I have in order to live more simply
___ I make my own homemade things rather than buying whenever I can
___ I put extra effort into taking care of what I have so it lasts longer
___ I repair rather than discard items
___ I look for free items in the alleys during bulk pick-up
___ I cut up scrap paper to reuse as notepaper & shred the rest for composting
___ I don't use chemical cleaning products; only organic biodegradable cleaning products
___ I use natural soaps and deodorants
___ I use pesticide free cotton or hemp clothing

More… ___ I printed this double-sided
___ I made a copy before using ___ I gave one to a friend
___ I checked the below websites to learn more:



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According to a recent study by ICF Consulting (funded by HUD and the EPA) Energy saving measures such as solar can add $20 of home value for every $1 of yearly energy cost savings!

Answer 9

My sugestion is to carpool with other people and not drive alone if u can help it

Answer 10

Buy things in glass jars, not plastic ones.