Jumping on the bandwagon

[simonm]

In the UK we have a new TV series called "No Waste Like Home", basically aimed at reducing waste in the home by doing a makeover on a number of wasteful families. It uses a self publicist environmental campaigner whose main claim to environmental credentials is having a composting toilet. She's also got cavity wall insulation and an insulated loft - hasn't everybody?
Sadly the programme loses the plot when it gets to fridges / freezers. The recommendation is to scrap the old freezer and buy a new more efficient one!!! Why not keep the old one and turn it into a far more efficient version by adding an additional layer of insulation. Simply stick on layers of expanded polystyrene foam - obviously not over the radiator at the rear! The thicker the foam the less work the compressor / cooler has to do, the greater the overall efficiency of the freezer, potentially better than a new freezer and certainly better than adding to landfill.

[Andrea]

This show must be doing something right, it's generated three seperate posts on it already and we've only had one episode

[railgal]

Originally Posted by simonm

In the UK we have a new TV series called "No Waste Like Home", basically aimed at reducing waste in the home by doing a makeover on a number of wasteful families. It uses a self publicist environmental campaigner whose main claim to environmental credentials is having a composting toilet. She's also got cavity wall insulation and an insulated loft - hasn't everybody?
Sadly the programme loses the plot when it gets to fridges / freezers. The recommendation is to scrap the old freezer and buy a new more efficient one!!! Why not keep the old one and turn it into a far more efficient version by adding an additional layer of insulation. Simply stick on layers of expanded polystyrene foam - obviously not over the radiator at the rear! The thicker the foam the less work the compressor / cooler has to do, the greater the overall efficiency of the freezer, potentially better than a new freezer and certainly better than adding to landfill.

This show sound really interesting.
But your suggestion on improving the insulating factor, brings in mind something that would not be cosmetically pleasing to behold. My experience with the expanding foam, can be somewhat demanding, as it sometimes expands into places that you don't want it to go. Also, since cold air tends to sink, how do you insulate the bottom more?

[Claire]

A tricky one this - if you do a "life cycle analysis" (basically an assessment of all the environmental impacts of a products from the production of its raw materials, through manufacture, transport to shops then to home, use, and disposal) then by far the greatest impact is in the use phase. I mean it's about 90% of the total impact. Which implies that Penney was correct in this, as modern freezers will be quite a lot more efficient than old ones even modified as you suggest.
But I do see your point about landfill. I guess it's a case of keeping freezers and fridges for a reasonable length of time (although how long that would be I'm not sure) and ensuring that as much as possible is recycled - which of course is compulsory now under the WEEE directive.

[MarkuisMellvile]

Originally Posted by simonm

She's also got cavity wall insulation and an insulated loft - hasn't everybody?

No, Simon, they haven't. New houses do have, but the vast majority of our housing stock was built too early for that to have been included.

As most posts on the forum will show you, even though an increasing awareness of the issues exists among the population, bery few actually do all of the things you could list as no brainers!

Most people are either too ignorant, irresponsible or selfish to do anything that might make the world a better place; particularly if it requires them to spend a little money or time in organising themselves better!

In the current climate and throwaway society we are part of, Penney is likley to have a far greater impact by encouraging people to go out and buy a shiny new AA rated appliance than by suggesting ways to enhance the efficiency of existing white goods. People generally want the newest thing. Her efforts are making efficient homes part of the new and trendy set's aspirations.

Besides which, most people have the skills to go to Curry's or Dixons to buy a new fridge/freezer on credit, whereas few think they could actually improve their existing one without making it ugly. The appearance matters more than how much power it uses, to most people at least!

MM
MM

[mgopilot]

Originally Posted by MarkuisMellvile

No, Simon, they haven't. New houses do have, but the vast majority of our housing stock was built too early for that to have been included.

As most posts on the forum will show you, even though an increasing awareness of the issues exists among the population, bery few actually do all of the things you could list as no brainers!

Most people are either too ignorant, irresponsible or selfish to do anything that might make the world a better place; particularly if it requires them to spend a little money or time in organising themselves better!

In the current climate and throwaway society we are part of, Penney is likley to have a far greater impact by encouraging people to go out and buy a shiny new AA rated appliance than by suggesting ways to enhance the efficiency of existing white goods. People generally want the newest thing. Her efforts are making efficient homes part of the new and trendy set's aspirations.

Besides which, most people have the skills to go to Curry's or Dixons to buy a new fridge/freezer on credit, whereas few think they could actually improve their existing one without making it ugly. The appearance matters more than how much power it uses, to most people at least!

MM
MM

You are wise beyond your years, MM.