Maui Eco Tips
Simple things you can do to get greener…and save green, too. by Anu Yagi
THREADS Save energy while preserving the integrity of your clothes by washing in cold water. Fabric fibers expand when subjected to hot water, releasing dark dyes (thus, fading faster), and subsequent contraction is the cause of notorious shrinkage. Protein-based stains (like bodily fluids and dairy products), will set permanently, and delicates (like lace, knits and most synthetics) break down faster under the duress of heat. The same hot logic applies to dryers (not to mention the thread wear of tumbling), so line-drying is a no-brainer, especially with Maui’s abundant sunshine. GRINDS Freon puts the frigid in your refrigerator, cooled as it runs through the unit’s rear condenser coils (similar to how a radiator functions). Allowing for airflow is essential to efficiency. This can only be accomplished by maintaining sufficient clearance from surrounding walls, as recommended by manufacturers, and checking to ensure the coil area (underneath too) is free of dust and debris like rogue paper towels. Make sure door seals are in proper condition—in place and intact, with no cracks or tears—because any warm air inside will cause the fridge to cycle more frequently, using more electricity. Also, too much crap atop your icebox can trap rising heat, like wearing a cap in the cold. RIDES Keeping up with routine servicing is paramount to extending the life of your vehicle(s) and improving fuel efficiency. Engines run on an air and fuel mixture, so poor airflow burns more gas. Changing your car’s air filter is not only inexpensive, but for the under-hood savvy it’s a DIY activity that takes less time than flossing your teeth. It’s more complicated, but the strength of the ignition makes a big difference, so change your spark plugs and, of course, your oil.
