"Living With Ed": 9/24/07

LuvMySoldier · **"Living With Ed": 9/24/07**

As far as my notes, here's what was discussed on the show last night:

1. Solar Halloween/Holiday outdoor lighting!!
By far, my favorite segment of the show!! I'd never seen these before, but if I saw them in the store, I might buy them! What about you? Would you buy them? At the end of the show, when they showed them lit up, they didn't seem all that bright to me.

2. 2-button, Low-flow toilet & shower:
I knew about low-flow toilets, but someone mentioned there being buttons on the top of the tank which allowed you to choose a "half-flush" or "full flush". Interesting...

3. Pitzer College, Claremont, CA.: The "Conservation College"
Claiming that once finished, it will be the "greenest college campus in the US"!!
I think this is a great way to introduce young people to "green living" and show them first-hand that it IS a "livable" environment. I liked the way they designed the dorms, with dutch doors, ventilating windows over the doors, the automatic shut-off on the A/C unit when windows were opened, and the recycled fiber carpets!! Read more about Pitzer College here: Sustainability @ Pitzer College Apparently, they held a dedication ceremony yesterday!!

4. Feng Shui:
Well, as far as new information about Feng Shui, I have to say I really didn't learn anything new - except that Ed was kind of "put off" with the whole idea. Especially when the Feng Shui master suggested hanging a mirror backwards on the wall (not sure if it was in the kitchen or attached bathroom) to ward away "bad Chi" having to do with money going down the toilet. I'd heard of that before, but never heard of hanging a mirror backwards. But I have to say I liked the "flow" of Rachelles' living room better after she re-arranged it!!

5. CFL's:
I have to admit that I had no idea that CFLs came in any other form other than "squiggly light bulbs"! DH just bought some yesterday, and replaced some more of our light bulbs with the squiggly kind, and I asked if HE knew they came in any other shape. He said he did, but that was news to me! Ed stated that CFLs use 75% less energy, and last for 100 times LONGER than regular bulbs!! Great information!!

What did YOU learn from the show??

Me&My2girls · 09-25-2007, 11:04 AM

The solar holiday lighting that he did were not even 1/2 of the brightness as the ones that my DH is putting together for work! DH was mad at this show last night, because now people see that and think "I don't want solar holiday lights, they aren't bright enough!"

I was happy to be re-assured about the CFL lights. We have them all over our house and we've actually been saving $$$ with them. We use a small solar pannel on the top of our home that cuts our energy bill by 30% and these lights cut it down even more. We were happy about that!

The one thing I DON'T like about the lights is that there is a small delay in turning them on- anyone else have that problem. It's not enough of a problem to make me stop using them, it's just a little bit annoying- maybe we just aren't use to it yet?

stevesgal · 09-25-2007, 11:26 AM

I like the looks of the solar powered Holiday lights- loved the pumpkin and really liked the blue Christmas lights- it probably would not work too well here- we don't really have a lot of sunny days during the wintertime!

I too was hoping that they would of explained Feng Shui more- like which sections of a room symbolizes what.

All in all a good show- but I really wish that it was for an hour instead of a half hour!

LuvMySoldier · 09-25-2007, 11:39 AM

Me&My2girls:
I'm unclear if you meant the delay in the CFLs actually COMING ON, or the fact that they seem to take a while to become their brightest, but the fact that they do take a while to become their brightest is what I don't like. I have one in my kitchen ceiling fixture, and I can't stand having to wait for it to become bright to really be able to see what I'm doing. Messes with my eyes...

Stevesgal:
I agree! That show needs to be AT LEAST an hour long. There's so much more they could cover in an hour, and I also don't feel that last nights' show was very well explained in some areas - like the Feng Shui. I guess that didn't have enough to do with "green living" for them to expand on it. I wish they would have, though.

kellytime · 09-25-2007, 06:55 PM

This was the first time I watched the show (I recorded it last week, but somehow it got erased or something ...)

I was a little disappointed - perhaps my expectations were too high. I'll definitely watch it again, though.

~ I was a bit put off by the wife. Maybe I'll warm up to her after a couple viewings???

~ The solar stuff seemed too pricey for my life -- I'd probably rather go without holiday lights, but just put out decorations for daylight hours and save the $$$.

~ The feng shui would not work for us, and I thought the flow of their home was better before she moved everything around.

~ I liked the idea of the two-flush toilet! Cool! And I liked seeing the ideas in the dorm etc.. at the college.

~ We have switched out all of our lights and are so pleased that we've done so. I have not seen the traditional-bulb-shape lights, so it's nice to know they are available.

I'll record it again next week and check it out. I want to support a show with a good cause!

SuperSavinMommy · 09-26-2007, 08:20 PM

I have 2 of the low-flow toilets (just replaced my old ones) and LOVE them. They are a bit pricey compared to some of the regular ones on the market but since they save water, money and the environment I made the choice. Of course the ones I replaced with 1.6 gpf so I didn't qualify for the toilet rebate the water company is doing in my area (up to $100 back per toilet) but still it was worth it. There are 2 buttons - one for each "duty". The smaller button user .8 gpf and the larger uses 1.6 gpf.

I thought the holiday lights were really cool and living in FL would work great. I'm concerned about cost though since I just bought holiday lights last year and replacing them again just might not be in the budget. I suppose I could start small and gradually do it. Is there a website or link anywhere to find out more about these type of decorative lights?

LuvMySoldier · 09-26-2007, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSavinMommy

I have 2 of the low-flow toilets (just replaced my old ones) and LOVE them. They are a bit pricey compared to some of the regular ones on the market but since they save water, money and the environment I made the choice. Of course the ones I replaced with 1.6 gpf so I didn't qualify for the toilet rebate the water company is doing in my area (up to $100 back per toilet) but still it was worth it. There are 2 buttons - one for each "duty". The smaller button user .8 gpf and the larger uses 1.6 gpf.

I thought the holiday lights were really cool and living in FL would work great. I'm concerned about cost though since I just bought holiday lights last year and replacing them again just might not be in the budget. I suppose I could start small and gradually do it. Is there a website or link anywhere to find out more about these type of decorative lights?

Thanks for the info on the difference between what the two buttons do on the low-flows. I didn't know there was one for each "duty"...

And I haven't priced solar panels lately, but I imagine they're getting cheaper all the time. What about hooking up an inverter to a battery, and then purchasing a small solar panel which would collect the power you would need by day, that would allow for you to run your lights at night for free? Depending on how many lights you want to run, this setup (solar panel, battery, and inverter) would probably pay for itself in no time.