Frequently Asked Questions |
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Our office gets calls from the public on a variety of questions. There are some questions that do get asked frequently so we thought we'd share these with you. Q1: I’m thinking about doing some home renovations, where can I get information to make my house more “green?” Q2: What can I do about mould problems? Q3: Who can test for black mould problems? Q4: How safe are some of the household products under my kitchen sink, bathroom or garage? Q5: I was visiting a friend today who has many varieties of peonies. The buds were covered with ants. She commented that she needed to spray them with an insecticide. I thought I had read that ants were beneficial to the peonies. Is that correct and if so, just how do they help? Q6: Where can I recycle plastic containers? Q7: I’m thinking of starting a compost bin. Where do I begin? Q9: Where can I buy "Water-Wise" gadgets for toilets? Q12: Which are more efficient, LED lights or CFL lights? Q13: Are CFL bulbs duller than incandescent bulbs? I've switched over to CFLs and they seem duller. Q14: How can you measure how many litres your toilet uses?
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Q1: I’m thinking about doing some home renovations, where can I get information to make my house more “green?” A: There are lots of helpful websites to check out. Since there are new “green” products coming onto the market all the time, you’ll have to do some research to find out what will suit your needs. For general information about what things to consider when “greening” your home, check out:
For information about where to purchase energy efficient materials:
For information on grants and incentives:
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Q2: What can I do about mould problems?
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Q3: Who can test for black mould problems? Saskatchewan Research Council |
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Q4: How safe are some of the household products under my kitchen sink, bathroom or garage? A: Read the label. There are some helpful websites that can help you navigate the label ingredients: Household Products Database (Note: This is an American website, may not cover all products available in Canada) Guide to Less Toxic Products: www.lesstoxicguide.ca/index.asp?fetch=household |
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Q5: I was visiting a friend today who has many varieties of peonies. The buds were covered with ants. She commented that she needed to spray them with an insecticide. I thought I had read that ants were beneficial to the peonies. Is that correct and if so, just how do they help? A: Do not try to get rid of the ants on your peonies. This is a natural and temporary activity. It is believed that peonies produce small amounts of nectar and other ant attractants to encourage ants to help in opening the dense double flower buds found in many peonies. The ants may be found covering certain varieties and avoiding others, this is totally normal. Once the buds have opened the ants will disappear - also normal. Some people think ants are REQUIRED to open the flowers, but this does not to appear to be true. It seems a debatable question whether ants are beneficial or harmful. I think they are neutral. Should you spray a pesticide to get rid of the ants? That is a definite no. Since the ants are not harmful and some pesticide residues are harmful, why endanger your self, the plants or the peony's pollinator (good insects) with poisonous sprays? Just don't spray. Instead just enjoy the unique interaction of ants and peonies; an evolutionary effect thousands of years in the making and posing no problems in the long run. (From the Heartland Peony Society Website www.peonies.org/faq.html) |
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| Q6: Where can I recycle plastic containers? A: Check out the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council Website or contact their office at: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council 203 Idylwyld Drive South Saskatoon, SK. S7M 1L6 Phone: (306) 931-3242 Fax: (306) 665-2128 email: info@saskwastereduction.ca |
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| Q7: I’m thinking of starting a compost bin. Where do I begin? A: Check out the Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council Website or contact their office at: Saskatchewan Waste Reduction Council 203 Idylwyld Drive South Saskatoon, SK. S7M 1L6 Phone: (306) 931-3242 Fax: (306) 665-2128 email: info@saskwastereduction.ca |
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Q8: Are there compact fluorescent lamps that can be used outdoors in cold weather? Where can you purchase them and what do I look for on the package? A: Any of them can be. Some will be labelled “cold weather” or something like that. CFLs MAY not start when they are cold, or may come on very dim and gradually brighten as they warm up. If you really need something that SNAPS on regardless the temperature (like in a security light) incandescent is still the best choice. |
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Q9: Where can I buy "Water-Wise" gadgets for toilets? A: Any decent hardware store should have them; anywhere you buy toilet gadgets you should be able to get conserving gadgets. |
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Q10: I've heard that compact fluorescent bulbs are bad for the environment because they contain hazardous materials. A: Fluorescent lights contain mercury – small amounts… less than a watch battery. You should take them to a household hazardous waste disposal, instead of putting them in the landfill when they die. For more information, check out www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/promotions/change_light/downloads/Fact_Sheet_Mercury.pdf |
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Q11: I've heard that compact fluorescent bulbs aren't actually energy-efficient--it's just a marketing ploy. A: Compact fluorescent lights use ¼ the energy of an incandescent bulb. |
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Q12: Which are more efficient, LED lights or CFL lights? A: This is hard to compare. There aren’t many applications where both of these can be used. In an EXIT sign, LEDs use 1/5 the energy of a CFL. LEDs are great for traffic lights, indicator lights, decorative lighting, flashlights and headlamps, but not so good for ceiling lights or lamps. There is lots of development going on with LEDs, and we will likely see them used in an increasing number of applications over the next few years. |
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Q13: Are CFL bulbs duller than incandescent bulbs? I've switched over to CFLs and they seem duller. A: 60W incandescent bulbs should be replaced with 13W CFLs. 100W incandescent should be replaced with 25W CFLs. If you did this, are they still duller when they’ve been on for several minutes? Technically, they should give off the same amount of light, but some people think they are duller. I suggest that if your lights are not bright enough for what you are doing, get a brighter bulb – switch from a 13W to a 23 W or switch to a bulb that says the lumen output is higher. |
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Q14: How can you measure how many litres your toilet uses? A: You could turn off the tap below the toilet, flush it, then use a measuring cup to refill it. Or you could read your water meter, flush it several times, re-read your water meter and divide by the number of flushes. Q15: A person moved into home with existing plumbing so she doesn't know how many litres her toilet uses. As well, if she retrofits to use less water, what are the least amount of water her toilet should use per flush? A: 6 litre is the standard low flush. Two button flush toilets use 3 litres for a small load and 6 litres for a large load. There are 1 litre toilets – common for cabins and RVs. However, they tend to require more regular cleaning. My choice would be a 2 button flush toilet. Look for a “Flush Performance Rating” of at least 500g. If the sales people can’t help you find the Flush Performance Rating of the toilets they are selling, go to a different store. |
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