Which method of boiling water would generate the least CO2?

Question

I'm an avid tea drinker. I'm also trying to reduce the amount of CO2 my household produces. Which would generate less CO2, heating one liter of water to a boil in a steel tea kettle over a standard natural gas burner (10 minutes of natural gas consumption) or heating one liter of water in a 1000 watt electric tea kettle (7 minutes of electricity)? If you can think of a third option that would be better than the two I've listed, please include that in your answer.

Note: I realize that by virtue of enjoying a product that must be grown, picked, processed, packaged, and shipped overseas that I'm already partly responsible for a certain amount of greenhouse gas. I'd rather not give up the drink if I don't have to because of the positive health benefits.

Answer 1

It depends on the fuel source for your electricity.

That said, a microwave is probably your best option.

Answer 2

You do realize that water vapor is a more harmful greenhouse gas than co2 right?  That's one of the larger arguments against nuke plants.

That being said, try microwaving the water.  Usually one 8-12 oz cup for maybe two minutes with a 1200W microwave should get the water hot enough for you.  For a liter all at once (in a non-metal container), I would say maybe 4 minutes, but I might be off a bit.  And it should be quite hot so be careful.

Answer 3

The same thing has been bugging me for weeks, not so much with regards to CO2 but to cut down on the electricity bill.

I can only guess at the answer, my guess would be electric kettle. Why not get a tiny travel kettle and only fill to amount needed for your mug/cup/pot of tea?



If it was coffee you drank, I would suggest the hot water dispenser, but I understand it does not boil so not relevant for tea. Look at the Energy Saving Tefal Quick Cup Hot Water Dispenser if you drink coffee. Just press a button and you can have a cup of hot or cool filtered water in just 3 seconds.

http://www.naturalcollection.com/natural...

Or what about my latest obsession, a storm kettle, it only uses twigs, BUT it does have a drawback in that you can only use it outside. Would be perfect but for that fact. Don't fancy standing outside in the snow waiting for my kettle to boil.

http://www.presentsformen.co.uk/product....

The other route I thought about was heating in the microwave, but again, I don't know if this would be any more energy efficient?

How about drinking herb teas? Great for you and you can grow your own in summer. If only I could grow liquorice root for my tea and had an indoor storm kettle....... *sigh*

Answer 4

If you are very careful to avoid injury, use a solar oven. A large parabolic reflector can heat as quickly as a stove on a clear day, under the right conditions. Not very useful at night, though.

Answer 5

It's tricky.  The uncertainty involves how much heat goes into the water, and how much is wasted into the air.

Right now, I'd guess using natural gas.  When we get more nuclear, solar, and wind power, the electric kettle would be preferable.

Answer 6

Use the microwave to heat your water.  It uses the least amount of electricity.  (approximate 1500 watts for 2 or 3 minutes.)

Answer 7

You have already had several helpful replies to this question including one from Toledo Engineer.  But in one respect Toledo Engineer is wrong and that is where he says that water vapour is a more powerful global warming gas than CO2.  It is not but it is more plentiful and so does contribute more warming.  CO2 has 14 times more warming potential than water vapour for the same volume.  It also tends to accumulate whereas the water vapour is recycled as rain.

It is largely because of water vapour that the earth is not permanently frozen but it is because of man-made CO2 emissions that dangerous climate change has begun.

You are right to want to limit your CO2 emissions.  Best wishes.

Answer 8

going  to a hot place and boiling it with a magnifying glass

Answer 9

grow your own tea!!!!!!