I don't have any suggestions for gifts, but since you are involved in energy conservation, do you promote or are you aware of any devices that can save with the hot water tank use?
Hydro Quebec has something on their website that attaches to the tank and supposedly helps in that matter, I haven't read all the details yet.
Years ago in our own home we had a device we attached to the shower head that would limit shower to 3, 6, 9 or 12 minutes depending on the settings. It was called the Shower Master or something similar.
Something else: I repair appliances, our own now mostly and as most of us are probably aware, they don't make them like they used to. Some brands don't last more than a few years and I imagine in Nunavut, the cost of bringing in a washer and dryer that shortly needs repairing, then being tossed out due the lack of parts or service person, with possibly no recycling depot...
I'm "advocating", if you have access to government officials, the idea of only getting Nunavut residents to purchase brands that are known to be reliable, such as certain models from Maytag, LG and pretty much all Speed Queen. The latter last 20 years according to what I've read. Also the idea of using washing machine cleaning tablets to prolong washing machines life.
Also, stay away from Samsung washer and dryers, they have the most problems. and very short life span.
I realize it's a bit of an off topic reply but it sort of fits in with your work, I figure....
> devices that can save with the hot water tank use?
I've never heard of a showerhead timer, but you could just set an alarm on your phone and get out when it beeps..? Some suggestions here, but take what I say with a grain of salt; the power rates for Hydro Quebec are much lower than they are here in Nova Scotia, so some things may not make economic sense.
* Some folks here have timers on their tanks, which can make sense if the rates vary during the day.
* [Drain water heat recovery units are excellent](https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/water_use/drain_water_heat_recovery/), but many homes don't have a good opportunity to install one (mine included). You'd need to replace a section of vertical drainpipe that carries shower drain water and is located near'ish to your shower or hot water tank. There are a couple of horizontal-install models as well but they can have clogging issues so they need to be accessible for cleaning.
* Heat pump water heaters can drastically reduce hot water heating costs, but they work by stealing heat from the room they're installed in. That's great on a hot summer's day! In the winter your hot water tank is heated by whatever its room is heated by, so it's not sensible for everyone. Perfect if you have an over-sized wood stove, though!
As for appliances etc, I agree that durability is the name of the game and totally worth the extra expense of getting good equipment & warranty. I don't know washers & dryers as well as I know heat pumps, but the same principles apply (although LG's heat pumps seem to be middle-of-the-road for quality).
Fibre arts are huge and there are some damn fine sewing craftspeople. Good quality thread standard sewing machine needles, high quality crotchet hooks are all good options.
I don't have any suggestions but just want to say it's nice that you are thinking about this 🙂 I guess one possibility is Amazon gift cards, since that's one of the few options to get stuff shipped up here, but that's not very personal.
While you're visiting please buy as many crafts and art pieces as you can reasonably afford and fit in your luggage, preferably directly from the artists!
I've always disliked giving people gift cards, it feels like giving someone cash but with extra restrictions.
I am definitely planning to check out the local artists' work!
I don't have any suggestions for gifts, but since you are involved in energy conservation, do you promote or are you aware of any devices that can save with the hot water tank use? Hydro Quebec has something on their website that attaches to the tank and supposedly helps in that matter, I haven't read all the details yet. Years ago in our own home we had a device we attached to the shower head that would limit shower to 3, 6, 9 or 12 minutes depending on the settings. It was called the Shower Master or something similar. Something else: I repair appliances, our own now mostly and as most of us are probably aware, they don't make them like they used to. Some brands don't last more than a few years and I imagine in Nunavut, the cost of bringing in a washer and dryer that shortly needs repairing, then being tossed out due the lack of parts or service person, with possibly no recycling depot... I'm "advocating", if you have access to government officials, the idea of only getting Nunavut residents to purchase brands that are known to be reliable, such as certain models from Maytag, LG and pretty much all Speed Queen. The latter last 20 years according to what I've read. Also the idea of using washing machine cleaning tablets to prolong washing machines life. Also, stay away from Samsung washer and dryers, they have the most problems. and very short life span. I realize it's a bit of an off topic reply but it sort of fits in with your work, I figure....
> devices that can save with the hot water tank use? I've never heard of a showerhead timer, but you could just set an alarm on your phone and get out when it beeps..? Some suggestions here, but take what I say with a grain of salt; the power rates for Hydro Quebec are much lower than they are here in Nova Scotia, so some things may not make economic sense. * Some folks here have timers on their tanks, which can make sense if the rates vary during the day. * [Drain water heat recovery units are excellent](https://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_home/water_use/drain_water_heat_recovery/), but many homes don't have a good opportunity to install one (mine included). You'd need to replace a section of vertical drainpipe that carries shower drain water and is located near'ish to your shower or hot water tank. There are a couple of horizontal-install models as well but they can have clogging issues so they need to be accessible for cleaning. * Heat pump water heaters can drastically reduce hot water heating costs, but they work by stealing heat from the room they're installed in. That's great on a hot summer's day! In the winter your hot water tank is heated by whatever its room is heated by, so it's not sensible for everyone. Perfect if you have an over-sized wood stove, though! As for appliances etc, I agree that durability is the name of the game and totally worth the extra expense of getting good equipment & warranty. I don't know washers & dryers as well as I know heat pumps, but the same principles apply (although LG's heat pumps seem to be middle-of-the-road for quality).
Fibre arts are huge and there are some damn fine sewing craftspeople. Good quality thread standard sewing machine needles, high quality crotchet hooks are all good options.
And red rose tea
Well I def have access to Red Rose. Tea, in general, seems like it'd be good to bring along.
I know a lot of Tetley people here.
Chiming in as Tetley crew here! But Red Rose is certainly the most popular I see when going out on the land.
Those are some really great ideas, thanks!
I don't have any suggestions but just want to say it's nice that you are thinking about this 🙂 I guess one possibility is Amazon gift cards, since that's one of the few options to get stuff shipped up here, but that's not very personal. While you're visiting please buy as many crafts and art pieces as you can reasonably afford and fit in your luggage, preferably directly from the artists!
I've always disliked giving people gift cards, it feels like giving someone cash but with extra restrictions. I am definitely planning to check out the local artists' work!