ENVIRONMENT | Protecting our natural resources
09 May 2008
Saving Energy: An Individual Choice
Over the last several decades, energy prices have been on a roller coaster, often affecting everyday decisions on work, play, and growth. U.S. federal, state, and local governments; businesses; and consumer groups have responded by working together to better educate the public about what individuals can do at a personal level to reduce energy costs.
Following are a few tips for individuals.
Housing
• In hot climates, plant shade trees to cool roofs, walls, and windows. Close blinds or shades in south- and west-facing windows. In cooler climates, allow sun to reach south-facing windows.
• Seal air leaks around doors and windows.
• Use ceiling fans in the summer and winter. By reversing the direction of the blades, warm air is pushed down, helping to keep rooms warm in winter.
• Lower house thermostats in winter; just a one-degree-Fahrenheit reduction can reduce heating costs by about 4 percent. Regularly clean or replace filters in air conditioners and furnaces.
• Consider switching to fluorescent lightbulbs, which last 6 to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs; add more natural lighting with additional windows.
• Put reflective tiles on roofs and adequate insulation in attics.
• Use low-flow aerating showerheads. Lower the thermostat on the water heater to 49 degrees Celsius (120 degrees F).
Consumer Products
• When looking for major appliances, buy those labeled with the highest efficiency rating. The electricity savings from today's refrigerator model with a high rating compared to a 1990 model would save enough electricity to light a home for almost five months.
• Use renewable products: bamboo or linoleum in flooring, for example.
• Wash only full loads of clothes. Wash clothes in cooler water, using cold-water detergents. Clean the lint filter in dryers after loads to improve energy efficiency.
• Turn off your computer, monitor, and other electrical devices when not in use.
Transportation
• Avoid erratic driving—quick stops and starts can decrease gas mileage by 33 percent on the highway and by 5 percent in the city.
• Maintain your car. Clean air filters can improve gas mileage by as much as 10 percent. Properly inflated and aligned tires will increase mileage by as much as 3 percent. But using the wrong grade of oil can reduce mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
• Observe the speed limit. In general, every 8.05 kilometers per hour over 96.6 kilometers per hour increases the cost per gallon of gas by 5 to 18 cents per liter at mid-2006 gas prices.
• Avoid carrying extra weight. Every 45 kilograms decreases fuel efficiency by 2 percent.
• Consider buying a hybrid car. The increased gas mileage relative to gasoline-only cars can reduce fuel use by 50 percent or more.
Sources: Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Department of Energy, American Society of Interior Designers, Alliance to Save Energy.
From the July 2006 edition of eJournal USA.
