Energy Conservation Facts
From LoveToKnow GreenLiving
Even the most hardcore global warming skeptic is usually impressed by a few basic energy conservation facts, simply because a lot of tips for saving energy are also cost effective, both on the personal and business levels. Being green can mean saving, and even making, green. Nothing to be skeptical about there.
Some Basic Energy Conservation Facts
The economic downturn has been felt in every sector of society, including the green movement. Unfortunately, some communities feel it is no longer cost-effective to recycle, even though in the long run, this will prove inaccurate. Part of the problem is that when we recycle, the cost savings is usually found in another, related area, making it difficult for some to see the forest for the trees. For example, while it can seem to cost more initially to recycle paper than to throw it away and use virgin paper, the truth is that recycling one ton of paper saves 7000 gallons of water and making recycled paper for consumer use uses 80 percent less water and 65 percent less energy than producing virgin paper. This doesn’t even factor in the saving of trees and reduction in air pollution, both of which are impressive.
Recycling glass is good for wallets across the board. Glass can be reused over and over, and recycled glass saves energy at 50 percent, versus creating virgin glass. When you recycle one glass bottle, you are saving the energy to light a 100-watt bulb for four hours.
Energy Conservation at Home
High heating bills are a major worry for most of the country. Not everyone can install solar panels or take advantage of a wind turbine, but there are many simple things every household can do to conserve energy and thus save money. Heat can account for as much as 38 percent of your monthly utilities bill in a cold winter climate, and is about the same in a hot summer. No matter what the temperature, you will reduce costs if you weatherize your home. Leaks around windows and doors suck heat and cold right on out. Simple caulking will take care of most of these problems. You should also invest in a timed thermostat (no point heating or cooling a home when no one is in it) and keep it set at around 65 degrees.
One energy conservation fact everyone has heard a lot about is that lighting can account for 15 percent of your electric bill. Switching to EnergyStar compact fluorescent light bulbs can save you an average of $60 a year. The bulbs are continually improving, so that they are now softer and pleasanter.
Even if you live in an apartment and don’t pay for water, you should still reduce your use, because you pay for it indirectly in taxes and higher costs as it becomes more scarce. Low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators are relatively inexpensive and efficient.
Further Improvements
It used to be that the refrigerator was the largest energy-suck in the house. Thanks to the dissemination of energy conservation facts and federal mandates, modern refrigerators now use moderate amounts of energy. You can cut back even further by choosing a top-freezer model and avoiding ice-makers.
We all have many more gadgets than ever. Computers, cell phones, televisions and peripherals – all use energy. Putting your computer to sleep, and even unplugging it for the night, can save you up to $80 a year. Instead of charging your phone overnight, do so when you are still awake and unplug it when it’s done.
Keeping electronics on standby mode is costing you more than $30 a year. Instead, plug everything into a surge protector and turn that off at the main switch when not in use.
What You Can Conserve
You may not be aware of how much more you can conserve. Go to Climate Crisis and calculate your personal impact, then consult the tips for reducing your impact – and the effect on your wallet.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 880 times. This page was last modified 09:50, 21 December 2008.
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