How to Save
Energy, Money, and Clean Air
From the editors of E: The Environmental
Magazine
December 1999
Although Americans make up only 4% of the
world's population, we use nearly 25% of the world's energy
and fossil fuels. As many of our houses and cars get bigger
and require more energy, it's no wonder our fuel use continues
to rise--along with the resulting air pollution.
The 1973 energy crisis was a wake-up call
for many Americans, who started buying more fuel-efficient
cars, and it helped create a market for solar and wind power.
Unfortunately, the wakeup didn't last long. The average fuel
appetite of our cars has steadily increased since the crisis
eased. The solar market also stalled, although wind power is
gaining new market share. More than 80% of America's energy
still comes from fossil fuels, much of it imported. Just 9%
comes from renewable energy other than hydropower.
PHOTO:
Compact fluorescents (left) end up costing less than
incandescents because they use less energy and last much
longer.
In an expanding economy with the lowest
energy prices in the world, why should we worry about saving a
little electricity or a few gallons of gas? One reason is that
energy efficiency is a good investment, producing returns that
compare favorably with what you might get on other
investments. And in addition to saving fuel and putting money
back in your pocket, using energy efficiently reduces air
pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
It's hard to change old habits and use
energy in smarter and cleaner ways, but we can start out
easily with some little things around the house.
Made in the Shade
Believe it or not, strategically placed
trees and shrubs can create a tiny "microclimate"
around your home that's at least nine degrees Fahrenheit
cooler than nearby open areas. Deciduous trees conserve the
most energy, since they shed their leaves to let in winter
sunlight. The Department of Energy predicts savings of up to
$250 a year in heating and cooling costs with the proper
placement of just three trees, planted on the north, west, and
east sides of the house. With even more shade, total savings
can reach a quarter of your annual bill.
The Heat is Off
Household appliances are big heat
generators, with washers and dryers being major culprits. Try
to run your appliances, such as dishwashers and ovens, in the
morning or late evening to avoid heat buildup. If possible,
seal off your laundry room from the rest of the house, and
consider switching to energy-efficient appliances. Check the
Energy Guide ratings (the prominently displayed yellow
stickers on new appliances), which list annual operating costs
and energy consumption. On older refrigerators, vacuum the
coils on the back regularly, and consider installing a $40
voltage-reducing GreenPlug, available at home centers and
hardware stores.
Up, Up and Away
Much of the heat that your furnace generates
is lost through your attic. Assuming your attic is insulated
at all, check the thickness of its insulation. If it is less
than six inches for cellulose insulation or seven for
fiberglass (protection officially rated as R-22), you'll save
money by adding more. In hot climates, a radiant barrier may
be more effective than adding layers of insulation. You can
also put attic heat to good use with a commercially made heat
exchanger connected to your hot-water heater or swimming-pool
heater.
Our Leaks Are Sealed
Heating bills can be reduced 10% or more by
caulking, sealing, and weather-stripping drafty openings. The
most common areas of heat loss are floors, walls, and ceilings
(31%), followed by fireplaces (14%) and the spots where
plumbing penetrates walls and floors (13%).
Shedding Some Light
Compact fluorescent bulbs cost more than
ordinary incandescent bulbs, but they're four times more
efficient and last six to ten times longer. Today's compact
fluorescents screw into almost any ordinary lamp or light
fixture. For cost-effectiveness, use them to replace lights
that get a lot of use, such as in kitchens, bathrooms, and
hallways.
Auto Pilot
If you have trouble remembering to turn the
heat down at night, a programmable thermostat (with models
ranging from $25 to $150) can quickly pay for itself, cutting
heating bills by as much as 16%. You can increase the savings
to 20%, reports Home Energy magazine, if you also turn the
heat down while everyone is away at work or school.
Driving Smart
The simple step of keeping tires properly
inflated can reduce gasoline consumption by 5%. And when
you're next in the market for a new vehicle, consider buying a
"hybrid" car, which uses both a gasoline engine and
an electric motor. Although American carmakers have been
reticent, both Honda and Toyota are introducing extremely
fuel-efficient hybrids in the 2000 model year, making it
possible for you to get 60 miles per gallon or more. Honda's
two-passenger Insight, available now, uses its electric motor
as a power booster when accelerating. Toyota's four-passenger
Prius, to be available in the spring, switches electronically
between its gas and electric motors. Both cars are in the
$20,000 to $25,000 range.
These are just a few of the steps we all can
take to reduce unnecessary air pollution and greenhouse gas
emissions--and save money at the same time. Find many more
ideas in the indispensable guide Homemade Money: How to Save
Energy and Dollars in Your Home, by Richard Heede and the
staff of the Rocky Mountain Institute ($14.95 from Brick House
Publishing, P.O. Box 266, Amherst, NH 03031 or 800-446-8642).
By Jim Motavalli
This
Green Living article is one of a series by the editors of E,
the leading independant environmental magazine. Opinions in
these guest articles are those of the authors and not
necessarily those of Environmental Defense Fund staff.
Interested readers can go to www.emagazine.com
to subscribe to E, published six times a year. Regular E
features include Your Health, Eco-Home, Money Matters,
Consumer News, and Tools for Green Living.
TOP
