Worldwide Energy Makeover Means
Changes at Home, Too
New Energy is about more than the long term, it can reduce Virginia engineering team
clean fuels and technologies. consumption, ease demand, and concluded that we could
As consumers, we can do much help to lower the price of fuel.” save a billion gallons of
to reduce demand. Since 1973, Sometimes we just gasoline a year (more than is
The Alliance to Save Energy need innovative thinking. saved by all the hybrids on
confirms that energy efficiency For example, this the road) if we optimized
and conservation measures country times its the process. The answer
have already cut energy usage 250,000 traffic lies in cities investing
by 40 percent. lights so in smarter computer
“Energy efficiency can be inefficiently programming and
achieved much more quickly (we got equipment.
than drilling for oil,” advises a “D” in a Following are five proven
Peter Lehner of the Natural national report) ways we can both support the
Resources Defense Council. “In that a University of planet and save money at home:
ble for 30 percent of home heat loss.
makE THE SwITCH Locate home energy drains with an SmaLLER FooTPRINT
Lighting typically racks up 20 energy audit, available free through Several online resources allow us to
percent of a home’s electricity bill. some utility companies. Or do it track our ‘carbon footprint’ and offer
The federal government’s Energy yourself, with online guides such as tips to help us reduce it. The Envi-
Star program confirms that compact the calculator operated by Lawrence ronmental Protection Agency has a
fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use 75 Livermore National Laboratories at good tool at
EPA.gov/climatechange/
percent less energy than standard in-
http://hes.lbl.gov. emissions/ind_calculator.html.
candescents. They also last 10 times Another is provided by the Union
longer. For more, see
EnergyStar.gov. LET THE SuN SHINE IN of Concerned Scientists at http://
More states now offer incentives
go.ucsusa.org/calculator.html. For
DRIVE SmaRTER for installing energy-efficient home interactive illustration, visit Earthday.
Americans are finally transitioning energy systems, such as solar net/ecofootprint.
from gas-guzzling pickups and SUVs panels and small wind turbines.
to smaller cars and hybrids, with a Credits can cover as much as half Even the best governments—
target of 30-plus miles per gallon on the purchase price, reducing pay- if they do find a way of working
the highway. A surprising number back periods to less than 10 years. together—can’t build a sustainable
of worthwhile choices—from the For a database of state incentives future without our help. Fixing our
Chevrolet Cobalt XFE to the tiny for renewable energy and energy current energy crisis is a big job that
Honda Fit—meet or exceed that conservation, visit
dsireusa.org. will require everyone’s cooperation.
goal. Browse the mileage ratings at
FuelEconomy.gov, and locate good
choices at
GreenerCars.org.
Then, stick to posted speed lim-
its; drive less and carpool; and keep
the engine tuned, filters clean, and
tires properly inflated. Better yet,
walk, bike and take public transpor-
tation.
TIGHTEN uP
In addition to old, inefficient appli-
ances, much of the energy we pay
for is going out windows, responsi-
October 2008 39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72