Energy Savings often Pay Off Big
Jul 10 - Oakland Tribune
WHILE CONSUMERS fret this summer about rising gasoline prices, they may be missing the fact that their homes are also guzzling fuel.
There are many steps families can take -- some at no cost -- to keep home
energy spending in check, said Rozanne Weissman of the nonprofit Alliance to
Save Energy in Washington, D.C.
"Electricity prices are going up in many parts of the country because
there's a natural gas crunch, and natural gas powers most of the new power
plants," she said. "But the average consumer can cut home energy use
without losing comfort -- and help the environment at the same time."
And the savings can be substantial. Set an air conditioner to 78 degrees, and
it will cost one-fifth less to operate than maintaining a setting of 72 degrees,
utility companies say.
Most of the no-cost steps are no-brainers:
Turn off lights, computers and other electronic devices when they're not in
use.
Use fans instead of air conditioners.
Keep air conditioner filters clean.
Close blinds or shades on South- and West-facing windows -- or plant trees
outside -- to reduce the impact of afternoon sun.
Take quick showers instead of baths.
Weissman says consumers also can save by taking advantage of new technologies
that put energy efficiency on autopilot.
"I have sensors in my office," she said. "When I walk in, the
light goes on. When I leave, after a few minutes, the light goes off."
Similar motion or light sensors can be used in homes and outdoors to keep
lights off when they're not needed, she said.
Weissman is also a fan of programmable thermostats, which can be set to turn
air conditioners on when they're needed and off when they're not.
"You can set them so they're off during the day while you're out a work
and on an hour before you come home," she said. "It doesn't require
work on your part. The thermostat remembers to do it."
The Center for a New American Dream in Tacoma Park, Md., has long had a
campaign urging families to replace standard light bulbs with compact
fluorescent lights, not only to cut energy costs but also to reduce the release
of carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.
Replacing just four bulbs -- out of the 30 most families use -- can save $100
on a home electricity bill over the life of the lights, said the center's Sarah
Roberts.
The center also recommends some back-to-nature energy savers such as drying
clothes on a line outside instead of in a dryer, grilling outdoors instead of
ramping up the oven, and walking or biking to run errands.
When it is time to buy new appliances, one way to determine their energy
efficiency is by looking for the government's Energy Star designation.
Energy-efficient appliances generally cost less to operate.
Wendy Reed, a spokeswoman for the Environmental Protection Agency, which runs
the Energy Star program with the Department of Energy, said hundreds of products
in 40 different categories carry Energy Star designations certifying that they
exceed federal guidelines for energy efficiency.
A new air conditioner with an Energy Star rating should be 20 percent more
efficient than its standard counterpart, Reed said.
Even ceiling fans get Energy Star ratings if their motors are efficient and
blades aerodynamic, she said.
"Not only are the fans more efficient, but you can set your thermostat
higher and let the fan help keep you cool," Reed said. "That reduces
air conditioning costs."
Many states and some manufacturers offer rebates and other incentives to help
people switch to the more efficient products, she added.
The time to look to replace an old air conditioner is when it starts needing
a lot of repairs or is more than 10 years old, she said. To see more of The Oakland Tribune, or to subscribe to the
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