Energy-saving efforts pay off

Jul 09 - The Palm Beach Post


The oil crisis of 1973-74 brought major changes in the way Americans consume energy. Smaller cars came into vogue, and people looked for ways to save electricity, such as insulating their homes.

Back then, an embargo proclaimed by Arab oil-producing nations resulted in gasoline shortages, and people had to wait in line for hours to purchase gasoline. Thieves siphoned gasoline from vehicles' gas tanks, which weren't designed to lock as they are now.

An advertising campaign at the time urged people to turn out lights when leaving a room. Its somewhat corny slogan was "Last out, Lights out: Don't be Fuelish."

While some of the energy conservation measures are standard now, it seems that others are forgotten. Now that the summer heat is here, it's worth revisiting some of the top energy-saving tips.

For example, whatever happened to the recommendation to set air conditioning thermostats at 78 degrees during the warmer months? Many places are cooler than that because some people complain if it's too hot. Then others have to don sweaters in restaurants, offices and other spots. Setting the thermostat at 78 or higher can cut energy bills significantly. For every degree below 78, your A.C. will use an estimated 10 percent more electricity.

Florida Power & Light Co. advises turning up the thermostat to 82 degrees or warmer when you are away.

To save energy, focus on the air conditioning, and the other biggest guzzler, your water heater.

Ceiling fans became popular after the energy crunch in the 70s, and now many people install them in just about every room of their homes.

"Using a ceiling fan can lower your cooling bill by reducing your usage of air conditioning," said Scott Wetmore, advertising manager for Dan's Fan City.

Dan's Fan City, a retail fan store, was founded in 1979 and has grown to more than 40 stores, including locations in West Palm Beach, Delray Beach, North Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie. At first the owners thought fans might be a fad, but the devices caught on and the business kept growing.

Wetmore explained that ceiling fans create a "wind chill" effect that makes it feel 3 to 5 degrees cooler. They don't really cool the room, they cool people.

"A ceiling fan works by evaporative cooling. The air blowing by the skin makes the air feel cooler," Wetmore said.

Fans should be set to run counterclockwise for the strongest downward air motion, which is what you want when it's hot. To reset, look for a black toggle switch near the pull chain. Turn off the fan when you leave the room, FPL advises. A fan that runs all the time costs up to $7 a month.

Air conditioning filters should be cleaned or replaced about once a month. Investing in reusable filters can save money over the long run. They last for years, and should be removed and rinsed monthly.

Make sure the ducts of your air conditioning system are properly sealed and insulated, the Florida Public Service Commission advises. Have the system maintained periodically by a professional.

To reduce water heating costs, spend $20 on an insulation blanket for your water heater. The blankets are available at home improvement stores. You'll likely see a savings. Pipes can be insulated as well.

Reducing the water heater temperature from 140 degrees to 120 degrees can save about $7 a month, FPL says.

It also recommends installing water-conserving shower heads and faucet aerators.

About 90 percent of the energy used to do laundry comes from heating the dryer. FPL recommends washing clothes in cold water, adjusting the water level to match the load size, and doing only full loads.

Clean the lint filter in your dryer before every load to dry your clothes faster. Don't overload the dryer. Use the auto sensor function, if available, to avoid running the dryer longer than necessary.

Of course, if you're buying a new appliance, look for the one with the best Energy Star rating.

Don't forget that such electronic devices as TVs, stereos, DVDs and DVRs, cell phone or battery chargers, draw power even when they're not in use. FPL recommends either plugging these devices into a power strip with an on/off button or unplugging items when not in use.

If you're lucky enough to have a pool to cool off in, limit the time you run your pool pump to six hours a day in summer and four hours a day in winter.

Lighting makes up about 10 percent of home electricity costs, the U.S .Department of Energy says. You can save up to 80 percent of that energy by simply replacing your traditional incandescents with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting diodes (LEDs). They will also last you for years after the summer is gone, saving money on replacements.

There are hundreds of things people can do to reduce energy bills.

For more energy savings tips, go to www.fpl.com or the U.S. Department of Energy at www.energysavers.gov

Tips to save energy

Easy low-cost and no-cost ways to save energy.

-- Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently.

-- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher's drying cycle.

-- Turn things off when you are not in the room: lights, TVs, entertainment systems, and your computer and monitor.

-- Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips; turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use--TVs and DVDs in standby mode still use several watts of power.

-- Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees F.

-- Take short showers instead of baths and use low-flow showerheads for additional energy savings.

-- Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.

-- Air dry clothes.

-- Check to see that windows and doors are closed when heating or cooling your home.

-- Look for the Energy Star label on light bulbs, home appliances, electronics, and other products. Energy Star products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, www.energysavers.gov 

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