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According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the average electricity consumption for a residential customer in 2018 was 914 kilowatt-hours per month. The American Geosciences Institute reports that more than 7 billion barrels of petroleum products are consumed each day in the US. According to the EIA, total primary energy consumption in the US has grown significantly since 1950, from about 35 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) to just over 100 quadrillion Btu in 2018. These numbers may not seem surprising considering how quickly the US is have developed in recent decades. However, it has been shown that both the production and use of energy have a negative effect on our environment.
Ways To Save The Energy
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that natural gas, coal and nuclear power all contribute to the generation of electricity in the US, and that almost any step in the electricity system can have adverse environmental consequences. Burning fuel can increase greenhouse gas emissions, releases into water systems and supplies can cause pollution, and animals and ecosystems can be negatively affected. It is not always easy to find methods to limit the negative effects of energy consumption on the environment. Individuals and organizations alike can make a positive difference by finding ways to conserve energy in the home and office. These measures not only help to reduce potentially harmful contributions to the environment, but can also save money and resources.
Tips On How To Save Energy At Home And Help The Planet
Solar panels harvest energy that is radiated by the sun. They are a much greener, more cost-efficient alternative to fossil fuel power plants. According to Live Science, solar panels allow photons to knock free electrons off atoms, generating a stream of electricity. Installation costs and energy savings vary by state, as well as by size. SolarReviews reports that for the average home, after tax credits, it costs just over $11,000 to install a 4kW system and just under $41,500 for a 20kW system. According to Energy Sage, solar panels can save consumers $10-30,000 per year on their energy costs. In addition to the substantial cost savings of solar energy, the environmental benefits are enormous. Apart from the purchase and installation of a particular solar system, any energy consumption from that system is effectively free. The more a home or an organization can make use of energy captured by solar panels, the less it is dependent on electricity from fossil fuels.
According to a 2018 Earth Day fact sheet, Americans buy about 50 billion water bottles a year, which equates to more than 13 bottles per month for every person in the country. Each person who uses a reusable water bottle, such as a Nalgene brand bottle, can save more than 150 plastic bottles per year.
It is important to consider how excessive bottle use negatively impacts the environment. In an exclusive story, The Guardian reports that by 2021 annual water bottle consumption is expected to exceed half a trillion, far more than recycling plants can handle, endangering oceans and other environments. In addition, the production of plastic bottles consumes a lot of energy and often uses resources that have a negative impact on the environment.
One person can make a positive, significant impact on the environment and reduce plastic bottle use to zero by choosing a reusable water bottle. Every time people refill reusable bottles instead of buying plastic bottles, they save money and energy.
Ways To Save Energy Around The Home
According to the US Department of Energy, in 2010, 68% of incandescent light bulbs installed in US homes were traditional incandescent bulbs
. That percentage fell to just 6% in 2016, with 44% of incandescent light bulbs in American homes being more energy efficient compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs.
The U.S. Department of Energy notes how using Energy Star-qualified light bulbs can help save $45 a year in energy costs. Similarly, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can last 10 times longer while using only a quarter of the energy, allowing consumers to save more over time. LED bulbs also have a significantly longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs, helping to save money. Simply put, CFLs save money.
How much it costs to heat a particular home or office can depend on the type of energy it uses, as well as its location. Apartment List notes that the average cost of a gas heater is about $40 per month, while an electric heater costs about $160 per month. It is important to keep in mind how much energy – and money – can be lost by heating an empty house or office. The DOE reports that as much as 10% of home heating and cooling costs can be saved by turning the dial down 7 to 10 degrees during a standard eight-hour workday. This can be achieved by using a programmable thermostat, which allows users to heat or cool their homes on a schedule. Since the EIA attributes more than half of household energy costs to heating and air conditioning, reducing that use is another way to save energy and money.
Easy Ways To Save Energy During The Holidays
Those trying to save energy with a programmable thermostat may thwart their efforts if they don’t use energy-efficient windows. According to the DOE, heat gain and loss through windows account for nearly one-third of total heating and cooling use. Homeowners may assume that when their windows are closed, no heat escapes; but leaks around the windows themselves allow air to escape. NerdWallet reports that replacement windows can cost $500 each, or more if new frames are needed, and can take decades to recoup the financial cost. Installing more efficient windows is nevertheless an effective way to save energy over time, even if economic savings may not be apparent initially.
Appliances are a major source of energy consumption in a home or office. Wholesale Solar notes that the daily energy consumption of a dishwasher is between 1,200 and 1,500 watts and that of an oven 1,200 watts.
Homeowners and business owners can help reduce energy use by using appliances with the Energy Star logo, which are more energy efficient and can help save consumers money over time, even though they may cost more than other appliances, according to Solar estimate. Finding ways to reduce energy consumption from appliances, such as unplugging a microwave when not in use, can also help reduce energy, NOPEC writes.
According to Cold Water Saves, a website of the American Cleaning Institute for Better Living and the Sustainability Consortium, about 90% of a washing machine’s energy use is spent heating water. Over time, opting for cold water washing and rinsing can save a significant amount of energy and money.
More Ways To Save Energy
Cold Water Saves notes that the annual cost of washing and rinsing clothes on a hot/warm cycle is $265, while the cost for the same amount of laundry washed on a cold/cold cycle is $16. Hanging clothes to dry instead of using a gas or electric dryer can also save energy.
An easy way to save money and reduce energy use is to clean and replace oven filters, which block dust and debris from an oven’s fan. Referring to data from the DOE, U.S. Home Filter that replacing dirty filters can lead to a 15% reduction in your oven’s energy consumption, with a potential saving of 7.5% on your heating and cooling costs per month.
Cleaning and replacing filters in other appliances in your home can also help save energy. The DOE reports that replacing a dirty filter with a clean one can reduce an air conditioner’s energy use by as much as 15%.
According to Energy Star, the EPA estimates that homeowners can save 15% on their heating and cooling costs by using air-sealing methods and adding insulation in areas such as attics and crawl spaces. The savings can be significant, depending on the size of a home or office. Insulation can be done by a professional or using a DIY guide such as this one from the DIY Network. Individuals should always exercise caution and ensure they follow necessary protocols before attempting to isolate.
Ways To Save The Planet Interactive Worksheet
An aerator helps limit the amount of water coming out of a faucet. The EPA reports that replacing old faucets and aerators with WaterSense-certified faucets can help reduce water usage and save the average family 700 gallons of water (45 showers) per year. This not only helps to reduce water consumption, but also water heating costs. The EPA notes that with these aerators, households can save the energy equivalent of using a hair dryer for nearly 20 minutes a day.
It may not seem like smartphones or laptops consume a lot of electricity when plugged in but not being used. However, disconnecting these items can help reduce overall energy costs. Citing a study of Northern California by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the New York Times reports that nearly 25% of residential energy use comes from appliances that are in idle mode. While it may be impractical to unplug every appliance after every use, unplugging appliances such as toasters, coffee makers, and cable boxes can help reduce energy use.
Saving energy is not always necessary
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