Energy Efficiency To Move Towards Energy Independence

Energy Efficiency For Electrical Devices

Do you know how much the average home spends on energy costs every year? Whenever an electric device is generating heat which is not necessary for its function, it is wasting energy. An easy demonstration of this is an incandescent bulb compared to a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb. You can bake a cake using an incandescent, but a lit CFL is just slightly warm to the touch.

Energy efficiency comes down to two things, first reducing energy waste and second changing habits. The changing habits part is not easy and not obvious. We need to unplug electric devices that are not being used. These devices are using “phantom power” which can be from 8% to 15% of a typical home’s electricity usage. A surge strip or a GreenSwitch can make turning these devices off easier. Other habit changes like turning off the lights in a room when no one is in it or turning off the T.V. when we aren’t watching it are good ways stop wasting expensive energy.

Energy Efficiency For Transportation

Energy efficiency comes down to two things, reducing energy waste and changing habits. As far as saving energy for transportation is concerned, we have a real problem. Our addiction to cheap oil and gas is the basis of American society, from suburban living to the food and products we buy at the grocery store. The average grocery store item has traveled more than 1200 miles.

What can we do? Drive more efficient vehicles, combine errands and trips to spend less time on the road and walk or ride bicycles whenever possible. Purchase food from farmer’s markets which haven’t traveled as far. In a word, we are going to have to relocalize.

As a side benefit, eliminating energy waste is one of the best steps to take before you move toward alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.

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