Common Sense on Climate Change Solution #3: Increase Energy Efficiency
Like better technology for transportation and power generation, the technology for more efficient motors, appliances, windows, homes, and manufacturing processes is here today. These simple solutions save consumers money and can have an enormous impact on climate change at the same time. For instance, in the past two decades, energy-efficiency standards for household appliances kept 53 million tons of heat-trapping gases out of the air each year.
New or updated standards are now in place for many major appliances, including clothes washers, dishwashers, water heaters, furnaces, and boilers. In 2006, new standards for air conditioners take effect that will increase efficiency 23 percent compared with the current standard. By 2020, these efficiency gains alone will reduce the need for up to 150 new medium-sized (300 megawatt) power plants. Efficiency standards for commercial equipment such as refrigerators, heaters, furnaces, and public lighting also have significant room for improvement.
Many states and utilities have energy efficiency programs. They typically save consumers more than $2 in lower energy bills for every $1 invested in efficiency. A federal matching fund created by a $1 per household surcharge on monthly electric bills could provide more than $7 billion per year in funding for state energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
When it comes time to replace appliances, look for the Energy Star label on new appliances. (Refrigerators, freezers, furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters use the most energy.) These items may cost a bit more initially, but the energy savings will pay back the extra investment within a couple years.
Household energy savings really can make a difference. If each household in the United States replaced its existing appliances with the most efficient models available, we would save $15 billion annually in energy costs and eliminate 175 million tons of heat-trapping gases.
Consumer Solution: Unplug a freezer.
One of the quickest ways to reduce your global warming impact is to unplug the extra refrigerator or freezer you rarely use—except when you need it for holidays and parties. This can reduce the typical family's CO2 emissions nearly 10 percent.
Consumer Solution: Home energy audits.
Many utilities offer free home energy audits. Take advantage of this service. Simple measures, such as installing a programmable thermostat to replace your old dial unit or sealing and insulating heating and cooling ducts, can each reduce a typical family’s CO2 emissions by about 5 percent.
Consumer Solution: Light bulbs matter.
Lighting uses nearly one-quarter of all the electricity in the United States, and much of this electricity is generated from polluting fossil fuel power plants. So replace your incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent lights, which now come in all shapes and sizes. You will be doing your share to cut back on heat-trapping pollution and you’ll save money on energy and light bulbs.
