Summer is here with a vengeance in New England! And now with the air conditioning blasting on high, I'm thinking of ways to cut my energy bill. According to a recent study by an Australian consumer agency, video game consoles and plasma flat screen televisions are major energy hogs, even when left on stand-by. The Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and plasma television sets consumed the most power of 16 electronic devices tested. The Playstation 3, while not in use, costs five times as much as running a refrigerator. Ouch. To get the most benefit, cut your electronics power supply off at the source. Turning them off by remote just puts them in stand-by mode.
Everyone knows what a smoke alarm looks like; the design has barely changed since it was first introduced in 1967. But now Kidde is looking to change all that with the introduction of their new Silhouette Smoke Alarm. It's much slimmer than conventional smoke alarms, extending only 1/2 inch from the ceiling, making it much more concealable and less of an eyesore. Best of all, there is no need to change the battery. The Silhouette draws its power from the home's electrical power system and uses a rechargeable battery during power outages. The battery is recharged when the home's electrical supply is re-activated. There's even a one-touch button to silence nuisance alarms.
Let's kill this rumor before it even gets off the ground: Compact fluorescent lights, or CFLs, are no more a fire hazard than regular incandescent bulbs. One writer to the Green Guide expressed concern because his CFL burned out, leaving a charred base, some smoke and emitting a bad smell. No need to worry as long as the bulb has the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) seal, the Green Guide assures us. Good thing too, as there's no doubt CFLs are good for the environment and your electrical bill. They are 10 times as energy-efficient as incandescent bulbs. So, don't let this rumor and others deter you from installing CFLs in your home.
Solar power is on the rise! According to the Worldwatch Institute, global production of photovoltaic cells increased 51 percent in 2007 to 3,733 megawatts. Germany leads the charge, producing 1,063 megawatts of solar power cells in 2007. China came in second with 820 megawatts and Spain in third with 425 to 650 megawatts. Meanwhile, here in the U.S., production rose 48 percent from 2006 to 266 megawatts. That's an admirable percentage rise but a fall from grace; the U.S. once led the world in photovoltaic cell production. There is hope however—U.S. manufacturers are focused on the "next wave" of solar production by accounting for two-thirds of global thin-film production, an advanced technology trend. With the cost of production consistently falling, it is predicted solar electricity will become cost-competitive with conventional power in many parts of the world in the next several years.
A combination of new technology, financial incentives and growing environmental awareness have lead to an increasing number of wind turbine installations in residential areas, according to this article in the New York Times. With advances in wind power technology, the cost of each project is steadily coming down, making wind power a more feasible option for homeowners. Other homeowners are more driven to reduce global warming and dependence on fossil fuels. A number of state incentive programs is also increasing interest in residential wind power. Despite these advances, wind power remains costly. It can take 20 years to repay the cost of installation. But for a growing number of homeowners, it's a investment they are willing to make.
What better way to celebrate Earth Day today than by taking the Energy Star pledge. If every American household took part in the new pledge, it would save more than 110 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, over $18 billion in annual energy costs and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 18 million cars. Read how to take the pledge and more at the Energy Star Change The World web page.
On April 22, Earth Day, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will kick off its year-long "Change the World: Start with Energy Star" campaign to combat global warming. It asks consumers to take the new Energy Star pledge and perform the following actions:
Replace at least one light with an energy-efficient CFL bulb or fixture.
Use a programmable thermostat and perform regular maintenance of HVAC equipment.
Activate power management features on home computers.
Choose Energy Star-qualified TVs and other home entertainment products.
When replacing appliances, choose Energy Star-qualified products.
Light up for the holidays with decorative lights that have earned the Energy Star rating.
These simple actions not only reduce consumers' energy bills but also fight global warming. Consumers who take the pledge will be able to submit testimonials at www.energystar.gov about their family's commitment to saving energy. This summer, the EPA will visit communities around the nation to gather testimonials, check in with families who have taken the pledge and provide advice on saving energy.
