Electrical energy seems clean and innocuous; it is easy to forget that the byproducts of its production are rarely harmless. Because most homes and offices are extremely inefficient in their energy use, much of the pollution produced by electrical generation could easily be avoided. Homeowners can make a positive difference by replacing aging appliances; turning off unused or unneeded energy draws, and purchasing the most efficient electrical devices.
Very few regions of the US rely on electrical power produced entirely by renewable sources, and many power plants are still burning the dirtiest of fossil fuels, coal. Thus, the first step in reducing the impact of your electrical use is to make sure you know where your electricity is coming from, and how much you are using. The average US household uses about 14 kilowatt-hours (KWh) of energy per day, or 420 KWh/month; your electrical bill will tell you how much you have used.
Here in Fairbanks, our power is distributed by the Golden Valley Electric Association, which supplies roughly 60% oil-fired power, 10% hydroelectric, 15% coal, and 15% natural gas. In some areas, you can choose to pay more for your power in order to finance cleaner energy production from renewable sources. But even if this option isn’t available, the hints below can greatly reduce your environmental impact – and save you money in the process.
Replacing Older Appliances
Understandably, conservation-minded folks are loath to throw anything away. But in some cases, upgrading may be justifiable. For example, while the average 15-year-old refrigerator burns $9.48 worth of energy every month ($113.76/year), a new EnergyStar fridge will cost only $2.37 per month ($28.44/year). Modern freezers, washers, furnaces, dishwashers, and water heaters are also generally much more efficient than older ones.
Buying the Most Efficient Model
Some appliances have not become universally more efficient over time, but are now available in energy-saving models. Front-loading low-water washing machines save both water and energy. Compact fluorescent lights use one quarter the energy of regular incandescent bulbs, last much longer, and reduce fire risk, since they don’t heat up. A higher-efficiency hot water heater could save you more than $90 in water heating costs per year. A dryer with a moisture sensor saves energy and prevents over-drying.
Avoiding Waste
The first way to prevent waste is obvious: turn off what you’re not using, and don’t buy what you don’t really need. Hang your wet laundry out in the sun; make that shower a little shorter; turn off the TV more often.
However, there are other sources of waste that are less noticeable. Stereos, TV’s, computers, and many other electrical devices are getting bigger and bigger, and almost all of them now draw “ghost power.” That is, they use energy even when you are not using them, because they are never really off. If a red light or a clock is glowing, or if the device uses a remote control or plugs into a “wall cube” (DC converter), then it is still “on”. This power draw can be fairly high – for example, 28 watts (20 KWh/month) for a 21-inch TV with an “instant on” feature. Several 24-hour-per-day “leaks” add up to a lot of waste. This can be remedied by plugging into power strips, and turning the strips off when you’re not using the appliance. Of course, pulling the plug works, too – as does not buying this type of device in the first place.
Most large appliances are required to have labeling that shows their energy use. Be a smart shopper. Compare models, and look for EnergyStar labels, which indicate a product that has exceeded efficiency standards and incorporates power management features such as “sleep” mode.
