Energy Efficient Products
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average
American family spends $1,300 a year on energy bills and some of that
energy even goes to waste! We’ve come to rely on our homes as
being energy-guzzlers; heat, air-conditioning, ventilation and appliances
have become the standard of comfort – despite the fact that
all of these are very inefficient and harmful to our environment.
Saving energy is in all of our best interests. Of course,
we can smile about lower gas and electricity bills, but the well-being
of our planet actually relies on conserving energy. Over the past
100 years, we have seen our ice caps diminish, our average temperature
increase more drastically then ever before, and rising sea levels
– all of which are due to greenhouse gasses released into our
atmosphere. Although natural energy sources are catching on, most
households rely on carbon-based energy plants (like coal), which release
large amounts of carbon dioxide (the most prominent greenhouse gas).
When released, carbon dioxide (or CO2) becomes trapped
in our atmosphere. As the sun’s rays are reflected from our
planet’s landmasses and oceans, the carbon dioxide absorbs these
infrared rays instead of letting them pass – thereby warming
the air. CO2 is a natural compound found in our atmosphere, but not
at its current levels. Simply, the more CO2 we have in our air, the
less infrared rays which are allowed to leave our atmosphere, and
this is what causes global warming. Because of their large CO2 emissions,
carbon-releasing (coal) power plants are a major contributor to global
warming.
As a society, we should be moving toward renewable energy.
The rising cost of fossil fuels alone should be a deterrent, not to
mention the global/political consequences involved with relying on
them. For this reason, solar power is becoming increasingly popular.
Solar energy is one of the safest, cleanest, most reliable energy
sources available and – despite some expensive equipment –
it saves money on the electricity bills in the long run. However,
most people cannot afford solar energy equipment or prefer the convenience/reliability
of their regular power supply.
Even the government has recognized the need to curb
our energy consumption. The U.S. Department of Energy constantly provides
sources for renewable energy and energy efficiency tips. Some of these
include: Buying a programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts
to the temperature of your home, installing energy-efficient lighting
(avoid incandescent lighting), and insulating/repairing your ducts.
All of these may seem very simple, but anything that reduces our dependency
on carbon-generating power is a step in the right direction.
Not all of us have to go out and be Captain Planet to
make a change – sometimes it’s possible to become efficient
through simple changes. For example, the Environmental Protection
Agency has issued a label to products which it has deemed environmentally
conscious (doesn’t use large amounts of electricity, doesn’t
produce harmful greenhouse gasses). Numerous household products have
earned this Energy Star label, including everything from battery chargers
to computer systems – just look for the logo featuring a star
underneath an arch and you’ll be on your way to energy efficiency!