ENERGY
Humans in our country are faced with a problem. Our most abundant sources of concentrated energy (oil, gas, coal) are relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain, but these sources are being rapidly depleted, they are not renewable, and their use is rapidly deteriorating our environment.
What can we do here in Blacksburg, VA to help solve what is being done to our Earth? To answer that question, we must think globally and locally. Globally, we can put pressure on our national government-representatives to place environmental issues high on their legislative priority list, then hold our legislators responsible at the ballot box. Locally, we can change the way WE behave in both large and small ways. I cringe each time I use electricity and gasoline in Blacksburg, because I know these are produced from coal and oil, and I am aware of what the extraction of these non-renewable forms of energy are doing to our environment and to our national security. And, I know how often I use energy just because of habit and NOT because of need. When I reduce my energy consumption, I feel better about myself and also save money. Even if I don't save money, I believe that it is the right thing to do!
The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP) says that "Over 90 % of the energy we use today comes from non-renewable fossil fuels", so we badly need to shift toward the use of renewable forms of energy. But, not everyone can afford to stop using the electric utilities and install their own photovoltaic panels or windmills or develop a geothermal heating system. However, each of us can start today to conserve energy in our homes. According to the AECP, here is the proportion of energy used by the average American home.
There are MANY small things we can do to reduce our energy consumption. Let's use this page to share ideas about SMALL INEXPENSIVE THINGS we can do each day to reduce our use of energy.
What can we do here in Blacksburg, VA to help solve what is being done to our Earth? To answer that question, we must think globally and locally. Globally, we can put pressure on our national government-representatives to place environmental issues high on their legislative priority list, then hold our legislators responsible at the ballot box. Locally, we can change the way WE behave in both large and small ways. I cringe each time I use electricity and gasoline in Blacksburg, because I know these are produced from coal and oil, and I am aware of what the extraction of these non-renewable forms of energy are doing to our environment and to our national security. And, I know how often I use energy just because of habit and NOT because of need. When I reduce my energy consumption, I feel better about myself and also save money. Even if I don't save money, I believe that it is the right thing to do!
The Association of Energy Conservation Professionals (AECP) says that "Over 90 % of the energy we use today comes from non-renewable fossil fuels", so we badly need to shift toward the use of renewable forms of energy. But, not everyone can afford to stop using the electric utilities and install their own photovoltaic panels or windmills or develop a geothermal heating system. However, each of us can start today to conserve energy in our homes. According to the AECP, here is the proportion of energy used by the average American home.
- Heating and Cooling (about 40%)
- Appliances (about 20%)
- Hot Water Heater (about 15%)
- Windows (over 10%)
- Air Leakage (about 10%)
There are MANY small things we can do to reduce our energy consumption. Let's use this page to share ideas about SMALL INEXPENSIVE THINGS we can do each day to reduce our use of energy.
I have created many web pages about energy: http://www.roperld.com/science/EnergyRoper.htm
ReplyDeleteIf you are concerned about energy usage in your house, check out:
ReplyDeleteCommunity Alliance for Energy Efficiency (cafe2)(http://www.cafe2.org/). They may be able to help you reduce your energy usage
Perhaps one of the best things homeowners can do about saving energy at their home is to inquire about having a qualified, well-trained professional do a home energy audit. This inquiry costs you nothing. You will learn about how this "audit" is done, and how you might save energy and money in the future. I know of two local companies who will talk with you about conducting an energy audit on your home: (1) Energy Check - access http://www.wecheckenergy.com/ and (2) the Community Alliance for Energy Efficiency, access http://www.cafe2.org/. Please let me know if you know of other LOCAL energy auditors.
ReplyDeleteENERGY AUDIT LIST. Someone asked me the other day if Sustainable Blacksburg could develop a list of people in and around Blacksburg that have had an energy audit done on their home, then followed that audit up with having work done on their home guided by the results of that audit. I would be glad to compile such a list. If you would not mind being contacted by others concerning your "energy audit retrofit", please send me your contact information and a brief description of what you had done.
ReplyDeleteSOLAR PANELS - Received a note from Dave Roper this morning referencing an article on the "Care2" website that gives nine questions that you should ask yourself and others before buying solar panels. This article appears to be very good advice. It's URL is ...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.care2.com/causes/9-questions-to-ask-before-buying-solar-panels.html
Perhaps some of you, who have homes in sunny locations, are considering installing solar panels.
One of the best things we can do to save energy is to live within easy walking or commuting distance. Here is a summary of a survey about how people's housing preferences have changed lately: http://www.realtor.org/wps/wcm/connect/a0806b00465fb7babfd0bfce195c5fb4/smart_growth_comm_survey_results_2011.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=a0806b00465fb7babfd0bfce195c5fb4
ReplyDelete