Gasoline is a prime example high cost promotes conservation/ fuel efficiency; low cost promotes high usage.

Subsidized energy usage also does not promote conservation

Exponential energy usage curtailed by high price

What areas are good for conservation?

• Buildings and appliances better insulation; more efficient lighting, appliances ,etc
• Industry ?? since increased costs will be passed on the consumer
• Transportation obvious; better fuel efficiency more mass transit

  Where can the individual home owner conserve?

The above calculations assume a low price of 6 cents per KWH. Most areas around the country pay 12-15 cents per KWH.

Consider a typical family of four house equipped with

• Multiple TVs
• Frost Free Refrigerator
• Home PC
• Stereo
• Washer/Dryer
• Hot Tub
• Water Heater
• Oven, Stove, Microwave, Bread Machine, Espresso Maker, Electric Can Opener, Blender, Toaster, Toaster Oven, Electric Dog Polisher, etc

We can model their costs using this Java applet:

The average electricity generated by the use of these appliances plus standard household incandescent lighting is about 20,000 KWH per year. At 10 cents per KWH this is 2000 dollars.

The above did not include heating. For most locations, heating requires around 10,000 KWH per year (or more). This means that the typical household energy bill is about $250 per month in many locations around the country.

This is sufficiently high that it is possible to identify areas where energy conservation is effective and leads to lower utility bills. In fact, most utility companies want their customers to conserve energy and will offer rebates for energy conserving appliances.

Are these utility companies practicing good citizenship or are there other reasons? Well, it costs utility companies big bucks whenever demand exceeds capacity and they would like to avoid that situation at all costs.

Saving dollars on lighting

About 20% of all electrical energy is for lighting.

Fluorescent vs. Incandescent Bulbs an example calculation that Joe and Jane Six Pack never do!

Be subversive, buy your parents a fluorescent light bulb for Xmas!

• 1 15-W fluorescent fixture produces as much light as 1 75-W Incan bulb.

• The fluorescent bulb lasts for 10,000 hours
• the Incan bulb lasts for 1000 hours

• The fluorescent bulb costs $20.00 (which is why no one buys them)
• The Incan bulb costs $0.75 (which is why everyone buys them)

Now lets calculate the total cost over the lifetime of the fluorescent bulb assuming a cost rate of 10 cents per KWH.

• Fluorescent bulb = 10,000 hours * 15 Watts = 150 KWH * 10 cents per KWH = $15 + the cost of the bulb total cost = 35$

• Incan bulb = 1,000 hours * 75 Watts = 75 KWH * 10 cents per KWH = $7.50 + the cost of the bulb total cost = $8.25

• Now multiply this by 10 = $82.50

So, over a 10,000 hour period, the fluorescent bulb has a total cost of $35 and the Incands have a total cost of $82.50.

Clearly always use fluorescent bulbs if you are interested in saving energy and money.

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