During this meeting I will talk to my fellow homeowners in regard to energy conversation and efficiency in our community. Conserving energy is important because our world relies heavily on the use of nonrenewable energy resources. Once these resources are used up, we will have to rely on alternatives. Rather than depleting the Earth of its natural resources, we can put an end to it now, or at least slow it down. A more immediate solution to using alternatives is to conserve the energy we use by using less of it to accomplish everyday tasks. In addition to energy conservation, being energy efficient is a vital step we can take. With technological breakthroughs come energy efficiency breakthroughs such as vehicles with higher miles per gallon, or MPG ratings, lower wattage light bulbs, and high efficiency washing machines and dryers that use less water, detergent, and electricity (Berg & Hager, 2007). Energy conservation and efficiency not only helps the environment but also your wallet.
Two types of energy exist: nonrenewable and renewable. Nonrenewable energy is obtained from sources such as oil, coal, and natural gas. These sources are from the Earth and do not replenish fast enough for the world to rely on them forever (World Wildlife Fund, 2010). Renewable energy is obtained from sources that cannot be depleted, like wind or the sun, minimizing environmental impact (NADA, 2010). Many ways exist that we as consumers can conserve energy. One way that is inexpensive and easy to do is replacing all light bulbs with low wattage, energy efficient light bulbs that can be bought anywhere that regular light bulbs are sold (Gordon, How to Go Green: Lighting, 2010). Another more expensive change that people can make to conserve energy is...
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MPGFacts. (2010). 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS - MPG and Detailed Vehicle Information. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from MPGFacts: http://www.mpgfacts.com/?did=476&year=2010
NADA. (2010). Green Glossary. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from National Automobile Dealers Association: http://www.nada.org/green/getinvolved/glossary/
Recovery.gov. (2010). Overview of Federal Tax Cuts to Create and Sustain "Green Energy" Initiatives. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from Recovery.gov: http://recovery.vermont.gov/green_energy
Richard, M. G. (2010). How to Go Green: Hybrid Cars. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from Planet Green: http://planetgreen.discovery.com/go-green/hybrid-cars/
World Wildlife Fund. (2010). Climage Glossary. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from WWF: http://www.worldwildlife.org/climate/curriculum/item5957.html
The greatest impact on reducing dependence on fossil fuels could begin at home. All around us are devices that consume energy even as we do nothing with them. Known colloquially as “vampire power”, these devices in standby power mode continue to consume energy as they are never actually “off”. Studies by Ross and Meier (2001) have shown that the average household can have up to 40 different devices consuming energy, from clocks to microwaves and DVD players to television, these devices add up to, between, 5% and 26% of the total electricity consumption in a household – energy likely produced at the cost of burning fossil fuels, both in production of the electricity and the transportation of the fuels themselves.
Internal Revenue Service, (2011). Energy incentives for individuals in the american recovery and reinvestment act Retrieved from http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206875,00.html
Statistics show that most buyers that pursue this type of vehicle are mostly all for eco-friendly and/or economic trepidation (The Corvallis Advocate, 2012). When the Prius was initially presented, the car was costing Toyota $40,000 to build, and they were selling it for a low cost of just $20,000 at the dealer. Some of the perks this vehicle carries with it is the fact that the Prius does an outstanding job of receiving high gas mileage. Proving a greater MPG of 62, reporters all over the U.S. have met their gratified prospects.... ...
Instilling this new way of energy usage into off-grid communities will inevitably increase the state of living for those in cities and other well-populated areas. The change to renewable energy sources could drastically lower the pollutants currently being dispersed into the atmosphere by coal mines and other harmful power options, increasing the supply of renewable energy would allow us to replace carbon-intensive energy sources and significantly reduce U.S. global warming emissions. a 25 percent by 2025 national renewable electricity standard would lower power plant CO2 emissions 277 million metric tons annually by 2025—the equivalent of the annual output from 70 typical (600 MW) new coal plants (“Benefits of Renewable Energy Use”). Electricity production accounts for more than one-third of U.S. global warming emissions, with the majority generated by coal-fired power plants.
According to Jason, “costs would fall if people adopt new energy-efficient technologies without a price hike in energy” (Shogren, 2004). A study done by Jaffe and his colleagues concluded that 20-25% of existing carbon emissions can be eliminated if people switched to fluorescent light bulbs, improved thermal insulation, more efficient heating and cooling systems (Jaffe, Newell, & Stavins, 2003). It all comes down to the consumers. Some of the energy efficient technologies are readily available but are still expensive. The driving force to efficient-energy technology depends on the changes of relative price. People will not want spend money on newer appliances especially if the prices are high, and if their current one still functions.
Reducing and altering one’s energy consumption, and more broadly, saving resources of energy, is a key factor in ensuring that this world is kept and maintained liveable for future generations. By incorporating energy consumption methods in our daily lives, sustainable urbanisation will be achieved and our community will be ever more environmentally friendly. The practical methods and first step measures households should take in reducing their energy consumption, is by utilising energy smart principles and renewable energy resources. These have become easily accessible and affordable for many as the government continues to emphasise the importance of sustaining our environment and the importance of people being conscious of energy expenditure from
Lawrence, P. (July 2011). Greening Affordable Housing:Moving from Niche to Industry Standard. Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits, 2-4.
Most American cars are not hybrids or fuel-efficient, they are usually big SUV’s or trucks that get eighteen to ten miles per gallon. Most of Hondas, Toyotas, and Hyundai’s get around 20 to 30 miles per gallon, and hybrids get 50 miles per gallon. Peoples demand fuel-efficient cars because oil is i...
With a gasoline-fueled vehicle, buying gas to operate your car is a never-ending process. With the high price change of gasoline and oil, operating a gasoline-fueled vehicle tends to be very costly. While there are some types of small gasoline vehicles that get much better gas mileage than larger vehicles, even the most powerful gasoline cars will normally desire a contribution every month. According to some experts the only way a mainstream market for green vehicles wills materlize is with a pronounced and prolonged rise in fuel prices. (Buss, 4)
Wind turbines can be very useful in bringing energy into your home. They are especially useful when solar panels aren't working. They take the wind speed from oceans, lakes, dugouts, or rivers and turn it into energy. To use the wind turbines most efficiently you should set up a wind power system.
Rqriley.com. 17 June 2012. Electric And Hybrid Vehicles: An Overview of the Benefits, Challenges, and Technologies. 21 Nov. 2014.
People can also reduce the use of fossil fuels by doing simple things for instance switching off lights and appliances when leaving the room. Walking or cycling instead of driving a car or use public transport for maybe longer journeys. Little things like this will make a big difference, making our planet a better place.
Household energy conservation is a very practical and realistic approach to conserving energy within our society. US households consume a tremendous amount of natural gas as well as electric energy. It has been calculated that the amount of energy consumed within the US increased exponentially from about 1850 to 1975. If energy continued to increase at this rate, we would be experiencing severe energy shortages in our current society. Luckily, steps towards conservation, including various energy regulations, have curbed that growth somewhat, brining the predicted 160 Qbtu/yr for the year 2000 down to around 93.8 Qbtu/yr by the year 1996. However, household energy usage is still a major issue as households consume about 38% of the total consumed energy and contribute greatly to natural gas consumption and issues such as global warming. Therefore, it is important that people understand how we use energy in the household and what steps can be taken to conserve that energy.
Energy can be put into two broad categories Renewable energy and none renewable energy. Renewable energy sources can be reused continually as they are abundantly found in nature. All of them are non-polluting but devices used to collect the energy may impact the environment adversely. They are free but producing storage equipment or converting them into another form of energy may be costly.
There are different kinds of resources that we can use in order to produce renewable energy. Solar power, wind power, hydroelectric power are just some of the kinds of renewable energy that might be the best options to obtain energy because they come from natural resources. Although renewable energy can be expensive to build, it has less environmental damage in comparison to non-renewable energy. Besides the natural resources such as sun, wind, water and hydrogen, we also have geothermal power, and biofuels as renewable sources.