ENERGY
CONSERVATION IN THE HOME
Energy Conservation
 Energy
consumption in the home consists of the use of electricity
and for most people either oil, gas, coal or wood for
heating and sometimes cooking. Electricity is usually
generated by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil,
gas or coal. It can also be generated at nuclear or
hydro-electric plants. Renewable sources of energy such
as solar and wind can be used to generate electricity,
but most of the electricity that is used in the United
States is generated locally at power plants that burn
fossil fuels.
The
burning of fossil fuels is a major source of air pollution.
The combustion of oil, coal or gas leads to the release
of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter
and greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide. Nitrogen
dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter are major
components of smog and lead to the formation of acid
rain. Carbon dioxide is the gas most often associated
with the greenhouse effect which may be contributing
to global warming.
The
overall goal of the Clean Air Act Amendments is to reduce
the pollutants in our air by 56 billion pounds a year–224
pounds for every man, woman, and child–when the
law is fully phased in by the year 2005. Energy conservation
in the home can help meet that goal. The less energy
you use in your home, the less fuel the power plant
that serves your home has to burn, and the less fuel
power plants have to burn, the less pollution is emitted
to the atmosphere. In addition, the mining and transportation
of fossil fuels can result in various types of pollution,
including acid mine drainage, oil spills, and natural
gas leaks. In other words, energy conservation is
pollution prevention!
CCE’s
22 Energy Saving Tips Under $100
Citizens
Campaign for the Environment (CCE) celebrates
its 22nd birthday in 2007 with 22 ways to save
energy, money, and the environment! CCE has
compiled a list of helpful ways to reduce energy
consumption, save on costly monthly energy bills,
and prevent pollution. In fact, many of these
ideas are free to implement and can save significant
dollars on home energy bills. Now is the time
to become energy efficient! The cost of natural
gas is at an all time high and heating oil is
not getting any cheaper these days. Energy conservation
combined with renewable energy will bring us
one step closer to energy independence and solving
global
warming. We encourage you to do your part
and conserve this winter!
Click
here to view the list
|
Click
below on the following topics to learn about energy
conservation in the home for the following topics:
1.
Heating
2. Cooling
3. Appliances
4. Lighting
5. Other Appliances
& Miscellaneous Energy Users
6.
References
Click
here to download the "Stay Cool! Conserve
Energy at Home" flier, produced by
CCE, the Stay Cool! Program
(sponsored by the New York Energy $mart Program), Long
Island Power Authority, and the New York Power Authority
Click
here to view comments submitted by CCE on March 15,
2002 to the New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority (NYSERDA) on the Draft New York State Energy
Plan and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SEP),
December 2001
For
information on New York State programs that provide
financial and technical assistance to residences, apartment
owners, and businesses to install energy efficient appliances
and lighting, link to:
The
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
(NYSERDA):
www.getenergysmart.org
Updated
by kjacobs 2/26/07
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