Summer energy tips: Go lightly on the grid
Copyright 2000, Environmental News Network
Sunday, June 25, 2000
By Lucy Chubb
Mature trees can provide a natural sunscreen for the home, saving energy and money during the long, hot summer.
The first day of summer came and went quietly this week. But if 1999 is any indication, the rest of the season will see its share of power outages.
Last year, millions of Americans endured outages caused by power demands, warm weather patterns, simultaneous heat waves and severe cuts in energy efficiency investments by utility companies due to deregulation and governmental inaction, according the Alliance to Save Energy.
Utilities toiling to keep up with energy demand in 1999 resorted to rolling blackouts, brownouts and service interruptions. Later in the year, many customers received a jolt when they opened their electricity bill to see higher rates.
San Francisco and nearby areas of northern California have already experienced power cuts this summer due to excessively hot weather and increased use of air conditioning.
On June 14, in the face of temperatures as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit, utilities in the Bay Area were forced to suspend electricity to thousands of residents and several commercial customers to avoid an even bigger catastrophe.
To help prevent a repeat of 1999, ASE, a coalition of business, government, environment and consumer groups that promotes energy-efficient technology and practices, has compiled some sensible suggestions for consumers to help tread lightly on the power grid.
The tips will save money and reduce pollution. They include:
Be a fan of fans. Ceiling and other fans provide additional cooling and better
circulation, which means you can turn down the
air conditioner and cut costs.
Keep it clean. Maintain your air conditioning equipment with regular service.
Clean or replace filters monthly.
Bigger is not always better. Check with your contractor or local
air-conditioning retailer to get right unit for your home. An unnecessarily
large air conditioning unit will increase energy costs and contribute to poor
indoor air quality.
Off is good. Remember to turn off all appliances, lights, televisions and
computers when they are not in use.
The smart star. Energy Star air conditioners, appliances, lighting and home
electronics can help you save 30 percent on energy costs. For central air
conditioning systems, make sure the seasonal energy efficiency ratio is 12 or
higher.
Sunscreen for your house. Cut your air conditioning load, reduce pollution, and
fight the "heat island" effect in your neighborhood by planting leafy
trees and vines around the house, installing reflective tiles on the roof and
filling the attic with adequate insulation.
Cool shades. Close the blinds on the south- and west-facing windows of the house
during the day or install trellises or awnings.
Dial it up. Programmable thermostats let you set indoor temperatures to
coordinate with your daily routine, increasing home comfort and reducing energy
consumption.
Timing is everything. Schedule energy-intensive tasks such as clothes laundering
and dishwashing during hours of off-peak energy
demand.
Check out the checkup. See ASE's on-line Home Energy Checkup to get a quick
analysis of potential dollar and pollution savings, which take into
consideration climate types and local energy prices.
Go window shopping. The Efficient Windows Collaborative web site has information
about high-performance Energy Star windows that can reduce average cooling costs
from 15 percent to 30 percent in central and southern climate zones. The windows
filter in visible light and block out heat waves.