The Hidden Cost of Home Energy Use
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Many people believe that their car is the largest single source of air pollution
for which they are personally responsible. But in fact, the average home causes
the emission of more than twice as much carbon dioxide--the principal greenhouse
gas--as the average car. This is because most of the energy consumed in our homes
is produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. This
pollution is actually a hidden cost for the energy we use, over and above the
dizzying $110 billion Americans spend each year on their home energy bills--
that's nearly $1,300 per house!
Much of this energy use is unnecessary because there are a variety of proven,
widely available products on the market today (heating, cooling, appliances,
windows, lighting, etc.) to drastically reduce your home's energy bills, and
accompanying pollution. What's more, many of these products actually improve the
comfort and livability of your home.
This web site is a tool for consumers developed under the ENERGY STAR program, a
joint initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Department
of Energy which aims to encourage pollution prevention through energy efficiency.
The site provides information needed to choose more energy-efficient products so
that you can save the earth, reduce your utility bills,
and make your home more comfortable and livable.
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The example below is for the national average home. Use the Energy Advisor to see an example for your area.
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Use the ENERGY ADVISOR to actually calculate your own energy bill and see the savings
from specific improvements.
The MAKING IT HAPPEN module can help you successfully capitalize on the energy
savings opportunities identified by the Energy Advisor, by providing
a host of links to practical information.
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We all depend on using energy as part of our daily lives. But when we use products that waste energy, we
harm the environment. This is because most of the energy consumed in our homes and offices is produced
by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. When these fuels are burned, they release air
pollutants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particles that contribute to smog, acid rain, and
respiratory disease. Another pollutant, carbon dioxide, contributes to global climate change.
In 1995, an international panel of scientists concluded that the available evidence now suggests that we are
already witnessing the effect of human activity on the global climate. Carbon dioxide emissions from
energy use, including the generation of electricity, are the largest world-wide contributor to global climate
change. Disruptions now linked to climate change include an increase in the number of severe weather
events, the spread of some diseases, more stress on water resources, and the degradation of natural
ecosystems.
Not only does the environment benefit from using energy-efficient equipment, your wallet benefits too. By
using energy-efficient products, such as those with the ENERGY STAR label, you can avoid energy waste
and save money on your utility bills.
Think of it this way--whenever you buy an energy-consuming product, it really has two price tags. The
first price tag is the initial purchase price. The second price tag isn't so obvious--it's the cost to operate
the product over its lifetime. Because this second price tag is hidden in your monthly utility bills, it's easy
to overlook. But the second price tag can be large. For some products, it can be even more than the initial
price. So when you are comparing models, remember the second price tag before you buy. Products with
the ENERGY STAR label come with a smaller second price tag, which means lower utility bills every month
for years to come.
When we spend money on new appliances, heating and cooling equipment, or a new home, we want to get the
most for our investment. A smart way to make a good investment is to think about energy efficiency.
Energy-efficient products often have a little higher initial purchase price than their inefficient competitors.
But the higher price is really an investment that will be paid back in utility bill savings for years to come.
In fact, investments in energy-efficient products can yield returns higher than stocks, bonds, or many
other alternative investments. For instance, buying a high-efficiency refrigerator instead of a standard
model can yield annual "interest" of almost 25% on the initial investment.
Efficient homes do more than save money and reduce pollution. They're also more comfortable and safer.
The familiar causes of discomfort -- humidity, drafts, cold windows in winter or
hot windows in summer -- are all lessened by improvements in energy efficiency.
It turns out that many efficient building components also enhance safety.
Insurance companies are even considering offering reduced premiums for homes with
these types of features.
For example:
- Compact fluorescent lamps last longer, reducing the hassle, cost, and risk of injury associated with lamp changes. CFL fluorescent torchiere light fixtures eliminate a serious fire hazard posed by the halogen fixtures they replace.
- Highly-insulating windows improve thermal comfort, reduce ultraviolet fading of furnishings, are a deterrent to burglars, and cut down on exterior noise.
- Horizontal-axis clothes washers remove stains more effectively and trim water bills.
- Efficient duct systems help eliminate pressure imbalances in homes that can precipitate indoor air quality problems such as backdrafting of combustion appliances or the entry of radon gas into the home.
- Well-insulated ceilings can prevent the formation of damaging rooftop ice dams, and the danger of dripping water or falling icicles.
- Well-insulated crawlspaces reduce the likelihood of frozen water pipes.
- A comprehensive effort to make the home's walls, ceiling, floor and windows more efficient pays off in terms of a smaller (and thus less expensive) furnace and air conditioner.