| While we often think of energy efficiency as the | | | | the best ways you can reduce your consumption |
| way to save our environment, we also often | | | | of energy and thus your distribution of harmful |
| consider it a costly endeavor. Did you realize, | | | | emissions of greenhouse gas. Any household that |
| however, that your homes energy bill might be | | | | buys equipment designed for energy efficiency |
| reduced by up to 30 percent through | | | | puts a big dent in harmful emissions of carbon |
| energy-efficiency that includes the purchase or | | | | dioxide. |
| energy efficient appliances and other products? In | | | | In fact, over the lifetime of one of these energy |
| other words, you can save yourself money while | | | | efficient appliances or other products you will |
| you do your part to save the planet. | | | | have reduced pollution the equivalent of what |
| Every time you buy a new air conditioning unit, a | | | | would be saved by one fewer vehicle for seven |
| new washer or dryer, a new refrigerator, | | | | years. The use of energy efficient household |
| microwave, or piece of office equipment, you are | | | | products reduces nitrogen oxides too, which |
| affecting the environment, either positively or | | | | contribute extensively to acid rain and smog. |
| negatively depending on your choices. Smart | | | | The average U.S. household spends about 1500 |
| choices of products designed for energy | | | | each year on energy. Energy-efficiency can |
| efficiency help the air we all breathe and reduce | | | | reduce this bill by 400-450 annually. If youre |
| your energy bill each month. | | | | concerned about energy efficiency and wish to |
| Here is some basic information about how energy | | | | not only save the environment but save yourself |
| efficiency works and why its helpful. A great deal | | | | some money it will help to know which appliances |
| of the energy you consume in your home is | | | | account for what portion of your energy use and |
| produced by local power plants that must burn | | | | bill. |
| fossil fuel to create the energy. These fossil fuels | | | | The biggest, which probably comes as no |
| might be natural gas, coal or oil. | | | | surprise, is your heat and air conditioning. This is a |
| These fossil fuels also create pollution. This | | | | whopping 45 percent of your energy bill. Your |
| pollution harms not only the environment but | | | | water heater uses up 11 percent of your energy, |
| ultimately the people, as it causes smog, acid rain | | | | and your washer and dryer 10 percent. The |
| and respiratory diseases. Fossil fuel pollution is also | | | | lighting for your home is seven percent of your |
| a strong factor in changing the climate of the | | | | energy costs, while your refrigerator is six |
| globe. | | | | percent of your bill. |
| While we hear a lot about the harmful gas | | | | Your dishwasher, computer, monitor, TV, VCR, |
| emissions that emanate from vehicles, what we | | | | DVD player and similar equipment each use up |
| dont hear much about is the fact that your home | | | | about two percent of your total energy |
| probably produces twice as much of these | | | | consumption. Stoves, microwaves and other |
| emissions as the average automobile. | | | | smaller appliances generally account for the rest, |
| Opting for energy efficiency through your choice | | | | though at less than two percent of the total each. |
| of products that are energy efficient is one of | | | | |