Improved insulation materials and instillation techniques, as well as an array of other efficiency upgrades, have made climate management considerably less intense. Homes are staying warmer in the winter. Cooler in the summer. At virtually no increased cost to the consumer!
People tend to think that cooling a house costs more than warming it, when in fact it’s the opposite! Heating actually uses MORE energy. 85% of American households feature either gas or electric-powered climate systems.
Energy consumption also varies by region. For example, in the United States, coastal cities consume much less energy (per capita) compared to the rest of the country. Electricity is now the “fuel of choice” in the South, a trend which is expected to continue as more of the population migrates that way.
This may not be the best solution when it comes time to pay your bills. Electric heating is a MAJOR energy guzzler. Electric dishwashers, water heaters, and clothes washers and dryers are just a few of the high wattage items responsible for your rising utility costs.
Unfortunately, wattage is a misleading standard by which to judge energy consumption. Some items you don’t use that often. Others require less electricity than low-wattage items you might leave on all day.
Plus, we can’t stop buying gizmos and gadgets! No matter how much we reduce our consumption by, our progress is canceled out by the new appliances we purchase. We have four different cell phones plugged into a single outlet. We have desktop computers. Laptops. Tablets.
Is there no end?!?
It's one thing to cut down on our personal energy consumption – it’s another to begin solving the problem at a fundamental level.
NRGLab is helping the world get a handle on energy consumption. For more information, visit nrglab.aisa.
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