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Most people these days are aware of the impending doom associated with climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions, and that Kyoto isn’t a dragon. With warnings getting louder, there is a solution that’s simple, environmentally friendly, demands no change to quality of life (in fact might improve it) and best of all requires less home maintenance: Conservation of energy by using it more efficiently. Change needed So why aren't more people doing that? Maybe the price for gasoline, heating oil, natural gas and electricity isn’t high enough. Maybe too many people just don't know much about the energy they use. How many know how much their freezer costs to run each month? How many drive across town to save a buck. The average North American family makes five trips by car each day. We have to get away from that. It needs to change. One reliable energy source that is not even close to being depleted: Conservation it may be the safest and cleanest option we have. Fossil-fuel consumption has increased by two-thirds within only one generation. Recent studies have found that without much effort and no change in quality of life, the almost 800 million people of North America and the European Union could reduce their energy use by 20%. That would add up to savings in the area of $120 billion US per year. For the average family that could be from $200 to $1,000 /year just by using energy at home more efficiently. Conserving to improve quality of life As an example, an energy-saving compact fluorescent light bulb uses only one-fifth of the energy of a conventional incandescent bulb and lasts ten times longer. This is the low home maintenance part! If they last ten times longer then you’re not digging out the ladder to change the light bulb as often, so you will then have more time for say… the football game! Low home maintenance converts to money and time saved, and improved quality of life. Wood has also been “rediscovered” for home heating, and remains more affordable than gas despite rising demand. Heating with pellets made from pressed wood scraps is affordable, efficient and simple. In Germany, use of these heating units has risen from 40,000 a year earlier to 70,000. Wood pellets burn more evenly, giving them an extremely high 90 percent energy conversion efficiency. Tankless water heaters ( also see Something About Water Heaters ) used on Europe for decades are becoming more popular in North America. Again, lower home maintenance and improved quality of life. You’re not wasting money keeping a tank of water heated and because they heat water as it’s needed you don’t need to worry your family will run out of hot water. Low home maintenance, money saved and quality of life, that’s what conservation is about.
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