Pointless

CBS 'reports' below.

Note the astounding refusal to suggest the
use of solar panels on the house's roof.

Other omissions include:

- Adding a dry towel to the drier help facilitate the process.

- Wash dishes by hand.

- Use of shade trees to cool houses.

A personal computer and monitor - both set up at low-power state and not part of the Environmental Protection Administration energy-efficient program - consume electricity at 0.13 kWatt-hour. Hook up a printer, scanner and other peripherals and that energy consumption can quickly rise.

TIP: Computers, monitors and peripherals with the Energy-Star label use less energy, may help save money on the electric bill and help protect the environment.

Central Air and Heat

A 5,000 watt central air conditioner and heater is one of the largest consumers of electricity in a home - using 5.0 kWatt-hours. More than 72 percent of all homes in the United States have air conditioners.

TIP: Clean or replace the heating and cooling filters and straighten any fins (on the outside of the window). Install a programmable thermostat and set so that heat or air-conditioning is turned up before you arrive home instead of leaving it running all day. Clear away yard debris. Replace old heating/cooling equipment with one with the Energy-Star label, and have a contractor conduct a heating and cooling load calculation to size your system properly. Install ceiling fans, which can save up to 40 percent on summer cooling costs and up to 10 percent on winter heating costs, depending on local climate conditions and energy rates.

Clothes Dryer

An electric 5,000-watt, 1/2-horsepower-motor clothes dryer consumes 5.50 kWatt-hours - one of the most costly electric household items.

TIP: Consider purchasing an energy-efficient washer/dryer model. Check with the local energy company on rebate programs for replacing old appliances. Fill the dryer. It's more efficient to dry a full load than a small load.

Washing Machine

An electric 1/2-horsepower-motor clothes washer consumes 0.33 kWatt-hours, making it much cheaper to run than a clothes dryer.

TIP: Wash only full loads. Consider purchasing an energy-efficient washer/dryer model. Check with the local energy company on rebate programs for replacing old appliances. Because your washer uses most of its energy heating the water, cold-water washing saves a substantial amount of energy.

Lights

A single 100-watt incandescent light bulb can consume 0.10 kWatts-hour of electricity. Popular halogen bulbs burn a lot more electricity and can operate at very high and dangerous temperatures.

TIP: Install timers so that lights go on at dark or just before you get home. Replace old bulbs with compact flourescents. New compact flourescent lamps fit regular light fixtures, can last up to 10 times longer than old bulbs and use a quarter of the electricity. For halogen bulbs consider replacing them with cooler running torchieres with the Energy-Star label. Clean dust and dirt off light bulbs and shades.

Microwave

The kitchen uses more energy than any other area in the house and the microwave has had the most dramatic increase in usage since 1980. A 1,500-watt microwave oven, which uses approximately half the energy of a conventional ovens, gobbles up 0.42 kWatt-hour.

TIP: Replace older microwaves with newer models bearing the Energy-Star label.

Dishwasher

Though automatic dishwashers use small amounts of electricity, they require large amounts of hot water. A dishwasher with the drying unit turned off can consume 0.58 kWatt-hour.

TIP: Run the dishwasher only when full. Also, running a full load of dishes in a dishwasher uses less water and energy than washing them in the sink. Use your dishwasher's automatic energy-saving cool-dry cycle.

Refrigerator

Refrigerators use more energy than any other kitchen appliance because they operate day and night. A 20-cubic-foot refrigerator with a top freezer and automatic defrost can consume 2.08 kWatt-hours.

TIP: Consider purchasing a new, efficient model, which can use as little as a half as much energy as older models. The recommended temperature for your refrigerator is between 35°F and 38°F, while the recommended temperature for the freezer is between 0°F and 5°F.

Television

The most commonly used home entertainment appliance in every home is the television. A 20-inch, 265-watt color model can consume 0.27 kWatt-hour.

TIP: Remember to turn off the television when not in use, even for just a few minutes. All too often, "a few minutes" can become an hour - and a wasted use of energy. 

Conservation | Wars

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