This chapter highlights some of the efforts
being taken to remedy the situation. It shows
a wide variety of examples used to conserve
energy. It also discusses alternative methods
of generating energy.
Ways to Conserve
Energy
If the demand for electricity were reduced,
there would also be a reduction in the use of
coal, oil, gas, and nuclear materials. Consider
what it would mean to the environment to
reduce the use of these materials. It would
reduce the air pollution that comes from
burning the material to produce electricity. It
would also reduce the pollution that results
from mining the material, transporting the
material, removing waste, and cleaning the
environment. All of this is affected by the
choices we make concerning conservation.
There are some ways that people can help
conserve energy by choices they make on a
daily basis. Three areas in a home in which
it is easy to waste energy, but also easy to
conserve it, are lighting, hot water, and heating
and cooling. This section discusses each of
these areas, shows where waste is possible,
and gives some simple ideas about how to
conserve energy.
Lighting
Lighting is an ever present need. However,
the need for light can easily turn into waste-
fulness by leaving unnecessary lights turned
on or by using ineffi cient bulbs.
One simple way to save energy in the area
of lighting is to turn off all lights that are not
being used. If you leave a room and no one
else is in it, turn off the light on your way out.
Do not turn on every light in a room you enter
unless you need them all. For example, if you
are reading, turn on only the lights that help
illuminate your book.
394
Electricity and Basic Electronics
Another way to conserve energy is by
using energy effi cient bulbs. For example, a
28-W compact fl uorescent (CFL) bulb pro-
duces about the same amount of light as a
100-W incandescent bulb. Since a CFL bulb has
a lower wattage, it uses less energy. CFL bulbs
also help save money because their lifespan is
10 to 13 times that of an incandescent bulb.
Incandescent bulbs are still useful. They
should be used in locations where the light
is turned on and off many times in a day or
where the light is needed only for a short
period of time. This may include closets or
hallways.
Fluorescent lights are best used in areas
where they will be turned on and left on
for long periods of time. This may include a
kitchen, a workshop, an offi ce, or another area
that needs a lot of light over a long period of
time. Frequently turning fl uorescent bulbs on
and off shorten their lives.
There are other ways to make lighting
more effi cient, such as high-effi ciency incan-
descent bulbs. Sometimes one bulb of a higher
wattage can replace two of lower wattages,
which can lower the total wattage used. For
example, a 100-W bulb may be able to replace
two 60-W bulbs, which lowers the overall
energy use. Also, many people use motion
sensors for the lights that are outside of their
house, Figure 24-1. The lights turn on when
Figure 24-1. Using motion sensors for the lights
that are outside of your house can help conserve
energy.