Editorial

Saving energy

Friday, October 16, 2009

Heating costs will be lower this winter, according to a nationwide forecast. Users of propane and natural gas -- both widely used in Southeast Missouri -- will see the biggest drop in fuel costs. Also affecting fuel expenses this year are predictions of a mild winter.

All of this is good news to a nation recovering from the deepest recession since the Great Depression. How much any household actually spends on winters heating, however, will depend in large part on many factors besides fuel costs and the weather.

Utility companies have been trying to educate customers by providing information on ways to conserve energy. Most of the suggestions are commonsense reminders such as turning off lights in unoccupied rooms, weatherizing windows and doors and adding insulation.

As more and more electronic components such as wide-screen TVs, sound systems, satellite and cable systems and DVD players are added to entertainment centers and more computers and peripherals make their way into homes, electricity consumption climbs even when these gadgets aren't being used. Most have standby power features, which means they are on even when you turn them off.

Finding ways to save energy is a matter of personal choice. The more your try, the more you save.

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Don't forget energy tax credits for upgraded insulation and windows. I have a geothermal heat pump and my average electric utiliies are about $100/month (no gas)for 2400 square feet. I think even a new air-to-air heat pump would work well too. And no, I don't own a heating and air business nor a window or insulation company.

I just like saving energy. It reduces pollution and puts less stress on the electric grid. Not using natural gas for electricity generation frees it up for cars and semi-trucks.

-- Posted by nolimitsonthought on Fri, Oct 16, 2009, at 9:19 AM
Ameren customers can register at Ameren's website - www.ameren.com - to view past usage and billing for the past 2 years, as well as to make use of the analysis tools which queries for current house construction and features in order to make suggestions on changes to insulation, weatherstripping, appliances, lighting, HVAC, washer, dryer, and water heater to lower energy consumption and related costs - also yielding the estimated magnitude of cost savings as well as the CO2 emissions changes expected.

The analysis gives factors which impacted the month's bill - such as weather, rate changes (we are now in the cheaper winter rate period), billing cycle length, etc. Figure that if one doesn't track it, then one has little hope of controlling it.

The home analysis package seems to give reasonable results for recommended changes - a nice feature to allow viewers to better estimate payback periods and to better quantify "what's in it for me?".

The tax credits make it almost a no-brainer to opt for the qualifying high-efficiency units, although today's standard efficiency units will still save considerably over units of 15-20 years old.

Outside of HVAC, major appliance replacements, and the like - many of the other savings opportunities require continuous attention to details - flipping off the unneeded lights, tweaking the thermostat, maximizing laundry and dishwashing loads, minimizing use of hot water, etc. But - a penny saved here and there soon adds up to real dollars saved, that can be seen when the bill arrives.

I like saving energy, because it frees up more money for beer! :-)~

-- Posted by fxpwt on Fri, Oct 16, 2009, at 6:17 PM
"Also affecting fuel expenses this year are predictions of a mild winter."

Have you SEEN the temps lately? I've NEVER turned on my furnace until November...but I've been contemplating doing just that all week. If things don't warm up soon, it'll be fired up Sunday night. Also had to run it later into the spring than I have ever run it before.

Where is this global warming we've been hearing about for so long? I'm ready for it to get here.

-- Posted by dixietrucker on Sat, Oct 17, 2009, at 11:32 AM

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