subject: As Energy Consumption Continues To Rise, Americans Should Look To Conservation Techniques [print this page] Because Americans rely very heavily on technology as a way to power their lives, we have become more reliant on energy. This is the case with all aspects of our lives including the way we communicate and travel. We have made efforts to become more aware of our energy use in the industrial and private sectors in a hope that we might create a more sustainable planet. However, we continue to increase our total energy consumption.
A report by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in 2007 showed that the average American household utilizes approximately 936 kilowatt-hours every month. The majority of this consumption happens on the east coast.
The report continues on to outline how energy is being used in American homes. More than 64 percent of all energy is used by appliances such as computers, stoves and toasters. Refrigerators alone make up nearly 14 percent of that statistic. Lighting in our homes accounted for approximately 9 percent of total energy used.
So what do these statistics add up to? Well, the overall concern for our growing dependence continues to plague the world. As our populations grow on an exponential scale, governments and nonprofit groups are working to educate individuals on how to conserve energy. For example, did you know that one of the best ways to save energy is by simply shutting off lights when they are not in use? You can also set your thermostat up in the summer months and down during cooler, winter months. Doing this will reduce the amount of energy required to heat or cool your home all year round.
Because energy consumption is a problem the world is facing, there have been several measures taken to try to curb our dependence on energy. For example, rising costs have deterred individuals from blindly consuming large amounts. Additionally, the United States federal government offers tax incentives to those who make the decision to switch to more efficient forms of energy. Even manufacturers are attempting to create more productive, energy-efficient products. They continue to look for electronic components that are more efficient and productive.
