Common sense ways for wise energy use

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Thank you for your editorial “Energy policy” (BDN, July 13), which described your suggestions for energy policy to reduce oil use as well as air pollution. We thank you and agree with your sentence “The two problems are linked, of course, by the nearly forgotten phrase “energy efficiency.” Recently, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, I was present when the New England governors and Eastern Canadian premiers unanimously adopted a resolution on energy that called for, among other things, increased attention to energy efficiency and conservation.

Personal actions to save energy have and can make a substantial difference in assuring that we have adequate supplies of energy (gas, diesel, heating oil, propane, electricity) when we need them, as well as saving us money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality – all these multiple benefits at the same time. Many of these are called “no regrets” measures – not only do you save energy you save money and protect the environment.

With our personal and business vehicles, the best six “actions” you can take are:

Combine your trips when you go to one destination so you do two or more errands.

Make sure the tires are properly inflated and that the vehicle is tuned properly and filters, plugs, belts replaced when suggested.

Turn off your engine, even when you run into the store or a friend’s home for just for two minutes.

When you purchase or lease a new or used vehicle, make a pact with yourself to find one that suits your needs that gets at least 3 more miles per gallon than your current vehicle.

If you are buying a vehicle that is newer than 1996, get one that meets California low-emission standards. Auto dealers can do computer searches very quickly and get your vehicle usually at no additional charge and within 24-48 hours.

Look for the Cleaner Cars for Maine stickers on cars at your dealer. Try out one of the new hybrid (gasoline and electric) cars that get over 50 miles per gallon..

These actions may not seem large, but when all of us do it, they can raise your vehicle’s miles per gallon, which reduces the demand for fuel. Lowering the demand will, hopefully, lead to lower costs at the pump as well – which would save even more money.

Some people need to use air-conditioning, such as the elderly or those with respiratory problems, as they are subject to heat exhaustion and lung problems.

Here are a couple of ways to reduce these costs:

Use outside air as much as possible – particularly at night.

At night turn up the temperature on the conditioner…and lower your bill.

If you are purchasing an air conditioner, look for the most energy efficient model. The new standards are far better than those for machines 10 years or older.

Our use of lights can be reduced yet provide adequate illumination – the best five “actions” are:

Turn off any unused lights…and watch the savings on your electric bill.

Place reading chairs or working desks near sunlit windows – its called “daylighting” – right now I am getting all the light I need from the sun coming in my window – at zero cost!

If you need to replace lights, please consider the newly improved, longer lasting and much more compatible compact fluorescents. These save money!

In the winter, removing the screens from windows increases light coming in significantly – costing nothing.

If you are planning to build a room or home, place it so that you get maximum benefit from the sun for lighting your room(s).

You can save while proving adequate heat for your home – here are six actions:

Change your furnace filters every two months during the heating season – the improved air flow decreases fuel use as well as maintains furnace life.

Have your furnace tuned every one-two years for efficiency as well as safety.

If you furnace is older than 10 years, check with your dealer to see whether a new one could actually save you money with its greater efficiency.

See if your furnace repairman has any efficiency improvements he/she can make to the furnace or duct work that will decrease your fuel use.

Contact your winter fuel supplier now to arrange for this winter’s fuel supply at a pre-set cost. Check around, however, to obtain the lowest cost as prices are widely divergent! If you pay in advance, get a written record that your money is in an escrow account.

Those that heat with wood, get your supply cut and stacked in the summer so its dry enough to burn safely this winter.

Reduce, reuse and recycle – these three concepts always save energy as well as save taxpayers (us) money from the cost of waste incineration.

If we all do many of these actions we will have more money to use for other choices, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, reduce health care costs, help to reduce the threat of brownouts of our electric power, promote local renewable energy production- what marvelous benefits. Let’s try it.

Pam Person is Climate Change and Air Quality Director of the Coalition for Sensible Energy as well as co-chair of Maine Global Climate Change Inc.