Energy Conservation

A recent article in National Geographic Magazine explores the possibilities of energy conservation and the trials that a few volunteers went through as they tried to cut their carbon emissions by 80%.  An important aspect in energy conservation is the ability to minimize energy lost from buildings.  Infrared inspections play a large role in helping determine where energy loss is in any structure. 

Energy Conservation Begins at Home

A recent article in National Geographic Magazine explores the possibilities of energy conservation and the trials that a few volunteers went through as they tried to cut their carbon emissions by 80%.  An important aspect in energy conservation is the ability to minimize energy lost from buildings.  Infrared inspections play a large role in helping determine where energy loss is in any structure.

The writer learns what many Americans should already know about energy conservation; as he attempts to cut his families carbon emissions by 80%

"The United States, I learned, produces a fifth of the world's CO2 emissions, about six billion metric tons a year. That staggering amount could reach seven billion by 2030, as our population and economy continue to grow. Most of the CO2 comes from energy consumed by buildings, vehicles, and industries. How much CO2 could be avoided, I started to wonder, if we all tightened our belts? What would happen if the whole country went on a carbon diet?

Buildings, not cars, produce the most CO2 in the United States. Private residences, shopping malls, warehouses, and offices account for 38 percent of the nation's emissions, mainly because of electricity use. It doesn't help that the average new house in the United States is 45 percent bigger than it was 30 years ago."

According to the article many Corporations have already learned how to minimize their energy uses, and have made energy conservation a profitable venture.  However other carbon emission contributors; such as residences,buildings, and cars; account for the majority of carbon emissions in the world.  The majority of homeowners cannot afford energy conservation remodeling, and apartment complexes are generally inefficient because the tenants pay all the electrical bills.

The author discovers that reducing carbon emissions, although somewhat tricky, is quite possible.  A reduction of 50% should be an achievable goal by most Americans.

"Yet efficiency, in the end, can only take us so far. To get the deeper reductions we need, as Tim Flannery advised—80 percent by 2050 (or even 100 percent, as he now advocates)—we must replace fossil fuels faster with renewable energy from wind farms, solar plants, geothermal facilities, and biofuels."

However this energy conservation revolution starts with the common household, from energy audits to improve efficiency, to changing out the light bulbs.  

Read the entire article HERE

"Energy Conservation"

National Geographic Magazine

March 2009