Oil prices are at all-time highs and some experts worry we might be at or close to peak oil, the point at which we've reached maximum global oil production, with yields after that decreasing every year. With concerns like this, it's worth considering what you would do if your current home energy prices became wildly unaffordable.
That actually happened recently in the Alaskan capital of Juneau, which saw its usual energy supply plunge after an avalanche severed its hydroelectric power lines to the city. Faced with several months of repairs and skyrocketing electricity costs, residents responded by taking drastic energy-saving measures at home, at school and at work.
If you found yourself in a similar situation, what could you do to save on energy consumption and power bills? Following are many of the strategies that are working for Juneau's residents:
Unplug any appliance you're not using
Even when they're not turned on, appliances like coffee-makers, DVD players, clock-radios and toasters continue to drain energy from your electrical outlets. The more you unplug, the more you save.
Take advantage of power strips
They make it easier to unplug multiple appliances at once.
Cook quick meals in the microwave or grill outdoors
Microwaving is less energy-intensive than stovetop or oven cooking, and charcoal- or propane-based grilling doesn't use any electricity at all
Switch to CFLs
If you haven't yet done so, replace your incandescent lightbulbs with CFLs (compact fluorescent lightbulbs). CFLs are more expensive upfront, but they last longer and use far less energy than do ordinary bulbs.
If you can do without indoor lighting, do so
During the day, take advantage of natural lighting by making the most of sunny windows and skylights. At night, use hand-cranked camp lanterns, flashlights or rechargeable night-lights, or at least use fewer lightbulbs by removing some from multi-bulb fixtures where they're not needed.
Adjust your thermostat
When it's cold out, turn the thermostat down and drag out the extra sweaters and blankets for warmth. During the hot summer months, set the thermostat higher and dress appropriately to keep comfortably cool. You can also save energy by lowering the temperature on your hot-water heater at home.
Stop using unnecessary appliances
Extra fridges, freezers, TVs and clocks all consume extra energy, so cut back where you can. For example, switch to an old-fashioned wind-up alarm clock instead of using your electric-powered digital one. Washing dishes efficiently by hand and using a clothesline can also help you eliminate the need for energy-hungry dishwashers and clothes-dryers.
If it's not dirty, don't wash it
That goes for both you and your clothes.
Insulate for maximum efficiency
Check your home for drafty doors and windows, and seal where necessary. Make sure your fridge is also well-sealed. You can also boost your insulation further by using light-blocking drapes to keep out heat during summer days, or to keep heat in during cold winter nights.
Get innovativeYou can reduce heating and cooling costs with a variety of creative, do-it-yourself projects. For example, Michelle Kaufmann, an Oakland, California-based architect, provides a variety of step-by-step video guides for recycling waste around the house and improving energy efficiency. One especially neat idea is her design for a water-bottle window. This creative design lets you soften a sunny room's lighting while helping to absorb the sun's incoming heat during the day. At night, the water-bottle window releases warmth back into the room, reducing the need for additional heating.
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