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Doing More While Using Less Power

nytimes.com -- Energy efficiency is a way to meet the world’s growing energy needs, just like building more power plants — except that it costs less, emits no carbon dioxide or radiation, and does not rely on scarce resources in potentially hostile places.

Efficiency is often confused, detrimentally, with conservation. Conservation connotes making do with less — turning down the heat or driving a smaller car. Efficiency means getting more bang per buck. For example, California’s 35 years of efficiency standards for appliances have created refrigerators that use 75 percent less electricity than models from the 1970s. Yet today’s refrigerators are larger, have more features and cost less in inflation-adjusted dollars.

In transportation, “we could double fuel economy for light-duty vehicles by 2035

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Submitted Sep 07, 2010 By: teafortwo

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DrCashFlow Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,775 Points:1,168,555 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 12, 2010 12:47:42 PM Ignore DrCashFlow Report Abuse key is price vs. performance.
jedintheshed Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:1,587 Points:477,640 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 9, 2010 9:30:12 AM Ignore jedintheshed Report Abuse I believe that EVERY little bit helps. There are those that do not care and have a 100% waste. AND, there are those that do care and do everything they can to help.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,252 Points:1,141,025 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 9, 2010 4:07:28 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse alterman: did you mean to say 25 or 35 mpg? My Civic gets about 36 mpg with not always very gentle driving and that with my choice of a manual transmission (I bought it new and ordered it as a stick shift because that's what I prefer, but then, I keep my vehicles 10 - 15 years...).
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,252 Points:1,141,025 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 9, 2010 4:03:53 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse DrGas: nice pessimism. But even 100 people wasting and 10,000 conserving still will make a positive impact.
alterman156 Champion Author New York Posts:5,080 Points:1,089,025 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 9:03:02 PM Ignore alterman156 Report Abuse I average around 25 MPG with my 1998 Honda Civic DX hatchback with automatic transmission and air conditioning. In 1978 I would have had to make do with a small car with a manual transmission, no air conditioning and a weak engine that provided barely acceptable acceleration to get the same mas mileage.
Dr Gas Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,411 Points:300,760 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 8:46:55 AM Ignore Dr Gas Report Abuse Even if 10000 people were to be very conservative - don't forget the population of the US. There would be 100 wasters for every conservators. It's a loosing proposition. Unless EVERYONE is on board, you fail in this.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,252 Points:1,141,025 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 4:05:36 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse JohnofGB: I don't mind... just make sure there's a place for me to keep the equine(s) safe when I get to work.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,252 Points:1,141,025 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 4:04:33 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse defcon7: try again! Canada never had the economic crisis that was brought on by the housing bubble in the US b/c they never were dumb enough to go and loan money to anyone without asking if they could pay it back.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,252 Points:1,141,025 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 4:03:08 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Wrong thinking. Conservation does not mean making do with less, DellDude. It can also mean, thinking outside the box. I have a house that is so well energy efficient that even in near tropical conditions with temps near the triple digits the AC runs about 20 minutes every hour and the house still keeps cool in the summer. In the winter, I've only used a small 1500W heater for about an each hour in one room twice last year. Never had to heat even when the temperatures plummeted to 14 consecutive days of sub-freezing temps (i.e. overall temps stayed below 32F/0C and night time went down in the mid to low teens). That was my whole heating cooling for the last year.
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:6,773 Points:1,654,035 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 3:49:55 AM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse "Conservation connotes making do with less..." Ah the old Sheryl Crow philosophy of 1-sheet-of-toilet-paper per person! Pretty stinky philosophy. Inflict it on yourself if you must, leave the rest of us alone.
DonKofAK All-Star Author Anchorage Posts:869 Points:591,185 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 1:41:17 AM Ignore DonKofAK Report Abuse “History teaches us that men and nations behave wisely once they have exhausted all other alternatives.” - Abba Eban The pursuit of energy efficiency is fairly simple; don't waste it! Assume it is very, very costly and behave accordingly. [Edited by: DonKofAK at 9/8/2010 3:43:35 AM EST]
rwm1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,243 Points:1,200,705 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 12:15:12 AM Ignore rwm1 Report Abuse I'm all for efficiency. I turn off all unneeded appliances and only use bare minimum when I can. Even if it only saves $5 or $10 bucks a year. Then I read where so-called energy star appliances basically rate themselves. So who knows if they're really that energy efficient over older models?
defcon7 Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,557 Points:197,525 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 12:04:39 AM Ignore defcon7 Report Abuse America doesn't need to follow Califonia on anything. They are flat broke and standing with their hands out to us. They should be following us! Whirlpool was the first company to work on energystar products way ahead of everyone else and they were based in Iowa along with maytag which they now own. Also they made all original kenmore products for sears as well as all roper products. And they weren't based anywhere near Califonia. Thank the midwest for that inovation of energy star products. So come follow us not California. I sold their products for 10 years I know! Class dismissed!
bobdec Champion Author Florida Posts:6,706 Points:1,322,565 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 12:01:03 AM Ignore bobdec Report Abuse Not having jobs to travel to is a big part of less consumption
RogerB Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:15,231 Points:2,161,320 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Sep 8, 2010 12:00:37 AM Ignore RogerB Report Abuse Let's DO IT !
JohnofGB Champion Author Flint Posts:3,070 Points:630,245 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 11:59:33 PM Ignore JohnofGB Report Abuse Yes...........and we could go back to riding horses too...
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:6,566 Points:1,487,875 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 11:58:38 PM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Efficiency and conservation only go so far. A growing population still needs sources of energy.
IamWhoIam Champion Author San Francisco Posts:13,960 Points:1,459,700 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 11:58:00 PM Ignore IamWhoIam Report Abuse Weight has so much to do with the co-efficient of distance travelled and time expired and all those other points. Oh my physics teacher would be happy I remembered that!!!
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,459 Points:1,098,765 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 11:48:59 PM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse Smaller lighter cars will be the easiest way to go.
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,373 Points:666,495 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 11:47:26 PM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse That's called increasing efficiency.
nemoFL Champion Author Florida Posts:6,603 Points:1,170,590 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 11:43:59 PM Ignore nemoFL Report Abuse sounds a good combination
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:2,422 Points:1,190,230 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:43:19 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse That seems a long ways off. Need to get it much sooner.
NotmeuQc Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,300 Points:666,895 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:41:16 PM Ignore NotmeuQc Report Abuse I'll never see 2035, lucky to see 2025
TBONE3 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,383 Points:1,509,670 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:40:39 PM Ignore TBONE3 Report Abuse Won't be around to find out if it comes true.
Buddy2264 Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,253 Points:1,892,465 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:39:49 PM Ignore Buddy2264 Report Abuse I hope we continue to move in this direction. I only wish Florida had concentrated on alternative energy like California did we would have been so much better off by now. Conservation keeps your money in your pocket.
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,122 Points:1,636,275 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:39:16 PM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse Improved efficiencies will help most situations.
camel1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:6,040 Points:1,814,465 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:34:24 PM Ignore camel1 Report Abuse Sounds like a worthy goal, but can't we do better?
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,649 Points:1,612,885 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:32:45 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse In the year 2929, if man is still alive...
leemun Champion Author Utah Posts:3,019 Points:579,765 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:30:01 PM Ignore leemun Report Abuse Pie in the sky.
PetroScopper Champion Author Houston Posts:4,361 Points:1,089,725 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:29:23 PM Ignore PetroScopper Report Abuse Everything is becoming more efficient... they have to make things more efficient in order to compete. I believe the more efficient vehicles will start to become more popular sooner than we think.
1cheapgasin Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,140 Points:743,515 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:27:34 PM Ignore 1cheapgasin Report Abuse Gimme more mpg!!!!!!
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:4,832 Points:757,825 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:26:57 PM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse Any company that supplies energy today is not going to sit around and let something take their money from them. The government will step in and tax the crap out of anything that is saving the people money.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:6,991 Points:1,395,220 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:21:33 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse If only they would build the vehicles we want. They all could have higher mpgs.
ItsMorph Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:30,074 Points:2,719,270 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:17:10 PM Ignore ItsMorph Report Abuse There's no real reason to wait that long. And no real reason we shouldn't be able to have hydrogen fuel cells in vehicles and powering homes by then.
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:3,535 Points:388,610 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:14:34 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse The've to do this whole thing much faster.
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,071 Points:2,752,030 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:14:23 PM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse This can and should be done far sooner than 2035.
NavyStore Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,768 Points:1,657,940 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:13:02 PM Ignore NavyStore Report Abuse With more humans on the planet we HAVE to get more efficient. It is the only way we'll maintain our standard of living.
CobraLeader Champion Author New Jersey Posts:267,902 Points:1,200,750 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:11:41 PM Ignore CobraLeader Report Abuse ... BIG BROTHER is watching you! ...
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:5,147 Points:1,201,650 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:09:59 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse 2035 is a long way off.
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:8,152 Points:1,391,370 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:05:47 PM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse Just conserve.
TIGERPAW46 Champion Author Florida Posts:5,149 Points:963,855 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:00:55 PM Ignore TIGERPAW46 Report Abuse We might could, should or would are all different subjects. Also it's all hypothetical based on previous reductions in energy use. Generally as you improve things, further improvement becomes more and more difficult. most would agree 100% efficiency is not achievable & the closer you get to it the more difficult it is to close the gap.
jvt666 Champion Author California Posts:2,638 Points:1,475,735 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 10:00:52 PM Ignore jvt666 Report Abuse We have to make the most out of all of our resources.
MRED3 Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,623 Points:803,160 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:57:55 PM Ignore MRED3 Report Abuse We need to learn more.
SBlouch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:6,885 Points:1,470,780 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:56:21 PM Ignore SBlouch Report Abuse I am buying more energy efficient appliances and participate in CPS of San Antonio with their adjustable thermostat where they turn off my A/C and heating for 15 minutes when too much electricity is being used.
planetmail Champion Author Calgary Posts:4,108 Points:832,410 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:55:32 PM Ignore planetmail Report Abuse Paulg72: You may have filled your Honda Accord but may not have filled it up full. My 2000 toyota 4Runner needs to be filled slowly at the pump or I never get it full. The high speed fuel pumps at Costco will never allow me to fill my vehicle full. I can usually get almost 1 gallon of extra fuel in my vehicle fuelling at slower pumps. So while fuel mileage has improved with vehicles since 2000 & 2001 how we fuel & how much we fuel affects our end mileage.
signwiz Champion Author Indiana Posts:1,395 Points:1,348,330 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:53:59 PM Ignore signwiz Report Abuse A key part of the puzzle of energy exhaustion.
paulg72 Champion Author Boston Posts:1,558 Points:542,625 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:50:31 PM Ignore paulg72 Report Abuse My 2001 honda accord gets horrible gas mileage I filled it today it took 15 gallons and I went about 160 miles a tank it has a v6 but should get better since its mostly highway
DosEquis26 Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,758 Points:1,541,590 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:45:14 PM Ignore DosEquis26 Report Abuse inflation adjusted dollars is misleading.
SilliesRock Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,344 Points:821,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:40:07 PM Ignore SilliesRock Report Abuse We could all ride the SUBWAY like the writers at the N.Y. TIMES!
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,138 Points:1,145,025 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Sep 7, 2010 9:39:49 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse The link to the original article is a proprietary link. One must have a user ID and password with the New York Times in order to read it. GB news articles should all have open-source links, no exceptions.