Find Big Energy Savings in Small Spaces

Renters or residents of smaller homes may think energy-efficiency doesn't mean much to them. "I can't change my apartment. What? Me worry about energy efficiency?"

While the sizes and types of our homes vary widely, our dependence on electricity provides us with something in common, we all can benefit from energy efficiency. And, while few energy measures may yield a lot of energy savings by themselves, even smaller measures add up quickly.

For renters and homeowners alike, the number of appliances used, and how they are used, can greatly impact your monthly utility bill. For example, a conventional oven costs about $3.00 per month, on average, to operate. For a person cooking for only one or two people, it is often more energy efficient to make meals in the microwave, which costs about $1.00 per month, on average, to operate. A dishwasher, meanwhile, costs about $3.00 per month to operate. Yet how it is used - whether it is run only when full or used for small loads, for example, and whether dishes are allowed to dry naturally or the drying-feature is used - can make a significant difference in the energy cost. Even little light bulbs can make a large impact. Four incandescent light bulbs can cost $2.75 per month to use, compared with four compact fluorescent bulbs, which would cost only $1.20 per month.

Of course, larger appliances can also make significant differences. For someone moving into their first apartment, getting Mom and Dad's spare refrigerator may seem like a blessing. After all, it was free! But older appliances - even those that are only 10 years old - tend to be less energy efficient. Buying newer appliances with the ENERGY STAR® label can cut energy use significantly.

Looking at how we live also can help increase energy efficiency - and lower energy bills. Waterbeds cost, on average, $11.00 per month to heat. With the advances in comfortable beds, it may be cheaper to replace the waterbed with a nonwaterbed, while maintaining comfort at the same time.

Other habits can also help you reduce your energy usage. Cleaning the coils on your refrigerator, for example, can help it run more efficiently. Cooking with the smallest possible pot on your stove can also save energy, as it will take less time for the smaller pan to heat than a larger one.

A closer look at "always-on" appliances also may help reduce your utility bill. Electric toothbrushes, chargers for cell phones, and PDAs, tend to draw an electrical charge even when not charging the appliance. By charging appliances only when you need to, and unplugging the charger at other times, you could save even more energy.

For more ideas on energy-efficient living, visit the Alameda Power & Telecom website at www.alamedapt.com, or call 510-748-3947.