2010
WASTING ENERGY
By Megan Milner
THE PROBLEM
We never realize how much energy
we are wasting when we keep the computer
on all night or when we keep our lights on.
2) Is the effect it has on the environment.
Mythbusters says, “A PC monitor left on
overnight wastes enough energy to laser
print 800 pages”
We keep our air conditioner on all day;
everyday during the summer then we get
stressed when we get the power bill. The
problem is that we are wasting energy and
our money. However we have yet to realize
how many ways we can start saving energy
through technology.
3) Is that
THREE MAIN EFFECTS OF
people take
WASTING ENERGY
energy for
granted.
1) Is when we get our power bill we don’t
know what we are wasting our electricity on.
The more energy people use means more
We could have numerous things on,
power plants are produced. The more power
needlessly waste electricity we do not know
plants that are produced mean more carbon
how much it is wasting. Mythbusters says,
footprint for the atmosphere. Bottom line is
“A PC left running for 24 hours per day will
that people take energy for granted.
use $110 worth of electricity over 12
months”
THE SOLUTION
Is that we need to be able to identify
A saving electricity website states,” In the
what we are wasting our energy on. We
typical home, air conditioning uses more
need to proceed through technology to make
electricity than anything else -- 16% of total
more energy efficient management systems.
electricity used. In warmer regions AC can
We need to start managing our energy
be 60-70% of your summer electric bill,
throughout our household through the little
according to Austin Energy.”
things.
around 1500 watts” (Saving electricity
MAJOR STEPS
In 2011 GE Appliances is going to be able
to introduce the nucleus in households. The
website)
Computer companies need to make software
nucleus is a
that recognizes when your computer has
home energy
been on over an hour without activity, so it
monitor and
can shut it down. This could be done for a
management
relatively low cost and computer companies
system. It
would benefit from the new technology. All
plugs into any
the newer computers should have something
standard electricity outlet and communicates
like this to help save the planet.
with the smart meter to store real-time
household electricity consumption and price
data. I propose that all power companies
buy the nucleus. The nucleus is $130 each
from GE. Then power companies could
offer the nucleus to their consumers for $10
a month or more.
Computer owners would benefit with the life
expectancy of their computer and with their
power bill. Another fun fact from
Mythbusters, “As monitors account for 70%
of the PCs energy use, it’s always better to
turn them off when away from your desk,
even for relatively short times, like over
Household consumers would benefit with
the nucleus in their household just by
knowing what they are wasting their
electricity on. Their power bill wouldn’t be
as high and they’d be helping save the
planet.
People would be able to identify the
problem and also learn facts like,”A electricelement unit you plug into the wall. These
usually have a round face and oscillate
(move from side to side like a fan). They
typically use 1500 watts on the highest
setting. Most electric space heaters are
lunch or attending a meeting.”
MINOR STEPS
Household consumers with power
need to start thinking smart. They would
need to watch their nucleus and start
monitoring their energy use. Mythbusters
has proven that turning off a light for 23
seconds or less saves energy. People need to
start promoting saving energy.
To help these major steps people need to not
be opposed to the nucleus or software that
automatically turns off your computer; or
any like this. Saving the planet is a good
thing.
I found a carbon footprint calculator on this
website called saving electricity maybe
people can start using this application to see
how much carbon they are putting into the
air, so they can be less careless.
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/carbon
calculator.html
Conclusion
To conclude saving energy means finding
new ways to save through technology. The
nucleus is a management device that can
help reduce wasted energy. Computer
companies need to offer software that
notices when your computer hasn’t been
active for more than an hour and shuts it
down. Wasting energy is a problem because
we do not know what we’re wasting energy
on, it effects the environment and people
take energy for granted.
WORK CITED PAGE:
http://michaelbluejay.com/electricity/coolin
g.html
MYTHBUSTERS
http://ekon-energy.org/?p=219
http://kwc.org/mythbusters/2006/12/episode
_69_22000_foot_fall_lig.html