Mini test 3 - 4

04 Environmental Science

Energy Efficiency in the United State

The citizens of America are becoming increasingly aware of the goods and resources they use.

Currently, the US uses the greatest amount of energy in the world, consuming twenty-six percent of the world’s energy.

Considering these facts, America must remain aware of its many industries and carefully monitor the large amount of energy these industries expend.

Energy, consumption is measured in four main areas; transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial.

Around half of the US’s energy is spent on the transportation and residential sectors, both of which are largely controlled by individuals.

As such, citizens need to be more aware of how much energy they use.

Transportation includes freight and personal vehicles.

By using energy-efficient cars and limiting distances driven, individuals can decrease the resources expanded for transportation.

The government has helped by instituting certain incentives to entice people to make more energy-conscious decisions and purchases.

For example, it created a policy offering income tax credits for users of gas/electric hybrid vehicles, and it has advocated carpooling by offering lower tolls and designated lanes to commuters.

In terms of residential sectors, residences can decrease energy usage by monitoring air conditioning and heating, keeping temperatures between 18ºC in the winter and 27ºC in the summer.

Almost fifty percent of the energy used in houses is for temperature control while the rest includes lighting, laundry and kitchen appliances, water heaters, and home electronics.

Using newer, efficiently built appliances can also aid in household energy reduction.

However, minimizing energy use in only one area of a residence does not have great results; individuals must work to reduce as many areas as possible within a household to have a noticeable impact.

The other two areas of use, commercial and industrial, are determined by businesses facility managers.

Commercial energy is consumed by retail stores, offices, schools, and restaurants.

This is where much of the energy in the US is spent unnecessarily.

Excessive lighting and continuous, unneeded heating and cooling make these environments less efficient.

Some businesses are taking measures to install more efficient lighting and use natural light when appropriate.

They are also encouraged to discontinue unnecessary heating or cooling, especially during the night when users are absent.

Industrial energy consumption, which constitutes thirty-three percent of total US usage, is the only one of the four sectors that has decreased its usage over the past decade.

With the purpose of production and processing of goods, these manufacturing, construction, farming, water management, and mining industries have been forced to implement more efficient systems because of increased energy costs.

While energy conservation is vital to the future of the US, some problems do arise with making this shift.

For American home owners and small businesses, the cost of upgrading to better equipment and appliance can be very costly initially.

Commercially speaking, some retailers believe that bright lighting in stores is necessary for increased sales, but retail employees actually suffer minor health issues from over-illumination.

A compromise would help both parties.

By making simple yet conscious efforts to decrease energy use, American businesses and individuals alike could better use the world’s energy and extend the resources available.