Why conservation of energy is important

The typical household can reduce its energy use and by extension its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 to 30 percent by investing in more efficient energy consumption. Energy expenses are often thought of as a fixed cost of owning a home or business, with reductions only possible through pricey renovations.

However, you can easily reduce your utility bills through simple energy conservation behaviors or small energy efficient purchases.

Programmable thermostats, advanced power strips, and energy efficient lighting can decrease your energy expenses with almost no effort on your part.

Energy efficiency measures, no matter how small, are capable of generating utility savings over their service lives. However, your savings are usually proportionate to the cost of the energy efficient upgrade — replacing light bulbs will only cost a few dollars, but will deliver marginal savings, while upgrading your attic insulation can save hundreds of dollars in heating and cooling bills.

Upgrades can range from simply plugging in a smart power strips to an HVAC system overhaul. How little or how much you choose to invest in energy efficiency is completely up to you. Utility residential electricity rates fluctuate seasonally and annually, but have risen steadily in the last decade. This trend is likely to continue into the future. In addition to cutting your monthly electricity bills now, conducting energy efficiency improvements on your home helps to insulate you from the financial impact of unpredictable sharp energy price increases that could happen in the years to come.

Electric utilities across the country offer energy efficiency programs to help homeowners and businesses reduce their energy use. Energy efficiency is more cost-effective than building a new power plant, and it can help reduce costs in times of high electricity demand.

In some states, utilities are actually required to reduce their energy sales. Other trademarks are the property of EnergySage, Inc. All rights reserved. We use it for lighting our homes, operating machinery and industrial equipment, cooking food, playing music, powering a wide range of appliances, and so on.

However, excessive consumption of energy is expensive, not to mention, harmful to our environment. Luckily, there are several ways we can reduce energy consumption while still enjoying its full benefits. As the energy sector continues to thrive , a lot of waste is released to the environment. Coal and other fossil fuels are often burnt to produce energy and, in the process, different kinds of gases and residual particles are emitted to the environment. If we do not take control of the levels of these toxins, they can pollute the environment and affect our health as well.

Energy conservation helps to reduce carbon footprint in the universe. You have already identified the types of work and energy involved in step 2. Before solving for the unknown, eliminate terms wherever possible to simplify the algebra. Then solve for the unknown in the customary manner.

Step 6. Check the answer to see if it is reasonable. Once you have solved a problem, reexamine the forms of work and energy to see if you have set up the conservation of energy equation correctly.

For example, work done against friction should be negative, potential energy at the bottom of a hill should be less than that at the top, and so on. Also check to see that the numerical value obtained is reasonable. Figure 1. Solar energy is converted into electrical energy by solar cells, which is used to run a motor in this solar-power aircraft. The transformation of energy from one form into others is happening all the time. The chemical energy in food is converted into thermal energy through metabolism; light energy is converted into chemical energy through photosynthesis.

In a larger example, the chemical energy contained in coal is converted into thermal energy as it burns to turn water into steam in a boiler. This thermal energy in the steam in turn is converted to mechanical energy as it spins a turbine, which is connected to a generator to produce electrical energy. In all of these examples, not all of the initial energy is converted into the forms mentioned. This important point is discussed later in this section.

Another example of energy conversion occurs in a solar cell. Sunlight impinging on a solar cell see Figure 1 produces electricity, which in turn can be used to run an electric motor. Energy is converted from the primary source of solar energy into electrical energy and then into mechanical energy.

Even though energy is conserved in an energy conversion process, the output of useful energy or work will be less than the energy input. The efficiency Eff of an energy conversion process is defined as. Table 2 lists some efficiencies of mechanical devices and human activities. A realistic mass and spring laboratory.

Hang masses from springs and adjust the spring stiffness and damping. You can even slow time. June 1, Energy Efficiency. Experts have identified at least seven major reasons to adjust the thermostat or use mass transit: 1. Reduce Living Expenses Saving energy usually reduces living expenses. Less Power Plants If the public conserves electricity, utilities will not have to build as many power plants. Promote Health By conserving fuel, people can protect the health of fellow humans as well.

Reduce Dependence Less consumption reduces dependence on complex technology, transportation systems and trade agreements.

Finite Resources Some of the resources that people use to generate electricity are finite. Make A Positive Impact It may seem that personal efforts toward conservation have little impact, but they can accomplish more by setting a good example.

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