My present energy use compared to 1974 used 34 more filled energy boxes. Automobile use increased from 19 to 43, home heating went from 26 boxes to 50. Hot water increased by two boxes, cooking increased by one, lighting increased by 3 and T.V. boxes increased by 5. All together we use 34 more percent of energy than 1974.
2004 List 1974 List.
4 T.V.'s (color) 1 T.V. (color).
3 DVD players 0 DVD players .
4 VCR's 0 VCR's.
2 computers 0 computers.
3 stereo's 1 stereo's.
1 microwave 0 microwave.
1 stove/oven 1 stove/oven.
1 toaster 1 toaster .
1 coffee maker 1 coffee maker.
1 dish washer 1 dish washer.
1 washer machine 1 washer machine.
1 dryer 1 dryer.
4 electric clocks 2 electric clocks.
4 phones 2 phones.
4 cell phones 0 cell phones.
1 paper shredder 0 paper shredder.
1 copy machine 0 copy machine.
The reason our energy use increased so greatly is because of appliance use. As one can see from the list specific items were not even available in 1974. Items as well were being used one per individual instead of being used one per family. Triple amounts of appliances are being used now. Therefore, due to more appliances and more appliances per individual in family, energy use increased.
.
Percent of energy use.
a) automobile 32%.
b) refrigerator and freezing 6%.
c) air cond. 2%.
d) home heating 34%.
e) water heating 5%.
f) lighting 3%.
g) appliance use 11%.
h) cooking 2%.
If I had to reduce my levels of energy use back to the 1974 levels, I would start with Transportation and home heating. The first thing to be done is to use less private transportation, and instead use public transportation. That would hopefully bring down energy use in transportation, especially if we reduced each family down to one car. Next would be home heat. To cut down on energy used for home heat, one should install good storm windows and doors so there would be little to no drafts.
