Home Energy Conservation
by Neil Soderstrom

A recent Nova documentary suggested that China could overtake the United States as the world's leading polluter and energy consumer by 2035. It appears we have only 30 years to figure out how to maintain our lead.

In this race, China has one big advantage. Its population is 4.4 times larger than ours (1.3 billion vs. 296 million). Assuming our population ratios remain the same in 30 years, a little math suggests that China's per-capita negative impact on the environment will have risen to one-fourth ours.

Maybe we don't need be the world leader in all categories. Simple changes in appetites and behavior can dramatically reduce energy consumption and pollution plumes. Prime issues are interrelated--population, consumer appetites, long-distance transportation, oversized vehicles, and energy-ravenous homes.

Let's look at home energy consumption. On average, space heating accounts for about 50 percent. Appliances and lighting: 23 percent. Water heating: 16 percent. Electric and air-conditioning: 7 percent. Refrigerator: 5 percent. These numbers come courtesy of the Department of Energy's excellent 36-page booklet Energy Savers (www.eere.energy.gov). This booklet suggests we can reduce energy consumption 10 to 50 percent mainly by changing our behaviors and making small home improvements, beginning with a whole-house assessment. Easy stuff: furnace tuning, thermostat settings, sweaters in winter, lighting discipline, showers instead of baths, lids on boiling pots, closing open-faced fireplaces. Inspection related: insulation levels, air leaks, window upgrades.

Beyond making behavioral changes and conducting novice inspections, it pays to study Renovation, third edition, by Michael Litchfield (The Taunton Press, 2005). The chapter "Energy Conservation & Air Quality" elevates energy-conscious ideas and platitudes in the aforementioned Department of Energy booklet to informed levels you can act on--whether tackling projects yourself or hiring contractors who specialize in energy conservation.

Although rich in technical tips, Renovation is easy to read. As Litchfield promises "This book is as much concerned with what and why as it is with how to..." and "because this book contains thousands of tips and techniques from contractors who had schedules and budgets to meet, it will also save you time and money. . . the methods have proven themselves...so you can proceed confidently."

Library Journal described the second edition as "masterpiece." Entirely updated while offering additional chapters, this third edition now has 534 pages and more than 1,000 instructive drawings and color photos--presenting the latest tools, materials, and techniques demonstrated by pros for Litchfield's deft camera work. Renovation, 3rd Edition: $39.95.

Neil Soderstrom specializes in home-improvement and gardening subjects (www.agpix.com/soderstrom).