| By :
Mark Etinger
If you look at comparison charts, you will see that strengths and weaknesses in energy efficiency are dependent on how energy is allotted versus the consumption rate. For example, in the last ten years New York State has used more natural gas and petroleum than most other forms of electricity. That is not the case in states like Nebraska and Utah that consume more energy produced by coal than the alternatives. The statistics are often measured by what are known as British Thermal Units (BTUs). A BTU is a unit to measure the quantity of heat necessary to raise the temperature of a pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. A household appliance like an air conditioner can take approximately one-hundred seventy BTU per hour, which may seem like a lot but it really is not that much in comparison to something like a dryer or oven, which take approximately 17,000 BTU per hour. Now, that is an energy hog! Different kinds of energy sources produce different amounts of BTU. Depending on household needs and appliance use, people can better strategize how to make their home less of an electric vampire and more eco-friendly. For example, one pound of coal can produce around twelve and a half BTU. However, one cubic meter of natural gas produces thirty-six BTU. It will take more coal to get the same tasks done, and therefore it will be more detrimental to the environment and the overall fossil fuel supply., than some of the newer energy trends prevalent. Basically the way to look at statistical data is by making connections based on the popular form of energy production versus consumption and to then create a plan tailored to balancing and stabilizing the demand. Some states would benefit from opening new power plants. Others would benefit from switching the predominant form of consumption to something less damaging to the environment and renewable. Energy companies are continually trying to educate the masses about electricity trends. Taking local initiative, some ESCOs will not only explain the reason why they offer smart choices but will give consumers incentives for joining. This could be as simple as discounts. Ideally what localization will do is reduce the consumption rates or at least divert them to the most efficient for the area. The point: consumption trends are not coincidental. They have as much to do with the geography as they have to do do with the kind of power plants active within the states. The more conscious we are, the better we will get at harnessing the resources.
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