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| The Snackwell Effect - How Consumers Sabotage Energy Savings |
Submitted by:
Ray / Tip Hero 03/25/2009 3:17 AM
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 I came across an interesting article by Traci Watson in USA Today this week. (Hat Tip: Boston Gal) The article discussed the findings of a new survey that found one-third of people who made energy efficiency improvements to their homes saw no decrease in their energy bills.
Loren Lutzenhiser who studies energy consumption at Portland State University (my alma matter) said "It could be that by doing something virtuous, it gives you license to do something indulgent somewhere else."
The article also quoted Karen-Martinez of the non-profit American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy: "People who install efficient lights lose 5%-12% of the expected energy savings by leaving them on longer. People who buy an efficient furnace lose 10%-30% of their savings, probably from raising the thermostat, she said."
This is known as the Snackwell Effect, named after the brand known for low calorie cookies and crackers. People would defeat the benefits of the low calorie food by eating more of it, and thus consuming more calories than they otherwise would have if they had just bought the high calorie snacks in the first place.
The article cites one example of a couple who bought an energy efficient washer and washed only one article of clothing on one occasion, something the husband said they would never have done before.
The article highlights a very important point; if you are going to take measures to improve energy efficiency in your home like installing energy efficient lighting, or a more energy efficient furnace you need to be careful that these changes don't lull you into changing your usage patterns and behaviors. Try to keep tabs on your usage before and after changes. One of my mottos in life is that if you don’t measure it you can’t manage it.
Be sure to check out the full article: Consumers Can Sabotage Energy Savings Efforts. The article includes a great chart on per capita residential electricity use. The chart starts off in the fifties, and you can see the big rise in energy consumption fueled by the home appliances boom and personal computing age.
In a time when investment returns have tanked making investments in improving your home's energy efficiency is one of the best return on investments you can find. And it's risk and tax free. Here are two articles on energy efficient changes you can make to save a bundle:
- Switching to CFLs can Save You a Bundle – Article calculates the return on investment from switching to CFLS from incandescents.
- Is There a 6 Square Foot Hole in Your Home – Article discusses how sealing gaps and cracks offers one of the best energy-saving investments off all-time.
Photo Credit: paulaadamsmith |
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