Question Earthority!

A lot of libertarians seem to have a problem with the “reduce, re-use, recycle” paradigm, especially when it comes to the “reduce” part. Can’t blame’em. All too often “reduce” gets framed in Luddite terms, a la “we just need to learn to live with less,” even to the point where that seems like the end rather than the means.

Summer electric bills, however, cast “reduce” in a whole new light. Most of us like to keep the climate inside our homes at relatively comfortable temperature levels, and that can get expensive. Sure, one interpretation of “reduce” comes down to “just sweat and bear it.” But there are other, equally valid interpretations: Reduce your utility bill. Reduce your need for air conditioning. Reduce the temperature … wisely.

Heck, one way of reducing your AC bill is inherently “environmentally friendly” aside from its obvious benefits: Plant trees! Tall trees around your dwelling intercept some of that heat-carrying sunlight, while allowing the free flow of cooling breezes. Of course, you may have to wait 20 or 30 years for the trees to be tall enough to shade your home … so let’s think about some quicker fixes.

The Florida Solar Energy Center publishes a web guide for reducing cooling needs in new (and older) homes. Lots of good suggestions there.

One thing the guide notes is that the less electricity you consume on other things, the lower your heat bill will be. Your appliances (yes, including that computer and monitor you leave on 24/7) produce heat. So does your refrigerator … think about it — that thing is an air conditioner, too, cooling its inside and throwing the heat out into your kitchen. Getting the most energy-efficient appliances you can afford, and using them only as necessary, will reduce the load on your air conditioner.

Another idea (not from the guide) is to not cool the areas you aren’t using. If you have central air, make sure you keep the vents closed in unoccupied rooms. You don’t have to be obsessive about it … but a few years ago, I found a vent in the basement that I hadn’t known about. I’d been cooling a storage room for no good reason. When our central unit went to air conditioner heaven, I elected to replace it with three window units. Most of our house is now cooled by the old-fashioned kind of “window air conditioner” — an open window, occasionally with a fan in it. The bedrooms are cooled only at night, and the living room only during the day — and the doors separating rooms are kept closed when not in use. My electric bill went down by about 50%.

Instead of framing “reduce” in terms of “doig with lless,” try framing it in terms of “needing less.” You can have your comfort and reduce your energy use, too … and it can be very nice for your wallet as well.