Energy Consumption Correlation

...witnessed an incredible amount of waste in my college years, both of food and utilities, which my fellow students justified solely because it cost them nothing.

That reminds me of getting my driver's license in high school. A friend turned 16 at the same time, we each started driving one of our respective parent's cars to school.

The way we operated our cars could not have been more different. He was constantly burning rubber, skidding to a stop (both of which were really impressive to the girls ---- so we thought), driving fast...he even tried to see how fast he could go in reverse (he learned that the car was not too stable that way and eventually lost control, crashed into a tree totaling the car - which his parents replaced and allowed him to use). I, on the other hand, was much more conservative.

Coincidentally (or not) his parents paid for the insurance, gas and maintenance for the vehicle.....my parents did not (their rule was - you could use the car if you pay insurance, gas and maintenance).

I am finding it difficult to understand how many energy efficient houses that are built actually are energy efficient in that these are:

1. A replacement for what is often a suitable house (or a house that could be upgraded for less net energy impact.)

2. Larger in floor area than is required. (Floor space is increasing whilst the number of person per house is decreasing)

3. Have high specs for finishing. (Have you noticed that the more expensive the kitchen the less often it used for cooking?)

4. Have a large number utility rooms. (Why does every person in the house require at least one bathroom and toilet)

5. Built by people who generally have a high energy foot print ( for example long commute distances, recreational persuit that involve internal combustion engines.)

MANY years ago- when the "Energy Crisis" was in its infancy- I gave testimony to the Illinois Energy Department relative to ways to save energy (they were developing a state-wide energy conservation program).

Part of my testimony was on "how we got here" and it included the fact that all regulated utilities were guaranteed a defined profit but the amount they earned depended on how much they sold. SO- the relevant industries came up with "mascots" like the Texas Oil Gusher, Reddy Kilowatt, the "eternal gas flame", etc. to convince us that energy was, and would always be, there for the using. The regulators kept the costs low enough that it just compounded the issue.

I also talked about things that triggered higher energy usage, like mandated outside air %-age volumes that had been developed for low-volume heating systems but were still in place with air conditioning systems that supplied 5 to 10 times more air per person than the heating-only systems required. I also mentioned the ability to dramatically reduce outside air volumes BELOW the amounts for heating systems IF we installed high efficiency filtration, including carbon filters, to remove contaminants that would be "flushed away" by normal air exchanges (along with a significant amount of energy). Several years later- the air volumes which did get lowered have been pushed up again because no one required the high effectiveness filtration and the lower air (by itself) led to "sick building syndrome".

Energy audits by authorities should be carried out for all buildings periodically similar to medical checkups of persons. If energy usage exceeds the set limit(kwh/sq ft)for each category of occupancy rate to be increased.

By "clueless half-wit do gooders", do you mean politicians or just people in general?

I completely agree that nobody should have the right to force people how to spend their money.

But I do think that people should strive for a certain level of ethical responsibility and care in what they do.

My dad has told me since I was young that free energy would be the worst thing the human race could ever do to itself.

Some of the ways to save energy are:rainwater harvesting,reduce/recycle/reuse water,switch off equipment when not in use(fix a switch to every receptacle at a convenient height),use energy efficient(labelled)equipment,don't cook/order food in excess,use wind/solar/wave/tidal/kinetic energy in flowing water(rivers/sewage/storm water) etc to generate electricity etc