Home electricity use in the US is falling to 2001 levels

[Redfairen]

The average amount of electricity consumed in U.S. homes has fallen to levels last seen more than a decade ago, back when the smartest device in people's pockets was a Palm pilot and anyone talking about a tablet was probably an archaeologist or a preacher. Because of more energy-efficient housing, appliances and gadgets, power usage is on track to decline in 2013 for the third year in a row, to its lowest point since 2001, even though our lives are more electrified.

In the early 2000s, as energy prices rose, more states adopted or toughened building codes to force builders to better seal homes so heat or air-conditioned air doesn't seep out so fast. That means newer homes waste less energy. Also, insulated windows and other building technologies have dropped in price, making retrofits of existing homes more affordable. In the wake of the financial crisis, billions of dollars in Recovery Act funding was directed toward home-efficiency programs.

Big appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners have gotten more efficient thanks to federal energy standards that get stricter ever few years as technology evolves.

A typical room air conditioner — one of the biggest power hogs in the home — uses 20 percent less electricity per hour of full operation than it did in 2001, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.



http://news.yahoo.com/home-electricity-us-falling-2001-levels-174724499--finance.html?.tsrc=attmp

[applegrove]

1. It's the light bulbs.

[louis-t]

2. RE:the idiot I had living in my house the last 4 months.

Even though she replaced some of the lightbulbs with fluorescent, she would dry clothes in the dryer for 2 hours per load (5-6 loads a week for 1 person). She ran the garbage disposal incessantly until it broke yesterday. My electric bill doubled for every month she lived there. I got her out yesterday.

[NYC_SKP]

4. That and replacement over time of older appliances with EnergyStar rated ones.

And, in some states, more efficient building standards.

It would be interesting to look at state by state comparisons, where I'm confident one would find that red states aren't progressing as much.

[kristopher]

5. Don't forget LED/LCD televisions

That has afforded a huge savings not related to the policy arena. Given price trends, I'd also think there has been some effect on the stats by a shift towards the use of natural gas for space heating and hot water.

Other than light bulbs, I don't really see a cause championed by teabaggers here. That doesn't mean there isn't one though, I too would like to see a detailed breakdown.

[jpak]

3. but...but...but... Dick Cheney sez "conservation is a personal virtue"

I guess he was right...

[Heywood J]

6. Or is it that power bills have skyrocketed?

I know a number of people who have to wait until night to run a load of clothes or turn on the A/C when it's 100+ outside. The usual response is "Well, you should do X to your home!" That works when you own the home and can modify it at will, or when you have the money to replace your A/C, fridge, washing machine, dryer, every light bulb...

I checked a bill a while ago against one from 2006 - it's roughly double for the same amount of power.

[kristopher]

7. That is against the trend ...

... but perhaps it's a local condition. Where are you at?

[Omaha Steve]

8. Obama helped pay for our energy efficient dish washer

That times how many thousands of others had to help.