| Making your home more energy efficient is not only | | | | it.c) No. One bulb's the same as another. |
| good for you and your future energy bills, but it's | | | | If you guessed "b", then you'd definitely be making |
| also good for the environment. | | | | the right move as far as the environment's |
| In this day and age of increasing danger from the | | | | concerned, but it might make reading and most other |
| accumulation of greenhouse gases caused by | | | | things challenging. The answer is "a". CFLs are |
| emissions from fossil fuels and the rapidly decreasing | | | | relatively expensive, but when you consider you can |
| supply of fossil fuels, it's important for everybody to | | | | expect 10 times more life out of them than standard |
| be aware of how much energy they're using, | | | | incandescent light bulbs, which use 4 times more |
| particularly in the home. If you're aware of how much | | | | electricity, they are quite a bargain in the long run. |
| energy you're using, that should translate into | | | | 3. I have a lot of electrical appliances. Is this a |
| improved behaviour as far as what you use and | | | | problem?a) Only if they stop working.b) Yes. You |
| when you use it. And that's even more important if | | | | should try to switch your source of power to |
| you're thinking about purchasing a solar electric | | | | something other than electricity.c) No. Just make sure |
| system, since the less electricity you use, the smaller | | | | they're energy efficient. |
| and cheaper your new system will be. | | | | The correct answer is "b". Electricity is by far the |
| Here's a test you can take to find out what you | | | | most expensive energy source, so anything you can |
| know and don't know about how to make your | | | | do to limit the amount of electricity you use will |
| home more energy efficient. The following is a set of | | | | benefit you greatly. If you heat your home using |
| multiple choice questions, to which there is only one | | | | electricity, switching to another fuel source such as oil |
| correct answer. Please select the answer you think is | | | | or gas would save you a great deal. The same |
| correct and compare that to the solution given below | | | | applies to any of your electrical appliances; where |
| each question. | | | | you can, switch to a different fuel source. How |
| Good luck, and here's to a more energy efficient | | | | about solar thermal for your hot water and/or |
| home for you and lower energy bills. | | | | heating needs? Great for your energy bill and the |
| 1. I hear it costs more to turn lights on and off than | | | | environment. |
| to just leave them on. Is that true?a) Yes, that's | | | | 4. I've been told caulking and proper insulation can |
| true. In fact, there's a plan to do away with the | | | | reduce energy costs. Is there any truth to that?a) |
| on-off switch for lights altogether.b) Maybe. It just | | | | Yes, they can help greatly reduce your energy |
| depends on the time of day.c) No. If lights are left | | | | costs.b) That's an old wives' tale. Just turn the heat |
| on, they'll continue to burn energy, costing you more | | | | and air conditioning up.c) Don't worry about it - it's |
| on your energy bill. | | | | more trouble than it's worth. |
| The correct answer is "c". As long as an appliance or | | | | If you answered "a", go to the head of the class! |
| light is left on, it will keep drawing power and burning | | | | Retaining heat during colder weather and cool air |
| electricity, and, as a result, needlessly running up your | | | | when it's warmer through good insulation and caulking |
| electricity bill. Turning off lights when nobody is in a | | | | doors and windows will reduce the amount of work |
| room is one of the simplest and most basic steps | | | | your heater and air conditioner need to do, and, as a |
| you can take to reduce your electricity bill and take | | | | result, your energy bill. |
| the first step on the road to making your home | | | | That's it. If you got all the questions right, |
| more energy efficient. | | | | congratulations - it looks like you know what you |
| 2. Does the type of light bulb I use make any | | | | need to do to make your home more energy |
| difference?a) Yes, it does. Using compact fluorescent | | | | efficient; now it's just a matter of putting what you |
| light bulbs will save you energy and money in the long | | | | know into practice and taking action. |
| run.b) Use candles so you don't have to worry about | | | | |