Creators Syndicate

FIGHT BACK! BY DAVID HOROWITZ 

        We Americans waste an awful lot of energy around the house.  We
let heat leak out under doors and through the roof we flush it  down
the drain and burn it up powering inefficient old appliances.  And
whether it's gas, electricity or heating oil, it all costs  money. It's
not that we're wasteful by nature (though some of us  are). It's just
very difficult to invest our own money on energy  conservation if we
can't see the savings in real dollars and  cents. 
        A good example is fluorescent lighting. Besides the familiar 
long fluorescent tubes, you can now buy compact fluorescent units  that
fit standard light sockets and lamps. They use about one- fourth as
much electricity as an incandescent bulb and last 10  times as long.
Each compact fluorescent light will save you $30 to  $35 in electricity
and bulb replacement costs. But they cost  anywhere from $16 to $20
apiece. And that's the problem -- a high  up-front cost in order to
save more money down the line. 
        A light bulb is one thing. A new refrigerator is another. Now 
we're talking about spending $1,200 to $1,500 for a new, super-
efficient unit. One of these new refrigerators will save around  $75 a
year, compared to one that meets 1993 federal energy  standards, and
probably twice that or more, compared to one that's  10 years old. 
        If your refrigerator is already old, you may be ready to 
replace it, in which case, the more efficient unit is obviously  the
best choice. But I suspect most of us would hesitate to  replace a
refrigerator or freezer that's still in good working  order, even for
one that is quieter, more reliable and cheaper to  operate and has more
interior space. 
        Public utilities are encouraging their customers to make the 
switch by offering rebates on new refrigerators and bounties on  old
ones. Where I live in Southern California, the Edison Co. will  pay $25
cash or a $50 savings bond for any old refrigerator or  freezer in
working order, just to get them out of circulation and  replaced with
newer, more energy-efficient models. 
        Utilities are also helping people with the cost of 
weatherizing their homes to save on heating costs. Some will  actually
install weatherstripping, insulation, low-flow shower  heads and other
energy-saving devices at no cost for low-income  families. Others offer
free household energy audits to help  homeowners identify energy losses
and calculate the savings from  having them fixed. Most local gas
companies will inspect and  adjust gas appliances for their customers
at no cost. 
        In Florida, the U.S. Department of Energy has announced a 
three-year pilot project to install solar water heating panels in 
low-income housing. If the project is successful, it may be  expanded
nationwide. The Federal Housing Administration is also  sponsoring a
program that allows home buyers to add the cost of  energy improvements
to their mortgages. 
        Check with your local electric, water and gas companies or 
city utility department. Ask what programs they have to help  people
conserve energy. You may be surprised how little it costs  to make your
home energy-efficient. 
        If you have any questions or comments, please write to David 
Horowitz in the Consumer Forum+ (go FIGHTBACK). COPYRIGHT 1994 CREATORS
SYNDICATE, INC.