Electricity, running water and a full tank of gas are often taken for granted. Many are guilty of leaving the lights on after leaving home or taking a longer shower than necessary. While everyday habits like these may seem harmless, they contribute to a larger problem.
October is National Energy Awareness month, a fact not well-known during a time when climate issues continue to garner discussion, according to a study conducted in September by finance analysts at WalletHub. Energy efficiency is simply not taken as seriously as other issues, especially in the Southeast, the study suggests.
Research shows South Carolina ranks last among 48 states (Alaska and Hawaii were excluded) when it comes to saving energy. And with utility prices rising as fast as temperatures, the Lowcountry’s long and sweltering summers are a burden on many households. The average South Carolinian spends around $234 a month on gas and electricity, one of the highest rates nationally.
In a recent interview with the Charleston City Paper, Eddy Moore, director of decarbonization for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, outlined why the Palmetto State struggles to be more energy efficient. Part of the reason, he says, is because the state’s building code is 15 years out of date.
“A lot of our homes, whether they’re old or new, have leakage in the building envelope — which is the division between outside and inside,” he said. “You’re essentially either heating or cooling the outdoors.”
Moore said there are some programs to increase energy efficiency through power companies such as Dominion Energy or Santee Cooper. And more aid is on the way in the form of federal funding. But these solutions have not been enough in South Carolina to make a significant change.
“On the one hand, we have utility programs that so far haven’t had to meet any performance target. And then we have — for the first time ever — a really significant size potential government program that would be run using federal funds,” Moore said. “Those programs need to be sensibly coordinated so that we get the most out of our money and we save the most energy possible.”
Boost efficiencies, reduce costs
As part of the study, experts weighed in on ways to decrease energy costs and improve a household’s energy efficiency.
Arthur van Benthem, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania, recommends doing the simpler tasks first.
“Many people focus on expensive projects that save very little energy. For example, replacing windows is very costly,” he said. “The impact on energy bills is negligible. Sometimes a simpler solution, like adding a door in your drafty hallway area, is cheaper and more effective.”
Barry D. Solomon, professor emeritus of social sciences from the Michigan Technological University, said that just being mindful of daily tasks can make a big difference.
“Turn off lights when not in use, upgrade to LED lightbulbs, don’t run the dishwasher or washing machine with less than full loads, wash clothes in cold water when possible, caulk and weatherstrip gaps and cracks around doors and windows, install a programmable thermostat, perform periodic maintenance on air conditioning units (e.g., clean or replace filters and vents) and adjust the temperature on air conditioners, thermostats and water heaters so you do not overcool or overheat more than necessary.”
For more information on ways to increase energy efficiency, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/most-and-least-energy-efficient-states/7354
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