Energy Consumption - Do we really care about conserving energy?

Question

Given the massive display of Christmas lights throughout our nation, I wonder if anyone is really concerned about conserving energy, and those high electric bills. I love to decorate as much as the next person - but some people just go overboard...every square inch covered. I always thought about how much energy could be saved if every other light in Las Vegas was turned off, still illuminating the city quite sucessfully but toning down the overkill. The nicest display we saw this year was simple but beautiful, and it contained very few lights. Aren't we just addicted to over-consumption ?

Answer 1

I am a conservative. And I like to conserve.

I think you have a very good point.

I am happy with just one tree and a small display outside.

How we conserve on our heat is really old fashioned but very effective. What we do is bank snow all around our house to about a couple of feet up the sides. This saves us several hundred dollars a year and imagine if everybody started using all that free insulation. It keeps the cold winter winds from making the floors in your house so cold.

Answer 2

It is because we have access to excess.  They may have a big x-mas light display but maybe they are recycling and drive hybrids and only eat organic to offset the costs and damage of their christmas lights.  maybe it's their last christmas on earth and they want to give the neighborhood kids a show.  anyway, its not just xmas lights....we overindulge in food, shopping, entertainment....why dont we just put our energies together and live in a hole.

Answer 3

Yes, you are right. We are addicted to consumption.  You can see it in the Christmas sales that occur every year, with companies telling people that everyone will have an iPod this year, or the newest Playstation, or whatever, and if you don't get one for the person on your list, their Christmas will be ruined.  It's marketing psychology, so the companies are mostly at fault, although there is still blame on the people who let themselves be influenced too easily.  A lot of our problems today, including consumption, boil down to two things; greed and the belief that everybody needs to follow the crowd,  When people try to be like everyone else, companies play off of that and use it to sell products, most of which are c**p and end up breaking after very little use.  If people would stop falling for corporate greed and be themselves, we could make great strides in many different areas, from technological innovation through sharing information, to decreasing our environmental impact by reducing consumption of resources.  No single group of people is at fault--everyone is to blame; individuals, corporations, and politicians.  We need to get past our greed and join together to start solving the problems that we have created.   Anyway, that's my rant. Thanks for reading.  

On a side note: Sparky mentioned that the lights in Vegas are powered by hydroelectric power, so it doesn't matter if the energy is wasted.  However, if the people in Vegas save energy, then the clean energy from the dam could power more homes, instead of those homes being powered by coal.  So, energy consumption does matter, even if your energy comes from renewable sources.

Answer 4

Christmas lights do not use that much electricity.  A 300 light string uses less than 100 watts, so less than many single light bulbs.  There are also LED light strings that use much less power.  My total outdoor display, and it is extensive, uses less energy than a single burner of an electric stove, or a microwave oven.  Lighten up and enjoy the season Mr Grinch.

Answer 5

yes.

Answer 6

In a nutshell, the majority of people care more about the cost than the effect.

Answer 7

As far as Las Vegas is concered. Hoover Dam supplies all the electricity for Las Vegas. It can more than handle the load, so if people want to pay more for electricity let them. Water running through ducting to move generators does not create pollution so why conserve?

Answer 8

I believe in conserving.  We certainly don't go overboard like some folks do, but we definitely use much less energy through smart choices that don't "lower" our quality of life - we are replacing windows, increased attic insulation and installed a highly efficient HVAC system along with having good shade on our home.  Our home's energy consumption is 40-50% lower, year-over-year when comparing usage to the home before we invested in efficiency.

The problem, IMO, is the supply/demand issue.  The suppliers are so concerned with keeping the end user cost down that the cost per KwH on our monthly bill is so low that we, as consumers, aren't encouraged to save.  I personally would like to see a multi tiered system to encourage consumption. Make the first 500KwH/mo 10 cents - the next 500KwH cost 15 cents - the next 20 and so on.  That'll quickly change the consumer mindset while still preserving the almighty profit from the suppliers.  Only when we have everyone having a vested interest will we truely make a difference.  If it isn't economical, only a select few will do what is "right".

Answer 9

i think, they concern a lot in electricity use,,and concern in  light consumption coz every years past our  electricity is much higher...