Motoring More Efficiently Fuel-Pinching Steps for Drivers Saving Energy at Home Dialing Back Heating Oil Use For More Information
Motoring More Efficiently
Major progress has been made in the past 25 years in making vehicles, homes, offices and industries more energy efficient. Although overall energy demand increased at about 1-2 percent a year over that time, that growth would have been much greater had it not been for voluntary and mandatory conservation steps.
The most obvious conservation improvement has come in the area of transportation. Cars, trucks and other forms of transportation account for about 65 percent of the country's oil consumption. Vehicle efficiency started to improve significantly in the late 1970s as consumers responded to concerns about the price and availability of gasoline and as federal fuel efficiency standards went into effect.
The average fuel efficiency of both cars and light trucks increased significantly through the mid-1980s. Since then, car mileage has continued to improve somewhat, but the fuel use of light trucks (vans, pickups and SUVs) has stayed about the same, resulting in a flattening of overall fuel efficiency for cars and light trucks combined.
SUVs and pickups have become extremely popular and now make up about 50 percent of all vehicles on the road. Although these vehicles do incorporate fuel-saving technologies, they are significantly less efficient than automobiles – on average traveling about 8 miles per gallon less than cars. In addition, Americans have shown a preference for both cars and trucks with larger, higher-performance engines, which tend to be less efficient.
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Fuel-Pinching Steps for Drivers
There's no question that the way you drive affects your gasoline bill. In general, how fast you drive has more influence on fuel consumption than any other single factor. As the chart indicates, the fuel efficiency of an average car drops significantly beyond 55 mph. For example, driving at 75 mph – rather than 65 mph – increases gasoline use by 25 percent. Here are other simple ways to achieve gasoline savings recommended by the American Petroleum Institute:
- Have your car tuned regularly. An engine tune-up can improve car fuel economy by an average of 1 mile per gallon.
- Keep your tires properly inflated. Under-inflated tires can decrease fuel economy by up to 1 mile per gallon.
- Slow down. The faster you drive, the more gasoline your car uses. Driving at 65 miles per hour rather than 55 miles per hour reduces fuel economy by about 2 miles per gallon.
- Avoid jackrabbit starts. Abrupt starts require about twice as much gasoline as gradual starts.
- Pace your driving. Unnecessary speedups, slowdowns and stops can decrease fuel economy by up to 2 miles per gallon.
- Use your air conditioner sparingly. The use of air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by as much as 2 miles per gallon.
- Avoid lengthy engine idling. Turn your engine off when you are delayed for more than a couple of minutes.
- Plan your trips carefully. Combine short trips into one to do all your errands. Avoid traveling during rush hours if possible, to reduce fuel-consumption patterns such as starting and stopping and numerous idling periods. Consider joining a car pool.
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Saving energy at home
Consumers can save 25 percent to 50 percent on their fuel bills by taking steps such as better insulating their homes, sealing out exterior air, upgrading their heating and air conditioning systems and replacing old water heaters. Even small, do-it-yourself improvements can yield big energy savings.
Simple quick fixes. Keep out cold air in winter by caulking and weather stripping around doors and windows. Add extra insulation to your attic and, where feasible, to walls. Using clear plastic sheeting, make temporary double-pane windows to seal drafty windows. Change filters in heating and air conditioning systems on a monthly basis and have a licensed technician give the system an annual tune-up. Make sure furniture and drapes aren't blocking floor registers. Check for and seal any leaky air ducts and wrap them with insulation if necessary. Install a programmable thermostat that automatically cuts energy use when you're asleep or away. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones, and use timers on lights rather than leaving the lights on while you're away.
Longer-term solutions. Purchase items bearing the Energy Star label, indicating higher than average energy efficiency, when it's time to replace your water heater, heating or cooling system, appliances, computers, electronic equipment, lighting and other energy-users around the house. For example, late model refrigerators are three times as energy efficient as ones built in the early 1970s. Look into the possibility of replacing inefficient windows with double- and triple-glazed products. Plant deciduous trees on the south and west sides of your home to provide shade in summer while letting in the winter sun.
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Dialing Back Heating Oil Use
To reduce heating oil consumption, begin by having a heating professional check your oil furnace to ensure that it's operating at peak performance. If you have an older furnace, consider equipping it with a flame retention head that can reduce oil consumption by 15 percent or more. You also can cut your fuel bill with simple actions like replacing worn-out furnace filters, insulating the ductwork and slightly reducing the water or air temperatures created inside the unit. Depending on the age and condition of your furnace, consider replacing it with a new, high-efficiency unit that uses 20 percent to 40 percent less fuel than older furnaces.
Many heating oil suppliers offer price protection plans that allow you to "lock in" a season's worth of fuel at a fixed price. These plans require a contractual commitment from you prior to the start of the season, when your supplier typically can purchase product at lower wholesale prices. With your commitment, your oil supplier will arrange with its wholesaler to purchase a given amount of product at a certain price. The savings are passed on to you.
Heating oil suppliers also frequently offer level payment plans that allow you to pay your fuel bill in equal installments over a year or a given number of months. Although such plans do not reduce the actual cost of your fuel, they can remove sharp increases from your monthly bill and allow you to budget for fuels costs with greater certainty.
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For More Information
Fuel Cost Calculator, an online tool provided by AAA to help motorists determine their gasoline expenses based on make of car and miles driven.
Gasoline Cost Saver, an online method furnished by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help car buyers chose a more fuel-efficient vehicle.
Energy Savers, a Web site provided by the Department of Energy that furnishes dozens of energy-saving tips for around the home.
Energy Star, a Web site that guides consumers to products that meet energy efficiency standards and provides advice on reducing energy costs at home and at work. Prepared by the Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency and partner organizations.
Home Energy Analysis, a tool from the Energy Star program that allows homeowners to analyze their energy use.
Home Energy Checkup, an interactive tool from the Alliance to Save Energy that guides homeowners to reduced energy costs.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a Web site that describes how to obtain help in paying for residential fuel bills.
Consumer Guide to Home Energy Saving, a checklist of ideas for improving home energy efficiency, prepared by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
The Home Energy Saver provides the opportunity to perform a do-it-yourself home energy audit from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Energy Hog, an interactive approach to learning how to save energy at home and in your car, prepared by the Department of Energy and the Ad Council.
Electric Vehicles, a Web site prepared by the Electric Drive Transportation Association focuses on hybrid as well as fuel cell and battery powered electric vehicles.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles Program, a comprehensive Web site on the transportation technology prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.