Energy management only for wealthy people?

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by: Sarah Maple
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Word Count: 532
Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 Time: 12:56 PM
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We've known for a long time that saving energy means less hassle and less waste. So why is it, with all our technology, that we still end up paying for than we have to for the energy we use? I guess it's to do with profit. Our land mass is huge - yet Australian energy companies have taken years to get round to the idea of using alternative technologies.

I don't understand why they even call them ‘alternative' - the skills and expertise have been around so long the technology should be mainstream. Thankfully, huge international pressure to introduce carbon saving projects mean finally affordable energy efficiency improvements is now available for the likes of us ordinary citizens.

It makes sense of course - the more of us that use energy efficient products in the home, the cleaner the environment. Saving carbon means saving money. So really there is no disadvantage - except of course if you're an energy company that relies on people paying out for inefficient products in the home. But even energy companies have an incentive, because they can't make any money if the environment is so damaged no one wants to live in the country they sell energy in!

Energy management for years has been the preserve of the wealthy. That's ridiculous because it just means rich people save money, and in the meantime poor people get poorer because their fuel costs increase as the old technology becomes more unreliable and expensive to run. No wonder there is so much cynicism about green technology. It seems all geared up for show, yet the reality is that we're consuming more energy than ever and pollution is increasing.

Or does it seem like that? Carbon saving projects are on the increase, and they're targeted at all of us - not just a minority of people who can afford to pay huge sums on energy efficient products. For instance, some energy management community organisations can carry out a free energy assessment on your home, give you free advice about saving energy, and even help you get rebates on certain energy efficient products.

Green loans are also available - although I don't see why it can't all be just grants because surely the admin costs and subsidies on them would equate to the cost of rebates.

So to reduce carbon footprints, finally big business and environmental issues can be resolved through large-scale introduction of energy efficiency measures. Saving carbon through rebates, free advice and importantly, through organisations whose aim it is to encourage and enable people to reduce their energy consumption, will have the impact that so many people have been campaigning for.

The idea that people can get more from the energy they consume - more than when they were using more energy - if that makes sense, is not a new one. There's been a lot of hot air and not enough action to help ordinary people save with energy efficient products like solar hot water converters. But better late than never, so I'm happy.

About the Author

Sarah Maple writes about energy management and renewable energy. The Green Project has been set up to give you and your community the best advice and recommendations on ways to make your home more energy efficient to reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.