10 Facts On United States Energy Use

The days of cheap oil energy have come to an end. What once was simple and cheap (i.e. driving to vacation) has become difficult and expensive (i.e. ...driving to vacation). The skyrocketing cost (and limited supply) of energy has forced us to re-examine the energy we use in our daily lives.

Surprising facts on energy use:

* Americans consume 26% of the world's energy.

* 18% of total emissions comes from operating our homes.

* Heating and cooling account for about 56% of the energy use in a typical home.

* Our demand for energy grows by about 3% per year.

Read the 10 facts about the energy we use.

Related:

::Blogger Bill Scher's blog "Headlines You Won't See: Americans Support Clean Energy" on the Huffington Post.
::Read more at the Huffington Post Energy big news page.

Comments

[mamacat]

An interesting article in the NYT today by Milton Friedman. At the time of the petroleum crisis of 1973, Denmark used Middle East oil for 99% of its energy production. Today they don't import any Middle East oil at all, but they do get 20% of their electricity from wind turbines, and they have made a lot of other changes. The net result of their efforts has been good for their economy, and has created a lot of jobs.

The dumbing down of the American energy conversation, by claiming that offshore drilling is important to us, is not helping things. Getting Republicans to stop blocking the bill to allow credits for alternative energy industries, so they can compete with the other subsidised energy providers, is absolutely necessary.

The GOP recipe for energy use is nothing but more of the same, and it hinders our development of alternative energy.

[francoise]

I've never understood the reason why it's so cold inside American places in summer that I've got to wear jumpers and jeans, and it's so hot inside American places in winter that I've got to wear short sleeves and shorts.

[montestruc]

One of the points in the original article is correct, but ignores a critical issue. Setting the thermostat on a water heater below 49 degrees C or 120 degrees F is DANGEROUS. You will make your water heater an ideal breeding ground for a number of bacteria that can kill you or anyone using the water from your water heater.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6z5a3s

Just to add, it is better and safer to turn your water heater OFF, and save energy by not using hot water at all than to turn it down and endanger your life and those of your family.

[montestruc]

One of the points in the original article is correct, but ignores a critical issue. Setting the thermostat on a water heater below 49 degrees C or 120 degrees F is DANGEROUS. You will make your water heater an ideal breeding ground for a number of bacteria that can kill you or anyone using the water from your water heater.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/6z5a3s

[bluegrit319]

I agree with the majority of the facts presented but - please, please, please - could we collectively try to understand what's really going on.
1. There is no "limited supply" of gasoline. When was the last time you sat in a long line of cars to buy a restricted amount of gas? When was the last time you searched high and low throughout your city for a gas station with available fuel? Sorry to yell, but THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF GASOLINE.
2. The production of diesel is the easiest and the least expensive process in the manufacture of fuel. So why, why, why is diesel higher than premium gasoline which takes longer and more expensive manufacturing costs? Let me spell it out for you: Wall Sreet S - p - e - c - u - l - a - t - o - r - s.
3. Why is it that no one talks about putting pressure on the manufacturers of heating and air conditioning units to improve their efficiency?
4. Anything plastic, any product that cleans or styles your hair, every flat screen tv and tricked out laptop and cellphone is a petroleum-based product.
It's time to dial our lifestyles back and put some energy into wising up to save ourselves and this planet.

[AtticusinPa]

Right. As for diesel, it is made from a lower grade than the "light sweet crude" that is the most commonly quoted for price per barrel. So it is also made from a less expensive fuel stock, is easier to crack and has few if any additives (some in winter for anti-gel.) So please BP, tell us why it is 20% more expensive than gasoline?

[leduck]

yep
we do use that much energy
we are energy hogs
we waste a ton of energy
robbing future generations of fossil fuels given to us by mother nature and time

it is a crying shame
and people will do anything to try to continue the waste
future be damned

[BeNice]

"* Americans consume 26% of the world's energy."
We also account for about that percentage of the Gross Global Product. So... what do you expect?

[leduck]

japan is a large economy
The EUs economy is about as big as ours but both regions use half as much energy as we do
we are not just protigous users of energy...,
we are incredible energy hogs

we could make do with less
and soon..., we will have no choice
the era of cheap energy is over