Which Bills Concern You the Most?

Discussion in 'Environmental' started by Chuck, Jun 25, 2006.

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Which Bills Concern You the Most?

  1. Gas Pump Bills

    4 vote(s)
    13.8%
  2. Home Utility Bills

    16 vote(s)
    55.2%
  3. None of the above

    9 vote(s)
    31.0%
  1. Chuck

    Chuck just the messenger

    Which Bills Concern You the Most?

    In my case, there is no question...
     
  2. lakedude

    lakedude Well-Known Member

    In all likelihood hybrid owners cared about gas pump bills a lot hence the reason for the purchase of a hybrid. Once you have a hybrid you could probably care less about gas prices.
     
  3. tbaleno

    tbaleno Well-Known Member

    I had to add an option since I'm not bothered by either one.

    And for what its worth I didn't get a hybrid because I was worried about gas prices. When I bought my civic I think gas prices were still about $1.20 or so per gallon (totaly made up number so don't go researching to prove me wrong ;) )
     
  4. mds2

    mds2 Active Member

    "None of the above"

    I've found it useful to try to convert all energy use into equivalent units, such as kilowatt-hours. 1 gallon of gasoline equals roughly 36 kwh. 1 therm of natural gas equals roughly 30 kwh. Add your average daily home electrical and natural gas use and compare it to your average daily gasoline use.

    Another interesting comparison: USA daily oil usage is 20 million barrels. Population is 300 million. So average daily per capita oil use is 2.8 gallons or 100 kwh. Of course oil is only one of serveral USA energy sources, there is also natural gas, coal, hydro, nuclear and a small amount of others. Oil is about 40% of total USA usage. So per capita energy use is roughly 250 kwh.

    So compare your daily home electrical, natural gas and gasoline usage to this 250 kwh estimate. For me it is probably less than 20%.

    I find this calculation sobering and scary and worrying. All our efforts to save on home energy and gasoline represents only a small fraction what we consume as individuals in our society.
     
  5. XerEagle

    XerEagle Member

    I voted gas because I got rid of a car I really liked and purchased the HCH. It didn’t come across as a worry, but it bugged me every time I had to fill my car which was every 260 miles. I knew I could spend my money on items I enjoy more, like family vacations.
     
  6. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Well-Known Member

    I dream of the day when I can build my own house and use smart energy strategies.
    I want good airflow, a smart digital control system, automated dampers and variable speed fans drawing air cooled by geothermal transfer. In the winter, I want a house so tight that I can heat it with solar even while drawing in a minimal amount of fresh outside air to avoid the stuffy feeling.

    My company doesn't these very things and more for large commercial and residential buidings. I just want the same for myself.
     
  7. philmcneal

    philmcneal Has it been 10 years? Wow

    insurance cost more than gas these days ;P
     
  8. Hot Georgia

    Hot Georgia Well-Known Member

    I'll have to go with home utility bills, although the Grand Caravan is vastly too expensive to feed for its use.
    -Steve
     
  9. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Utility Bills are my concern, the big companies keep rising their numbers and we have not to much of an alternative and bending over to satisfy their CEO greed, plus lets not mention the sky rocket surcharges and taxes to support an unnecessary peace keeping foreing war.
     
  10. whitevette

    whitevette Member


    Hooray! Your last paragraph! Right on! The "war" in Iraq is co$ting so much more (!) than everything else!!!!! And the way Congre$$ spends "our" money is obscene! Slap my face! It's all my fault! -whitevette
     

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