Effects of Electronic Appliances on Global Warming

Global warming is often said to be caused by gasses, but there are practical causes as well. On needs look no father than the effects of electronic appliances on global warning.

Global warming is an older term that is more correctly called climate change these days. The essential idea is that greenhouse gasses build up in the atmosphere and keep heat from escaping into space. This warms up the planet, [thus the name], and causes massive environmental changes over time. These changes will result in some places becoming warmer and wetter while others become much drier and barren [thus the name climate change].

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So, what do greenhouse gasses have to do with electronic appliances? After all, appliances do not emit these gasses, right? Right. The effects are not found in what the appliances are emitting, but what they use for power. The vast majority of appliances in homes run off of electricity received from the national electric grid. The question many do not think about is how this electricity is actually produced.

The vast majority of electricity produced in the United States is derived from the use of fossil fuels. While oil is often the much despised fossil fuel in global warming discussions, it is not the culprit here. Instead, the fossil fuel most used is coal. Coal is dug out of the ground, crushed into smaller parts and then burned to create heat in coal plants. This heat is used to turn water into steam and spin turbines that produce electricity. The problem with coal as an energy source is burning it produces massive amounts of carbon dioxide. This is a major greenhouse gas. With the world currently burning as many as 7.5 billion tons of coal a year, a lot of carbon dioxide is being released.

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Electronic appliances fit into this picture because they tend to run constantly. Your refrigerator, for instance, is on all day. Your computer and television draw power all day. Yes, even when you turn them off. That being said, a single electronic appliance is not an energy hog. Cumulatively, however, they are and finding a way to make them more efficient can have a huge effect on the energy used in this country. This is where the Energy Star system comes in.

Energy Star is a program run by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. It sets forth certain energy efficiency requirements for electrical devices including appliances. If manufacturers meet these requirements, they are certified. Taxpayers buying Energy Start products then get a double benefit. Their utility bills drop because they use less energy and they often can claim a tax credit for "going green." The program has been a huge success. In 2008, Americans saved the equivalent of the emissions from 29 million cars by using the products. They also saved a whopping 19 billion dollars on their utility bills.

The effects of electronic appliances on global warming are huge when you consider the impact of the Energy Star program. Going green with your appliance is not only a smart move, it can save you big money.

Electronic appliances fit into this picture because they tend to run constantly. Your refrigerator, for instance, is on all day. Your computer and television draw power all day. Yes, even when you turn them off. That being said, a single electronic appliance is not an energy hog. Cumulatively, however, they are and finding a way to make them more efficient can have a huge effect on the energy used in this country. This is where the Energy Star system comes in.

Energy Star is a program run by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. It sets forth certain energy efficiency requirements for electrical devices including appliances. If manufacturers meet these requirements, they are certified. Taxpayers buying Energy Start products then get a double benefit. Their utility bills drop because they use less energy and they often can claim a tax credit for "going green." The program has been a huge success. In 2008, Americans saved the equivalent of the emissions from 29 million cars by using the products. They also saved a whopping 19 billion dollars on their utility bills.

The effects of electronic appliances on global warming are huge when you consider the impact of the Energy Star program. Going green with your appliance is not only a smart move, it can save you big money.

Electronic appliances fit into this picture because they tend to run constantly. Your refrigerator, for instance, is on all day. Your computer and television draw power all day. Yes, even when you turn them off. That being said, a single electronic appliance is not an energy hog. Cumulatively, however, they are and finding a way to make them more efficient can have a huge effect on the energy used in this country. This is where the Energy Star system comes in.

Energy Star is a program run by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency. It sets forth certain energy efficiency requirements for electrical devices including appliances. If manufacturers meet these requirements, they are certified. Taxpayers buying Energy Start products then get a double benefit. Their utility bills drop because they use less energy and they often can claim a tax credit for "going green." The program has been a huge success. In 2008, Americans saved the equivalent of the emissions from 29 million cars by using the products. They also saved a whopping 19 billion dollars on their utility bills.

The effects of electronic appliances on global warming are huge when you consider the impact of the Energy Star program. Going green with your appliance is not only a smart move, it can save you big money.

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