Find out how to cut back your vitality use to 2000 watts and nonetheless stay properly

In idea, it’s attainable to stay properly whereas utilizing vitality at a price of simply 2000 watts – 1 / 4 of the typical for individuals within the US. Our surroundings reporter took on the problem. Right here’s what he found

By James Dinneen

THE very first thing I did was flip off the lights. Then I unplugged the whole lot. On reflection, I reconnected my fridge. Subsequent, I made a listing of all the opposite methods I eat vitality. Fuel-powered boilers warmth my house and water. I prepare dinner on a fuel range. I take the New York Metropolis subway to work. For longer journeys, I drive or hail a experience, and I fly. Then there’s the fridge, washer and dryer, elevators, a pc, cellphone, even my toothbrush. I add to the record something I purchase that requires vitality to make and transport. Plus the meals I eat or throw away. Almost the whole lot I do requires vitality.

Power is a sizzling subject proper now. Rocketing gas costs precipitated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the transition to renewable sources to restrict world warming have centered individuals and governments on decreasing consumption. With this in thoughts, I needed to see whether or not I might drastically minimize my vitality use. I had learn that, within the Nineties, Swiss researchers calculated that simply 2000 watts per particular person could be sufficient for everybody to stay sustainably and nonetheless have high quality of life. In order that grew to become my goal. This was the primary day of a private, month-long “2000-watt challenge”.

I used an internet calculator – as soon as I acquired the Wi-Fi again on – to estimate my present vitality use. Within the US, every particular person consumes vitality at a price of 8600 watts on common. I didn’t assume my life-style was …