Fact Sheets: Reduce Energy Consumption
The Department of Energy said that “Various sources suggest Bermuda’s per-capita electricity consumption ranks among the top 20 in the world and is the highest in the Caribbean region. This is particularly high considering the island has no manufacturing industry.”
“Much of this energy is consumed within our homes and according to the Department of Statistics, energy usage typically accounts for 3-5% of a household’s yearly expenditure.
“Fortunately, many residents of Bermuda have the potential to reduce their expenditure on energy by thousands of dollars a year through energy-efficient products and actions to conserve energy.”
“As it can be difficult to understand the most effective ways to reduce energy consumption, the Department of Energy is pleased to announce the release of a range of updated energy efficiency ‘fact sheets’ and renewable energy guides. These documents will assist residents who are interested in saving money by reducing their energy consumption or using renewable energy.”
The Minister of Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy Walter Roban, said: “As an isolated island-nation relying primarily on the importation of foreign fossil fuels for our energy supply, it is important that we have an informed public who are able to understand the importance of responsible energy use. Energy conservation is not about reducing our quality of life, it is about taking reasonable action to reduce our energy consumption. Fortunately, this can be easily achieved if people have access to the appropriate information.”
The Minister added: “I want to congratulate the Department of Energy for the creation of these fact sheets – a truly valuable resource to our community.”
The energy efficiency fact sheets cover; air conditioners, water heaters, lighting, refrigerators, clothes washers, clothes dryers, computers, televisions, and transportation. They contain advice on how to select the most efficient products available, how much this could save you relative to less efficient products and how to operate existing appliances and vehicles more efficiently.
“The aim of these fact sheets is to associate the purchase of energy-consuming products with long-term operating expenditure,” said Director of Energy Jeane Nikolai. “These fact sheets are simply information tools that help individuals and families better understand their personal energy profile and take actions to reduce the amount they spend on energy.”
Mrs. Nikolai added: “We hope these fact sheets and guides, in addition to other information currently available on our website, will provide the public with a consistent and reliable source of information.”
You can download the fact sheets and guides here on the Department of Energy’s website. Hard copies are available from the Department of Energy located on the 2nd floor of the F.B. Perry Building on Church Street and will also be available from the Post Office and the Department of Planning in the near future.
A sample fact sheet is below, click ‘Full Screen’ for greater clarity:
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Category: All, Environment
How about switching off the Rockaway ferry port lights at the weekend? There are no ferries running all weekend yet the place is lit up like a hotel.
When will we stop blaming the little people for EVERYTHING? Nobody wants to talk about how much water and energy are used for construction sites and businesses. These LARGE ENERGY consumers need to decrease their usage, you can only squeeze the life so long out of the average man before you must admit that large scale businesses and construction projects are eating up all the electricity. I mean retail stores OPEN their door during summer and HAVE THE AC blowing to the outdoors????? And you want to scold the average man because his thermostat is set at 76 instead of 78??? This is beyond ridiculous as we aren’t stupid and we know who is consuming most of the energy on this island. It is shameful how the average hardworking men and women are CONSTANTLY being blamed for all the greed, corruption, and heavy consumption taking place the world over. You’re not fooling anyone…
Why don’t all the RICH people on the island have solar power on their homes? What is the excuse?? Average people can’t afford these things. When will the rich and wealthy stand up and make a difference with their personal homes, businesses, and the way new homes are constructed??? Why don’t we have new regulations on building in the future. ALL NEW office buildings should have SOLAR POWER and their own water sources. Simple, common sense solutions are what government the world over are SEVERELY LACKING DUE TO BUREAUCRACY and never wanting to hold businesses accountable. Its always the average man’s fault.
Here, here! All new buildings should be made to harvest the power of the sun. For an island so rich in sun, sea and wind I do not understand why Bermuda doesn’t make use of these new age ways to generate power and make the island self sufficient?
So…when you’re buying a new fridge, you don’t care what your consumption is? You’re so angry that others aren’t doing more that you view this as useless information that you won’t use just on principle so that you can continue paying too much for your electrical needs?? I think you’re missing the point here, it’s (at least as far as I can tell) more about giving the ordinary person better tools with which to make informed decisions, is that not a good thing? To ‘Really’- aren’t you in the least interested in that which you CAN do something about yourself? I don’t know about you, but if I can find cost-effective ways in which to reduce my Belco bill, I’m all for it. I’m not saying Government shouldn’t do more and that the bigger consumers don’t have responsibility, but come on- I think Government should be praised just a little for making these available to the public. That’s more effort than we’ve seen in the past, and a step in the right direction. Whilst it’s not worth throwing a party over, I’d like to say thanks to Government for the useful info. Let’s see what else you’ll do!
I DO MY PART ALREADY. I have no problems with this article. What I DO have a problem with is NEVER seeing suggestions to the main energy gobblers like businesses, construction sites, and government buildings. The average man could NEVER do enough to compensate for all the energy gobbled up by these businesses and construction projects.
Really, My Two Cents, or whomever you are- no one is ‘blaming’ the little guy here, least of all is anyone blaming YOU. Yes, more can be done. I think we’ll see more in terms of the big things, but why can’t we applaud the little steps that the ordinary person can take? You may be the exception, but there are a LOT of ‘little people’ NOT doing their share. Recognize that as well. You’re just so full of ire and venom, I didn’t say that this was the be-all and end-all in the energy scene. I did say it was ONE step, in a better direction. Smokers don’t quit smoking overnight, dieters don’t become thin from just one meal. This is one small step, and I’d like to believe that we’ll see more to come, and not too far in the future.
And, be careful what you wish for. If it weren’t for the proliferation of large businesses and construction projects, we wouldn’t have had the success economically speaking that we have enjoyed up until the economic downturn. It is the stable electrical grid, our good infrastructure, etc. that has made us what we are. All the fallout from that development is not necessarily positive, but even your standard of living was contributed to by that development. If you make it too hard to do business here for the restrictions placed, then what will Bermuda look like then? I’m in no way advocating allowing larger entities to do as they please, energy-wise, but whatever is done has to be carefully considered and well-planned. I wouldn’t want anyone to rush that one, especially in these fragile economic times.
All things must happen step by step. This was one, and I, for one, eagerly await the next.
We are overdeveloped which is why we are in the situation we are in. Yes, I am sure it would just break the industries bank if they had to put solar panels on the new buildings and homes. They would just go flat broke. 57 million for a courthouse building and you think they can’t afford solar panels? Think. Making buildings generate their won water and energy are hardly significant restrictions. Please give me a break. No water going into summer, imagine that wonder why?