Be Wary of ‘SnackWell’ Effect When Buying An Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Tue, Mar 02, 2010
Energy watchers call it “the SnackWell Effect.” SnackWells are tasty low-fat, low-sugar cookies made by Nabisco that are a boon to dieters seeking low-cal treats. The problem comes when dieters over-indulge on the sweet confections, rationalizing that they can eat more because each cookie has fewer calories. Instead of losing weight, dieters started gaining. You, of course, see the problem. You can’t lose weight if you eat more, even if what you’re eating has fewer calories. Math wins every time!
Do You Have an Energy-Efficient Furnace or Air Conditioner? Using More Enegy Cancels Out the Savings
The same rebound effect can occur when a Lorain County resident has an energy-efficient furnace or air conditioner or heat pump installed in his home. Lulled by the fact that they’re saving energy, the family can easily slip into high consumption habits that all too quickly negate the energy savings provided by the energy-efficient appliance. It’s the SnackWell Effect. Even when your home is powered by energy-efficient appliances, using more energy cancels out the savings.
Reducing your carbon footprint is an ongoing daily commitment.
Recent studies have found that when people buy energy efficient appliances they feel less guilty about using them more often. In one study, people with energy-efficient furnaces lost 10% to 30% of their expected monthly energy savings because they cranked up the heat. Another study found that people who used energy-efficient light bulbs lost between 5% and 12% of their anticipated monthly energy savings because they stopped turning out the lights when they left a room. To realize the maximum potential energy savings on their monthly bills, Lorain County residents must continue energy-efficient practices even after installing energy-efficient furnaces, air conditioners and other appliances. The fight to decrease energy consumption doesn’t stop with the purchase of an energy-efficient appliance. Reducing your carbon footprint is an ongoing daily commitment. When properly used, energy-efficient appliances do allow us to save more energy, but we have to do our part.