Weather Banter - View Single Post - A sense of perspective on Global warming, hopefully!

Stewart Robert Hinsley · March 13th 07, 08:57 PM posted to uk.sci.weather

In message ,
writes
In message .com
"Jack )"
wrote:

On 13 Mar, 18:16, "Steve J" wrote:

Personally, I'm getting sick to death of GW on TV and in the press,...snip

So too am I. It's become like a worn out gramophone record and if it
keeps being replayed, in the end, no-one will bother to listen any
more.

Now what would encourage me to use less electricity would be
information just how much that TV on standby (for example) is actually
using. It cannot be difficult to devise a "master panel" that can be
fitted into home circuits so you can see just what each appliance/
light, etc is using. Once we see the cost of our "toys" then we might
take some action. But as it is, we haven't a clue and frankly, there
is a temptation not to be bothered.

Jack

Except that there is a little thing called the law of conservation of
energy. Energy cannot be "used".

So where does the extra energy go when we leave our TVs on standby, or
use a conventional light bulb? The answer is it is converted to heat.
Which warms the rooms in your house. which means that your
thermostaically controlled central heating system uses correspondingly
less fuel to maintain your chosen temperature.

So by reducing the heat generated by your lighting and entertainment
systems, you increase the fuel required by your heating system. I
fail to see how this will reduce carbon emissions.

Martin

Quite possible the energy savings of not leaving electronic devices on
standby are less that the headline figures, for the reason you give. But
during the summer the waste heat is not offset by reduced heating bills,
and may require additional expenditure of energy on air-conditioning.
--
Stewart Robert Hinsley