Energy conservation: what to tell your neighbors: the layman expects you to have the real facts. these tips may surprise him - and even you!

Of all the energy consumed in the U.S., 37 percent is used by private individuals for their homes and automobiles. Although the automobile accounts for about 15.5 percent of that total, and represents the single most energy-consuming product in our lives, the combination of space heating, water heating, and air conditioning consumes slightly more energy - 17 percent. The remaining 4.5 percent covers all the rest - cooking, dishwashing, laundry, lighting, home entertainment products, beauty aids, etc. So, aside from using the family automobile, or automobiles, more sensibly, the next best way to save energy is by examining household uses of energy. Before putting the electric toothbrush in storage, it makes sense to assess all energy-consuming household devices. Then, a plan for attack can start with the high energy consumers and proceed down the list to the lower ones as time, energy, and the family budget permit.