the "Snackwell Effect"

Today's blog entry comes from the e-Newswire monthly newsletter from Flex your power (fypower.org) from the article "The Snackwell Effect: Consumers Sabotage Energy-Saving Efforts."

Have you ever had those sugar-free vanilla snackwell cookies?

Or I guess any of the concoctions of the snackwell variety? Well. My favorite way to have these yummy vanilla cookies is piled high with an inch of store-bought can frosting. mmMm. That's the best way...and I figure they're sugar free...so no sugar coma - until after 4 or 5 cookies. Well, it appears that I am not alone in my binging on sugar free "diet" substances.

Apparently it is pretty common for those looking to loose weight or diet to over eat products that are supposedly 'healthy' or 'diet-friendly.'

How does the "snackwell effect" affect energy or air conditioning?

Wonderful you should ask. The percentage of homeowners upgrading to energy efficient equipment is heartening. However, thier use of those same appliances...is DISheartening. Many of the homeowners who upgrade don't actually end up saving any money. Why? Because the homeowners are over-using (or binging) their energy efficient appliances. Leaving lights on...running the washer for only a sweater...

The more studies that are being done, show that to fully enjoy the benefits of energy efficent appliances, one should be just as concious about thier use as you would if they were not "efficient." This means common sense. Turn the lights off when you leave a room. Only do full loads of laundry or dishes. Don't crank the furnace all the way up because you think you're saving in energy costs. If you have installed energy efficent appliances and haven't noticed a change in your energy bills - or there was an initial change, but the bottom line keeps going up, it may be time to consider an energy monitoring device. Tomorrow, I will explain the different types of monitoring devices and how they may be helpful in reducing energy use.