Having moved to India recently, I am stuck by how little an average middle class family in India use energy compared to a similar family in US.
I can list quiet a few aspects where the energy efficiency is already practised in India as compared to US.
1. Dishwashers are a novelty in India. If one needs domestic help, it is a general practice to employ a house-maid for a very small fee.
2. Centralised Heaters are unheard of in India ( except 5* hotels or some high profile areas). Whether it is a cool Bangalore or the coldest kashmir in winters, people just cover up in woollen blankets and stay warm. At the most, I have seen some small size radiators where one can warm up their feet and hands for a few mins.
3. Clothes driers are again a novelty in India. People generally dry clothes under the sun. When it rains, someone rushes to take clothes back inside the house. Personally, I am in favour of buying one since I feel that, hanging clothes on a cloudy day does not dry clothes even after 1 day and the clothes start smelling weird..
4.Car pool is a given in most households.. If both spouses go to work, the husband drops the wife and goes to work or atleast drops the child at school and so on.. A second vehicle in a middle class house hold is usually a 2 wheeler ( motorcycle) and used only for shorter commutes.
5.Since distances are near , meaning houses are small and shopping complexes are within walking distance in well-developed communities, many people usually walk to nearby areas or at the most take their 2 wheeler for quick shopping..Going back to life in US, the system in a person's life is built such that, one has to spend plenty of energy to meet minimum needs for a day. So the question of energy efficiency is very relevant.
The big houses that people live in , definitely is a big energy guzzler.. And an SUV or a mini-van that households have once they have a child is another energy gobbler..Centralized heating and air-conditioning is a given which mounts to huge energy consumption. So one has to think twice about improving those systems at home.
With Cap & Trade bill being passed, it wont be long before energy companies start charging their customers exhorbitant rates so that one will be forced to look at E and then possibly Re.
I am thrilled that finally , all these noble ideas which were preached in small pockets is coming mainstream and affecting every household and person.
More later.
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