Cutting Costs in a Fuel-Scarce World

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If you're considering buying a new home or remodeling your current one, look into Energy Efficient and Energy Improvement Mortgages designed to pay for green renovations through the savings gained on energy bills. See "Make Your House Pay" and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Energy Efficient Mortgage Home Owner Guide.

Deals on Wheels

For years, the U.S. auto industry argued that lighter, gas-sipping vehicles weren't safe. But new research shows lighter vehicles can actually be safer due to improved design and use of airbags, as reported in the September 26 Wall Street Journal. The studies are already resulting in new proposed regulations from the National High Traffic Safety Administration that require improved fuel efficiency in all new trucks and SUVs.

Ironically, while trucks and SUVs may be growing more efficient, many new hybrid vehicles are less efficient than earlier models. According to Jim Motavalli, editor of E Magazine (www.emagazine.com) and automobile writer, for hybrid fuel efficiency your "best choices remain the Toyota Prius [60 mpg city/51 hwy, $800 est. annual fuel costs], the Honda Civic Hybrid [47 city/48 hwy, $936 annually], and the Ford Escape Hybrid [36 city/31 hwy, $1332 annually]."* Compare these numbers with a Ford Explorer (16 city/21 hwy, $2,584 annually) or even a Volkswagon Passat (22city/31hwy, $1,884 annually) and you see the benefits of better mileage. However, Motavalli notes that the new Honda Accord, Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX400h won't give you the fuel-efficiency gains we've come to expect from hybrids.

E85, an ethanol mixture that's 85 percent grain alcohol from corn and 15 percent gasoline, has garnered a lot of press recently since it can be 30 to 60 cents cheaper per gallon, owing to federal subsidies and high reserves. There's a drawback, though. A study published in the March 2005 Natural Resources Research found that 29 percent more fossil fuel energy goes into making ethanol than ethanol produces, meaning that burning a gallon of E85 actually consumes more fossil fuels than burning a gallon of gasoline. The study found only slightly better results for biofuels made from soybean oil, while biofuels from sunflower oil consumed 118 percent more fossil energy than the fuel produced. However, since refitted diesel engines can actually run on waste vegetable oil from restaurants, this recycled biodiesel can be both a very cheap and green fuel alternative (see "Green Cars").

Walk, Ride or Take the Bus

For safety, ease and environmental benefits, you can't beat public transportation. Not only will you spend less on gas for each trip you take, you'll be 79 times safer in a transit bus and 40 times safer in a train than in your car, according to the National Safety Council. And public transportation uses about half the fuel consumed by cars, trucks and light SUVs, according to the American Public Transportation Association.

In cities lacking effective public transport, a bicycle or your feet will keep your heart healthy and the pounds off. Walking briskly for just 30 minutes a day can help lower your risk of heart attack, stroke, osteoporosis and diabietes. Whether riding or walking, stick to bike paths and sidewalks and make sure that cars can see you.

Resources

California Energy Commission's Winter Time Energy Saving Tips www.consumerenergycenter.org

Energy Star's Steps You Can Take To Reduce Air Pollution www.energystar.gov

*estimated annual fuel costs are derived from www.fueleconomy.gov.

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