If you want to save the world from global warming and help your own bank account in the process, there’s no better way to do it than through conservation. It doesn't matter how many MPG your car gets -- you can’t do better than leaving it parked and taking public transportation or riding a bike. It’s good if you’ve switched to compact fluorescent lamps for half of your lighting, but it’s better if you just leave off every light that you’re not using (giving yourself a bit of leeway for cheeriness).
Until you get used to the habits of conservation, the practice isn't very exciting. Even then a lot of us feel the need to quantify what we’re doing and see the tangible results of our efforts. Thus, gadgets like the Blueline PowerMonitor come in handy.
It can also be fun to take a hands-on approach, tapping into wind power, solar energy, water power, and so on. One of the best reasons to get involved is that it gives you direct understanding of how much energy it takes to accomplish things, and one of the most direct paths to that understanding is through 12-volt power systems. Yes, the 12-volt world can get technical and complicated, but the basics of DC volts, amps, watts, and ohms are fairly simple. Once you get a grip on these things, you'll view the uses and misuses of energy in a different light.
Can you get involved with 12-volt power enough to make a positive difference, have fun, and see the results of your efforts, without incurring much expense? Absolutely, and you’ll be following the well-traveled path of thousands of boaters and RVers who rely on 12-volt DC electrical systems to do much more than manage engines and instruments. Check out the other posts on 12-volt power here, and make this a conversation by posting your comments and ideas.
~ Doug Logan, New Energy Watch
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