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Show Ulahiis Face Energy Crunch By GARY R. BLODGETT BOUNTIFUL - Utahns can look forward to an "energy crunch"" within the very near future. "WE'RE NOT facing an energy shortage, but rather an energy crunch one that will hit us hard in the pocket-book. pocket-book. We'll have plenty of energy but it will cost us plenty to use it," Jerry Zenger, of the University of Utah Engineering Experimental Station, told the Bountiful Area Chamber of Commerce at its recent luncheon meeting. He then explained that since 1974 electricity costs for homes and businesses have risen 14 percent per year and that natural gas costs have increased 25 percent per year during the same period. WHEN WILL it end? "I don't think the end is in sight," he said. "Just like so many other things, inflation and other costs have boosted prices almost out of reach of the consumer. MR. ZENGER told the chamber that there is only one way to cut these spiraling costs and that is to save energy. "It may cost a little to put some of these energy-saving practices into effect, but it will be worth it in the long run,' he said. "If energy costs are based on unit, the only way to save money is to cut energy consumption." HE NOTED that had energy-control practices been in effect since 1974, energy costs could have been reduced by 40 percent in businesses and about one-half in residential and transportation transporta-tion usage. "But we can still save a lot in the future," he said. "Both energy and money." HE SAID that heating costs can be reduced drastically by doing the following: 1. Turn down the thermostat thermo-stat at least 5 degrees, and up to 10 degrees at night and when no one is at home. 2. INSULATE ATTICS and walls to preserve heat. 3. Install storm windows during the cold months and weatherstrip around all windows win-dows and doors. 4. BE CONSERVATIVE in use of all fuels. "Proper insulation of walls and attics and weatherstrip-ping weatherstrip-ping of doors and windows can reduce the heat bill by one-third to one-half per month," he said. "By cutting back the thermostat 5 degrees at night can reduce energy costs by about 7 percent, per-cent, or double that amount if no one is at home and the thermostat can also be lowered during the day. "UP TO 20 percent of the fuel bill can be saved if the thermostat is reduced by 10 degrees day and night." He said storm windows are better than double-pane windows win-dows for energy saving purposes, pur-poses, but triple-pane windows win-dows serve the best purpose if properly installed and weatherstripped. MR. ZENGER said new home construction is offering more energy-saving features than before, but that building standards for insulation of new homes is still "very inadequate." Douglas Thompson, who also al-so spoke briefly, noted that November is "Energy-Saving T Month." 'THAT'S THE month we should all go on an energy-saving energy-saving diet," he said, and suggested the following "diet" practices: 1. Reduce our speed to the state law of 55 miles per hour. 1 WALK MORE, ride less. 3. Reduce our television-watching television-watching time and get reacquainted with our family. 4. SHARE RIDES and use the bus for transportation. 5. Attend work shops or debates (in high schools) to get better acquainted with energy-saving programs. |