So much for saving energy!

[Stonehead]

So here we are doing our bit to save the planet by using less and it's now predicted that domestic energy consumption will double by 2010!

[Muddypause]

Whilst I wouldn't want to belittle the importance of this issue, that report is a classic bit of mis-direction. To be fair, that news item doesn't actually say "domestic energy consumption will double by 2010" - it actually says that "The amount of energy used by consumer electronics and domestic appliances in UK homes will double by 2010". But it is vague enough to give the impression otherwise, and is arguably wrong to say that anyway. Shoddy reporting in an increasingly sensational-hungry media.

The original document (.pdf file) from the Energy Savings Trust that the news item refers to, explains that overall domestic energy consumption may rise by 12% unless rising energy demand is managed. The discrepancy in the figure reported in the news item, and the figure quoted in the original document, would appear to be down to the fact that by far the largest consumer of energy in the home is central heating and domestic hot water, which are categorised separately. Of this, it is predicted that overall energy consumption (even accounting for the growing number of homes) will rise by about half a percent by 2010.

But it does make the point (the blindingly obvious point, some would say) that improvements in efficiency of appliances is more than wiped out by increased used of them. I would like to suggest that the first step in managing energy demand is to declare the Argos catalogue to be the work of Satan.

[Andy Hamilton]

I would like to suggest that the first step in managing energy demand is to declare the Argos catalogue to be the work of Satan.

Another issue is the amount of products we actually get through. I am not a big consumer but I am on my 6th or 7th mobile phone (since 1999, how do they always end up falling down a pub toilet?), my second DVD player and 2nd blender. Although it is fair to say that many of the products that I get are second hand.

This years world cup has created a massive rise in HD ready tv's - why all of a sudden we need better tellys I don't know especially as there is only one channel that broadcasts in High definition. Then we are also to be sold new DVD players with the possiblitly of being left with the DVD equivilent of a betamax.

Perhaps everything should be easier to up grade and you just buy the electronic parts that slot in. Or can they be recycled?

[grahoom]

Perhaps everything should be easier to up grade and you just buy the electronic parts that slot in. Or can they be recycled?

i've always thought this, things used to be easier to fix, upgrade etc, but these days, items are made so cheapily, that people expect them to last a year or so.

its crazy, its the nature of the consumer world, and capitalism.

[ina]

I would like to suggest that the first step in managing energy demand is to declare the Argos catalogue to be the work of Satan.

Well, the part of it that sells electric stuff, anyway... I have some good Argos items - bed sofa, guest bed, bentwood chair, blackout blinds - never saw them, especially at that price, anywhere else!
Shouldn't really look at the price, though. If I could get that kind of stuff somewhere else with the guarantee that it was produced more environment friendly and energy efficient, I would pay a higher price.

The fact that you can't repair things nowadays annoys me, too. However, often it's the owners who are at fault - if they don't even bother to look why something isn;t working anymore. My friend's husband, the magpie, has already picked up several "broken" vacuum cleaners which needed no more than the bag emptied!