Debating Energy Conservation at Home

在家中讨论节约能源

A family conversation about implementing energy-saving measures at home, such as adjusting thermostat settings, unplugging electronics, switching to LED lights, or considering renewable energy sources, and the perceived benefits or initial costs.

一次家庭对话，讨论在家中实施节能措施，例如调整恒温器设置、拔掉电器插头、改用LED灯或考虑可再生能源，以及由此带来的好处或初始成本。

对话

聆听并跟进对话

Sarah (Female)

Hey Michael, I was thinking about our electricity bill. It seems to be going up every month. We really need to start cutting back on our energy consumption.

嘿，迈克尔，我在想我们的电费账单。它好像每个月都在涨。我们真的需要开始减少能源消耗了。

Michael (Male)

You're right, Sarah. I’ve noticed that too. What kind of changes are you thinking we should make? Adjusting the thermostat is a no-brainer, but beyond that?

你说得对，莎拉。我也注意到了。你觉得我们应该做出什么样的改变？调整恒温器是理所当然的，但除此之外呢？

Sarah (Female)

For starters, we definitely need to get better at unplugging electronics when we're not using them, especially phone chargers and computer monitors. They draw a lot of 'vampire power'.

首先，当电器不用的时候，我们肯定需要更好地拔掉插头，特别是手机充电器和电脑显示器。它们会消耗很多‘吸血鬼电量’。

Michael (Male)

Good point. I'm guilty of leaving things plugged in. What about switching all our old light bulbs to LED? I know the initial cost is a bit much, but they save a fortune in the long run.

说得好。我确实有电器不拔电源的习惯。把我们所有的旧灯泡都换成LED灯怎么样？我知道初始成本有点高，但从长远来看，它们能省一大笔钱。

Sarah (Female)

That's a great idea! I’ve been meaning to look into that. And speaking of long-term investments, have you ever seriously considered solar panels? I know they're a huge upfront cost, but imagine not having electricity bills!

那是个好主意！我一直想去了解一下。说到长期投资，你有没有认真考虑过太阳能电池板？我知道它们前期成本很高，但想想没有电费账单的日子！

Michael (Male)

Solar panels are definitely tempting. I've done some research; the payback period can be anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on government incentives. It's a big decision, but it drastically reduces our carbon footprint too.

太阳能电池板确实很诱人。我做了一些研究；根据政府补贴，投资回报期可能在5到10年之间。这是一个重大决定，但它也能显著减少我们的碳足迹。

Sarah (Female)

Exactly! It’s not just about the money, it's about being more environmentally responsible. Let's start with the smaller changes first – the un-plugging and the LED conversion – and then we can look into solar more deeply.

没错！这不仅仅是关于钱，更是关于承担更多的环境责任。我们先从小的改变开始——拔插头和更换LED灯——然后我们可以更深入地研究太阳能。

Michael (Male)

Sounds like a plan. Every little bit helps, right? I'll make sure to be more diligent about unplugging things. Let's tackle the LED bulbs this weekend.

听起来像个计划。积少成多嘛，对不对？我一定会更勤快地拔电器插头。这周末我们来搞定LED灯泡。

词汇

对话中的必备词汇和短语

electricity bill

A statement showing how much you owe for using electricity at home; it's common in discussions about household costs and saving energy.

一份显示您在家使用电力欠费金额的声明；常见于关于家庭费用和节约能源的讨论中。

cutting back

Reducing the amount of something, like energy use; useful for talking about saving money or resources in daily life.

减少某物的数量，比如能源使用；用于谈论日常生活中的节省金钱或资源很有用。

thermostat

A device that controls the temperature in a room or house; adjusting it helps save energy by not heating or cooling too much.

一种控制房间或房屋温度的装置；调整它有助于通过不过度加热或冷却来节省能源。

unplugging

Removing the plug from the electrical outlet to stop devices from using power; a simple way to reduce 'standby' energy waste.

从电源插座拔出插头以停止设备使用电力；一种减少“待机”能源浪费的简单方法。

vampire power

Electricity used by devices that are turned off but still plugged in, like chargers; it's called 'vampire' because it 'sucks' power quietly.

设备关机但仍插着电源时消耗的电力，比如充电器；称为'吸血鬼'是因为它悄无声息地'吸取'电力。

LED

Light Emitting Diode, a type of energy-efficient light bulb that lasts longer and uses less electricity than traditional ones.

发光二极管，一种节能灯泡，比传统灯泡寿命更长，用电更少。

initial cost

The money you pay at the beginning for something; often discussed when comparing short-term expenses to long-term savings.

您为某物在开始时支付的钱；通常在比较短期支出与长期储蓄时讨论。

carbon footprint

The total amount of greenhouse gases produced by your activities; reducing it means helping the environment by using less fossil fuels.

您活动产生的温室气体总量；减少它意味着通过使用更少的化石燃料来帮助环境。

environmentally responsible

Acting in ways that protect the planet; used when discussing choices that are good for the environment, like recycling or saving energy.

以保护地球的方式行事；用于讨论对环境有益的选择，如回收或节约能源。

关键句型

需要记住和练习的重要短语

We really need to start cutting back on our energy consumption.

This sentence uses 'need to' for necessity and 'cutting back on' for reducing; it's useful for suggesting changes in habits, like in family talks about saving money or the environment.

这个句子使用 'need to' 表示必要性，以及 'cutting back on' 表示减少；它在建议改变习惯时很有用，比如在家庭中谈论节省金钱或环境保护。

Adjusting the thermostat is a no-brainer.

'No-brainer' is an idiom meaning something very easy or obvious; the sentence structure highlights a simple action; use it to agree on straightforward solutions in conversations.

'No-brainer'是一个习语，意思是某事非常容易或显而易见；句子结构突出了简单动作；在对话中使用它来同意直截了当的解决方案。

They draw a lot of 'vampire power'.

'Draw' here means 'use up'; this explains energy waste with a fun term; useful for educating others on hidden power consumption in eco-friendly discussions.

“Draw”在这里的意思是“消耗”；这用一个有趣的术语解释能源浪费；有助于在环保讨论中教育他人了解隐藏的电力消耗。

They save a fortune in the long run.

'In the long run' means over a long period; 'save a fortune' is an expression for big savings; great for weighing costs vs. benefits in future planning.

“In the long run”意思是长时间；“save a fortune”是表示巨大节省的表达；非常适合在未来规划中权衡成本与收益。

Imagine not having electricity bills!

Imperative 'imagine' invites visualization; exclamation adds excitement; use this to motivate ideas about sustainable changes, like renewable energy.

祈使句 'imagine' 邀请可视化；感叹号增添兴奋；用这个来激励关于可持续变化的想法，比如可再生能源。

The payback period can be anywhere from 5 to 10 years.

'Anywhere from... to...' shows a range; 'payback period' refers to time to recover investment; practical for business or home improvement talks.

“...从...到...”表示范围；“回收期”指收回投资的时间；适用于商业或房屋改善讨论。

It’s not just about the money, it's about being more environmentally responsible.

Parallel structure with 'it's about' emphasizes multiple reasons; useful for shifting focus from cost to ethics in debates on green living.

“it's about”的平行结构强调了多个原因；在关于绿色生活的辩论中，有助于将焦点从成本转向伦理。

Every little bit helps, right?

Idiom 'every little bit helps' means small actions add up; tag question 'right?' seeks agreement; perfect for encouraging collective efforts in group conversations.

习语 'every little bit helps' 意为小行动会累积；附加疑问 'right?' 寻求同意；非常适合在群体对话中鼓励集体努力。