Dayton Daily News

Wheels: Jim of Centerville writes, "What is up with these gasoline prices?"

Halderman: Gasoline prices are increasing, and it is my opinion they will continue to increase over time. According to many experts, the world is close to "peak oil." Peak oil is when the production of oil has reached its peak and is starting to decline. While there are new oil fields being discovered, such as off the coast of Brazil, the overall oil reserves are close to peak. As a result of supply and demand, when the supply is limited and the demand is high, prices will increase.

Wheels: What is the future then?

Halderman: I think the cost of energy will continue to increase in the future. I also think that the use of hydrogen, either in a conventional engine or in a fuel cell, is the future. However, hydrogen is an energy carrier and is not available in nature. Hydrogen requires energy from another source to separate it from natural gas or water.

Wheels: What can readers do to reduce their energy consumption?

Halderman: Several ways to reduce fuel consumption include:

1. Car pool — driving every other day could save a lot of money over a year.

2. Drive less by planning trips or grouping errands together to reduce the total miles traveled.

3. Use regular grade of gasoline if the owner's manual does not specify premium grade.

4. Keep tires inflated to factory specifications as shown on a sticker on the driver's door or door post.

5. Avoid high-speed driving and rapid acceleration.

6. Remove "stuff" from the trunk that is not needed to be carried every day. The extra weight will cause the engine to work harder and therefore, use more fuel.

7. Consider the purchase of a smaller and/or more fuel-efficient vehicle. Often the savings in gasoline will almost pay for the new or different vehicle. Think about it.

Do the math:

Old vehicle @ 15 mpg = 50 miles per day (250 miles per week, plus weekend driving) = 16.7 gallons times $3.00 per gallon = $50.10 per week.

New vehicle @ 25 mpg = 50 miles per day (250 miles per week, plus weekend driving) = 10 gallons times $3.00 per gallon = $30.00 per week.

The savings is about $20.00 per week or $80.00 per month. This amounts to a savings of about $960.00 per year.