THE MEASURE OF ENERGY

The watt is a measure of electrical energy; the kilowatt-hour (kwh) is the consumption of 1,000 watts sustained over a 1-hour period. Thus, a single 100watt light bulb burned for 10 hours will use 1 kwh of electricity.

Off-Peak Rates

There are several hundred electric companies in the United States, each with its own set of rates and charges. Most customers will pay a general rate per kilowatt-hour while customers with electric heat, electric water heaters, or all-electric homes (i.e., people who buy large quantities of electricity) often pay a somewhat lower rate. You should check your electric bill or call your electric company to determine what rate you pay. Make sure that you are paying the lowest rate allowable based on the amount of electricity you use.

Hot Water

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical home uses 450 gallons of hot water per week. A conventional 52-gallon electric water heater requires 6,350 kwh per year to provide this much water at a temperature of 140 F. About 80 percent of these kilowatt-hours are used to heat the water directly; the remaining 20 percent are used to make up for standby losses (i.e.) heat lost from the water in the tank to the surrounding environment). At 9c per kwh, a typical family would spend $48 per month for hot water.

Basic Conservation Measures

If you carry out a once-only, low cost conservation program on your existing electric hot water system, you can save from 40 to 50 percent of your current expenditure for hot water. Here's how:

Step 1: Reduce the Temperature Setting

Step 2: Insulate Your Hot Water Tank

Step 3: Use Flow Restrictors

Step 4: Put a Timer or Manual Switch on Your Water Heater

Step 5: Insulate Your Pipes

Step 6: Fix Leaky Faucets

Step 7: Use Less Hot Water

Lighting

A typical American family consumes 1200 kwh or $108 worth of electricity each year to provide interior lighting. Because lights are widely dispersed and because bulbs vary in wattage, type, purpose, and life expectancy, reducing electrical use for lights seems a difficult task. Don't be misled, however. It is, in fact, relatively easy to reduce energy use for lighting, and a 40 percent savings can be made with minimal effort on your part. Understanding a few basic facts about lighting is an important first step to cost reduction.

Basic Conservation Measures

Step 1: Use Daylight Whenever Possible

Step 2: Turn Off the Lights

Step 3: Install Light Dimmers

Step 4: Match Bulbs to Use

Step 5: Substitute More Efficient Light Bulbs

Step 6: Clean Light Fixtures and Dust the Bulbs

ENERGY

What You Can Do

Energy Labels

Energy Jargon

Off Peak Rates

Hot Water

Basic Conservation Measures

Lighting

Basic Conservation Measures

What You Can Do

Ratepayers wring their hands in frustration because they feel there is nothing they can do to combat high electric bills. They are wrong. Although it is true that we need electricity to do various tasks around our homes, we actually require far less electrical power than we currently use. Many people around the country are beginning to realize that there are simple, cheap ways to save on electricity and that in some cases the switch to alternative fuels and new equipment can save them substantial amounts of money over the long run.

Energy Labels on Appliances

Air conditioners, water heaters, dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers, and refrigerator/freezers are now sold with energy labels that indicate the energy required to operate them. As the cost of electricity increases, the operating cost of an appliance becomes very important in your purchase decision. A new refrigerator/freezer that uses 1,100 kwh a year at 9c per kwh will cost $63 less to operate per year than a model of equivalent size that uses 1,800 kwh. If the efficient model costs $750 to buy, for example, and the less efficient model costs $550, the efficient model will earn back its additional purchase cost in 3 to 4 years. Over 15 years of operation--the average life expectancy of a refrigerator-- it should save you at least $1,000 compared to the cheaper model. So clearly, you should compare energy labels and save.

Energy Jargon

Several terms are used repeatedly in the following information.

ENERGY

What You Can Do

Energy Labels

Energy Jargon

Off Peak Rates

Hot Water

Basic Conservation Measures

Lighting

Basic Conservation Measures

What You Can Do

Ratepayers wring their hands in frustration because they feel there is nothing they can do to combat high electric bills. They are wrong. Although it is true that we need electricity to do various tasks around our homes, we actually require far less electrical power than we currently use. Many people around the country are beginning to realize that there are simple, cheap ways to save on electricity and that in some cases the switch to alternative fuels and new equipment can save them substantial amounts of money over the long run.

Energy Labels on Appliances

Air conditioners, water heaters, dishwashers, clothes washers, freezers, and refrigerator/freezers are now sold with energy labels that indicate the energy required to operate them. As the cost of electricity increases, the operating cost of an appliance becomes very important in your purchase decision. A new refrigerator/freezer that uses 1,100 kwh a year at 9c per kwh will cost $63 less to operate per year than a model of equivalent size that uses 1,800 kwh. If the efficient model costs $750 to buy, for example, and the less efficient model costs $550, the efficient model will earn back its additional purchase cost in 3 to 4 years. Over 15 years of operation--the average life expectancy of a refrigerator-- it should save you at least $1,000 compared to the cheaper model. So clearly, you should compare energy labels and save.

Energy Jargon

Several terms are used repeatedly in the following information.