Carroll County Times Articles
Manage Your Rising Electricity Costs
by Lynn Karr – July 20, 2008
While watching my electric bill go up faster than the weeds on my lawn after a summer rain, I realized it was time to take action! The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a report June 18, 2008, that said electricity costs are high, and will remain high for the foreseeable future. There are several realities that are pushing electricity costs up:
- Higher fuel prices
- Increased capital costs for electric generation and transmission facilities
- Increased usage demand, both domestically and globally
- Uncertainty about climate policy
Easy and Effective Ways to Manage Electricity Usage
- Become a light monitoring sentinel. Turn off lights when not in use!
- Install a light sensor or timer to automatically turn lights on and off.
- Use spiral compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL's) in appropriate light fixtures. CFL's use up to 75% less electricity than incandescent bulbs, and can last up to 10 times longer.
- Unplug TV's and phone or camera chargers when not in use, or plug them into a power strip that can easily be turned off. These devices draw an electric current even when they are not in use.
- Turn off computers and monitors if not being used for a period of 4 or more hours. For a business, turning off a single workstation on nights and weekends can save about $200 per year.
- Turn printers on only when they are being used. You pay a large premium to have your printer ready at all times, as it draws a significant current when on.
- Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature to reduce air conditioning in summer and heating in winter. Just a few degrees really can have a large impact.
- Run your dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer only when you have full loads, and use energy savings settings, such as cold water, when you can.
- Look for the Energy Star logo when buying appliances. Energy Star is a government backed program that endorses products that use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. Using the information provided on the tags attached to the appliances can help you determine which appliance will be the most energy efficient.
- Perform an energy audit on your home or business, and then be sure to implement the suggestions for improvement.
- Caulk and seal around windows and doors and any cracks in the foundation. Use weather stripping where appropriate.
- Close south-, east-, and west-facing curtains during the day in the summer to cut down on solar heat; open them in winter to bring in the sun's warmth.
- Close the air vents and doors to rooms that are not being used.
- Be sure your attic insulation is adequate (6 to 10 inches thick).
One very effective way that businesses can manage their electricity costs is to join an energy buying pool. By bringing together businesses and organizations to create an electricity load larger than each represents individually, the group can draw the attention of suppliers to achieve a better group rate. The concept is "power in numbers".
Don't be overwhelmed by your electricity bills. You can start with some of the small, easier suggestions. But the important thing is to begin now to take some action!
Remember...
When not in use, turn off the juice.
Think green and turn off your screen.
About the Author
Lynn Karr is the Director of Marketing and Communications of Synergetic Energy Pools, Inc. in Westminster, an energy procurement consulting firm dedicated to strengthening local communities by assisting small- and mid-sized businesses in the formation of energy buying pools. Synergetic is a member of the Carroll Technology Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating businesses, government and residents about technology issues. Send email to Lynn with any questions or comments to info@synergeticenergypools.com.
