Turning off lights when not in use, buying energy saving appliances and changing light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent are all tried and true ways to lower energy bills. When the demand for electricity goes down, so do the prices. In the Associated Press article, “Demand for Electricity Sputters and Prices may Fall”, correspondent Mark Williams stated that the demand for electricity will be hitting a decrease two years in a row for the first time in over six decades.
Energy Advisor Program
Contact your local electricity provider to see if they have an energy adviser program. Some companies will conduct an energy audit, free of charge, to help devise a personal plan to reduce energy consumption and energy costs.
Jasper County REMC’s energy audit can help new homebuilders plan out energy efficiencies, but it can help current homeowners as well. The audit can help find an energy drainer in the home as well as provide tips on reducing energy costs.
Hourly Pricing Programs
Some electricity companies provide consumers with a way to track electric rates on an hourly basis. Since energy rates fluctuate so much during the day, a program like this can help energy users decide when to use products around the home that consume larger amounts of energy. Contact the local electricity provider to find out if this program is available for its customers.
Home Energy Suite
Home Energy Suite, another free service offered by many electric companies, allows consumers to calculate their current usage versus another scenario by plugging in different values. This type of calculator tool can be extremely beneficial to new homebuilders, or for those who are considering adding on or possibly changing a variable in the home, for example, switching from electric heat to geothermal.
The user can calculate the variance between the two types of heating systems to see if the costs of installing versus the different energy saving variables. When calculating cost comparisons, don’t forget to take into consideration the tax benefits (income and property) that can be received by installing certain energy reducing improvements.
An easy to use energy calculator can be found at Jasper County REMC’s Home Energy Suite page.
Industrial Markets and Individual Markets
The declining shift in electric costs cannot be contributed to the private consumer market alone. “Power consumption by the industrial and manufacturing companies that make everything from cars to cotton swabs has fallen faster than anywhere else,” notes Williams. The conscious effort of industrial companies and individuals together can help to keep energy costs low, but every consumer needs to do their part.
After lowering the temperature on the water heater, changing the filters in the home, and installing a programmable thermostat, utilize the tips above to reduce electric costs even lower than imagined.
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