Why Save Electricity? There are three important reasons why everyone should use electricity more efficiently: To save money. To extend the use of non-renewable energy resources. To reduce the effects energy production and use have on the environment.

Power Wise at Home

There are two ways of saving energy:

• replacing old equipment with more energy efficient technologies
• reducing the use of the appliance.

There are many things that families can do to use electricity wisely at home.

The easiest way to be Power Wise to shut off electric appliances when they are not in use. Lights, TVs, VCRs, and other appliances are often left on accidentally. Typically, the heaviest demand for electricity occurs in the early evening (5 to 8pm) in winter and early to late afternoon (noon to 5:30pm) in summer. This is when the most people are using the greatest number of electrical appliances at the same time. Overall demand also tends to be higher in winter than in summer.

Almost one third of all home electricity use is in the kitchen.

Experiment with compact fluorescent lights. While the initial cost of these lights is much higher, they cost much less to operate and last much longer than incandescent bulbs. A 17-watt fluorescent light can replace a 60-watt incandescent light. Fluorescent lights usually last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs.

In some cases, using one appliance instead of another can save energy. For example, using the microwave, fry pan or slow cooker instead of the range or oven saves electricity. Of course, choosing not to use equipment also saves electricity. For example, many families hang up wet clothes instead of using the clothes dryer.