How electricity can be used sparingly?

Answer 1

The obvious answer is "only use what you absolutely need". Some specifics:

1. Anything electrical that produces heat is using a lot of power ... heaters, electric ranges, toasters and toaster ovens, microwave ovens, hair dryers, etc. ... use sensibly.

2. Anything electrical that produces cold is using a lot of power ... refrigerators and freezers have to start re-cooling the box every time you open the door ... also, "frost-free" appliances use far more power than the more efficient (and less expensive) old-style appliances that have to be manually defrosted. Dust that accumulates in the back or bottom of an appliance reduces its efficiency, so refrigerators and freezers need to have their working parts thoroughly cleaned at least once a year... Air conditioning is one of the largest power users in a home or business.

3. Old-style incandescent light bulbs (the ones that get really hot) are the most wasteful way of producing light. CFL's (compact fluorescent lamps) are now available to replace most incandescent lighting at reasonable prices ... LED lighting will be even more efficient, but the technology isn't yet mature enough for mainstream lighting needs.

4. The amount of electrical energy that you use depends on the time that you use it ... don't turn it on until you need it, turn it off when you're done.

5. If you have a lot of electronics equipment, much of it continues to use electricity even when it's turned "off" ... that's because it really doesn't go off, it goes into a state of "standby" ... All those little Transformers (the small square boxes that plug into an outlet) continue to use electricity even when the equipment they supply is not being used ... plug all your electronics equipment into power strips or surge protector strips, and turn the strips off when you're not using the equipment ... when the strip is off, everything is really off.

6. Entire books have been written on the subject of conserving electricity ... visit a library.