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Electric Utilities Urge Consumers to Take Charge of Electricity Use

Take charge of your electricity.

October is Energy Awareness Month, and the nation's electric companies are encouraging all consumers to think about how they can take charge of their electricity use. With houses getting bigger, and more appliances and electronic gear being plugged in and turned on, consumers are using more electricity than ever. Becoming more energy efficient will help consumers to get more value from their electricity dollar, while helping to protect the environment as well. Fortunately, as demand for electricity rises, so too do the number of energy-saving programs and services being offered by electric companies.

Residential electricity usage has grown an average of almost 3.5 percent per year since 1998. This steadily-climbing electricity use highlights the nation's overall growing demand for electricity. Americans used more electricity during the first week of August than in any other week in history, and then recorded the single-week U.S. record for power demand only two weeks earlier.

Today's new homes are better insulated than older homes and they come equipped with energy-efficient appliances," said Thomas R. Kuhn, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) President. "But they're still using more electricity. Houses being built today are significantly larger and many rooms have higher ceilings. And their buyers, as well as all consumers, are plugging in bigger TVs, more computers, and more appliances."

Electricity use for powering home electronics, particularly new TVs and computer equipment, is forecast to grow significantly over the next two decades. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects electricity consumption will grow 3.5 percent annually for new TVs and computer equipment through 2025—more than doubling the amount consumed in 2003.

"Electric utilities in particular have a long history of encouraging the wise use of energy," said Kuhn. "Through their Web sites, public service announcements, and other outreach efforts, power companies are offering hands- on advice and practical tips for customers who want to be smart energy users. Last year, electric companies offered over 400 programs to help its customers get more value from their electricity dollar. Between 1989 and last year, these and other programs helped electric utility customers save about 796 billion kWh—enough to power almost 74 million average-size U.S. homes for one year, and equal to the annual output of slightly more than 336 power plants."

The efficiency-related measures in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 are another resource for consumers. Among its many energy-saving features are tax credits to encourage consumers to build energy-efficient new homes, install energy-efficient building materials, and buy energy-efficient appliances.

To review the latest survey of electric utility energy efficiency programs, check out www.eei.org/wiseuse. Or visit the WhiteFence home energy Tips and News section.