Featured Article
The
Cost of Energy
Is pursuing
energy independence really worth it?
Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at
just what your daily life is costing you
in terms of electricity. A lamp or a
ceiling fan left on in a bedroom, a
computer on all day, those hours of
television you and the kids watch,
showers, hair dryers, razors, DVD
players, microwaves and clothes dryers.
Do you know what they cost?
-
A
350-degree oven on for two hours or
a 1200 watt microwave on for one
hour costs $13.58. (It’s no longer
just for health reasons that you
don’t want your kids to eat too many
brownies.)
-
Two,
20-minute showers run $2.47. (NOTE:
If anyone knows how to get a
teenager out of the shower in less
than 30 minutes, please reply to
this newsletter e-mail with your
suggestion.)
-
Five,
full loads of clothes on high
setting in the dryer is $1.52. (And
does any family do less than five
loads of laundry a week?)
-
Dishwasher, normal, full cycle (with
drying) costs $13.70. (Even if you
send the load through with just five
spoons, two cups and a dish.)
-
A
month of running your coffee maker
once a day costs $14.18. (No, it
doesn’t cost less to brew decaf…)
Think about it. If
you were able to harness wind or solar
energy to offset your electric bill, how
much could you save over the course of
five years? If you want a more detailed
account of how much electricity you use
each month – or if you just want to have
fun guessing costs – check out
General Electric’s Energy Cost
Calculator.
You’ll also want to read this month’s
Do You Manage Risk or Does It Just
Happen?
article to learn how to manage risk in
pursuit of energy independence, and
don’t forget to check out October’s
Know How Network article as well.
|
 A
350-degree oven on for two hours costs
$13.58.
|
