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neighborhood energy comparison |
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Generally, your electric bill varies from month to month. The size of your electric bill is determined by two things: . Watts, which is the amount of electricity that each appliance uses, and . Hours, or the length of time you use each appliance The combination of watts and hours - or kilowatt-hours (kWh) - is what we use to calculate your bill each month. So saving on your bill is as simple as reducing either the wattage or the time you use an appliance. Your bill may also vary because of the number of days billed. If your electric meter was read at exact 30-day intervals, your bill would always cover the same number of days. However, because of holidays and weekends, it is not always possible to read meters every 30 days. If your bill seems unusually high or low, check the period of time the bill covers. Often times, that is the difference. Reading your meter The amount of electricity you use is recorded by an electric service meter. As electric power is used, the hands on the dial move forward. The meter measures the power used in kilowatt-hours. The illustration below shows the meter dials which record consumption. The dials are read in order from left to right.
To read the meter, simply read the number on each dial that the hand has just passed. This illustration shows that the February reading is 46542, and the March reading is 47428. To find out how many kWh were used in March, simply subtract the February reading from the March reading. In this example, 886 kWh of electricity was used during this billing period. FACTORS AFFECTING YOUR ELECTRIC BILL Many factors can affect your electric usage, and consequently your monthly bill. Below is a list of these factors to consider in your overall energy management. Conditions . Seasons of the year Changes in normal living conditions . Size of family Appliances . New appliances installed New home or apartment . Larger than former home This chart shows how many months some of our customers can expect to heat and cool their homes.
Air conditioning The electric heating and cooling system will use more electricity than all other electrical appliances in your home. Following are several ways to control the amount of electricity used without sacrificing comfort.
The heat pump The heat pump is an efficient heating and cooling system which only operates on electricity. A common "air-to-air" system moves or transfers the heat from inside to outside for cooling or from outside to inside for heating. When cooling is required, the heat pump works exactly like a standard air conditioner. The diagram below shows the heat pump extracting heat and moisture from indoor air and releasing it to the outside. When heating is needed, the process reverses as shown on the left. Heat is extracted from the outside air and is delivered at a higher temperature to heat the indoor air. Ground source heat pump The ground source heat pump works on the same principal as the "air-to-air" heat pump, but is more energy efficient because it uses heat from the ground instead of heat from the outside air. The ground provides a better source of heat energy because throughout the winter, the ground temperature is warmer than the outside air temperature. Similarly, in the summer, the ground is cooler than the outside air. Therefore, less electric energy is required for the heat transfers needed for either heating or cooling. Home lighting Use of lighting varies from home to home. Items such as inside and outside decorative lighting, different types of lighting (incandescent or fluorescent), functional lighting, and convenience lighting all affect electricity consumption. The following information may be useful to you in reducing the cost of your home lighting.
Washer/dryer You can lower the cost of operating your washer and dryer simply by following these suggestions.
The following table shows how much electricity you can save by adjusting water temperature on your washer.
Refrigerators / freezers Refrigerators and freezers are among the top energy users of all the appliances in your home. Consumers today are buying larger models and choosing more convenience features, all of which use more electricity. There are several factors you should consider when purchasing a refrigerator or freezer. For instance, larger models with ice makers and other amenities use more power than small simple models. And, the location of the unit is also important. Factors such as whether the unit is in an air-conditioned area, the garage, near an outside door, or near another appliance that heats - such as an oven - will determine running time, and ultimately electric consumption. Operating costs can be kept at a minimum by:
Electric water heating Many people are unaware that 14 to 20 percent of the total electricity used in the home is from heating water. Most hot water heaters can be expected to last 10 to 15 years. Even if your older water heater seems to be working well, you might consider replacing it with a newer, high-efficiency unit. In addition, here are some other things to consider:
Dishwashers According to a study conducted by Ohio State University, washing a load of dishes with a dishwasher uses approximately 9.9 gallons of water. Washing by hand uses an average of 15.7 gallons. So don't feel guilty for letting your dishwasher do the work; save your energy and save energy dollars. Here are a few more tips on saving energy with your dishwasher. . Run a full load . Use a shorter cycle . Cancel the drying cycle Swimming pools / spas Swimming pools and spas are normally thought of as appliances that help us relax. But pools and spas can leave us uptight when our monthly electric bill comes in. Don't deny yourself the enjoyment these home additions can bring. Just follow these simple techniques that will help reduce their energy usage.
Ceiling fans Ceiling fans are an increasingly popular method of reducing energy consumption when used in conjunction with the air conditioner. A ceiling fan is capable of moving large amounts of air using small amounts of energy. During hot months, moving air makes a room feel cooler, even with a higher thermostat setting. An 80° setting can feel like a lower setting without the additional burden on your air conditioner. In the winter, heat tends to rise and form pockets of warm air near the ceiling. A slow-moving ceiling fan helps force air downward, distributing heat more evenly. Often a 68° or lower heat thermostat setting feels warmer. Fireplaces When your fireplace is not in use, here are some ideas to keep costs down: . Close the damper tightly to keep warm air from being pulled up the chimney . Install a glass door and keep it closed when using the fireplace . Install an outside air intake The glass door and outside air intake allow less inside heated air to be drawn from the house to keep the fire going. By investing in a circulating system, you can prevent much of the heat waste that occurs with traditional fireplaces. If you're building a new home, consider a "beehive" or Spanish style fireplace. The walls of the "beehive" fireplace are within the room to allow more radiant heat to enter the living area. The wood stove is the most efficient type of wood heating system. Wood stoves are normally made of metal built away from the wall to allow as much as 65 percent of the heat into the living area. (Check local building codes for the methods and safety of installation). Shading Homes with numerous windows should use blinds, solar screens, shades, draperies or awnings to block direct sunlight and reduce the amount of heat entering your home. Glass areas on the west side, in particular, need either awnings, trees, or shrubs to completely block the sun's rays. Remember that all heat buildup in the home has to be removed by the air conditioner. Window air conditioning units and the compressor for central systems should also be shaded for better operating efficiency, but be careful not to obstruct the air flow. In the winter, open drapes and blinds to get the full benefits of radiant heat from the sun. Whether heating or cooling, remember to close windows and doors when the system is in operation. Filters Check air conditioning filters every month. A filter clogged with dust and lint reduces the unit's cooling ability and operating costs. Air conditioning representatives say that nearly half of their trouble calls can be traced to dirty filters. Service calls can become costly. Here are a few more tips that will help reduce your energy costs. Regular Air Conditioning Service - Nothing will waste energy quicker than an air conditioner that is operating inefficiently. To prevent this waste, schedule regular maintenance at the beginning of the cooling season. A unit 10 percent low on freon will increase operating costs by 40 percent. A maintenance check of the entire system once a year can save 10 percent on operational costs. Duct System - Inspect the heating and cooling duct system for air leaks. Most leaks will be found where the air duct attaches to the unit and where ducts are joined together. Seal duct joints with special duct tape available at hardware stores. Supply ducts should be insulated and vapor sealed when located in a space that is unconditioned. Duct insulation should have an installed thickness of two inches. Ventilation - Proper attic ventilation consisting of eave vents used in conjunction with ridge, gable or roof vents can keep the attic temperature down by removing unwanted heat in the summer and unwanted moisture all year long. Weatherstripping and Caulking - Air is constantly flowing in and out through any cracks around doors and windows. Prevent unnecessary air leakage by making sure there is full weatherstripping around doors, windows and the attic stairway opening. Check all windows to see if they shut properly. Weatherstripping will make the home more comfortable, keep dust and dirt from blowing in, and eliminate cold drafts on floors in winter. Electric service is something that we all take for granted. When we flip a light switch or turn on our televisions, we don't think twice about having power. At TNMP, we strive to maintain dependable and reliable service, so our customers don't have to think about it. However, sometimes extreme weather situations or equipment failures occur that can lead to a power outage. Following is a checklist of things you should do if you experience a power outage.
When shopping for a new appliance, be sure to compare energy efficiency ratings. Most larger appliances visibly display an energy guide label. Below is an example of one of these labels and an explanation of the information it provides.
Energy Guide Label Printed in the large letters in the center of the labels on refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers, room air conditioners and water heaters is the estimated yearly cost of operating the appliance. THE BIG FOUR FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY When building a new home or updating your current home, energy-efficient features can save you hundreds of dollars a year on energy costs. The energy-efficient features fall into four major categories: 1) Orientation, 2) Insulation, 3) Weatherstripping and Caulking, and 4) Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Orientation and landscaping The position of your house is an important factor in energy management. When you look for a house, consider one that faces north or south. A north-south orientation minimizes solar heat gain during summer. An unobstructed southern exposure or one with trees will allow warming sunlight to enter during the winter. Insulation Attic and Wall Insulation: Insulation is one of the most important energy-saving features. Minimum FHA standards are R19 in the attic and R11 in exterior walls. Optimum standards are R28 to R36 for attic and R19 or better for exterior walls. Ducts and Insulation: Heating and air conditioning ducts that pass through unheated spaces should be insulated and vapor-sealed to prevent heat loss. Windows and Doors: Windows should be double or triple pane and sealed, caulked and weatherstripped. Doors should be solid wood or metal over rigid core insulation. Weatherstripping and caulking Windows and doors: All windows and doors should be weatherstripped, and window and door frames should be thoroughly caulked. Fireplace: The damper should fit tightly when closed. Installation of a glass screen and an outside air intake allows less inside heated air to be drawn from the facility. Lighting: Increased heat loss and heat gain offset the benefits of natural lighting if the window area exceeds 10 percent of the total wall area. Fluorescent lighting systems convert electricity to visible light up to five times more efficiently than incandescent lights. HVAC Better ventilation will occur when windows are located on opposite or adjacent walls rather than on only one wall. Attic ventilation is also important. Summer heat should be vented, and in the winter, if the attic is cooler than the rest of the house, damaging condensation can form in the upper walls and ceiling near the attic. Air conditioning is the most energy-consuming device in most homes. A Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, or SEER, of 12 or more will mean a more efficient unit and save on cooling bills. A heat pump will cost about half as much to operate as an electric resistance furnace and is more efficient. The thermostat should be located on an inside wall. Ceiling fans are important to circulate the air. Water heaters should be of adequate size for your family, be located in an air-conditioned area, and should have the standard ASHRAE stamp on the tank. Placing a kitchen refrigerator/freezer in a hot location means it must work harder. Energy efficiency throughout the home will yield lower utility bills, greater year-round comfort, and higher resale potential. CHECK LIST FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY ORIENTATION
INSULATION Wall Insulation Installed
Attic Insulation Installed
Floor
Pier and beam - closed & vented with
WINDOWS AND DOORS Glass area (% of conditioned area)
Windows
Exterior Doors
Skylights
ATTIC VENTILATION
ROOF
AIR VENTILATION
FIREPLACE
LIGHTING
HVAC Ducts
Cooling (ARI or AHAM RATING)
Heating System (AS APPLICABLE)
Ceiling Fans
Water Heating
Pools / Spas
After completing this self audit, if we can provide any additional information, please contact your local TNMP office. Below is a list of some typical household appliances and how much energy consumption, or wattage, each uses. If you have an appliance not listed, you can usually find its wattage by looking on the bottom or back of the appliance, or on its nameplate. The wattage listed is the maximum power drawn by the appliance. Since many appliances have a range of settings (for example, the volume on a radio), the actual amount of power consumed depends on the setting used at any one time. If the wattage is not listed on the appliance, you can still estimate it by finding the current draw - in amperes - and multiply that by the voltage. (Most appliances use 120 volts, but larger appliances, such as clothes dryers and electric cooktops, use 240 volts.)
To determine electric usage of your appliances, follow these steps:
Example: You use a 1500-watt microwave about 10 hours a month. Here's how you would calculate electric usage:
Calculating cost You can calculate the annual cost to run an appliance by multiplying the kWh per year by the rate per kWh consumed. For example: Window fan: 200 Watts x 4 Hours used per day x 120 days used per year = 96 kWh x 8.5* cents/kWh =$8.16 per year. * 8.5 cents is the rate we used for this example. Your actual rate is listed on your statement. We hope you find the information above useful. If we can be of further assistance in helping you achieve your energy management goals, please call our local office. |
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House faces North or South
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The more checks, the more energy efficient
