Watts The Big Deal

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2014: I suppose a bit of an explanation (re my blog headline play on words) is in order. That’s “Watts” as in Kilowatts / Kilowatt Hours; as in the measurement of electricity, which you and I get billed for each and every month.

My always being on the lookout for new ways to keep all of my utility bills as low as possible, I’ve gotten into the habit of stepping outside to read my meter every morning (at the exact same time). And so I already know that my daily usage of electricity (for this warmer time of year) has been averaging around 6 Kilowatts.

I decided to run an experiment. For the past seven days, rather than leave my computer in sleep mode day in / day out / all day long, I decided to totally shut it down; booting up only when I need the damn thing.

Folks, on Day 1 of those 7, I could hardly believe my eyes. I had saved 1 KWH! This had to be a fluke, right? WRONG!!! The next six meter readings confirmed that I’ve been saving 1 Kilowatt each and every day!

Now don’t scoff! That may not sound like much BUT this really adds up and I mean fast! Per annum, I can save 365 Kilowatt Hours!

I next dug into my paid utility bills file to research my consumption history for the past 12 months. Check out the KWH data in the table below.

10/13 = 181

11/13 = 205

12/13 = 246

01/14 = 261

02/14 = 267

03/14 = 221

04/14 = 196

05/14 = 188

06/14 = 185

07/14 = 180

08/14 = 179

09/14 = 172

Crunching the Data: Let’s perform a for instance here. If we add up my June and July consumption (185 + 180) that comes to 365! Had I started conserving much sooner, my annual savings of 365 Kilowatts would’ve been just like NOT having to pay for TWO FULL MONTHS of electricity. And I know I’d be shouting out “YIPEE!” were that to ever happen. You would, too, if that happened to you!

Even during last winter’s bitter cold, double digit subzero Arctic blasts… where my KWH consumption peaked at 267, my conservation measures would’ve even covered an additional 98 KWH; nearly half a month into the next billing cycle!

All of that from shutting down JUST ONE energy pig device. I’m sure many of you are slopping (at the KWH trough) two, three or more of those high tech hogs.

Watt (What) about your other tech? Oh… say… flat screen TVs and small kitchen appliances? Many of these are never actually “off”, even when not in use. They simply go into standby mode.

Folks, energy savings can start for all of us this very day and every day; just by going over to the wall outlet(s) and literally pulling the plug(s).

Putting this into an ideological perspective: Do you realize that by striving for energy conservation / becoming less energy dependent on foreign oil, we could all be fighting terrorism… right from the comfort of our own homes! We could even wind up saving our own lives!

After all… ISIS sells oil to fund their evil, deadly plots. Yep, someday, U.S. energy consumers could become victims of another 9/11 magnitude terrorist attack… and here’s the real kick in the ass…

...one, which WE paid for with our own money!