COMMUNITY SMART POWER

According to the US Department of Energy, “The average U.S. family spends more than $1,600 a year on home utility bills. Unfortunately, a large portion of that energy is wasted”. Going green not only looks smart, you can also save money.  Many electric utilities’ long term plan for meeting power demand growth are now factoring in energy efficiency as a major component of their energy mix. This need to make every watt count is aptly demonstrated in the following graph, taken from Puget Sound Energy’s (the largest privately owned utility company in Washington State) 2008 - 2027 Integrated Resource Plan.

The graph at left details how Puget Sound Energy intends to meet the ever-growing demand for electricity. Note that the blue section in the upper part of the graph represents the amount of projected energy demand that will need to be met in the future through aggressive conservation efforts. Source: Puget Sound Energy’s website

Make Every Watt Count

The cleanest, smartest and most cost effective watt is the one that is not wasted. You can begin to make a difference for yourself, your family, and your work place by employing some of the energy saving tips.  Another way to make every watt count is to do an energy audit. An energy audit is the first step to assess how much energy your home or business consumes and to evaluate what measures you can take to make your home or work place more energy efficient. You can begin to plug the leaks around your house by having a professional energy auditor to pinpoint the problems. Believe it or not, summer is the best time to add insulation to your home.