onsumer Corner
What You Need To Know To Hold Down Home Utility Costs
Where Do You Start?
Almost one-half of the energy we use in our homes is used for heating and cooling. Hot water heaters are the second largest users of our home energy followed by refrigerators and freezers. Energy is also used for lighting, cooking, and appliances.
Saving energy in your home can help control your living costs. Many energy savings actually cost little or nothing to implement and help us hold down our home energy costs.
Stop Air LeaksSmall air leaks add up in a hurry. Often, many leaks around poorly fitting windows and doors have the same effect as leaving a door standing open.
Adding just 1" of insulation to an uninsulated wall can reduce heat loss (winter)or heat gain (summer)through that wall by40-50 percent. |
Heating And Cooling Seasons
Before placing your heating and cooling equipment into service each year, have your system safety checked by a qualified service technician.
Consider the advantages of a clock thermostat for your heating and cooling system. The clock thermostat will turn the heat or air down for you automatically at a regular hour before you retire and turn it on again before you wake. While you can easily turn your thermostat back at night and up again in the morning by yourself, the convenience of a clock thermostat may be worth the $40 to $90 investment. |
Hot Water Saver
sHeating water costs you money whether you use the water or not.
Repair Water Leaks
Leaking faucets and toilets waste money you spend for both hot water and cold water.
Lighting and Appliances
Household Appliances
The golden rule is, "If you are not using it, turn it off!" About 30 percent of the average consumer's electric bill results from use of these appliances.
KWH Per Month | Cost Per Month | |
Automatic coffee pot | 10 | $.80 |
Clothes washer | 5 | $.40 |
Clocks | 1 | $.08 |
Hair Dryer | 3 | $.24 |
Iron | 4 | $.32 |
Lighting | 40 | $3.20 |
Radio | 4 | $.32 |
Range oven and surface | 54 | $4.32 |
Refrigerator-freezer | 134 | $10.72 |
Television or stereo | 46 | $3.68 |
Toaster | 3 | $.24 |
Vacuum Cleaner | 3 | $.24 |
Clothes Dryer | 56 | $4.48 |
Dishwasher | 19 | $1.92 |
Electric Blanket | 20 | $1.60 |
Freezer | 99 | $7.92 |
Microwave Oven | 10 | $.80 |
Pool Pump | 259 | $20.72 |
Waterbed | 100 | $8.00 |
Georgia Public Service Commission
244 Washington Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-4501
1-800-282-5813
Fax: (404) 656-2341
Email: gapsc@psc.state.ga.us
Last Updated: June 15, 2000