Energy Savings: Powerful Backbone of Modern Life

Electricity
The Powerful Backbone of Modern Life

by Vincent E. Martinelli, Jr.

Electricity is one of those things we all rely on every single day, but often take for granted. I know that I'm certainly guilty of that - I just expect the lights to turn on when I flip the switch and my devices to charge up when I plug them in. Hmm. Have you ever stopped to think about from where that electricity comes, and the bigger picture around its use in the U.S.?

Let's dive in to that a bit. According to the latest data, the average American household consumes about 893 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per month. That translates to an annual electricity bill of around $1,500 on average. Of course, those numbers can vary quite a bit depending on where you live, the size of your home, and your personal energy usage habits, et cetera.

Electricity costs aren't just financial - there's a significant environmental impact as well. The generation of electricity, particularly from fossil fuel sources, like coal and natural gas, is thought to be a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and to suspected “unnatural” climate change. In fact, the electricity sector accounts for about 25% of total U.S. emissions. Yikes!

Rest assured, it's not all doom and gloom - there are lots of initiatives underway to make our electricity use more sustainable. At the federal level, programs like the Investment Tax Credit provide incentives for homeowners and businesses to install renewable energy systems, such as solar panels (albeit there are inherent environmental costs to that as well). Many states and local governments also offer their own rebates and discounts to encourage energy efficiency upgrades.

Electricity providers themselves are getting in on the action too. Utility companies across the country are rapidly expanding their renewable energy portfolios, aiming to reduce their carbon footprints and endeavoring to themselves be sustainable. Some energy companies are even offering customers the option to sign up for 100% renewable electricity plans. [Stay tuned for more on that.]

We all know that the transition to clean energy isn't happening overnight. Coal and natural gas are still major players in the U.S. electricity mix. The trajectory is clear however - renewable sources like solar, wind, and hydropower are becoming increasingly cost-competitive and accessible for consumers.

So what can you do to be part of the solution? Start by evaluating your own electricity usage and looking for ways to cut back. Simple steps like replacing old lightbulbs with LEDs, unplugging unused electronics, and adjusting your thermostat can make a real difference. You could also look into installing solar panels or signing up for a green energy plan from your utility company. [These options vary widely by geography and by governmental decisions. We’ll round back to this later.]

Every kilowatt-hour of clean electricity we can generate and every watt of power we can save makes a positive impact. It's up to all of us to be more mindful of our electricity use and to do our part to create a more sustainable energy future. Who's with me (and my wallet)?

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