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Trust me—you really don’t know what you’re missing.
By Dr. Bill Wattenburg
The two biggest energy users in the home are the electric stove and electric hot water heater. The biggest reduction is energy usage can be achieved by tuning these off or not using them during the peak power times in late afternoon to evening.
If even 10% of people did this today, the power crisis and rolling blackouts would probably not be needed. And, homeowners can save 15% or more on power bills as well. Utility rates are going up to the point that people may finally pay attention. Every time we have a crisis, it only forces up rates even more because the power companies can get more for their power.
The easiest reduction is the electric stove. Just use the microwave for evening meals during power shortages. The electric stove can be using up to 4,000 watts of power to do the same as a microwave that uses no more than 1,000 watts.
Electric hot water heaters can usually be turned off in the afternoon with no inconvenience because large amounts of hot water are not necessary. It takes a little more effort, but not much. This advice is not for people with gas hot water heaters. Never fool around with them. Don’t turn off gas heaters because of the danger in trying to re-light the pilot lights. Easy way for people to tell the difference. If the controls for the heater are mounted on the heater, it is a gas heater. Best advice: If there is a panel breaker marked “water heater” then it can be turned off. Easy Rule: turn off heater after washing is done in the morning or when you go to work. Leave it off until bedtime or until hot water is needed. (It only takes about fifteen minutes for hot water to build up). Heaters hold enough hot water for many hours to meet usual demands in evening. Turn heater back on before going to bed or before showers are taken.
Also don’t turn on the dishwasher until bedtime when you turn the water heater back on. Load the dishwasher but don’t turn it on until later. The dishwasher alone uses more energy than lights and computers. And it needs hot water.
This savings requires that the homeowner know where the electric fuse panel is located and how to turn off the circuit breaker for the hot water heater. But all homeowners should know where the breakers are located and how to use them. Panel breakers are no different than normal light switches. You just flip one off and the power to that circuit is off (not a bad idea to turn off the breaker for the electric stove as well). Many people know where their breakers are and how to use them. These are turned off whenever there are repairs or installations to be made. Those who don’t can find out quickly from a neighbor in a hurry.
This page was last modified on Monday, 11-Oct-2004 18:55:55 PDT.
