6.1f. ERMUSR 11-17-2015 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Energy needs at home. The typical family of four uses approximately 1,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each month, but your home is unique. Factors that affect your energy use include: • The number of people in your family • Your behaviors • The age and efficiency of your electric appliances • The type of heating and cooling you use • Maintenance practices • How often you entertain guests Other factors can affect energy costs as well. Was it colder or hotter than normal? Did you finally buy that new flat screen TV you've been saving up for? Is your furnace fan set on automatic, or does it run continuously? Heating and Air Conditioning 55% Several factors affect how much energy you need to keep your home comfortable, including the efficiency of your heating or air conditioning unit, your home's insulation and its sun exposure. Appliances 15% Appliances can save you a lot of time and effort, but they can also result in significant energy costs. The age of your electric appliances, how efficient they are, and how frequently you use them affects your energy expenses. Water Heating 15% Homes use an immense amount of energy to heat water for laundry, showers, dishes and cooking. Small fixes like efficient low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can make a difference on your electric, water and sewer bills. Lighting 10% The average household has more than 40 light sockets. However, highly efficient technologies such as CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light emitting diodes) are becoming more common and affordable, especially with rebate coupons from Elk River Municipal Utilities. Electronics 5% The list of electronics continues to grow, and includes things like smart phones, tablets and TV set-top boxes. Source.Minnesota Department of Commerce,Division of Energy Resources 184 2