Jan. 10th: National Cut Your Energy Costs Day

Saving Energy is Saving You Money

The Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy site has a lot of helpful information about cutting your energy usage

January 10, 2011 - Today is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day, a relatively unknown commemoration of environmentalism and smart finance. However, it’s one that can make a big difference to you personally as well as your employer.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the United States used nearly 4 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2009. For comparison, if you ran a single 100-watt light bulb continuously for a year, it would total about 8,760 kWh.

Electricity costs vary widely, but the average billed cost is usually 12 cents per one kWh. That means in 2009, America probably spent about $480 billion on electricity. At the highest billed rates (50 cents per kWh), the bill would have been $2 trillion.

Over the past few years there has been a lot of talk, in government and otherwise, about cutting energy costs. General Services Administration automobile fleets are being converted from automobiles to electric vehicles where applicable, including military installations where cars were being used to drive a few personnel short distances. The Department of Defense has taken steps to conserve the environment as well.

Today, though, the focus is on you and me. Here are a few simple ways you can save energy at home and at work: {continued}