energy
efficiency
facts
Electrical appliances, lighting, and refrigeration can account for 43
percent or more of your household energy consumption. For the
average Arkansas household, this could add up to $820 a year
(see figure 1). Understanding where and how much electricity is
used to power your home’s appliances and lighting will help you
use energy more efficiently, reduce wasteful use and save money.
Figure 2 shows the average annual energy costs for appliances,
lighting and other uses. A surprising number of electronic devices
are consuming electricity when not in use, even when the switch
is turned off — these are called “phantom loads,” which can
account for 5 to 10 percent of your electricity bill. Phantom loads
include such things as the digital clocks, instant-on TVs, DVD/VCR
players, computers and small plug-in transformers that charge
cell phones, batteries, etc.
Arkansas Average Annual Utility Costs
Source: Energy Information Administration 2001 Residential Energy
Consumption Survey Applying 2007 Average Utility Costs
Space Heating 22%
Electric A/C 22%
Water Heating 13%
Refrigerators 10%
Appliances & Lights 33%
$412
$627
$193
$247
$422
f i g u r e 1
M y t h s a n d F a c t s
Myth:
“Long-life” incandescent bulbs are a
good investment.
Fact: While a “long-life” bulb does last longer than a
standard incandescent bulb, it still uses a lot of
energy and it doesn’t last as long as a CFL. A
long-life, 60-watt incandescent bulb usually lasts
for 2,000 hours, but an equivalent 13-watt ENERGY
STAR® qualified CFL will last 6,000 hours or more
and use 75 percent less energy.
Myth: Computers last longer when they are left on
all the time.
Fact:
According to the Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), because of built-in “power down” modes, and
by remembering to turn off your equipment when
not in use, computers and home office equipment
can last up to ten times longer than conventional
products. If your computer must be left on when you
are not using it make sure that you ena