Home Electronics Use Growing

(HIT) - Could you live without your computer? What about a cell phone? Or microwave? Or television and DVD player? If your home is like most, it has an ever-growing number of appliances and gadgets powered by electricity. In fact, according to the Edison Electric Institute, the average household has 25 electric products plugged in today. And the electricity these appliances use grows more each year.

It’s really not surprising that our national demand for electricity is at an all-time high—despite enormous gains in energy efficiency. Rapid population growth and growing economy will drive electricity demand even higher over the next 25 years.

Meeting this demand will be a challenge for America’s electric companies. It will require them to make major investments in new power plants, as well as the transmission and distribution systems needed to deliver the electricity to where it’s used.

Even though your home is using more electricity than ever before, you can do a lot to make sure it is using that power more efficiently. For example, when it comes time to buy a major appliance, consider buying one that has earned the ENERGY STAR. These appliances use 10-50 percent less energy to do the same job as a standard appliance.

For a free booklet, "More than 100 Ways to Improve Your Electric Bill", as well as information about making your entire home more energy efficient, please visit www.getenergyactive.org.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center