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Saving Energy: Myths and Facts
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Public Relations, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383, Ext. 3213; Pager: 1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
West Jefferson, N.C., (November 26, 2007) – Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation realizes that many consumers are looking for ways to reduce their energy use and trim energy bills. Although there are a lot of good ideas out there, there are a lot of misconceptions as well about what is really effective. Here are a few of the most common myths and the facts to help in making effective decisions:
Myth: Computers, monitors, and other office equipment will use less energy and last longer if they are left running all of the time.
Fact: Turning equipment off overnight does not shorten its life, and the small surge of power that occurs when some devices are turned on is much smaller than the energy used by running equipment when it is not needed. In fact, leaving computers and other office equipment on overnight and on weekends wastes significant amounts of energy and also adds to the wear and tear on the equipment. In general, turn off equipment you are not using or make sure that energy-saving features on networks or individual machines are enabled. Some office equipment, including printers and scanners, features small transformers that use energy even when the equipment is turned off. Plug all such devices into a power strip so that they can be shut down completely with one flick of the switch.
Myth: I should run my HVAC 24/7 to avoid an increased demand charge from the “spike” that occurs when the equipment starts.
Fact: Although turning on HVAC equipment will cause a power spike on the order of fractions of a second; this period is not long enough to have any impact on demand charges. Demand charges are based on the average power used in a facility during 15-minute periods. The spike from turning on such equipment does not last long enough to significantly affect this average. Not only are there no significant demand savings from running HVAC equipment continuously, but there is a significant downside as well. Equipment life can be considerably shortened, and unless the equipment is designed to operate at continuously variable capacities, it likely will not be able to properly match the cooling load and will waste energy and decrease comfort.
This information is provided to you by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation and E Source Companies LLC. Blue Ridge Electric is a member-owned electric cooperative serving some 72,000 members in Ashe, Alleghany, Watauga, Caldwell, Alexander, Wilkes and Avery counties.
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