Can you afford the electricity bill?

At this time of the year, many home owners drape their homes in a festive array with what is commonly called, ‘pepper lights’ or ‘Christmas lights’. They sparkle all night long with various colours and are enjoyed especially by children and those young at heart.

There has however been a significant reduction in the number of homes that have these lights. Some home owners have reasoned that the additional cost was just not worth it.

I spoke to someone who used to decorate her home but no longer practices that custom and she confirmed that the cost was the determining factor. If you really think about it although they may be traditional they do add to the already high electricity bills at this time of the year.

Commercial businesses, especially those in the shopping areas have ignored the cost and have hung the lights from every section of their property. They are however in a different position than that of home owners.

They need to use the lights to add to the excitement they want their customers to feel when they go shopping.  The more they shop the more money they will make so if they have to spend a little extra on their electricity bill well I guess it all evens out in the end.

What about the average consumer?

Well there are a number of things that you can do to save electricity.  Plug out any electronic gadget when they are not in use. Don’t forget to plug out those chargers after you have finished charging your devices.

Turning off lights and using power saving light sources instead of incandescent light bulbs are definitely important.

On a ‘brighter’ note, The Gleaner has reported that, ‘Sheree Martin, senior vice-president of customer and corporate services at the JPS, confirmed yesterday that the company was tentatively projecting a two to four per cent reduction in their customers’ bills in December.’

While we look forward to that let us continue to conserve electricity!

What’s your take? Let me hear from you!

Teri Ann Paisley

Gleaner Online Writer

Tags: conserve, electricity bills