Are Consumers really conserving?

Author : teriann

‘Turn off the lights when you leave the room.’

Those words were said a lot in my childhood, as I simply could not remember to turn the lights off when I left a room. Of course, back then the electricity bills were much lower but still represented a huge part of the family’s budget.

Fast forward to 2014, and consumers are still feeling the pinch of high electricity bills. Now that I am an adult, I am faced with paying bills that has me telling my children, “Turn off the lights!”

Are consumers more aware of the cost?

I think with the advent of the computer age, more persons are aware of things they can do to reduce their electricity bills.

I should think by now that everyone knows that along with turning off lights and plugging out chargers and any other electrical device not being used, they can also replace incandescent light bulbs with  energy saving LED bulbs.

However, although consumers might know what they should be doing, they might actually choose not to do it because of several factors.

Why don’t Consumers Conserve?

Well some consumers are in denial, they still don’t recognize the fact that our energy consumption is directly related with our electricity bills. They choose to focus on complaining about their high bills without trying to solve the problem.

The cost of changing out the incandescent bulbs are to be viewed as an investment, the higher cost of the LED bulbs will be returned in lower electricity bills.

Consumers will benefit in the long run as the government has removed the five percent import duty on LED bulbs and solar water heaters.

Although consumers remain powerless to stop the monopoly Jamaica Public Service Company from hiking rates, they can make an impact on their bills by starting an aggressive programme of conservation within their own homes.

What do you think?

Are consumers really serious about conserving?

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner Online Writer

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2 Responses to “Are Consumers really conserving?”

  1. Jojo says:

    I don’t believe the leaders care
    about what JPS does to the ppl,
    No one or two company should have
    a monopoly on any service, JAs
    ought to be able to choose.

    JPS knows they are in the driver seat,
    no matter how much one conserve the
    bills never go down even with the
    constant black-outs again once or twice
    weekly, it has become a thing where upon
    getting up one has to check emails asap
    then shower before the utilities go.
    This type of service leads to low morale
    and consumers at times wonder why bother
    nothing changes in the bill.

    We have retirees that have worked hard
    & contributed to society, and JPS is
    telling ppl to buy a recommended brand of refrigerator how can anyone afford it
    especially our aging society?
    Jamaicans pays the highest in energy Y
    who looks out for us?

    Stealing light is a crime, but someone
    dropped the ball when we the paying
    customers are being told we are paying
    high prices due to these ppl when in fact
    many Ministries are owing large sums for
    many years, don’t we end up paying for
    them and other businesses stealing light?

    Yes we can keep turning off the light in
    every room as we leave , unplug the fridge
    for 8 hours a day (as we do), do not watch
    TV before 8;PM but have seen no changes.
    I have a generator I think I will start
    trying to use at least 3 days a week with
    the new increase.

    I think JAs should start having kids come
    in do homework early, get together and do *lights out JAMAICA* for a month, use lamps
    flashlights, get to reconnect with each other
    in the homes. Just boycott JPS for a month
    (Well unfortunately its just a pipe dream we
    are not that united, organized, or care if we
    can pay…clubs, shops, bars,pronoters would
    never participate)……JPS rule we need two
    more light companies in the country

  2. teriann says:

    Yes it is always better when consumers have a choice, monopolies are a strain but in the meantime let’s continue to do what we can to conserve!

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