Energy Conscious

Xcel energy has been sending this little report to my home with charts and graphs and average energy costs.  It seems that we use 30% more energy than what the report calls our energy conscious neighbors.

I resent the implication that my neighbors are more energy conscious than I am. Ha!  We all use our homes differently and energy costs are impacted by many things.  I have a home office, and I start work while it is still dark out.  I run printers, and computers, lights and a bunch of electronic equipment.  My neighbors drive to work every morning and some don't even bother turning on the coffee pot, they grab a cup at the coffee shop on their way to work. 

That doesn't mean that I am not energy conscious.  I  turn off lights and turn my printers off when I am not using them and the computers too.  All of the appliances have high energy efficiency ratings as does most of my office equipment. The furnace though is another story . . .

Don't get me wrong I like the report that they send it makes me conscious of energy use and costs. It is possible to call excel energy to get the average monthly utility costs for a home.  The number is 1-800-895-4999, and it is useful information for home buyers but keep in mind that we don't all use our homes the same way.  A family or four will use more energy that a single person and a geek Realtor with a home office, and who has to use two monitors at all times, will use more energy than her energy conscious neighbors.