There are two costs to consider when purchasing a new product or appliance: the purchase price and the operating price. And by operating price, I mean the energy costs associated with using that new product or appliance. Not only does this depend on how efficient that item is, but also in how the item is used. For example, if I change out 3 traditional incandescent light bulbs for 3 compact fluorescent light bulbs in my bathroom, I should save a substantial amount of energy – about 70%. But if I now decide that I’ll now leave those lights on all the time (as opposed to only the time I use the bathroom) because they aren’t using as much energy to be on, the savings I might otherwise gain will be sacrificed. Researchers have studied this and they’ve even named it. It’s called the takeback effect. So don’t let the energy hogs in your home “take back” the energy they might otherwise have received from an inefficient product. Stand your ground and use energy wisely! It is just as important to be cognizant of your every day behaviors as it is to make a wise purchase to begin with.
Comments