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EmPOWER Your HomeEmPower 10Gathering knowledge is the first step toward making progress. Below are ten things you can do right now to begin down the path to perfect power. 1. Exercise the power of the purse Technology exists right now that can save you money, improve the quality and reliability of your electric service, and put you in charge of your power — and your power bill. 2. Understand your electric bill You can learn a lot from your utility bill — both about how you consume energy and about what you are paying for. Of course, bills look different everywhere, but there are many similarities. 3. Use less There are a number of ways — some easy, some less so — to save money and energy in your home. 4. Learn about ancient (utility) history Once upon a time, the closed, regulated monopoly structure of the utility industry worked well for electricity consumers. It doesn’t anymore. Learn why. 5. Calculate your costs Today’s unreliable and inefficient electric power system is costing you money — both directly and indirectly. 6. Meet the innovators Transformation is possible. Here are a few stories about those who are leading the way. 7. Write your representatives Government must be both a financial and a policy partner in any successful effort to transform the electric power system. Let the elected officials who work for you in Washington and your state capital know that you care, and that you’re watching them. 8. Get more information Here are some other ways to learn more about your power system — and your options for electric power service. 9. Demand control Chances are if you knew what time of day power was the most expensive, and could pay for power only when you use it, you’d use a lot less “peak time” - read expensive - energy. Now federal law says you have to be given that option. Contact your local utility program and tell them you want time-of-use pricing and smart metering. 10. Tell us your story Have you discovered a way to “smart” up your home? We want to know.
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