It
is summer. It is hot. Air conditioners are running full blast and electric bills
are higher than usual. But electricity is still a bargain.
Electric
rates have been relatively stable for so long that it’s understandable that
many of us may take the value of electricity for granted. We come home from work
or play, step inside the door, and flip that light switch. We head for the
kitchen to start dinner, pulling out supplies from the refrigerator and heating
them up on the electric range or in the microwave oven.
After dinner, we like to turn on the television, stereo or computer to entertain us. Many members take a nice hot bath or shower with water heated from their electric water heater. Most of us sleep better at night knowing we will be protected with our security lighting outside and that we will be awakened by our clock radio in the morning. Thankfully, the automatic coffeemaker will already have the coffee ready to help us face a new day.
Considering the current high cost of oil, gasoline, propane and other fuels, electricity is a tremendous value. Better yet, the cost of electricity remains remarkably stable when compared to the volatile prices of these other methods of powering home and water heating and air conditioning. And as mentioned above, electricity allows you to do things you couldn’t otherwise do on a daily basis.
Consider that on average the cost of one night’s lodging at a hotel (@$70 per night) = 25 days of electric service. One tank of gas (20 gallons @ $2.00 per gallon) = 14 days of service. One movie ticket, medium popcorn and a soft drink = 5 days of electric service. One fast food lunch = 2 days of electric service and one cup of gourmet coffee = 1 day of electric service.
When you consider the cost of electricity in comparison to the other goods and services you purchase and you factor in all the comfort and convenience made possible by electricity, it is still a quite a bargain.