Energy Currents
Energy Savings Tip – Let the Sun Shine In
Spring has arrived and as the days become longer, consider opening the curtains in your home to let in more natural light for indoor illumination. This is an especially useful tip if you haven’t yet had the chance to make the switch from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lighting. Since nearly 90% of the electricity incandescent bulbs consume is turned into heat, leaving your lights off during the day can mean less work for your cooling system.
Don’t forget about those warm spring breezes. Throw open your windows to take advantage of natural cooling rather than using your air conditioner. You can also use that breeze to dry clothes in the sunshine rather than in your dryer.
Energy Price Projection – Spring 2012
Natural Gas prices remain low with signs of an upswing in April. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects electric generation from natural gas to increase by nearly 9%. As electric generation by coal continues to decline.
Rising gasoline prices are an annual spring ritual, largely because of seasonal demand. This year’s earlier-than-usual run-up is more about anticipation than current supply and demand. Continued tensions with Iran have experts predicting the price of regular gas to be at $4.25 by the end of the month.
The members of the Chamber Energy Purchasing Cooperative with contracts ending in 2012 and 2013 are being contracted to extend the contracts to 2016 at rates equal to or lower than the current contract. Call the Chamber for additional details while market rates are still low.
Energy Currents is prepared by CQI Associates, Energy and Environmental Management Consultants to the Chamber. For additional customer support or information, contract Melissa Anderson, Managing Principal at 410-740-0667 or by email at melissa@cqiassociates.com