| MONROE,
Ga.--Do energy bills go on vacation at the same time as consumers
who pay them?
Usually
not, according to Walton Electric Membership Corporation energy
experts.
With
31 years of experience, Walton EMC Member Services Representative
David Foster understands why energy bills covering months
that include vacation trips don't vary as much as consumers
expect. "There are several reasons why the bottom doesn't
drop out of your energy bill when you go on vacation," says
Foster.
.The
air conditioner uses about as much energy as if you were home.
Most of the air conditioner's work is due to heat that
comes through cracks, walls, ceilings and windows.
Heat from people doesn't contribute greatly to an air conditioner's
workload.
.The
water heater continues to run, keeping hot water available
even though no one is there. Once families get home,
there's dirty vacation laundry to catch up on. And
every load of washing means a load for the clothes dryer.
.It
takes extra door openings to unload the car and get luggage
back in the house. Extra heat comes inside while
the doors stand open.
.Refrigerators,
freezers and the pool pump run while you're away.
.Other
automatic appliances, like dehumidifiers, waterbed heaters,
outdoor lighting and home electronics stay on the job while
you play.
.And
since the family is probably tired of eating out, there may
be more cooking than usual when you first arrive home.
"If
the vacation is spread over two billing periods, the perceived
effect of being away is diluted even more," says Foster.
Walton
EMC is a consumer-owned electric company with 100,000 accounts
in ten Northeast Georgia counties between Atlanta and Athens.
For information on saving energy, check waltonemc.com.
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