11/2/2007 5:42:22 PM

Conserving energy at home and work is a shared responsibility between you and Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, a Touchstone Energy Provider. Saving energy is as simple as flipping a switch. As much as a third of the typical monthly electric bill goes to lighting. Teach your family members to turn out the lights when no one is in the room. Remember that computers still use electricity when left on in the screensaver mode and cell phone chargers plugged into an outlet use electricity even without the phone attached. Electrical appliances burn energy when switched off because of the timers, clocks, memory and remote "on" and "off" switches. Satellite receivers for televisions and VCRs, among other appliances, use almost as much electricity when they are switched off as when they are on. Plug the most wasteful appliances into fuse-protected power strips (also known as surge protectors) that, when turned off, can disrupt the flow of electricity when the appliances aren't being used. Technological advances have introduced many electrical appliances that are energy efficient. Saving energy can reduce your electricity usage and save you money. NNEC promotes energy efficiency through the Energy Guide web page links under Products and Services.