Even though you use electricity every day, you might not know a whole lot about it. Here are some interesting and important facts the average person might not know.

Types of Energy

Most people think of energy as a singular thing, but according to Statista, energy production is broken up into two categories: primary energy and secondary energy. Primary energy is from sources that haven’t been converted, like solar panels on your home or the gas in your car. Secondary energy sources are derived from primary energy sources but are converted into a different form for consumption, like fossil fuels being burned or electromagnets being used to create electricity. Both of these energy sources play an important role in providing enough power for homes and businesses across the country.

Selling Excess Power

With the rising popularity of solar power, many homeowners are choosing to install solar panels on their homes. What you might not realize is just how much you can reduce your monthly energy bill with solar power. If you create more power than you’re using at the time, you can sell that power back to the grid through a process called net metering. This typically occurs during the middle of the day when the sun is at its peak. If you have solar panels, look into net metering.

LED is King

If you want to cut down on your energy usage and save money, switching to LED bulbs is one of the best decisions you can make. LED bulbs use a fraction of the energy that standard bulbs use, and they tend to last a lot longer, too. You can even find smart bulbs that you can control with your phone, so you can make sure you’re keeping the lights off when you’re not at home. If you want to learn about other ways you can save energy and reduce your monthly power bill, ask your electrical contractor about energy-saving tricks next time you talk to them.

You don’t need to be a professional electrical contractor, but it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of your electrical system and electricity in general. The more you know, the easier it’ll be to keep an eye out for problems and call an electrical contractor when you need to. If you want to learn more about electricity and local resources for saving energy, contact your electrical contractor today.