VINLEC teaching consumers ways to conserve energy and save money

A step-down transformer, when plugged in but not in use, could consume between $5 and $10 worth of electricity a month.

A television, in the same circumstances, can use up to $10 worth over the same period.{{more}}

And the St Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC) on Thursday launched an energy awareness exhibition, geared at teaching consumers how to conserve energy and save money.

The exhibition, expected to last eight to 10 weeks, is stationed at the old Voyager building on Halifax Street, Kingstown.

Thornley Myers, chief executive officer of VINLEC, and Rene Baptiste, chair of the company’s board of directors, highlighted the importance of energy efficiency and the smart, daily use of domestic electrical appliances and equipment.

Baptiste related tips from a presentation during a Cabinet meeting, which she said she adopted in her home.

“There are so many other things he mentioned,” she said of the presenter.

“… how you pack [the refrigerator] should be the way that you are going to use what’s in it,” she related.

She noted that some people leave their irons and kettles plugged in although they turn off the switches after use.

The former culture minister urged the public to visit the exhibition, which, she said, is of benefit to all concerned, and would help to understand how to use electricity services.

Myers pointed out that there were some electrical equipment and appliances that use energy, even when not in use.

“… most transformers connected, even if they are not in use, will use within [$5] and $20 per month, simply by just being connected to the network.”

A television, plugged in but not on, could use $10 per month, based on the rate last Thursday.

“So, those are the things we want to show our customers; how they can save money and how they can use electricity wisely,” Myers reiterated.

The exhibition is being considered a gigantic step by VINLEC in its bid to bring energy awareness to its consumers.

Myers indicated that over the last 10 years, his company spent $439 million dollars in the importation of fuel for electricity generation, and he believes that if consumers use the information given to them at the exhibition, this number could be reduced significantly.

“Let us all work together to ensure that our customers, our nation benefit from this exercise,” he urged.

Baptiste also appealed for better money management by consumers, through wise, energy efficient purchases.

“We all have to get smart in the use of energy so we could make those savings ahead of purchasing the equipment, so we could understand what we are purchasing, why we are purchasing it and what benefits we are supposed to get from it, rather than the aesthetics and how we feel about it.

“While that is important, I think our bottom line in these times is the most important element in our consumerism and consuming of electricity,” Baptiste said.