Time is a precious — and priceless — resource. It’s the one thing you can’t get back, so finding ways to use it efficiently is key. That’s where electricity, and all that it powers, can help.
Around the Home
Electricity saves us time through the devices it powers, but one of its first noteworthy benefits —lighting — can give us more productive time in the day. Lighting allows us to connect with family and friends, catch up on chores and complete other tasks outside of daylight hours. Beyond providing quality brightness, switching to LEDs throughout your home will also save you time since you won’t need to buy and replace them as often as standard incandescent bulbs. The longevity of an LED light bulb is anywhere from 25,000 to 50,000 hours compared to the 750 to 2,000 hours of light provided by incandescent bulbs. They also use far less electricity than incandescent or fluorescent bulbs.
In the Kitchen
Electric-powered appliances can notably cut down time in the kitchen. Electric pressure cookers reduce cooking time by up to 90%. Air fryers speedily pre-heat to cook food faster, and crispier, than an oven. A bonus feature of these items, along with slow cookers, is their ability to “set it and forget.” You can let dinner cook while using time efficiently to take care of other items. And, of course, microwaves perform several time-saving jobs.
Induction cooktops are an emerging technology that speeds up cooking time as well. This type of heat uses electromagnetic radiation in which a current of electricity heats cookware. Around 90% of the electricity consumed by an induction stove is used for cooking food which means there’s no energy escaping, giving you instant heat and controlled temperature.
In the Garage
Ever find yourself running late, hop in the car, and turn it on only to realize your gas tank is on “E”? Imagine waking up to a full tank every morning even if there were only a few miles remaining when you parked it the night before. This is the reality for most electric vehicle (EV) owners.
According to the Department of Energy, 80% of charging happens at home — and almost always overnight. That means you wake up to a “full tank” every day. EV owners also save time on maintenance appointments (e.g., no oil changes) and never need to stop for gas.
On the Farm
Equipment manufacturers are developing electric farm implements that could require far less energy and maintenance. The global market for electric tractors is expected to grow rapidly in the next decade.
Robotic technology is being applied to many machines, such as robotic milking operations, to automate processes. These devices help farmers reduce labor demands while increasing efficiency — freeing up time for farmers to work on other duties. Since the robotic milking machines are optimized to work efficiently, they produce remove more milk per cow and create more rest time for the animals.
These examples, and more, go to show that the value of electricity extends beyond just its cost, especially when it comes to all the ways it saves us time.
Article provided by Great River Energy