By Theresa Ficazzola
July 4th commemorates the day in 1776 when 56 of the nation’s top leaders convened at the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence. At that time, approximately 2.5 million people occupied the original 13 colonies, which were made up mostly of British, Dutch and Swedish settlers.
Life was very different back then, as there were no modern conveniences, such as indoor plumbing, heating or lighting.
Light was obtained mostly from
a central fireplace, which was also used for cooking. Candles made from tallow or bayberry or something called a rushlight made from dried rush soaked in grease were also used for indoor lighting.
Benjamin Franklin Discovers Electricity
It wasn’t until the 18th Century that Benjamin Franklin began his electricity research. In 1752, Franklin attached a metal key to the bottom of a kite string and flew the kite in a storm. After lightning struck the kite, it created a spark when it traveled down to the key, producing an electrical charge.
Thomas Edison Creates the First Electric Utility
Contrary to popular belief, Thomas Edison did not invent the light bulb. He invented the first commercially practical incandescent light. In 1879, he filed a patent for an electric lamp. A year later, he patented a system for electricity distribution. According to Wikipedia, Edison founded the Edison Illuminating Company on December 17, 1880.
In 1882, he created the first investor-owned electric utility in New York City. On September 4 of that same year, Edison switched on his Pearl Street generating station’s system and successfully provided 110 volts of DC power to 59 customers in lower Manhattan.
Electricity Today
Today, we don’t think twice about flipping a switch or plugging in an appliance to obtain all the light and electricity we need on a daily basis. But that modern convenience comes with a price.
Due to escalating usage, rising costs and inflation, the cost of electricity is eating up a larger share of American’s income, especially on the East Coast.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in New York and Northern New Jersey, electricity prices were up in April of 2014 compared to the same time last year. At 19.6 cents per kWh of electricity, New York households paid 49.6% more than the national average of 13.1 cents. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in April of 2014, NY area electricity prices exceeded the nationwide April average by the largest amount since 2010.
People Are Switching to Solar Energy
The good news is that the renewable energy movement now gives people a choice. By choosing solar panels for your home, you can reduce the amount of money you pay for electricity, plus do something good for the environment.
While many different factors impact your direct savings from solar, a typical homeowner may be able to eliminate between 70-100% of their current electric bill. However, since everyone’s home and personal situation are so different, results may vary.
Contact SI Solar today at 844-747-6527 and see if you can celebrate your independence from costly electric bills by obtaining a free quote on solar electricity for your home.
In the meantime, don’t forget to switch off your lights when you leave a room and unplug any unnecessary appliances before going to bed. Simple things like this can help to conserve power and reduce your energy consumption…even if it’s just a little bit. And that’s critical during the summer months when energy consumption is at its peak.
Happy 4th of July!
