Effect of Excessive Usage of Electricity

Electricity consumption is something we do out of habit and unintentionally. We develop our habits based on our needs, hobbies, works, entertainment and enjoyments. We never really aware of how much we use daily and how much the source of energy is left in this world. We are named as screen generation, it means we all depending on electronic stuffs to complete and help us out in our daily life. We use air-con, television, refrigerator, fan, lamps, iron more over we use electricity to charge our gadgets those we probably have more than one like phone, laptop, tablet etc. We never really care about the effect of overuse electricity and are we wasting it. Here are the various effect of excessive usage of electricity (thesis statement). One of the effects of excessive usage of electricity it is increases risk of climate change including higher global temperature. The combustion of fossil fuel power plant produce sulphur oxide (Sox),nitrogen oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrocarbon (Distributed Generation Education Modules, 2007). All this gases such CO, CO2, and hydrocarbon are the greenhouse gases which are responsible to global warming while SOx and NOx produce acid when released into the atmosphere, leading to the production extreme heat and of acid rain. As a result, all these gases goes into the air and the environment. Furthermore, human, animal and plants also exposes to the risk of death, disease and others because of all these extreme heat and acid rain.

Beside that overuse of electricity also cause higher energy cost. The more consumers use electricity, the more natural gas will be needed, causing the natural gas price increase. According to Tenaga National Berhad (TNB), the average tariff has increased by 7.12% due to the increase of natural gas price (Higher energy cost, pricing and tariff, n.d). Plus, when we overuse electricity, it contributes to a scarcity in energy supply and electrical appliances also run slower when there is scarcity in supply. One of the ways to reduce the effect of excessive usage of electricity is by reduce the heating and cooling system that used in home. For instant, promote better air flow in your home by programmable fans ( How to reduce your energy bill with no cost or sacrifice, n.d). Other alternatives to reduce electric use are open window during summer and wearing jacket during winter. In addition, change to the suitable temperature using programmable thermostat at heater or cooler. Consumer also should play their role by use energy efficient bulbs by switching from traditional incandescent light bulbs. Energy saving light bulbs is longer lasting than conventional light bulbs (Reducing energy use, n.d). Efficient bulbs such as LED bulbs use 12 watt causing the cost to run lower compare to the incandescent bulb. Apart from that, replace the most used bulbs in your homes with approved Energy Star Light, you can save electricity cost. Thus, electricity has become the basic need of our life. It makes our lives easier and more enjoyable, since almost all of our modern conveniences are electrically powered. Yes, we could survive without electricity, but it would be a lot like camping in tent. Our civilisation would not have flourished so much and so rapidly without electricity. There is no exaggeration if we say that where there is light there is life. But we should value it as resource that has to be used carefully and wisely not to be taken as a complete boon.

References

Higher Energy Cost, Pricing and Tariff. Retrieved July 13, 2013, from http://www.tnb.com.my/residential/pricing-and-tariff.html

Reducing energy use. Retrieved July 13, 2013, from http://epa.gov/greenhomes/ReduceEnergy.htm

How to reduce your energy bill with no cost or sacrifice. Retrieved July 13, 2013, from http://lifehacker.com/5953039/how-to-reduce-your-energy-bill-with-no-cost-or-sacrifice

Distributed Generation Education Module (2007) www.dg.history.vt.edu/

By: Name: MUHAMMAD IZ AAN BIN MUHAMMAD IZANI (2012845606) ZULKIFLI BIN ABD WAHAB (2012808236) AHMAD SHAIFUL BIN MANSOR (2012403612) Class: EE1113C2