The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-05-26
HOUSEHOLD HINTS
WASTED WATTS
By SALLY E. DAVIDSON

| me OLD saying "A woman with
teaspoon can throw more out Of the
back door than a man can bring In
the front with a shovel" holds true
in the economy Of electricity for
lighting as in everything else. Elec'
| trio light has such a peculiarly
J gratifying effect upon most Of us,
that 1t tends to make us careless OF
Its cost. This Is especially true OF
those who are using It for the first
time and undoubtedly can be traced
to its ready availability and our in
stinctive desire for light. Through
out the ages man has sought to
evade darkness, consequently when
light is so readily obtainable, we
| are apt to use it in many places
when it is quite unnecessary-or
again, where fewer lights would be
better.
Switching off lights is really un-
natural to US and we have some
difficulty overcoming our natural
tendency to "let it burn" This,
however, we must overcome IL we
are to practice economy.
We must remember that cleo.
tric1ty came in answer to mans de-
mand for better and cheaper light,
ana the fact that he is utilizing
1t everywhere in his own world
proves that it has satisfied both
those needs. But electric light in
industry is always used intelligently
and for that reason it proves
economical. For instance, many an
employer finds that. small signs
reading. put cut the light" hung
near doors, catch the eye and save
him In the course Of year many
dollars on his monthly electric light
bill. Although the wording frank.
ly disregards good English usage
the signs are very effective. And
the housewife would do well to take
her cue from this and figuratively
hang up warnings all over her
house for, herself and family. AL.
ways we must use electricity 1ntelli-
gently II we wish to derive all the
benefits 1t has within its power to
bestow.
A housewife who is serious in
ner desire to economic in the use
OF electricity for lighting and its
many other uses about the home
should by all means learn to read
the meter, and study and time her
appliances in the accomplishment
OF their tasks. Only such close at
tention will bring about efficiency
ana Definite economy. Remember
that savings thus made will 60 a
long way toward the purchase of
other helpful electrical household
appliances which will reduce your
house work.
In next weeks article will take
up the study of the meter and later
the way to study and time each
household appliance, but here space
obliges me to confine myself entirely
to hints, on how to practice economy
and always have adequate light.
Extinguish limps when they are
not needed. Light burning in un.
utilized rooms at night is the grossest
form of waste. This is particularly
true OF the cellar, pantry, bathroom,
Kitchen, and often the dining room.
nave seen any number of people
leaving the 'dining-room lights burn.
ing during the entire time dish.
washing was being done. This IS
Wasteful, for one can easily clear the
table and put the room in order and
extinguish the light before commenc-
Ing the dishes. II, for any reason,
you are obliged to return to the din.
ing room, the light can easily be
switched on. For that reason II Is
wise to have the switch near the
pantry or kitchen entrance.
The following table will help the
reader to visualize the actual waste
OF keeping the lamps Of different
wattage burning unnecessarily for
an hour. Although the amount may
at first seem infinitesimal it must be
remembered that great fortunes have
been accumulated on just such q
principal. The figures given below
are based on 10-cent kilowatt- hour
rate.
25-watt lamp burned for one hour
will cost Nc.
40-watt lamp burned for one hour
will cost Aloe.
75-watt lamp burned FOR one hour
will cost Nc.
10O-watt lamp burned for one hour
will cost 1c.
150-watt lamp burned for one hour
will cost 1hc.
The same principle may be applied
to an unnecessary amount of iliuini-
nation. Avoid glaring light where.
ever possible and use only the
amount which is kindest to your
eyes.
Replace inefficient by efficient
lamps.
Proper accessories such az shades
and reflectors are very necessary to
give good light. That is, use shades
OF higher light transmission, and re.
Electors which deliver a large per.
centage Of the light where it is re.
quired. Under no circumstances Der.
init the accumulation Of dust and
dirt on lamps, reflectors and shades.
Clean these regularly.
Saving can also. be accomplished
by using the. higher reflective sur.
faces for walls and ceilings. The
colors which have the highest re.
Elective value are white, ivory, light
buff and pearl gray.
FORD'S NEW BOATS HAVE