Introduction
When it comes to electrical consumption, one of the most commonly used measurements is the kilowatt-hour (kWh). A kWh is a unit of energy that is equivalent to one thousand watts of power for an hour of usage. The question at hand is: Is 2000kWh/month a lot?
To answer this question, it is important to consider the average U.S. energy consumption in 2019 as well as the factors that can cause it to vary. Additionally, there are numerous advantages and disadvantages of using 2000kWh per month. Lastly, there are several reasons why investing in solar panels is beneficial if one is consuming 2000kWh/month.
Overview of U.S. Energy Consumption
In 2019, the average U.S. person consumed approximately 877 kWh per month. However, this number can vary dramatically depending on the size of your property and your daily habits. For instance, larger households typically need more space and electricity for lighting, heating and cooling, hot water, cooking, and other appliances. Additionally, habits such as keeping the lights on for extended periods of time or running multiple appliances simultaneously can cause a person’s energy consumption to increase.
Advantages of 2000kWh/month
Assuming one has a relatively large household or uses a lot of electricity for their daily habits, there are several advantages to having 2000kWh/month in energy consumption.
One of the primary advantages is that the person’s utility bills will be lower than the average. As mentioned previously, the average energy consumption per month in the US is 877 kWh. Therefore, someone using only 2000kWh/month could potentially save hundreds of dollars in utility costs per month depending on where they live.
Additionally, 2000kWh/month is a more sustainable energy source than traditional energy sources such as oil and gas. This is because the production of electricity through renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, and hydro power significantly reduces the emissions of carbon dioxide, along with other greenhouse gases. Therefore, using 2000kWh/month can help reduce an individual’s carbon footprint.
Disadvantages of 2000kWh/month
Although there are several advantages to having 2000kWh/month in energy consumption, there are also certain drawbacks.
The first disadvantage concerns the upfront cost of such a large amount of electricity. This can be especially burdensome for those who live in areas with high electricity costs. Additionally, this large amount of electricity can only be used in certain locations. For instance, those who live in areas with limited access to renewable energy sources or in regions that have lower sunlight availability may find that the cost of investing in 2000kWh/month is simply too high.
Furthermore, the maintenance and repair of the equipment necessary to produce 2000kWh/month can also be expensive. This is especially true if the equipment becomes damaged due to wear-and-tear, extreme weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
How Solar Panels Can Help
Although there are some downsides to using 2000kWh/month, solar panels can provide several benefits to those who need a large amount of electricity.
First and foremost, investing in solar panels can help reduce the person’s monthly utility bills. This is because the cost of generating electricity through solar panels is typically lower than the cost of purchasing electricity from the utility company. Furthermore, the cost of solar panels has decreased significantly over the past decade, making them more accessible for many households.
Investing in solar panels can also help increase the sustainability of an individual’s energy consumption. This is because the production of electricity through solar panels does not produce greenhouse gases. Additionally, solar panels have become more efficient over the years, which means they can generate more energy while using less energy.
Lastly, using solar panels can reduce the maintenance and repair expenses associated with 2000kWh/month. This is because solar panels are usually extremely reliable and require little upkeep. Additionally, many solar panel manufacturers offer warranties that can help cover the cost of any repairs.
Conclusion
To recap, the question posed was: Is 2000 kWh a month a lot? The answer to this question depends largely on the size of the household and the daily habits of the person consuming the electricity. On one hand, 2000kWh/month has the potential to lower utility bills and increase sustainability. But on the other hand, there are certain downsides such as the high upfront costs and limited location availability.
However, one way to counteract these disadvantages is to invest in solar panels. Investing in solar panels can help reduce utility bills and increase sustainability. Additionally, it can also help reduce the maintenance and repair costs associated with 2000kWh/month.
Overall, investing in solar panels can be beneficial to those who need a large amount of energy while also wanting to keep their costs down.
References
United States Energy Information Administration, “U.S. average monthly electricity bill 2019,” accessed Feb. 1, 2021, https://www.eia.gov/electricity/sales_revenue_price/
United States Energy Information Administration, “Average monthly electric bill by US state”, accessed Feb. 1, 2021, http://eia.gov/ electriciy/sales_ revenue_price/
OurEnergyPolicy, “Renewable Energy Sources”, accessed Feb. 1, 2021, https://ourenergypolicy.org/renewable-energy-sources/
