From powering your kitchen stove to keeping your house cool in the summer, electricity is the backbone of our everyday lives. It is safe to say that without it, our daily routines would come to a grinding halt. Read on to learn some fun facts about electricity and why it’s important that we conserve it.
1. Electricity Dates Back to 600 B.C.
Although many reports state different dates about the time electricity was first discovered, Universe Today shows that the Ancient Greeks discovered electricity in 600 B.C. The Greeks realized that you could create your own form of static electricity by rubbing fur against amber made from fossilized tree resin.
The Romans also seem to have known how to create and use electricity. In the 1930s, archaeologists stumbled upon a set of pots with copper sheets hidden inside them. When experts examined these pots, they concluded that the Romans used them as batteries to power lights.
2. Electricity Travels at the Speed of Light
Scientists have proven that the speed at which electricity travels matches that of light, which is 670,616,629 mph. To put this into perspective, this speed is equivalent to 300 million meters per second. But how exactly does electricity travel so quickly? The answer lies in a combination of electric current and electrons.
You see, an electric flow consists of electrons, which are several minuscule particles. These particles move insanely slowly when static, but once you use an electrical device equipped with a wire, the electrons will immediately travel from your power supply to your device. This is what is referred to as an electric current, which only starts when you power on your electric device.
3. LED Lightbulbs Use 80% Less Energy
Studies show that, when you use a conventional lightbulb, only approximately 10% of energy goes to lighting. This means an astonishing 90% goes to waste through heat. It is because of this that experts advise homeowners to replace their conventional lightbulbs with LED alternatives.
By conserving electricity, LED lightbulbs play a role in preserving the environment. Additionally, these bulbs can last up to 25 times longer than their traditional counterparts, and this makes them highly affordable in the long run.
We Need to Stop Wasting Electricity
The Environmental Defense Fund notes that three-quarters of the electricity for which Americans spend $350 billion a year is wasted. Fortunately, there is a lot you can do to help conserve electricity. First, make sure all your gadgets are unplugged when not in use. Second, invest in energy-saving bulbs. Third, try to wash clothes at a lower temperature.
From moving at the speed of light to being discovered thousands of years ago, electricity presents you with a lot of fun facts. At Nichols Electric and Plumbing, we are dedicated to providing the residents of Rochester, NY with professional home improvement electrical services to help you use electricity efficiently.
