A Crib Sheet for Conscientious Savers

In the surge of conservationist enthusiasm sparked by the energy crisis, lights and appliances are being turned off at every hand. But such self-denial should be managed with discrimination; some savings are worthwhile, and others are minuscule. A sampling of the energy consumption of various kinds of gear at average 1972 electricity prices:

HOUSEHOLD LIGHTS: A 50-watt bulb, incandescent or fluorescent, costs little more than one tenth of a cent an hour to use, but the fluorescent type delivers up to three times as much light a watt.

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: A 6-ft.

Christmas tree lit by 75 standard bulbs burning four hours a day would use 290 of power a week, a relatively harmless indulgence. A tree decorated with 75 twinkle lights would expend 170 of electricity a week.

OUTDOOR SIGNS: One measuring 10 ft. by 20 ft. and burning seven hours a day would consume $76.07 of electricity a year, making turning it off a genuine contribution to energy thrift.

IRONS: An average one uses $3.30 of power a year, so it is difficult to imagine a woman ironing to any power-extravagant extent.

VACUUM CLEANERS: Like most appliances driven by small motors, they are energy thrifty, consuming about $1.05 of electricity a year.

STEREO SETS: Another primarily small-motor-powered bargain; an average one played 2.7 hours a day would cost $2.50 a year to operate.

TV SETS: A solid-state, black-and-white model will burn $2.75 of power a year, but a comparable color set will consume $10.08 worth. A couple that play Monopoly instead of watching color TV for one hour every night would save $1.67 a year.

STOVES: A standard, burner-plus-oven electric range swallows $26.91 of power a year. A microwave oven will do most of the same cooking jobs for only $4.35 a year.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.