why do we have to pay bills for turning on a light bulb or a fan?
2007-06-14 13:42:17 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Because it costs money to generate - the equipment, the buildings, the wires etc. The materials (like coal) to create it also are used in massive amounts and cost tons of money. If we didn't pay for what we used, we wouldn't have it - or we'd pay it in taxes- (which means you could be trying to conserve and still have to help pay for the massive amounts of electricity a themepark or large business was using).
2007-06-14 13:51:55 · answer #1 · answered by Wolfy-chan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No electricity is being used by a socket if nothing is plugged in. Most small electrical appliances such as a kettle toaster or mixer can be plugged in without using electricity when the switch is off unless it has a light that stays on or displays the time or the switch is electronic such as a touch switch. If the appliance is rechargeable such as an electric toothbrush or phone it will use electricity. If it has a transformer module on the wall instead of just a small plug it will use electricity even when off.
2016-05-20 22:48:38 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The generator costs money. The wires cost money. Setting the energy up to turn the turbines that generate electricity costs money. Bringing the electricity in to your house costs money. Monitoring and maintaining the equipment that makes all this happen costs money.
2007-06-14 13:50:25 · answer #3 · answered by eric l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it doesn't just happen. Someone makes it happen. Someone had to build the generators, dams, power generation plants. They had to run the wires from the plants to your house. Plus they have to fix the wires when the storms blow them down. Those people would like to be paid for their service as would the people that drill the gas wells, dig the coal etc used to generate electricity.
If they don't get paid it wouldn't be long and when you turned on your light bulb or fan nothing would happen.
2007-06-14 13:50:05 · answer #4 · answered by Roadkill 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Because, somewhere along the line, someone had to
1. Buy a generator
2. Install all of the power transmission lines and switchgear to get power from the generator to your house.
3. Maintain and repair all that equipment.
4. Buy fuel to power the generator.
and
5. Pay the salaries of all of the people who operate and maintain the equipment.
Ever thought about taking an economics class?
Doug
2007-06-14 14:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't. It costs money to get it to you. Electricity is free, there is lightning all around us. Energy is available in the form of light (solar), heat(geothermal/nuclea/coal/oil/gas), wind, waves (tidal), dams (potential energy) etc. The cost is in turning that into regulated, reliable resources, and transport it to you along wires to your house without losing too much along the way :)
2007-06-14 17:33:21 · answer #6 · answered by Richard W 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will explain this to you next year in the fourth grade.
Some good answers above. Electricity generation requires capital investment and continuing expenditures. These must be recouped, along with profits, so if you use it, you pay for it.
Sorry, but lots of things are like that...
2007-06-14 14:08:07 · answer #7 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because it costs money to generate the electricity.
2007-06-14 13:47:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It has to be generated, and sent out on wires and the system has to have repairs, especially after storms. That does't happen just by accident.
2007-06-14 13:47:25 · answer #9 · answered by Gene 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why did you born?.
2007-06-15 10:15:42 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋