Energy Basics Taking control of your energy use is probably easier than you realize. That's because you have almost complete control over which appliances and electrical devices in your home will operate and for how long. It sounds simple, but of course there are some things you can't just turn off and leave off. There has to be a balance between comfort, convenience, and cost. And where that balance lies is completely different with each family in each home. In an effort to help you determine how to keep your electric bills lower while maintaining a reasonable level of comfort and convenience, Laurens Electric Cooperative has produced this online booklet which contains articles, suggestions and methods for reducing your usage of electricity. The job of a comprehensive energy use study is enormous, but with this guide, homeowners can take a look at the major energy use factors in their homes and have a good starting point for reining in those high bills. If, after you've gone through this online booklet, you would like additional assistance in this area, Laurens Electric has trained personnel ready to help you. What is a Kilowatt Hour To have a basic understanding of energy use in your home and how to curb it, it is essential to have a basic understanding of the kilowatt-hour.