Often when we think about the value of something, we focus on how much it cost. In reality, value is so much more than just what we pay for something. Value has two components — the price you pay and what you get for your money.

While it is true, we can’t see electricity or hold it like an object, such as a dollar bill, our use of electricity has tremendous value.

Let’s start with necessities (or at least things I believe to be necessities!). Our heating and cooling systems keep us comfortable in our homes and businesses year-round. With electricity, we enjoy hot showers and deliciously cooked meals prepared using cooktops, ovens, and microwaves. Our washers and dryers keep our clothes clean. Today, our foods are refrigerated (believe it or not, modern refrigeration that became common in the early to mid-1900s resulted in tremendous health improvements, such as disease prevention and improved nutrition). How often do we take for granted the lighting in and around our homes?

Now, think about all of the technologies we enjoy because of electricity. Computers, mobile phones, smart watches, battery-operated power equipment (drills, leaf blowers, robotic lawn mowers, etc.), and WiFi have become increasingly important in our daily lives.

We can’t leave out entertainment! Who doesn’t love their flat-screen TVs, Bluetooth speakers, video streaming devices, and video game consoles, to name a few. Now that we have mentioned what you get for the money you spend on electricity, let’s consider the cost of electricity. If a Pee Dee Electric member uses 2,000 kWhs during a billing month, their electric bill (excluding taxes) would be $242.10. I know that sounds like a lot, but if you break that number down by the number of days in a typical billing cycle, the daily cost comes out to $8.07. I don’t know about you, but I don’t think twice about walking into a fast-food restaurant and paying about that same amount for a single-value meal! With electricity, for that same $8.07, you get to enjoy all of the things I mentioned above — the necessities in our lives, the technologies we use daily, and the entertainment we enjoy. Now that’s what I call a great value!!