We presented evidence on how color can convey information in Part 1 of our ambient devices article. We now will discuss how ambient devices are used in Utility Demand Response Programs and how you can use them if there's no program where you live.

Color conveys a great deal of information to us everyday. It can even provide enough information to tell us when it pays to conserve energy.

Residential and small business customers experienced very high electricity during the summer. You're likely to do the same thing this winter when you see your natural gas bills. How come? Because natural gas is used to produce a lot of electricity.

Ignorance is bliss when it comes to our electricty and natural gas bills. However, the party turns sour when we look at our bill. The problem in a nutshell: you don't know the cost when you are actually consuming it!

You can build all of the electric power plants you want, but it won't do much good if you can get the electricity to where it's needed. Ditto for natural gas with respect to pipelines. This the second of a five articles on electricity and natural gas prices.