Will the last one out please turn off the lights?

That may be instruction many Lexington County parents give their children due to high electric rates.

Whatever our reasons, research shows that we are no longer electricity gluttons.

The 2008 recession and the 9 nuclear power rate increases state regulators gave SC Electric & Gas created electric energy tightwads in Lexington County.

Between 1950 and 2010, average residential electricity consumption increased 10-fold, the Wall Street Journal reported. After that, consumption began to fall.

The fall began soon after the 2008 financial crisis. At the time, a reduction in electricity consumption wasn’t surprising: When money is tight, consumers cut back.

Dominion Energy and Mid-Carolina Electric Cooperative have not yet responded to a Chronicle question about power consumption by their ratepayers and members.

It’s not just homeowners who turn out the lights.

Industry is doing it, too, says Jim Clarkson, CEO of Resource Supply Management. His company advises business, corporate and industry executives on how to cut their power bills.

Another cause for lower consumption is that today’s appliances and electronics are more efficient, driving down home electricity use.

Some consumers and manufacturers, however, complain that Obama administration regulations made some appliances, such as dish washers, more energy efficient but less reliable to do a good job.

The US Department of Energy estimates we could save up to 25% on our bills with energy efficiency.

Despite rising costs, personal finance researcher WalletHub reported dismal findings for SC residents.

We are 48th in home energy efficiency, 44th in vehicle-fuel efficiency and 32nd in transportation efficiency.

The average US family spends at least $2,000 a year on utilities and $2,109 on motor fuel and oil.