Do you remember the electricity bill you received after this year’s historic winter storm?  It gave electric consumers a bit of sticker shock.  Of course, we all used more kilowatt-hours to stay warm when the cold and ice of the February storm came knocking on Valentine’s Day.  The unfortunate result was higher-than-usual bills. 
 

Now, during the hot days of summer, a reverse weather pattern holds the potential to cause higher-than-normal bills again.  In mid-June we experienced our first triple digit temperatures and these temperatures will impact upcoming utility bills for members of Fayette Electric Cooperative.  Higher kilowatt consumption results in higher utility bills. 

The record heat also prompted the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the state’s grid manager, to issue a rare early-summer conservation alert on June 15. The combination of record demand and an unusually high number of plant outages shrunk the reserve of available generation near critical levels, prompting the alert.  

ERCOT has warned that Texas residents should expect tight power supply conditions this summer, and that demand could break more records.  

To help avoid higher-than-normal energy bills and conserve energy when energy conservation alerts are issued, Fayette EC recommends using electricity efficiently. 

Your home’s cooling system, whether it is a central system, window units or fans, is working overtime to keep your home cool.  While it is doing that, it is also using more electricity.  Air conditioning typically is to blame for more than half of your summer electric bill.  One important tip:  If you set your thermostat to 78 degrees when home and a few degrees higher when you’re away for several hours, you’ll save money on your electric bill and conserve energy. 

To reduce energy use, save money and keep your cool when temperatures rise, try these simple energy tips: 

• Turn off and unplug nonessential lights and appliances.
• Close shades and blinds during the day to retain cool air and reduce heating through your windows.
• Cook with a microwave when possible.  Microwaves use 70 percent less energy than an electric or gas oven, and don’t heat up the house.
• Use ceiling fans or other fans when possible, but don’t leave them running when you’re away.
• Change air conditioning filters once a month.  A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool – wasting energy.
• Check to see that your fireplace damper is tightly closed. 

At energystar.gov, you’ll find a variety of tools and tips to help maximize your home’s energy efficiency.

Fayette Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit power provider.  That means our mission is to provide our members with the electricity they need to improve their quality of life – not turn a profit for investors.  An important part of that mission entails empowering members with the tools to manage their electricity usage.