The triple digit temperatures that we have been experiencing in August will likely impact upcoming utility bills for most energy consumers, including members of Fayette Electric Cooperative (FEC). To help avoid higher-than-normal summer energy bills, 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. 

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. 

Longer term projects to save you money:

• Add insulation in your attic.  The greatest energy savings are achieved by adding attic insulation. 
• Seal air leaks.  One of the quickest dollar-saving tasks you can do is caulk, seal and weatherstrip all seams, cracks and openings to the outside to keep cool air in during the summer. 

Fayette EC members can also use a free application called SmartHub on the cooperative’s website to monitor their usage and compare the high temperatures to their daily usage. To get started, click here.

The free SmartHub app can be downloaded by FEC members on their mobile devices including smartphones, android devices and tablets. SmartHub provides convenient account management and detailed hourly, daily and monthly usage information. Using the SmartHub application will help FEC members understand how the triple digit temperatures impacted their energy consumption before the utility bill arrives. 

Fayette Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit electric 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 a shareholder. An important part of that mission entails empowering our members with the tools to manage their electricity usage.