Texas Electric Cooperatives, Inc.

ELECTRIC NOTES

SAVE MORE BY KNOWING THE ENERGY FACTS

MYTH: Raising your thermostat when no one is home doesn’t save money because your system has to work hard when you get home to cool the house.

FACT: Depending on the climate where you live and the efficiency of your home, including levels of insulation, you should be able to raise your thermostat several degrees for eight hours a day. That will reduce the number of times your cooling system needs to cycle on during the day—and that saves significant energy. It’s true that when you come home and turn down your thermostat, your system will run for a longer period of time to get your home to its optimal temperature. But you’ll still have saved more energy (and money) over the eight hours your system worked less intensely.

RECOMMENDATION: Install a programmable thermostat that will remember to turn the thermostat up and down based on your schedule, so you never have to remember. This can save you about $100 each year.

MYTH: Tightening up ductwork doesn’t save energy because the ducts are located inside the house; any air that leaks out will leak into the house anyway.

FACT: In homes that have a forced air system, sealing leaky ducts will put the conditioned air where you want it, making you feel more comfortable quickly when the system kicks in. Sealing ductwork also will balance the system so it operates more efficiently and safely. Fixing ductwork problems pays multiple dividends.

RECOMMENDATION: When sealing ductwork in places that are accessible, using mastic (a gooey gray substance that is put on ductwork joints with a paintbrush) rather than duct tape is your best bet. Duct tape often starts to come off within a year, while mastic will do the job for several years.

TURN OUT THE LIGHTS WITHOUT MAKING A MOVE

Tired of reminding the kids to turn the lights out? Install motion-activated light switches, and you’ll never have totell them again.

Using a tiny motion sensor, the switches detect when someone enters a room and they turn the lights on. When motion stops, they switch the lights off.

The switches are easy to install on your own by removing your existing switch and faceplate and disconnecting the wires. Reconnect the wires to the motion-activated switch, screw it back into the wall and reattach the faceplate.

Of course, you should shut the electricity off at the breaker before installing the switch.

These switches cost as little as $20, depending on their features and how far away they detect motion.

For rooms that you use most often during the day, install a motion-sensor switch that also detects daylight. It will switch the light on only when there is motion and the room is too dark.

HONEST FOLKS DON’T MESS WITH METERS

Unfortunately, however, not everyone is honest. Meter tampering is illegal. And, it can be quite dangerous because of the risk of exposure to high voltage. When a person “steals” electricity, the thief is stealing from fellow utility consumers, neighbors and other customers who ultimately pay for the “stolen” electricity.

Seals on meters serve the same purpose as locks on doors—they prevent unauthorized entry. Even though meter seals and connections are checked periodically, you can help your electric cooperative by spreading the word that breaking a meter seal is illegal and dangerous.

The thief and co-op personnel can be injured—or even killed—because of a meter that’s been altered.

If you notice a meter that’s been tampered with, please contact us immediately. Not only will you help lower the overall cost of electricity, you could save a life.

KEEP COOL AND TRIM COSTS THIS SUMMER

By James Dulley

Dear James: I want to try to use less energy this summer. I know I will have to use my air conditioner less, but I like it comfortably cool in my house. What things can I do to make me feel cooler with less air conditioning? —Linda L.

Dear Linda: Using a central air conditioner or heat pump during summer can significantly increase your utility bills. In today’s economic climate, everyone is trying to reduce their housing budget in every way possible. Using less air conditioning, especially during the hottest summer weekday afternoons, can save you money on electric bills while helping your electric cooperative reduce peak demand. This helps hold down future rate increases because less investment will be needed for additional electric generating plants.

It is not too difficult or uncomfortable to get by with much less summer air conditioning. After all, up until just a couple of generations ago residential air conditioning did not even exist—and we have all survived. I recall when I was a child, we had a window fan and a floor fan for a family of four. It got a little warm and we perspired, but we just accepted that in the summer, one perspires.

But summers don’t have to be all about perspiration these days. There are four good methods to keep comfortable without air conditioning: bringing in cooler outdoor air when possible; increasing the air velocity inside your house; minimizing the indoor humidity level; and blocking heat transmission into your house. Using all of these methods or a combination of a few can make a significant improvement.

Installing a whole-house fan accomplishes two of these methods. At night, it typically brings in cooler air and exhausts the hot air from your house. A large whole-house fan can also create quite a pleasant breeze throughout your home. A typical unit uses just a small fraction of the electricity a central air conditioner does.

Increasing the velocity of the indoor air can make a room feel 5 to 10 degrees cooler than still air at the same temperature. This is the theory behind using ceiling fans. They use very little electricity and they can create a comforting effect.

During summer, set the ceiling fan blade rotation so it blows the air downward (turning counter-clockwise as you look up) and run it on medium or high speed for the most comfort. During winter, reverse the blade rotation so the air blows upward (turning clockwise as you look up) and run it on low speed. This will gently move the warm air at the ceiling out to the walls and down. Since it is on low speed, it will not create a draft that could feel chilly during winter.

If you plan to rely on natural ventilation through windows to use no electricity, casement windows work best. When the sash projects out from the house, it tends to catch and direct the natural breezes into your house more than vertical or horizontal slider windows.

If you do have sliders, all is not lost. Fully open the windows on the downwind side of your house. There usually is a slight lower pressure on this side so some air will be drawn from your house. Open the windows just a bit less on the windward side. This creates a faster air flow in through these partially open windows, making you more comfortable if you sit near them.

Need a few more quick tips for keeping things cool?

• Run your kitchen and bathroom vent fans whenever you are cooking or bathing to remove the moisture.

• Use the summer weather as an excuse to grill outside more often and reduce the cooking heat in your kitchen.

• Make sure the clothes dryer vent duct is not leaking and allowing hot, humid air to stay indoors.

• Block heat from entering your windows and glass doors with awnings and window film.

• Install reflective foil under the attic rafters to block radiant heat from a hot roof.

• And make sure you have adequate attic ventilation and that insulation is not blocking soffit vents.

By following some of these steps, you’ll be saving money while keeping cool in no time.