Simmer on Ideas for
Summer Savings
JUNE MARKS THE beginning of Texas’ highest electricity consumption season, with average daily usage peaking between 3 and 8 p.m. That spike is driven by air conditioning demand during hot weather and evening appliance use for chores like cooking and laundry.
If you start to feel the heat on your electric bill this summer, take time to do AC system maintenance and change some habits to save money.
Hamilton County Electric Cooperative is committed to helping our members use energy wisely while keeping homes comfortable year-round.
In summer, when your AC is working its hardest, it’s still not too late to perform needed maintenance.
Checkups conducted by a licensed professional can help ensure your system is running efficiently, safely and reliably. A well-maintained AC unit uses less energy, lasts longer and helps prevent costly breakdowns when you need it most.
If you’re looking for a simple place to start saving, look no further than ceiling fans. Fans don’t actually cool or heat the air, but they help you feel more comfortable by moving it.
During warmer months, make sure ceiling fan blades are set to rotate counterclockwise. This creates a downward breeze that makes you feel cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat a few degrees without sacrificing comfort. In cooler months, reverse the direction of fan blades to create an updraft that pushes warm air down from the ceiling without creating a breeze.
Adjusting your thermostat just a few degrees can make a difference on your energy bill. As summer continues, try setting it slightly higher. Even a 2- or 3-degree adjustment can noticeably reduce energy use while still keeping your home comfortable - especially when combined with ceiling fans or open windows on those rare mild, pleasant days.
Hot water use is another area where simple habits matter. Taking shorter showers reduces the amount of energy needed to heat water, which makes up a significant portion of most energy bills. Cutting just a few minutes off each shower adds up to savings.
Finally, the time of day you use energy makes a difference. When you run major appliances during off-peak hours (when energy demand is lower), you can help your cooperative take advantage of lower, off-peak wholesale power rates. That helps keep everyone’s rates lower and helps reduce pressure on the electric grid—a win-win!
HCEC is here to help every season, every step of the way. We offer energy-saving programs and resources designed to help you lower energy use for your home or business and manage costs.
If you have questions or want to learn more about energy efficiency offerings and programs, visit hamiltonelectric.coop.