Customers in Dallas/Ft. Worth Could Have New Opportunity to Earn Money for Reducing Load
Medium and large commercial electric customers in the Dallas and Forth Worth areas may soon have a new opportunity to save money on their electric bill by curtailing load at the request of Oncor during peak times. Oncor currently runs a ” Commercial Load Management ” program which pays participants for each kilowatt (kW) of reduced load during curtailment events — which are times during which Oncor instructs participants to reduce, or curtail, load. Participation is currently capped at 50 megawatts (MW). Under the 2011 Commercial Load Management program, Oncor paid $20 per kW for unscheduled curtailments called by Oncor (which are called with one hour’s notice), as well as $10 per kW for scheduled curtailments during testing. Due to the generation capacity shortage expected in Texas energy this summer (which SaveOnEnergy.com has previously noted here ) Oncor has proposed to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) increasing the Commercial Load
Fall the Perfect Time for Texans to Shop for Lower Electric Rate
With Labor Day passing and the kids back to school, it’s time for Texans to check their energy rate , and see if they can be saving money by shopping for a lower electric rate from a competing retail energy provider on SaveOnEnergy.com . Although the heat continues to linger over much of Texas , temperatures have “moderated” into the 90s rather than the 100s, and the fall months are always a good time for Texans to check out competing electric prices in the market, now that the summer peak usage periods have ended. As air conditioning use will soon die down, there will be less demand for electricity, and that means prices will fall, as they generally tend to do in the “shoulder” months of the spring and the fall when less electricity is being used. No matter what kind of electricity product Texas customers are currently on, it’s
PECO Electric Rates to Soon Rise for Small Business and Residential Customers
Electric rates at PECO Electric in the Philadelphia area will rise starting October 1 for small business and residential customers who do not shop for a competing electric supplier . PECO has just posted an updated “Price to Compare” for the three-month period starting October 1. The Price to Compare is the electric rate that PECO charges for electric supply, which can be avoided if customers choose to buy their electric supply from a competing energy provider offering a lower rate. Starting October 1, the Price to Compare for small business customers and residential customers will increase, but customers can save money and avoid the rate hike by shopping for an alternative electric supplier with SaveOnEnergy.com . Specifically, for PECO Rate Class GS (General Service) customers with demands under 100 kW (small businesses), the electric Price to Compare will increase to 10.87 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), from the current rate
Phantom Energy, A Huge Waste of Electricity
Many gadgets, electronic devices and appliances in your home consume electricity even when they appear to be off. These devices contribute to the energy-wasting phenomenon called “phantom power,” or vampire energy. Simply put, this is the power that is used when electronic devices draw energy from the grid into your home just by being plugged in, when you aren’t looking and you aren’t using them. The most likely culprits are appliances that can be operated with a remote control, or have power clocks or timers with miscellaneous LED status lights. Common phantom energy wasters include TVs, microwave clocks, DVD displays, telephones, and computer peripherals. The vampire power is consumed by power supplies (the black cubes—sometimes called “wall warts”—converting AC into DC) which have two teeth (the plugs) and “suck” electricity all day and night. Phantom energy can account for about 10 percent of a residential home’s electricity use. It might
Energy Savings – Appliance and Electronic Efficiency
Could you imagine life without your refrigerator, washer or television? These appliances have become staples of the American home and we rely on these modern conveniences every day. Appliances and electronics comprise more than 20 percent of the energy you use. You can reduce this expense by starving yourself, washing clothes by hand, or reading a book by candlelight, or consider an easier alternative; using your appliances and electronics as wisely and efficiently as possible. Appliances Wash and dry only full loads of clothes. Use cold water instead of hot water, if possible, when washing clothes. Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load to improve the unit’s efficiency. Use dryer balls to lift and separate laundry items, allowing hot air to circulate more effectively and reduce drying time. Save the cleaning chores until after dark . Dishwashers, washers and dryers emit heat, raising the temperature in your
Stay Cool this Summer – AC Maintenance Tips
Temperatures are climbing and the hot weather is here to stay! The key to staying cool all summer long is a properly maintained air conditioning system. Proper air conditioning maintenance can not only help keep you cool during these hot summer months, it can also save you money. You should schedule and perform annual pre-season air conditioner maintenance. Your AC maintenance should include the following activities: Check air filters – You should check and change your filters on a monthly basis, if necessary. Dirty air filters will restrict air flow and can potentially damage your heating and cooling equipment. Adjust thermostat settings – As the seasons change, your indoor air temperature preferences will change too. Inspect and clean the condensate drain – A blockage here can increase indoor humidity levels, or worse, cause water damage. Clean evaporator and condensing coils – Dirty coils reduce energy efficiency and make your equipment
Beat the Heat
Summer temperatures are heating up. Hotter temperatures mean higher electric bills and heat related injuries. Protect yourself and your pockets with these tips to beat the heat, both indoors and out. Save Energy The largest cost for most of us during the summer is cooling our homes with the air conditioner. Keeping homes cool with temperatures reaching 100 degrees without breaking the bank can prove to be a difficult task. Doing the little things can make a big difference in energy savings. Set your thermostat at 78 degrees – When you’re not at home, turn it up to about 83 or 84 degrees. Install a programmable thermostat . Change the air filter according to your manufactures directions. A clean air filter will prevent your AC from having to work too hard. Only use ceiling fans to cool the room when you are in it. Turn it off when you leave
Prevent Home Electrical Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire departments across the nation responded to more than 480,500 home-structure fires in 2009. One of the main causes of residential fires was electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Of the home electrical fires during that period, 41 percent involved such equipment. Some culprits of those fires were: Wiring and related equipment Lamps, light fixtures and lightbulbs Cords and plugs Transformers and AC adapters Other potential electrical fire hazards include kitchen ranges, washers or dryers, fans and space heaters. Fires involving electrical distribution or lighting equipment caused about $709 million in direct damages according to the NFPA statistics. 72 percent of electrical-distribution or lighting-equipment fires happened because of electrical failure or malfunction. While electrical failure or malfunction can cause home-structure fires, there are some preventive measures you can take to limit your risk. Take the following measures to avoid electrical shock and fire
CFLs: Are They Worth It?
CFLs: Questions, concerns and answers about those curly, energy-efficient bulbs The incandescent light bulb has been the global standard for electric lighting for more than a century. But those days are numbered as more efficient lighting options become available and the federally mandated “lightbulb law” phases out the sale of incandescent bulbs by 2014. There are lots of concerns about the safety and expense of the most common alternate lighting technology- compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs) – which typically last longer than equivalent incandescent bulbs and use a fraction of the energy. Around 12 percent of home energy use is devoted to lighting and according to the U.S. Department of Energy, switching to CFLs can provide significant savings on your electric bill. Here are some common concerns about CFLs and some facts that may allay them: CFLs cost too much. The price of a CFL, which sold for $9 more than
Energy Saving Tips While on Vacation
Warmer weather means picnics, barbecues and summer vacations. If you’re heading out of town for summer vacation or even a weekend getaway, save a few dollars by taking some basic steps to save money and energy at home. From lighting to air conditioning, turning electronic equipment off or down can save energy and money. Your air conditioner doesn’t need to run while the home is vacant. Consider turning the air conditioner off, or at least adjust the thermostat to maximize savings. Set your programmable thermostat at a higher temperature to save money on what could be your largest single energy expense. Electronics with digital displays and standby power settings, such as digital clocks, TVs, DVD players, stereos and coffeemakers, should be unplugged to prevent phantom energy use. These electronic appliances even when turned off utilize a small amount of electricity. Phantom loads add up to a huge waste of electricity