Monday | June 19, 2023
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With the extreme heat Texas has experienced and record demand, energy conservation has become a topic of conversation. Energy conservation is the decision and practice of using less energy. Turning off the lights when you leave the room, unplugging appliances when they’re not in use, and raising your thermostat are all examples of energy conservation. The two main reasons people conserve energy are to gain more control over their energy bill and reduce the demand on the electric grid. Energy conservation can help save energy and money throughout the year. When consumers respond to ERCOT requests to reduce energy demand during certain hours, it helps grid reliability.

As the grid operator for most of Texas, ERCOT works every day to make sure there is enough electricity available for consumer needs. Comparing usage from previous years, expected weather conditions, and the growth in electric demand predicted for the upcoming seasons helps them plan to have enough power to go around. Their goal is to maintain the electric grid’s reliability by making sure power generation is always equal to consumption while keeping a power reserve margin to cover higher demand occasions—like the hottest days of summer.

Summer is a season of elevated electricity consumption in Texas. Higher temperatures and people being home more usually mean increased usage. Additionally, the hottest part of the day, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., is when most of the family is home, appliances and electronics are in use, and the temperature on the AC gets lowered. The demand for power usually peaks during this time frame. Sometimes the demand for electricity may be very close to the amount of generation available, either because consumers are using a lot of electricity or because some power plants are not able to provide enough power. On those days, ERCOT may issue a conservation alert.

If it becomes likely that statewide power consumption may equal or exceed the energy being generated and delivered, ERCOT may begin issuing EEAs to request that the public conserve electricity to help increase the reserve margin and, in extreme cases, help avoid the possibility of rotating outages. ERCOT has recently launched the Texas Advisory and Notification System (TXANS) to provide greater transparency on grid conditions. This new tool includes the ERCOT Weather Watch, which is an earlier notification of forecasted significant weather and high energy demand. Visit ERCOT’s website for more information and to sign up for TXANS notifications. In the event ERCOT issues EEAs, NEC Co-op Energy will do its best to notify the public and its members through social media posts and our website.

Nueces Electric Cooperative realizes that energy conservation is a conscious choice that members make to minimize their energy usage. We, at NEC, appreciate our members’ understanding and cooperation during these hot summer months. We strive to keep our members updated and educated on ways to conserve energy, when to conserve energy, and the reasons why we are requesting energy conservation. Together, we can beat this heat and keep our costs down. Below are some helpful tips to conserve energy in your home or commercial business.

 

Residences

HOT WEATHER

  • Use ceiling fans and portable fans to circulate the cool air

  • Close blinds and/or curtains on windows that receive direct sunlight

  • Shade air conditioning units or condensers located outdoors, if possible

  • Install patio covers, awnings, and solar window screens to shade your home from the sun, i.e., shade south and west windows with plants or trees to block the heat during the summer

COLD WEATHER

  • Cover windows with insulated curtains

  • Set ceiling fans on reverse to re-circulate the heat that builds up near the ceilings

  • Open blinds, drapes, or shades during the day (if sun is shining) to warm your home

 

Commercial Business

  • Turn off any office equipment not in use

  • Enable power management settings on all computers, i.e., use sleep mode and turn off screens when not in use

  • Plug electronics such as coffeemakers and microwaves into power strips and switch off when space is vacant

  • Turn off computers, printers/copiers, and other office equipment, including power strips, when space is vacant

    • Hot weather additional energy-saving tip: Close window screens/blinds that receive direct sunlight

    • Cold weather additional energy-saving tip: Open window screens/blinds during the day (if sun is shining) to warm space

 

General Energy-Saving Tips

LIGHTING

  • Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs

  • Ensure bulbs do not exceed the recommended wattage indicated on the light socket (i.e., one larger wattage bulb is more efficient than two smaller wattage bulbs)

ELECTRIC WATER HEATERS

  • Repair leaking faucets. Warm-water leaks should be given immediate attention because they can raise your electric consumption rapidly

  • Drain your hot water tank regularly to remove sediment

  • Consider a tankless water heater; they are 35-45 percent more efficient, pay for themselves in 3-5 years, and never run out of hot water

  • Wrap the hot water heater in an insulation blanket

  • Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater. For each 10 degrees of reduction, you can save 3-5 percent in energy costs. 120°F is suggested unless your dishwasher does not have its own water heater, in which case 130°F - 140°F is suggested for optimal cleaning

HEATING, VENTILATION AND AIR CONDITIONING (HVAC)

  • Set thermostats 2 to 3 degrees higher, from 3pm - 7:00 p.m.; set programmable thermostats to higher temperatures when no one is home. The optimum energy-saving temperature is 78 degrees.

  • Replace furnace filters once a month (or as needed) with a MERV 11 rating or higher

  • Ensure that your HVAC system is properly sized for your home

  • Hire a professional to inspect your HVAC system

  • Have your duct system checked for air leaks and proper insulation

  • Consider installing a "whole house fan" to improve circulation and ventilation throughout your home

  • Do not use humidifiers or evaporator ("swamp") coolers with the air conditioner

  • Close vents in unused rooms

APPLIANCES

  • Use the air-dry option on your dishwasher if available or open the door after the final rinse cycle to dry the dishes

  • Only run dishwashers and clothes washers when fully loaded

  • When drying clothes, do not overfill the dryer and use the automatic setting if available. Dry loads back-to-back if possible.

Remember to clean the lint filter between loads

  • Consult Energy Star for Energy Star-labeled appliances

  • Except for refrigerators and freezers that keep food cold, unplug all electronic devices, chargers, and appliances when they are not being used. They can still use a large amount of energy even when they are in the "Off" or "Power Save Mode". Consider plugging these devices into power strips with an on-off switch.

  • Ensure that the clothes dryer's outside air vent is well-sealed

  • Keep the condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator and freezer clean.

ADDITIONAL TIPS

  • Do not leave bathroom or kitchen ventilation fans running longer than necessary (they replace inside air with outside air)

  • Improve your roof by installing light-colored, durable materials and by adding insulation

  • Install weather stripping, and seal cracks around windows, exterior doors, and other openings

  • Set pool pumps to run early morning or overnight 

 

For additional energy conservation resources visit:

 

For additional ERCOT information visit:

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