We are Here To Help You Save
While reflecting on the various festivities celebrated “in person” these past few months, I can’t help but pause on the many sacrifices our country has experienced over the years. I’ve decided the Fourth of July is a celebration of resilience. Having a son on active duty, return home from an 8-month deployment puts things in a little more perspective for me this year, and as life returns to normal in our country, let’s not forget the sacrifices so many have made for the freedoms we enjoy today. In the words of John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Rio Grande Electric Co-op is here for you, and given the challenging times we’ve all experienced the last few months, I’d like to share some information and ideas to help you save energy and money.
Summer is a great time to conduct an energy audit of your home and identify ways to boost energy efficiency. Understanding how your home uses energy can help you determine the best ways to modify energy use and keep more money in your wallet.
An energy audit is one of the best ways to determine how energy efficient your home is––an audit can also identify areas for potential energy savings. RGEC offers home energy audits for those who have concerns about their energy usage, or you may consider engaging a qualified energy auditor in our local area. Be sure to hire a professional who will conduct a thorough audit of your home. If you’d prefer to do an energy audit yourself, try HOME ENERGY SAVER™ online audit. Visit ENERGY STAR Website, then enter your zip code to get started. You can also access the energy audit tool from the Rio Grande website. Just select the “Energy” tab at the top of the page, and select “Energy Efficiency” from the drop-down menu, then select “Energy Audit.” But keep in mind, an online audit won’t be as thorough as an in-home audit.
Shifting to off-peak periods
Electric rates based on time of use offer RGEC members the ability to lower their electricity costs without reducing the amount of electricity used. By performing some of your daily chores, such as running the dishwasher or doing laundry during off-peak hours (when people are using less electricity), you can see meaningful savings on your energy bills. Use your programmable thermostat to adjust the settings so that your heating and air conditioning systems sync with the off-peak rate periods. Use automatic timers to run hot tubs, pool pumps, water heaters, and other appliances in the same way. Be sure to program the timers to coincide with the less expensive off-peak times. Rio Grande’s peak rate is in effect only on weekdays, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. (Central), May-September.
As your trusted energy advisor, Rio Grande Electric Cooperative is here to help. If you have questions about your bill or additional ways to save energy, please let us know. RGEC is only one click or phone call away. I hope you and your family enjoy a Happy and Healthy Fourth of July. God bless America!
For outages/emergencies, call RGEC 24/7 at (800) 749-1509
Theresa Quiroz