10 proven ways to trim your household energy costs while enduring the sizzling Texas summer

By Patrick McIntyre, CSU Energy Coordinator

With the 100-degree days expected this weekend and beyond, households are using substantially more electricity. Here are 10 ways you can trim your electric costs.

1. An essential step is raising your thermostat setting. Only two degrees above the usual setting can cut your cooling costs by five percent. 
2. In occupied rooms, use ceiling fans rather than air conditioning as much as possible. Fans use about as much energy as a typical light bulb.
3. Turn off lights, fans, and electronics when a room is unoccupied.
4. Replace incandescent and CFL lighting with low-wattage LEDs, which use 50-90 percent less energy.
5. Do your laundry in the evening or at night when temperatures are cooler.
6. Use cold water to wash your clothes.
7. Run your dishwasher only when you have a full load.
8. Check your air conditioning filter and replace it frequently. Dirty filters can increase costs by about 20 percent.
9. Consider a Wi-Fi programmable thermostat, which allows precise control of your cooling system.
10. Take advantage of our Energy Back II, Residential LED Lighting, and Connected Thermostat rebates.

We can also help you discover problem areas in your home and find solutions through an energy audit.

For more information on how to reduce your electricity costs, contact me at pmcintyre@cstx.gov or 979-764-6343. For billing questions, contact Utility Customer Service at 979-764-3535. 

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