Conserve energy and still keep cool this summer
Colorado summers are typically hot and it can be challenging to keep cool, so when Xcel Energy implemented their two-tiered billing on June 1 – it got my attention. The utility company is encouraging its customers to conserve when the demand for energy is higher and costs more.
Under the new billing structure I’m billed at a rate of 4.6 cents/kWh on the first 500 kWh and 9 cents/kWh on any usage over 500. That’s a 96% rate increase in the second tier. Knowing I haven’t received a substantial raise this year, it forced me to take a more efficient approach to keeping my home comfortable without breaking my piggy bank.
"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land."
Aldo Leopold
The good news – I saved energy!
Even though the average daily temperature from July ’10 and July ’09 was the same, my natural gas usage was down 10% and my electric was down 13%.
The not so good news – I paid more!
When I do the math it appears that I’m paying about 3% more this year than last year, and I’m keeping my home about three degrees warmer.
The Pollyanna view – what if I hadn’t conserved energy?
What if I didn’t execute some simple energy conservation methods? I’ve heard horror stories about other people’s energy bills being significantly higher because of this two-tiered system. I guess I should be grateful that I’m only sitting on a bill 3% more than last year.
Energy Conservation Tips
I have this down to a science. My family thinks I’m nuts but it’s become a game to me. I do my best to keep the house cool and pay as little as possible for air conditioning. I’m one of these people who are bothered by air conditioning anyway, so when a conservationist suggested I raise the trigger temperature of my air conditioning unit to 78 degrees F, I didn’t balk. I just did it. I also implemented some simple practices which saved energy and kept me comfortable last month.
Window and Air Conditioning Variation:
1. Leave windows open at night
If you don’t have allergy restrictions and security isn’t an issue, sleep with the windows open in your home, particularly on the second floor. I usually leave my screened security door open on the main level of my house and all the windows on the second floor open. The temperature drops in the home significantly over night.
2. Close windows early in the morning
When I wake in the morning my home is usually 65-70 F. I close the windows early, keeping in the cool temperature and suppressing the rising temperatures.
3. Close blinds
I draw the blinds and window coverings on the side of the house that is exposed to direct sun. Throughout the day I open and close them to allow only natural indirect light into the house while obstructing direct light in.
4. Air Conditioning
I set my central air conditioning on 78 degrees and most days it doesn’t trigger until about 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon. In fact there are days it doesn’t trigger at all.
5. Fans
I activate the central fan in the morning which takes the cool air from my basement and distributes it throughout the house. Likewise, the warmer air upstairs is drawn to the basement.
I also use ceiling fans or direct fans in the rooms I occupy. Fans don’t lower the temperature of the room - they only cool the individual. If I leave a room, there is nobody there to cool so I turn the fan off.
6. Open the windows
Resist from opening the windows in the evening prematurely. Get yourself a good outside thermometer, and watch it. When the temperature has fallen just below your inside temperature, cut the central fan, and open your windows. When I retire for the evening I secure my main level and leave the windows open on my second level.
Other Tips:
- Refrain from cooking on the stove or in the oven, use a microwave or outside gas grill when possible
- Use dishwasher at night rather than the day
- When laundering clothes, hang clothes to dry, run them through a brief de-wrinkle cycle in the dryer
- Turn off lights and computers when not in use
- Clean you’re air filter regularly
- Regularly tune and clean your air conditioner
I hope these tips offer some simple ways for you to conserve energy this summer. Feel free to let me know if you have other tips to offer or if you’d like to share your experience regarding Xcel Energy’s new tiered energy rates.
Tags: Xcel Energy, conservation, energy conservation, Colorado, two-tiered billing, conservation tips
