One of the best things about summer is the abundance of fresh, homegrown food. It’s remarkable how just a few seeds and some water can turn into a bounty. Similarly, with just a few simple actions, you can save energy and reap the financial rewards. One particularly effective tool for energy-saving is a smart thermostat. With a smart thermostat, you can help your co-op fight rising expenses and do your part in keeping power costs low for everyone.
Summer months bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. Cooling your home accounts for a large portion of your monthly energy use. The hotter it gets, the harder your air conditioner works to maintain a comfortable temperature. A smart thermostat can make a significant difference by learning a household’s schedule and adjusting temperatures accordingly, ensuring that the cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to combat outside temperatures. It can be programmed to raise the temperature when no one is home and cool down before anyone returns, maximizing savings without sacrificing comfort.
Plus, your co-op will reward you! As participants in York Electric’s Smart Thermostat Program, members are credited with $100 the 1st year and $50 the 2nd year, and each year going forward, when they allow YEC to adjust their thermostat during at least 60% of local control events at peak times in the year.
Those savings can add up fast! Members can sign up for this program by purchasing an ecobee smart thermostat at a discounted rate from York Electric, or by bringing their own qualifying smart thermostat and registering it with the co-op.
Join YEC in fighting the summer heat and keeping monthly bills down this season. Learn more about how you can control your power bill and sign up for our Smart Thermostat Program online.
Five Ways to Save this Summer
When summer temperatures rise, so do our energy bills. Here are a few ways you can reduce energy use and grow your summer savings.
- Raise your thermostat. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temp, the more you’ll save.
- Install window coverings like blinds or light-blocking curtains to prevent indoor heat gain during the day.
- Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping around windows and exterior doors. Air leaks force your air conditioner to work harder and run longer than necessary.
- Run ceiling fans for additional cooling but turn them off when you leave the room.
- Lower your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees to reduce standby heat loss.