Tips to Save on Your Everyday Electric Usage




Due to the demand from Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative members having various issues with their electric bill being higher than anticipated or expected, here are some small tips and tricks that could help reduce your electric and fossil fuel footprint on the world. These could also help save money in the process.

We have 2 peak months in the winter and summer that usage spikes leading to electric bills going way up in overall price and sometimes price per kWh. These small changes could help detour those increases through our direct action.  

1. Keeping the thermostat at 76 to 78 degrees will save the most money when heating/cooling a home or place of business.

2. If you have a lamp or light fixture that has a place for 4 lightbulbs, only place lightbulbs in 2 spots, which decreases your usage of that electric source by 50% with that one change.

3. If you use a fan regularly, set on the slowest speed possible for less electric usage.

4. Use motion sensor lights outside vs. lights that stay on all night.

5. When purchasing a new appliance, look for the energy star label.

6. Heating and Air Conditioner maintenance (examples are cleanings and regular filter changes).

7. Use a power strip/surge protector to utilize turning several appliances that are not in use off at the same time.

8. Clean out the lint trap between your dryer and the outside for the most efficient airflow.

9. Hang clothes out to dry vs. using the dryer during the days that have optimum weather.

10. Remove the dishwasher and hand wash dishes to save on not only electric, but water as well.

11. A timer for the hot water heater to keep the tank from having to keep water hot when not in use.

12. Make sure the coils at the back of the refrigerator are clean from any debris.

13. Open windows on days that the temperature is comfortable.

14. Let the sunshine in vs. turning lights on. (In the summer time, this might add to the electric bill if the sun shines directly into the windows causing heat to come inside the home)

15. If you have a chimney that you are not using, close the vent and cover the front open area to keep warm air inside the house from escaping through the exposed area.

16. There are many ways to cut down on the cost of wasted electric by doing some of the following in the kitchen. Keep the door to the oven closed as much as possible and avoid frequent opening to check. Use a medium heat vs. a high heat on the stovetop and use similar pan size to the coil size for the stove. Also, if it is in the winter and you are cooking with the oven, turn the thermostat down and use the residual heat from the stove to warm the kitchen area while it cools down from being turned off.

17. Ensure all windows and doors have enough padding between the openings to keep air from escaping to the outside.

18. Close all vents and doors to rooms that are not being occupied that do not need heat or A/C.

19. Using Electric blankets and extra clothing coverage vs. turning thermostat up will help save a few dollars.

20. If you are able to purchase solar powered anything, the upfront cost may be a bit high, but the long run is where this purchase will play a factor.

21. Ensure efficient insulation based on the type of home you have.

22. If you are in a deregulated area that companies like Oncor services, participate in PowerToChoose.Org to ensure you are getting the very best rate available to you in the current market. (Always read the fine print in the Electricity Facts Label sheet or the EFL)

These are only small changes and I am sure there are much more that could be added to this list. I am confident that every small change that each of us participate in, helps not only our own home, but also our overall footprint we are making in this world.

If you are not in a deregulated service area and have any complaints towards Trinity Valley Electric Cooperative, please find the FB page Unification of TVEC members at https://www.facebook.com/groups/FightAgainstTVEC/

If any Cedar Creek Lake citizens have any tips they would like added, please let us know! 




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Sunny

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Cedar Creek Lake

Fishing Report from TPWD (Mar. 27)

EXCELLENT. Stained; 64 degrees; 0.21 feet above pool. The hybrid striped bass and white bass have made a full recovery from the spawn and are now back in the main lake in droves and are on a feeding frenzy. Look for heavy bird activity throughout the lake on flats and near the dam on edges of drop offs especially on cloudy and overcast days. The bite will continue to get even better in these areas as the shad spawn will start to take place in the next 2-3 weeks across the lake. Slowly retrieve shiny slabs or spinnerbaits off the bottom to catch these fish in depths of 17-26 feet of water. The crappie have also migrated back into the main lake. Look for them under bridge pylons or under docks where the depths are between 3-10 feet. Guides have been reporting exceptionally nice catches on sunny warmer days. Report by Brent Herbeck, Herbeck’s Lonestar Fishing Guide Service. Report by Brent Herbeck, Herbeck’s Lonestar Fishing Guide Service.

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