As the days grow longer and temperatures climb, it’s a great time to think about how our energy use shifts during the summer months. When the heat sets in, air conditioners work harder to keep our homes comfortable, and our electricity use increases. Factor in that we all tend to use electricity at the same time — in the morning and early evenings — and that equals a lot of strain on our electric grid. At Mountain View Electric Association, we are committed to helping our members manage energy use and avoid surprises on their monthly bill.
As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, we don’t answer to shareholders — we answer to our members. That means providing reliable service along with practical tools and resources to help you make informed decisions. This month, let’s take a look at resources that make it easier to monitor electric use and become more energy efficient — not just in the summer, but all year long.
SMARTHUB® ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT
Online account management through SmartHub is a great tool to help you monitor your electric use. With daily and hourly energy use information available, you can pinpoint energy use spikes so you can avoid them in the future.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY RESOURCES
With options like smart thermostats, insulation, and HVAC upgrades, MVEA offers rebates and financing options to make energy-saving improvements more accessible. These programs help lower energy use while improving comfort in your home.
ENERGY RESOURCE CENTER
Our website is full of tools to help you better understand your home’s energy use. From calculators to efficiency tips, the Energy Resource Center can help you identify opportunities to save.
NEW RESIDENTIAL RATE OPTIONS
Beginning in July, MVEA will introduce three new residential rate options designed to give members more control over their electric bill and the choice to select an option that fits their lifestyle. These new rate options more accurately reflect the real cost of providing reliable electric service — including rising infrastructure and transmission costs — while helping reduce the need for larger rate increases in the future. We anticipate offering an education and enrollment period before the new rate options go live later this year. Look for more information in July.
While summer energy use can increase, the good news is that you have more tools than ever to manage it. While we have many resources to help co-op members save energy and money, if you have specific questions about your energy use, the best resource is MVEA’s team of Member Services Representatives. Please don’t hesitate to call (800) 388-9881. To explore more ways to save energy and money, visit www.mvea.coop/energy-resource-center.
Ruth Marks is the CEO of Mountain View Electric Association, a electric distribution cooperative based in Falcon, Colorado.
