Beat the Heat

MVEA Programs Save Energy and Money

As the days grow longer and the temperatures soar, it’s the perfect time to share Mountain View Electric Association programs to help members beat the summer heat and manage their electric use.

When outdoor temperatures climb, our electricity use increases. That’s because our air conditioners are running longer and more often to counteract sweltering outdoor temperatures. 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 MVEA we want to help you get ahead of the summer heat to keep your home cool while preventing a surprising bill this summer. As a not-for-profit electric co-op, in addition to helping co-op members save energy, if we can work together to shift enough heavy energy use away from the peak demand times of 5–9 p.m., we can reduce the summer peak power supply costs that affect every MVEA member.

Let’s take a look at some resources to help you save energy and money — not only during the warmth of summer, but throughout the year.

1. MVEA’s Time-of-Day Rate: Can you shift your electric use away from MVEA’s peak demand time of 5–9 p.m.? MVEA’s Time-of-Day Rate offers a cost-saving solution to members who can shift their electric use to off-peak, lower rate periods. Learn more about this cost-saving rate at www.mvea.coop/rates.
2. On-Bill Repayment Upgrades & Energy Efficiency Rebates: We encourage members to take a closer look at MVEA’s On-Bill Repayment (OBR) and Energy Efficiency Rebate programs. Both are made possible through a partnership with our power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, and help MVEA members make meaningful upgrades to save energy and money. Learn more about these programs at www.mvea.coop/save-energy-money.
3. SmartHub Account Management: Online account management through SmartHub is a great tool to help you monitor your electric use. With daily and hourly energy reads available, you can pinpoint high energy use times so you can avoid them in the future. Visit www.mvea.coop/payment-options to learn more.
4. MVEA’s Website: Explore MVEA’s “Save Energy & Money” website section. Many members find the Energy Resource Center tools to be particularly helpful in identifying high energy use sources in their home. Get started at www.mvea.coop/save-energy-money.

While these are great programs 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. We are here to help.

Quick Tips to Manage Your Summertime Electric Use — Beat the Heat

1. Program your thermostat: Setting your thermostat to 78°F in the summer can save you up to 10% in energy costs each year. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your energy use will be.
2. Install window coverings: Blinds or light-blocking curtains help prevent indoor heat gain during the day.
3. Seal leaks with caulk and weatherstripping: Air leaks around windows and exterior doors force your air conditioner to work harder and run longer than necessary.
4. Do full loads of laundry and wash with cold water: Using warm water instead of hot can cut a load’s energy use in half. Using cold water saves even more.
5. Turn off fans when you leave a room: Fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect. They use energy without any benefit in an empty room.

Information Source: The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ruth Marks is the General Manager of Mountain View Electric Association. MVEA’s mission is to provide our members safe, reliable, affordable, and responsible electric service and access to broadband services.