Displaying items by tag: low rates

During the summer electricity rates tend to skyrocket, but saving money shouldn't be as difficult.

Joey Estrada, with Lochridge Priest, shares some tips on what you should do before the temperatures get too high.

“Have a technician come out, check the refrigerate levels, check your system to make sure it’s running. Make sure your fan motor is running the way it should be,” Estrada says.

Estrada says you want to have a technician come in to take a look at your A/C unit to make sure everything is operating the right way.

“First thing you want to check [is] the filter. Make sure you’re keeping a clean filter. That helps the airflow get through as best as possible,” says Estrada.

Grid operators called for decreased electricity usage as several power grids went offline due to rising heat in Texas

According to the current grid conditions on the Electric Reliability Council of Texas website, Texans no longer need to cut back on their electricity use to avoid stressing the electrical grid.

After a week, consumers may return to normal usage of electricity that stressed the grid — and Texans’ anxieties. The ERCOT website said: “There is enough power for current demand,” and an ERCOT spokesperson confirmed the power conservation notice expired at 7 p.m. Friday.

Temperatures are rising! In order to protect yourself from rising electricity prices, follow these easy tips to help keep you and your wallet cool.

1. FAN YOURSELF

Buying stand, box or ceiling fans is a small investment that can reduce your energy costs. Using fans to help cool your home means you can raise the thermostat setting by 4 degrees without reducing your comfort level. Just remember to turn off the fans when you’re not in the room. They aren’t intended to cool the space — just the people in the space, via the wind, chill effect.