Jeff Hymas from Rocky Mountain Power talks about being Wattsmart
If it seems like everything we do today requires electricity, that’s because it’s true. Today we use electricity more than ever. In fact, the average Utah household uses about 26 percent more electricity today than they did two decades ago.
Consequently it is more important today than it has ever been to take steps to reduce the amount of energy we use. The great thing is you can reduce consumption and still enjoy all of today’s conveniences – often at very little to no cost.
At Rocky Mountain Power we call that being “wattsmart.” And we try to help customers become wattsmart in any way we can – by providing education and in many cases offer customers incentives.
What’s a low-cost way to start saving now?
A great way to save energy is by using power strips for your major electronics, like computers, televisions and other devices. Many people don’t realize that these electronics use energy even when they’re not turned on or in use – and by plugging them into a power strip, you can switch the strip to “off” when you’re not using the computer or watching television. This prevents this “vampire” energy loss. And it’s a very inexpensive way to make a big difference.
What about air conditioning?
In the summertime, air conditioning is the single biggest consumer of energy in a home – requiring about 30 percent of your total monthly electricity use. So, it’s important that your AC unit be energy efficient and in good condition in order to perform its best. One of the easiest ways to ensure this is to have a qualified contractor perform a tune up on your air conditioner.
Keeping your air conditioner in good working order helps reduce the amount of electricity it needs to keep your house cool, saving you money on your electricity bill. Plus, a well-managed system also means a more comfortable home for you and your family.
And if you use a Program Qualified Contractor for the tune up, Rocky Mountain Power will give you $100 cash back. It’s one of the best and most cost-effective ways to start saving energy now.
However, if you’re AC unit is getting old, purchasing a new, energy-efficient unit may be the way to really decrease your long-term cooling costs. And, Rocky Mountain Power’s Cool Cash Incentive program can help decrease your costs even more by providing cash back on the purchase of high-efficiency cooling evaporative and central air conditioning systems. Our website at wattsmart.com can provide more details on what units qualify and how to take advantage of this incentive.
We also have incentives for ENERGY STAR room air conditioners ($30) and ceiling fans ($20)
Next up: Reducing energy use in the kitchen.
The kitchen is a big place where energy and cost savings can come together. Rocky Mountain Power’s wattsmart incentives can provide homeowners with real cash savings throughout the kitchen.
But of course, the big kahuna in kitchens is the refrigerator. In most households, the refrigerator consumes more energy than any other kitchen appliance. When you buy an ENERGY STAR qualified refrigerator you can use up to 20 percent less energy than with a conventional model.
Rocky Mountain Power’s “see ya later, refrigerator” program will help you recycle your old fridge or freezer – and you can earn $20 cash back on qualifying new refrigerators.
>All of Rocky Mountain Power’s wattsmart programs and incentives are detailed on our website: www.wattsmart.com.
And for daily tips, Facebook users should look for our wattsmart page on Facebook.
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