- Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees to save on heating costs.
- Dress properly by wearing warmer clothing.
- Replace your return air filter at least once a month. Households with pets that shed may need to replace more often.
- Have your heater or furnace serviced to insure that it is operating properly.
- Check weather-stripping and thresholds on doors and windows and replace or repair when necessary.
- Caulk around plumbing and wires holes from the attic, and around socket and switch outlets, vent-a-hoods, recessed light fixtures, washer/dryer and bath vents to reduce air infiltration.
- Check your central unit's duct system for leaks and repair with mastic or duct tape.
- Check the R-value of your attic insulation and consider installing additional insulation where needed. Attic insulation levels of R-30 (around 10 inches) are recommended.
- Open blinds and shades during sunny days to take advantage of the sun's natural heat. Close them on overcast days to hold in heat.
- Set your water heater's temperature at 120 degrees. (Electric water heaters require that both elements be reset - unplug first!)
- Fix leaky faucets and toilets. A hot water leak can waste both energy and water.
- Insulate water heater feeder pipes with pipe insulation.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
- Planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the northern and western sides of your home provide a natural winter block.
Energy Conservation and Rebates
Your Energy Conservation staff is committed to serving College Station Utilities customers by providing professional energy conservation services to College Station Utilities electric customers.
Pat McIntyre Energy Coordinator 979-764-6343 |
Ethan Falcon Energy Programs Advisor 979-764-6274 |
Energy Conservation staff also provide free, personalized commercial and residential on-site energy surveys to evaluate and pinpoint energy conservation measures particular to the customer's location and patterns suggesting methods to reduce utility costs. Staff also maintain a library of literature and information on a variety of energy-related topics and new technologies.
Through the Connected Thermostat Program, College Station Utilities will offer a $30 rebate to residential customers who purchase an eligible thermostat.
The Good Cents New Home Program is designed to assist builders and homebuyers in building more energy efficient homes with lower utility bills.
The Energy Back II Rebate Program provides rebates for residential customers replacing central air conditioning systems in existing residences with higher efficiency models.
The Residential LED Lighting Program encourages the replacement of incandescent lighting with higher efficiency light emitting diode lamps (LEDs) and will credit residential electric customers' accounts $2 per LED purchased up to a maximum rebate of $20 per customer within any 12-month period.
Energy Conservation staff also provide free, personalized commercial and residential on-site energy surveys to evaluate and pinpoint energy conservation measures particular to the customer's location and patterns suggesting methods to reduce utility costs. Staff also maintain a library of literature and information on a variety of energy-related topics and new technologies.
Energy Conservation Tips