One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of fresh, homegrown food. It’s amazing how just a few seeds and water can turn into a bounty.
When I think about saving energy, I think about that bounty and how, with a few simple actions, you can use less electricity and reap the rewards. And with the new rate structure we’re implementing this month, the soil is fertile for a bumper crop of savings.
You don’t need to be a farmer to know that plants need water—just like you don’t have to be an engineer to know that adjusting the thermostat can reduce your monthly electric bill. In fact, if you read South Carolina Living regularly and follow us on Facebook, you know you can make changes at home to save electricity and money.
Summer months bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. Cooling your home accounts for a large portion of your monthly energy use and your peak demand. The hotter it gets, the harder your air conditioner works to keep you cool. Raising your thermostat means that your cooling system doesn’t have to work as hard to combat outside temperatures. Running your ceiling fans can aid in the effort; just make sure you turn them off when you leave the room.
It also helps to keep the summer heat out. Block the sun’s rays from coming through your windows with curtains and blinds and seal leaks around doors and windows with caulk and weatherstripping.
Broad River Electric Cooperative is locally owned by you, our members. So instead of making profits, we can focus on helping our community. That’s why we’ve developed these incentives and programs to help you grow your energy savings.
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR USE
Use SmartHub to track your energy use. Find your daily use by selecting the “Usage” tab at the bottom of the home page when you open the app. Learn more about SmartHub and how it can help.
AVOID PEAK HOURS
With the new rate structure that goes into effect this month, members can save money by shifting high energy use to off-peak hours. For instance, drying laundry or running the dishwasher before or after the summer peak hours period of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. can yield significant savings on your bill. For more savings opportunities, visit our new rate page.
WAYS TO PAY
If you’re having a difficult time paying the higher bills that come with increased energy use in the summer, contact us to learn about our Budget Billing program, which provides predictable monthly bills based on a member’s previous 12-month average usage.
Most people don’t know everything about electricity, and that’s why we’re available to help you. There are no investors making profits here. Just knowledgeable, local people making sure electricity is available when you need it.
Contact us at (866) 687-2667, and we can work with you to find more ways to take control of your bill to save both energy and money.
President & CEO