Energy Services Blog

Why did I use more than last year at this time? Hasn’t it been warmer this year?

These are questions we get a lot this time of year.  Often, after some investigation, we find the answers together.

For example: to answer “Why did I use more than last year at this time? Hasn’t it been warmer this year?

Guess what? This past December hasn’t been warmer than last year.  We think it has, myself included, but here are the average December temperatures for the last three years:

Dec 2009   37 deg
Dec 2010   43 deg
Dec 2011   40 deg

Here’s another example:  “How did I use so much electricity last month?”
Check out the blog post from December 14^th.  ( IT’S ALL ABOUT HEATING NOW ) If you heat with electricity, like I do, your bill has gone up 3 or 4 times since the summer.   That’s how it is if I don’t want to wear a parka indoors!

What are some other culprits that cause our homes to use more electricity this time of year?
1. Not using window coverings. Windows are like holes in the wall.  If you cover them, less of the heat ($$) from the room will go out the window.
2. Attic access doors which are not sealed and insulated. Heat ($$) rises right out the roof if you let it.
3. Emergency heat strip settings on thermostats. Did it accidently get left on? You should never put your heat pump in that mode unless your heat pump is not keeping the house warm. Heat strips will consume about 3 times as much electricity as the heat pump alone. This is different than the auxiliary heat mode which comes on usually when the temperature falls below 35 deg.
4. Close the fireplace damper tightly when you are not using it. It’s just like an open window!
5. Lighting. It’s dark outside and our lights are on longer. Did you know CFL bulbs  use one quarter the energy of incandescent bulbs but provide the same amount of light?
6. Hot Tubs. No explanation needed.

Always remember we are here for you. Now that OPALCO has completed the rollout of digital Automated Meter Reading meters, our Member Services team can review your daily consumption trends with you to try to pinpoint your heating and other high consumption sources. Also, reads can now be pulled just a few days before billing.  This means billing periods may not be consistent year over year for comparison.  Always remember to pay close attention to the reading dates and “Days Served” on your bill when comparing historical consumption.  See Understanding Your OPALCO Bill for a visual explanation of you bill.

Our Energy Services Department can help you with a more in depth investigation of your home. Consider a Home Snap Shot Energy Assessment by one of our Building Performance contractors.

Over the summer I figured out that my home’s base load electricity usage was around 17kWh per day.

I gave the definition of “electricity base load” as the amount of electricity used in providing routine needs for your household, such as operating everyday appliances and electronics including the water heater. The base load usage does not include the seasonal load of heating.

The official start of winter is only a few days away, but I turned on my heating system October 3^rd, and my electricity usage has gone steadily up as the temperatures have gone down.

How much electricity is it taking to heat my 1600sf house?  Of course there are many variables to consider including the inside temperature setting and whether or not I have the wood stove burning.

On average, since I turned the heat on October 3rd, my usage has gone up to 57 kWh per day from the 17 kWh per day in the summer. That’s over three times as much.  Now in December the average is 71 kWh per day and that’s 4 times as much.  When I have the wood stove burning in the evenings the usage goes down between 10 kWh and 15 kWh per day.

How does this translate to my OPALCO bill?  Easily, it’s gone up and it’s gone up in proportion to how much electricity I’m using to heat my home. Yes, that means 3 to 4 times as much as the summer bill! Oh, and don’t forget, some of the usage is due to more lighting on these dark evenings.  It’s just a few more days until the shortest day of the year.

Ho, Ho, Ho Hum – Welcome to winter!

If all decorative light strings sold in America this year were ENERGY STAR qualified, we would save over 700 million kWh of electricity per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from about 100,000 cars! Many ENERGY STAR qualified decorative light strings feature LED technology. What is an LED?

• Light emitting diodes, or LEDs, are small light sources that are illuminated by the movement of electrons through a semiconductor material.
• LEDs are exceptionally energy efficient when producing individual colors, many using up to 90% less energy than an incandescent bulb to produce the same amount of light.
• For example, the amount of electricity consumed by just one 7-watt incandescent bulb could power 140 LEDs — enough to light two 24-foot (7.3-meter) strings.

Watch this short video with Kermit, Bunsen and Beaker to learn about holiday light safety.

Fall is in full swing – this morning felt like the coldest of the season so far. Use these easy tips to conserve energy as the weather cools down.

1. Unblock heating vents. Make sure heating vents aren’t blocked by furniture or drapes, and the dampers are open. Vacuum out dust and pet hair from warm air registers and cold air return so your furnace runs more efficiently.

2. Check the water heater. If its surface is hot – or even warm – some of the energy used to heat the water is being wasted. Wrap the heater in an insulating blanket. Be sure to check the user manual and labels on the tank first.

3. Clean the chimney. Fall is the best time to clean the chimney and get vent systems checked. Pipes must be properly connected and there should be no signs of rust or damage.

4. Seal leaks around doors, windows and electrical outlets. Heat from the home escapes out of these cracks. Sealing these leaks can save on your heating bill.

Want a professional contractor to assess your home energy efficiency? Call 376-3586 to schedule a Home Snapshot Energy Assessment today!

Heating is the greatest electrical expense for most OPALCO members. A programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering pre-programmed settings to regulate your home’s temperature – when you are home, asleep, or away. Learn what to look for and how to use a programmable thermostat.

• The pre-programmed settings that come with programmable thermostats are intended to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort. Depending on your family’s schedule, you can see significant savings by sticking with those settings or adjust them as appropriate for your family.
• The key is to establish a program that automatically reduces heating in your home when you don’t need as much.
• And, don’t forget to change your air filter/s regularly!

Learn more at EnergyStar.

Everything you do, no matter how small can add up to big savings on your electric bill each month. With the new TogetherWeSave.com smart phone app – you can receive a “tip of the day” reminder of ways to save energy and money around your home. Yes, there’s an app for that, too. By doing a little you can actually save a lot. Available now for the following devices: iPhone Droid Blackberry