TEXAS — Energy companies around the state are urging customers to conserve energy when they can.
That’s why phone calls are going out from energy companies across the state encouraging folks to take measures to save energy, especially during these hot months.
CPS Energy, which services the San Antonio area, sent out voicemails recently challenging its customers to see if they could use less energy than their neighbors, while even sending out a progress note of sorts to let them know where they stand in comparison.
It’s not just CPS Energy in San Antonio. Over in Austin, officials with Austin Energy are also urging folks to do what they can to cut back on energy usage during the summer. Their initiative is called the Power Partner Program. It rewards you for helping stabilize the Texas power grid and reducing costs.
“The Power Partner Program is based on those extremely hot days where there is a certain price point. We purchase energy on the ERCOT market, and if we can reduce the amount that we have to buy, it saves everybody money. You get incentivized both by bills savings and lower costs overall. It’s kind of a win-win for our community and for the utility too, because we don’t have to buy as much energy from the ERCOT market,” said Matt Mitchell, a public information officer for Austin Energy.
He urged customers to be mindful of when they’re using major appliances.
For example, if you’re using your oven at 3 p.m., you’re using energy for the oven as well as using energy to cool down your house because your oven is on. The same thing goes for your washer and dryer. Try not to use your appliances during the heat of the day.