Seasonal Energy Savings
The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s a time to slow down, express gratitude, and spend time with friends and family. At MEC, we know this time of year can also come with added costs and higher energy use – from extra time spent at home to the added cost of keeping our decorations twinkling. As we prepare to deck the halls and gather with loved ones, I encourage you to plan ahead to create a comfortable, yet energy-smart holiday.
Every Penny Counts
There are many simple ways to save when it comes to energy-use around the holidays. It may seem trivial, but each adjustment you make adds up. Below is a quick checklist of ways you can keep your energy use “under-wraps” this month:
• When selecting holiday lights, always choose LED lights. They use up to 80% less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs.
• When possible, use timers for outdoor lights to ensure they turn off automatically during the day.
• To conserve energy, check that your furnace filter is clean and your thermostat is set between 68–70°F when you’re home. You can lower the temperature by a few degrees when you’re away or sleeping.
• When baking multiple dishes, try using the oven back-to-back to take advantage of residual heat.
• Remember that chargers and decorations with power adapters draw power even when not in use.
Energy Rebates & Audits
Aside from minor holiday adjustments, it’s important to remember that we offer year-round ways to save. Residential members can take advantage of energy efficiency rebates for ENERGY STAR washers and dryers, heat pump water heaters, and high-efficiency heat pumps. Additionally, the Cooperative offers complimentary energy audits and pre-inspection for insulation and window rebates. Income-qualified members may be eligible for additional rebates. Please contact DanR@meccoop.com for details on this program, and to see if you qualify.
Similarly to residential members, commercial members are also eligible for energy savings. MEC’s commercial members can take advantage of lighting audits. Adjustments to commercial lighting can lead to significant savings for local business owners.
Reduce Your Peak
Our crews work year-round to keep your power reliable – through winter storms, busy holidays, and everything in between. You can help too by using energy efficiently, especially during times of high demand, also referred to as peak demand. A peak happens when electricity demand reaches its highest point – usually in the morning or evening when many members are using power at once. Because electricity must be produced the moment it’s needed, meeting these peaks can require additional, costlier resources, which are more challenging to predict and manage. Think of rush hour traffic. During rush hour, more cars are on the road, causing congestion. To avoid it, you may travel at a quieter time. Similarly, when a rush of members use electricity at the same time – like mornings before work or evenings after work – it creates a peak in demand (think road congestion).
To avoid the peak, try doing laundry mid-day, running the dishwasher later in the evening, or adjusting your thermostat outside peak hours. MEC’s peak hours occur Monday through Friday from 7–10 a.m. and 6–9 p.m., excluding weekends and major federal holidays. By shifting your energy use to off-peak times, you help MEC reduce demand charges from our wholesale power provider, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which ultimately helps lower costs for everyone.
As we look for ways to cut costs and use energy wisely throughout the year, the holiday season offers a perfect opportunity to put those habits into practice. With a few thoughtful adjustments, you can stay cozy, celebrate without worry, and keep your energy bills in check.
From all of us at MEC, we wish you a safe, warm, and joyful holiday season!
