DON’T SWEAT YOUR ENERGY BILL

Warm weather do’s and don’ts to help save money

Temperatures are rising — but your summer energy bill doesn’t have to. We’ve prepared some energy saving do’s and don’ts so you can enjoy the nice weather and worry less about bill surprises.

Windows

DO invest in proper insulation and weatherstripping around your windows. In winter, properly insulated windows help keep the cold air out and the heat in. In summer, they work the other way, keeping the summer heat out and helping your place stay cool.

DON’T use dark-colored blinds and drapes. Lightcolored window shades and drapes help prevent heat gain during the day, while dark-colored blinds and curtains can hold heat and make it harder to cool your home.

Water heater

DO lower the temperature of your water heater in the summer months. Try setting your water heater to 120 degrees or less. This can help save energy and is also a safer setting to prevent scalding accidents.

DON’T leave your hot water running while brushing your teeth or shaving. Whenever possible, wash your clothes and dishes with cold water.

Air conditioning

DO schedule regular maintenance for your air conditioner or heat pump. Having your AC quit on you when it’s 100 degrees out is the worst! Get your system checked every year to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

DON’T leave your air conditioner running all day. Avoid wasting energy cooling an

Attention

empty house by installing a smart thermostat that can automatically adjust the temperature when you’re not home.

Fans

DO use fans to cool your home. A fan is a great way to help you stay cool, as it can lower the heat sensation in a room by as much as 6 degrees. That means you can turn up your thermostat by a few degrees and still fe el comfortable.

DON’T leave fans running when you’re not in the room. Turn off your fans when you exit the room. The same goes for lights and everything else that doesn’t need to be left on. Avoiding unnecessary loads is as easy as flipping a switch.

Appliances

DO wait until cooler hours to do your laundry, use your oven and run the dishwasher. If the weather allows, consider giving your dryer a break and hanging your clothes to air-dry outside.

DON’T run your washer, dryer or dishwasher without a full load. It is best to wait until your dishwasher, washing machine or dryer is full to avoid multiple loads during the day, and use cold water whenever possible.

Making small changes in your daily habits can add up to major energy savings. Try implementing some, or all, of these tips and spend your summer money on something else.

United HealthCare UCard holders!

We have received many questions from members who wish to use their UCard to pay their Pioneer Electric bills. Pioneer Electric’s payment processing system cannot accept the UCard for payments online, by phone or at our office. In addition, our system cannot accept MoneyGram payments. In order to use your UCard to pay your Pioneer Electric bill, you must call the UnitedHealthCare number listed on the back of the card. Pioneer Electric members can pay their bills with a credit card, debit card, check, money order or cash. Visit pioneerelectric.com/ my-account to learn more.

End-Use Survey

Pioneer Electric and our wholesale power supplier, PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, are conducting a survey about how our members use electricity. Your responses help us plan for future electricity needs.

Members who are randomly selected to participate in the survey will receive an email invitation to answer a few questions about their household energy use. Responses are kept completely confidential.

If you have questions about the survey, please contact us at 800-239-3092.