Save Your Energy

As cold weather settles in, so can home heat loss and higher energy bills. JCREMC’s energy advising program and efficiency upgrades incentives are here to give our members access to the information and tools you need to minimize winter’s impact on your wallets.

According to JCREMC Energy Advisor Shane Neher, there are a number of simple and cost-effective (or free) improvements you can make to increase your home’s energy efficiency and lower your monthly heating costs.

First on the list: Call a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning professional for an annual check of your home’s system.

“If it has been a while since you had a tune-up on your HVAC system, now is a good time to call a professional technician to go over your equipment,” Neher said. “Tune-ups, proper maintenance, and changing air filters increases your system’s efficiency and will prolong its lifespan.”

Another cost-effective way to improve efficiency is through a thermostat upgrade. Swapping your manual thermostat for one that’s programmable allows you to set comfort profiles and take advantage of JCREMC’s Time-of-Use rates structure that offers lower rates during off-peak times.

Neher notes that newer thermostats also have WiFi capability that allows you to control them through your phone, making it easier than ever to set a schedule and better control temperature settings.

You can also save on winter energy costs by lowering your water heater temperatures.

“Most of the time, water heater temperatures are set too high from installation,” Neher said. “Try setting yours lower and see if that works for your household.

And maybe the simplest tip of all: Open your curtains on south- and west-facing windows. Letting the warm sunshine in helps reduce heating costs.

Neher also offers some suggestions for those who want to invest in more in-depth solutions that can have long-term benefits for energy efficiency.

“Windows and doors are a common place for air leaks, which can lead to higher heating costs,” he said. “Sealing up those air leaks, as well as any around your duct work, will greatly reduce heat loss. Insulation is another area where most homes could use improvement. Adding insulation to the attic, basement, and exterior walls can help with energy bills.”

JCREMC offers a variety of rebates and incentives to members to help offset the costs of energy-efficient equipment in new construction homes and upgrades to existing homes.

Rebates are available for heat-pump and geothermal HVAC systems, heat-pump mini-split ductless systems, heat pump water heaters, attic insulation, duct sealing, WiFi-enabled smart thermostats, and variable speed pool pumps.

This benefit of membership is offered to help JCREMC electric consumers use energy more efficiently and lower monthly electric bills. Details, specifications, and a list of qualifying equipment are available at jcremc.com/rebates.

Neher also is available for free energy advising consultations and in-home energy audits. He can be reached at 317-736-6174 or nehers@jcremc.com.

Optional Rate Offers More Ways to Save

JCREMC offers an optional Time-of-Use rate structure that can help save money for members who can shift their electricity use to off-peak times.

With Time-of-Use, the cost of electricity varies by season and time of day. JCREMC members who sign up for this rate can help lower electric bills by running major appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and electric dryers during off-peak times. See the full schedule of on-peak, off-peak, and super off-peak rates at jcremc.com/single-phase-time-of-use.

Using a programmable thermostat can help you schedule electricity use based on the lowest rates. JCREMC members who participate in Time-of-Use can receive a $75 rebate to upgrade a manual thermostat to a WiFi-enabled programmable thermostat. Learn more at jcremc.com/rebates.

For more information about JCREMC’s rates options, visit jcremc.com/residential-rates. To sign up for Time-of-Use, call Customer Service at 317-736-6174.

Fall 2020 – Download the PDF version.