In Texas, the weather drives most of our electricity use. You’ll use less when it's mild outside, but even a few warm or cold days can increase it. These tips will help you know where you can adjust and save.
Tips & Tools
A/C & Electric Heat
Most of your electricity use goes toward cooling and heating your home. Milder temps can help your A/C or heater run less, so you can save more.
- On warmer days, raising your thermostat as high as comfortable and running your ceiling fans counterclockwise will help reduce your usage.
- When temperatures drop, lower your thermostat and adjust your ceiling fan to run clockwise. This helps push warm air down, keeping you comfy and using less energy.1
- Change your air filters regularly, especially if you have pets.
Water Heater
Heating water for showers, dishes and laundry may use more energy than you think. In fact, it’s the next largest energy expense after cooling and heating your home.1
- If you have access to your water heater, set it to 120°. Some manufacturers set it at 140°.
- Save water and energy by taking shorter showers.
- Washing clothes in cold water can cut your washer’s energy usage in half.1
Home Basics
If you’ve already adjusted your thermostat, a few additional changes can help increase your home’s energy efficiency even further.
- Use LED bulbs. They’re 75% more efficient and brighter than other bulbs.
- If you have electronics that draw a lot of power, you can plug them into a power strip and shut the strip off when they’re not in use.
- Sealing leaks and adding insulation can help prevent warm or cold air from escaping your home and save energy, especially during the hottest and coldest times of the year.
Weekly Usage Report
Your personalized report gives you a quick rundown of your recent energy use and compares it to previous weeks. This helps you spot trends and make adjustments to save energy and money. Look for it in your email every Tuesday.
1 Energy.gov