The sun is shining, the kids are out of school and your bags are almost packed. A few minutes of prep before you walk out the door, plus a couple of free sign-ups from Piedmont Electric Cooperative, can keep money in your pocket while you’re away.
Close the Blinds and Curtains
Before you head out, do a quick walkthrough and close every blind, shade and curtain. Two birds, one stone: prying eyes stay out, keep the summer sun from heating your house. Your A/C will cycle less, and the house will be in better shape to cool back down when you return.
Unplug the “Energy Vampires”
Lots of devices keep sipping power even when they’re off; coffee makers, gaming consoles and even cable boxes. Unplug what doesn’t need to stay on while you’re away, and keep the fridge, security system and Wi-Fi router going.
Turn Off (or Time) Your Lights
Even efficient LEDs waste energy when no one’s home to see them. Flip them all off on your way out the door. If you want a couple on for security, put them on a timer or a smart plug so they look lived-in without running 24/7.
Keep an Eye on Things with SmartHub
SmartHub has you covered. Through the SmartHub app or website you can:
- Check your daily energy use to confirm your home is sipping (not gulping) power
- Receive mid-cycle alerts that predict where your bill is heading for the month
- Get usage warning alerts by phone or email if we spot an unusual spike, which could be the first sign of a malfunctioning A/C, water heater or well pump while you’re away from home
Download SmartHub from the App Store or Google Play, or log in at pemc.smarthub.coop. It’s free for all members.
Want to Save All Summer, Not Just on Vacation?
A vacation checklist is a great start, but your co-op has a handful of programs that can pay you to save year-round:
- Smart Thermostat Savings Program: If you install a Nest thermostat, you can receive a $100 rebate plus a $5 bill credit each month from June through September, for letting us adjust the temperature in you home a few degrees on the hottest afternoons. You can override the adjustment up to four times if needed.
- Time-of-Day Rate: Shift energy use away from the summer on-peak window from 2-6 p.m. weekdays, April 16 through Oct. 15, and pay just 6¢ per kWh off-peak. The average member who switches saves over $10 a month.
- Residential Demand Rate: Spread out when you run big appliances and earn a lower energy rate. Vacation is the easiest “no big spikes” week of the year.
- Rebates for Energy Upgrades: Replacing an old system this summer? You may qualify for up to $600 on a new heat pump, $200 on a new A/C system, $100 on a heat pump water heater and $100 for attic insulation or duct sealing.
- State Rebates Too: Energy Saver North Carolina helps improve comfort and lower utility bills with rebates for energy efficiency and electrification upgrades. Visit energysavernc.org to learn more or apply today.
Take a few minutes before your next trip to explore these programs at pemc.coop/smart-energy. Your future self (and your future power bills) will thank you.