The hot, humid dog-days of summer are here! High outside temperatures mixed with more time spent indoors stirs up a recipe for higher than average energy bills this August. Piedmont Electric wants to make sure that you and your family have all the resources you need to fight high energy bills. Here are four of our favorite high-tech ways you can save energy and money.
LOG INTO SMARTHUB
SmartHub is an online portal for understanding your Piedmont Electric account. From a simple dashboard you can take charge of basic tasks like viewing your bills, managing payments, reporting service issues and reviewing your energy usage. SmartHub allows you to view and monitor your energy usage so that you’re never surprised by an energy bill and can take steps to correct issues around your home that cause high bills. Visit pemc.smarthub.coop to login or activate your account today.
LED LIGHTING
While LED lighting has been around for years, some homeowners haven’t yet invested in these energy-efficient and money-saving bulbs. Traditional incandescent lights not only use more electricity than LED bulbs, but they generate heat in the room that your HVAC unit must cool down. Plus, with today’s LED bulb lasting an average of 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs, this new source of light is worth the investment.
SMART THERMOSTATS
Smart thermostats such as Nest and Ecobee have come a long way. These advanced thermostats monitor and note each time you change the temperature and can even use motion detectors to raise the A/C or turn down the heat while you’re away. Over time, the thermostat will learn your preferences and automatically adjust temperatures to provide the most energy-efficient heating and cooling for your family.
WATER HEATER TIMERS
Many water heaters use electricity to keep water heated 24/7 even though most people only use hot water at certain times of day. Installing a timer on your water heater can reduce the amount of time spent heating water. Since your water heater is insulated, the water will stay hot even if the unit is not continuously heating the water. You can save energy and money without sacrificing comfort!
If you’re interested in adding new technology to your home’s energy-saving strategy, Piedmont Electric can help! Our knowledgeable representatives can help you make the best decisions for your family. Call 800.222.3107 for more information.