Energy saving programs offered to customers across New Mexico
(Albuquerque, N.M.) – As outside temperatures climb so do the opportunities to save money on electric bills. The demand for electricity is at its highest during the summer with so many people turning on their air conditioners to cool their home. Families can expect to see that higher electricity usage reflected in their summer bills; therefore, PNM is offering some practical tips on how to save electricity and money as the hottest time of the year quickly approaches.
Cooling the home:
1) Cooling adds up to about 50 percent of your electric bill in the summer. Set your thermostat as high as comfort permits. Save two to four percent on electricity for every degree higher the thermostat is set. Consider using a programmable thermostat to automatically have it do the work for you.
2) Draw blinds and curtains during the day, so the sun is not heating up the house, making the cooler kick on unnecessarily.
3) When using refrigerated air conditioning, keep doors and windows closed to keep the cool air in.
4) When using evaporative (swamp) coolers, crack some windows. The more humid the air in the house is, the less effective the evaporative cooler will be. Keeping a few windows cracked lets dry air in and damp air out. An inch or two of air space should be enough to create an effective cross breeze.
5) Use ceiling fans to help circulate the air. In the summer, they should be turning counterclockwise so air pushes downward, making the home feel cooler. Turn off fans when house is empty.
6) Turn off air conditioners and open windows whenever possible to allow outside air to cool your home.
7) Avoid using heat-generated appliances during the hottest part of the day like stoves, ovens, dishwashers, and laundry washers and dryers.
8) Make sure your air filters are changed and annual tune-ups are done for maximum efficiency
If you get a new cooling unit for your home this year, make sure to get your PNM rebate. Up to $300 in rebates are available for some evaporative (swamp) coolers and up to $400 for some refrigerated air units.
PNM also offers energy saving programs to help people save money on electric bills:
- The PNM Online Home Energy Analyzer is an easy way to get useful energy information about the home. It is an online analysis tool that gives free advice on ways to save and presents available rebates after the online assessment.
- The PNM Refrigerator Recycling Program gives customers $50 for their old working refrigerator or freezer. PNM picks up the old unit for free, pays customers for letting PNM recycle it, the old inefficient unit stays off the power grid and out of the landfill, and customers save by not operating an inefficient unit. When it comes time to replace that refrigerator or freezer, make sure to get an energy efficient unit and the PNM rebate that comes with it.
- The PNM Power Saver Program is a for customers with refrigerated air. The voluntary program helps relieve the strain on the power grid on some summer days when the demand for electricity soars. Customers are paid for their participation in the program.
To find more tips and programs that help save energy and money on electric bills, visit PNM.com/save.