LCEC – Lee County Electric Cooperative

Managing Energy Costs

The top two energy culprits in the home are air conditioning/heating costs and water heating. Appliance use (refrigerators, stove tops, televisions, etc.) also contribute significantly. Cutting energy usage and costs doesn’t have to involve major lifestyle changes or buying a pricey new appliance or technology. You can save money every month by simply adopting a few simple habits.

-Pay your bill in full and on time to avoid late fees and deposit charges.
With busy schedules, it can be easy to forget to write that check, log on to a website or make a phone call every month. Visit the payment options page at www.lcec.net to see all the easy, time saving payment options that are available to you FREE of charge!
-Turn off ceiling fans, lights and electronics when no one is in the room.
Ceiling fans work by making you feel cooler, but they don’t actually change the temperature of your home or give your air conditioner a boost.
-Maintain your air conditioning system.
Clean or replace the filters in your air conditioner once a month or as needed, and have your unit serviced every year.
-Set your air conditioner thermostat to 78°F.
Every degree lower is an 8 percent increase to your cooling costs.
-Keep your water heater thermostat no higher than 120°F.
-Run your dishwasher with a full load
A full load in the dish washer is more energy efficient than hand washing. Do full loads of laundry as well.
-Give the oven a break.
Ovens add extra heat into your home. This can be especially pricey during summer when your air conditioner is already working overtime. When possible, use a microwave instead.
-Teach children to conserve.
Instilling good habits can pay off.

For more energy-saving tips and payment option information, visit www.lcec.net.