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City Hall : Electric : Energy Savings : Seasonal Tips
May 15, 2008

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Did You Know?

  • Stillwater Electric Utility was honored recently in 2004 and again in 2006 as the most reliable electric service provider among Oklahoma municipal utilities of similar size. Stillwater’s average system availability index (ASAI) has been 99.98% or better during each of the last 4 years.
  • You can report a street light outage using our Assistance Request Systemor by calling 742-8230.
  • Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) - An energy saving alternative to standard (incandescent) light bulbs, CFLs use less wattage to give you the same lighting power as a larger wattage standard bulb.
  • Lightning kills nearly one hundred people every year in the United States and injures hundreds of others. When you first notice an upcoming storm, remember that lightning usually precedes rain. Go to the nearest building or car and stay inside until the storm has passed. Do not wait until the storm begins to take cover. Protect yourself and your family by moving to a safe place. Stay in the safe place until signs of lightning and thunder have been past for thirty minutes.
  • light poleThe light poles along Boomer Lake walking trail are now numbered to assist pedestrians when reporting non-working lights. Call 742-8230 or use the online Assistance Request System and note the pole number of the non-working trail light.
  • Stillwater’s community-owned utility is no longer known as ‘Stillwater Power’. We are simply the electric utility department of the City of Stillwater a.k.a. Stillwater Electric Utility. Our name and logo may have changed but we are the same group of dedicated employees providing the same great service our customers have come to expect.

Summer Savings

Also, check out http://www.energysavers.gov for more information on saving energy.

  1. Have an older home? If it was built before 1980, it is likely that it is not insulated well. Get new insulation installed.
  2. Sealing or weather striping any cracks or seams to the outside can save as much as 10% on your cooling costs.
  3. Consider repainting the house in a lighter color, this will help reflect more heat away.
  4. Install awnings on south and west facing windows, this will help block some of the suns rays.
  5. Also, make sure white blinds or drapes are installed on south and west facing windows. This will also help prevent the sun from heating the inside of your home.
  6. Don’t have lots of un-shaded rock or asphalt services on the south or west side of your home, they retain heat and will continue to radiate it into the evening, adding unnecessary heat to your home.
  7. If leaving your home for more than a few hours, set the thermostat 5-10 degrees higher, this will save on costs while you are away.
  8. Do NOT open your windows during the evening. Even though the air outside may be cooler, the relative humidity is higher. The air conditioner works to remove heat AND humidity. Opening your windows will let all that humidity back in and the air conditioner will have to work that much harder the next day.
  9. Make sure the area around the air conditioner unit is free of any obstructions on the outside and inside. Outdoors, look for grass and other plant debris. Indoors, check for drapes, rugs, toys etc… Anything blocking these will reduce the amount of cool air allowed to move freely.
  10. Check that any new windows or appliances you purchase are ENERGY STAR®-labeled compliant.
  11. The breeze created by a ceiling fan or portable fan typically makes you feel just as comfortable at a temperature 6° F warmer. Raising the thermostat 6° F can save 10% on your cooling bill.
  12. Turn off computer monitors and other appliances when not in use.
  13. Air dry dishes instead of using the heating element in your dishwasher.
  14. Try to feel cooler without actually making it cooler. Wear loose fitting clothing made of natural fibers instead of synthetics, they let air flow more easily and wick away moisture better.
  15. Old air conditioners are less efficient at cooling than new ones. If your air conditioner is very old, you may want to consider having it replaced. You will save in the long run on reduced cooling bills.
  16. Each degree that you raise the thermostat on your air conditioner typically saves 2% on your cooling bill. Energy experts recommend setting your thermostat at 78 degrees F or higher.

 
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