DENTON CITIZEN CONNECTION · As the summer temperatures go up, so can your electric bill. The...
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As we move into the heat of a Texas summer, it is important to remember to conserve energy and make the best use of the important resources we all depend on to keep us cool and comfortable. This edition of the Citizen Connection is filled with tips and best practices to help you do just that! CITIZEN CONNECTION JULY 2019 CITY OF DENTON Summer heat got you hibernating indoors? Here are a few tips to help reduce your energy consumption and costs throughout the season: • Get your air conditioning system (HVAC) tuned up. These units works most efficiently when they are properly pressurized and void of any leaks. Consider having an HVAC technician out for seasonal maintenance. Also, remember to change your air filters regularly. • Cool wisely. A programmable or “smart” thermostat will help to keep your home cooler. These devices often come equipped with pre-set “eco modes” to take all the guess work out of energy efficiency. Ceiling fans also help keep you cool and comfortable allowing you to keep the thermostat at a higher temperature setting. • Use cool lights for a cooler house. LED light bulbs save money by using less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. They also emit significantly less heat in the process, reducing air-conditioning loads. • Insulate and seal leaks. Air sealing around windows and doorways can make a big difference during the summer. Walk around and take note of areas in your home where you can either see daylight through cracks or feel the heat seeping indoors. Then go down to your favorite hardware store and purchase some DIY insulation materials for a cheap and simple fix. The City offers free residential and small business energy audits for Denton Municipal Electric customers. A certified energy auditor will utilize diagnostic tools, including a blower door test and thermal imaging camera, to identify and prioritize energy-saving opportunities. You must be a Denton home or businesses owner with a Denton Municipal Electric Account in order to qualify. To sign up for an Energy Audit, visit www.sustainabledenton.com. TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, INCLUDING AUDITS Are you continually finding new projects around the house that need your attention? At some point, those projects are undoubtedly going to involve energy efficiency improvements. Whether it’s replacing an old HVAC unit, upgrading to a new set of windows, or just adding insulation to your attic, there’s a program that you should be aware of in Denton—the GreenSense Incentive Program. Denton Municipal Electric offers a variety of rebates to customers in good standing who perform qualifying energy efficiency improvements to their home or small business. Projects must meet certain “high-efficiency” standards to qualify, but many types of projects are included: • HVAC systems (up to $400) • Smart thermostats (up to $50) • Attic insulation (up to $400) • Air duct repairs (up to $200) • Radiant barrier (up to $300) • Solar screens (up to $200) • Windows (up to $500) • DIY weatherization materials (up to $50) The GreenSense Incentive Program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis with a budget being approved by City Council each fiscal year. Funds are still available for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Program details, including eligible equipment and rebate amounts, are listed in the Program Manual at www.sustainabledenton.com. SAVE MONEY ON YOUR UTILITY BILL WITH GREENSENSE ENERGY REBATES
Transcript of DENTON CITIZEN CONNECTION · As the summer temperatures go up, so can your electric bill. The...
As we move into the heat of a Texas summer, it is important to remember to conserve energy and make the best use of the important resources we all depend on to keep us cool and comfortable. This edition of the Citizen Connection is filled with tips and best practices to help you do just that!
CITIZEN CONNECTIONJULY 2019
CITY OF DENTON
Summer heat got you hibernating indoors? Here are a few tips to help reduce your energy consumption and costs throughout the season:
• Get your air conditioning system (HVAC) tuned up. These units works most efficiently when they are properly pressurized and void of any leaks. Consider having an HVAC technician out for seasonal maintenance. Also, remember to change your air filters regularly.
• Cool wisely. A programmable or “smart” thermostat will help to keep your home cooler. These devices often come equipped with pre-set “eco modes” to take all the guess work out of energy efficiency. Ceiling fans also help keep you cool and comfortable allowing you to keep the thermostat at a higher temperature setting.
• Use cool lights for a cooler house. LED light bulbs save money by using less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. They also emit significantly less heat in the process, reducing air-conditioning loads.
• Insulate and seal leaks. Air sealing around windows and doorways can make a big difference during the summer. Walk around and take note of areas in your home where you can either see daylight through cracks or feel the heat seeping indoors. Then go down to your favorite hardware store and purchase some DIY insulation materials for a cheap and simple fix.
The City offers free residential and small business energy audits for Denton Municipal Electric customers. A certified energy auditor will utilize diagnostic tools, including a blower door test and thermal imaging camera, to identify and prioritize energy-saving opportunities. You must be a Denton home or businesses owner with a Denton Municipal Electric Account in order to qualify. To sign up for an Energy Audit, visit www.sustainabledenton.com.
TIPS FOR SAVING ENERGY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, INCLUDING AUDITS
Are you continually finding new projects around the house that need your attention? At some point, those projects are undoubtedly going to involve energy efficiency improvements. Whether it’s replacing an old HVAC unit, upgrading to a new set of windows, or just adding insulation to your attic, there’s a program that you should be aware of in Denton—the GreenSense Incentive Program.
Denton Municipal Electric offers a variety of rebates to customers in good standing who perform qualifying energy efficiency improvements to their home or small business. Projects must meet certain “high-efficiency” standards to qualify, but many types of projects are included:
• HVAC systems (up to $400) • Smart thermostats (up to $50)• Attic insulation (up to $400)• Air duct repairs (up to $200)• Radiant barrier (up to $300)• Solar screens (up to $200)• Windows (up to $500)• DIY weatherization materials (up to $50)
The GreenSense Incentive Program is offered on a first-come, first-served basis with a budget being approved by City Council each fiscal year. Funds are still available for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Program details, including eligible equipment and rebate amounts, are listed in the Program Manual at www.sustainabledenton.com.
SAVE MONEY ON YOUR UTILITY BILL WITH GREENSENSE ENERGY REBATES
A publication of the City of Denton Department of Public Affairs
ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
Questions about the Citizen Connection? Call (940) 349-8171.
As the summer temperatures go up, so can your
electric bill. The following tips can help you save
energy, water, and money, while still being
comfortable this summer:
• Replace incandescent lightbulbs with energy
efficient bulbs such as Light Emitting Diode
(LEDs), especially in “high use” fixtures or lamps.
• Avoid leaving the faucet running while
brushing your teeth or doing dishes.
• Only run the dishwasher with full loads and
“heated dry” turned off. Let dishes air dry.
• Wash full laundry loads and use cold water. Heating hot water accounts for about
90 percent of the energy your machine uses
to wash clothes.
• Set your water heater temperature to
120 degrees Fahrenheit, if you have an in-unit
water heater.
• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher
in the summer, and 68 degrees or lower in the
CONSERVATION TIPS FOR DENTON RESIDENTSwinter. Ceiling fans also help keep you
comfortable at higher thermostat settings.
Install a programmable thermostat to
automatically adjust your home’s
temperature when you’re away or sleeping.
• Reduce “phantom” electric loads with
power strips. Some electronics and
appliances continue to use energy when
plugged in. “Smart” power strips are available
for electronics, to separate devices that can
be shut off when not in use from those that
need to stay on.
• If an item is recyclable, recycle it! If you
are currently renting a home or live in an
apartment complex that does not have
residential recycling pick up, visit
www.dentonrecycles.com to find the
closest recycling drop-off location.
For more information on how to conserve,
visit www.sustainabledenton.com.
Acres of diverse landscape, including prairies, forests, wetlands, creeks, rivers,and seven hiking trails, totaling more than five miles, with free entrance
Free and open to the public
Free workshops and volunteer opportunitiesConnect with Nature
Produced by PCO, 6/2017 • ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD: (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to more than 25 million Texas customers and works every day to make sure there is enough electricity available to meet the needs of consumers.
With above-normal growth in electric demand and temperatures expected to be on the high side of normal, ERCOT anticipates record-high electric use this summer that may result in electrical shortages and higher energy prices. Denton Municipal Electric customers can help make a difference by voluntarily conserving energy and reducing the demand on the electric system between the hours of 2 and 7 p.m. on weekdays, Monday through Friday.
For up-to-date notifications from Denton Municipal Electric, follow @dmepower on Twitter. For additional information about ERCOT, visit www.ercot.com.
REDUCE THE DEMAND ON THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM BY CONSERVING ENERGY
Courtesy of ERCOT
