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DON'T GET BURNED BY HIGH SUMMER BILLS

Soupstock house with dead yard.With summer in full swing, being energy conscious and breaking bad habits can reduce energy consumption. As temperatures begin the ascent to triple digits, members across our service territory struggle to stay comfortable within their homes. However, there are many ways to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing comfort in the home this summer.

Overall, the Texas summer heat presents a challenge to United members trying to use as little electricity as possible. Taking a holistic approach to fight the heat will allow for not only a more comfortable home in the summer, but also a lower electric bill as well. As with any energy-efficiency measure, please feel free to contact one of United’s trusted energy advisors with questions, or to sign up for a free home energy audit here that will specifically identify weaknesses that a home may present.

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Quick Facts on Hot Spells

On average, the hottest months in Texas are July and August. The larger the gap between outdoor temperatures and indoor temperatures, the harder an AC unit has to work to keep a home's interior cool. This can lead to sticker shock when these summer energy bills arrive.

Heating and cooling accounts for the largest portion of a home’s energy usage. More than half of a home’s energy is consumed by space conditioning.  

A considerable amount of power is consumed in the summer. The hotter it is outside, the more people stay inside to seek refuge from these higher temperatures.

Humidity also plays a role in summertime discomfort. Reduce the humidity in the home by using a dehumidifier, turning on your ventilation fans while showering and maintaining outdoor water drainage. 

The Texas heat is relentless.  Fortunately, there are a few simple and cost-effective tricks that can reduce energy use this summer. 

Give These A Try and Watch Usage Drop

  • thomas-park-5D9T_x9Bg_Q-unsplash.jpgUnited recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or higher in the summer. Each degree that is deviated from this recommendation equates to about a 5 percent increase on a monthly electric bill.  Additionally, make sure the thermostat is set a few degrees warmer if the home is unoccupied during the day. 
  • Fans are inexpensive to operate and can help you feel cooler allowing you to raise the temperature a degree or two. Always remember that fans cool people, not homes. So, be sure to only use fans in areas of the home where people are.
  • Make sure to change your HVAC filters regularly. This will reduce the wear and tear on the system and lower the run times of the unit, decreasing energy usage and increasing the life of the system. Don't forget that members can get HVAC filters at steep discounts.
  • Having an HVAC tune-up performed by a licensed contractor will ensure the AC system is running at its upmost efficiency. A tune-up may also identify potential issues with the AC and give plenty of warning before a costly repair. United also offers up to $100 per HVAC system, per year, as a rebate to our members. To learn more, please visit our rebate page.
  • Taking the appropriate steps to seal around windows and doors will reduce both the runtime of the AC as well as the electrical bill.  Caulking around the interior and exterior of windows can slow the exchange of hot air into the home’s conditioned interior.  In addition, replace old, cracked, or missing weather stripping on all exterior doors and attic entrances within the home. 
  • Installing solar screens over any window that receives direct sunlight can reduce the amount of heat that is absorbed into the home.  Solar screens can block up to 90 percent of the heat before hitting the first pane of glass. There's a rebate for that, too! To learn more, please visit our rebate page.
  • Another commonly overlooked power consumer outside the home is a pool pump. United recommends members run their pool pumps for one hour for every 10 degrees of the outside temperature.  This means that in the summer, pools should optimally run 9-10 hours per day to maintain a clean pool without over-paying on the electric bill. If less runtime is required to keep the pool clean, then this will only increase the savings seen on summer electric bills.
  • Heat produced by various appliances in the home will cause an AC to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. This includes the oven/stove, dishwasher, clothes dryer and even lights. Only use these appliances when necessary, as the radiant heat these give off will cause a home to become warmer.
  • Replace old lights with LEDs.  Not only do new LEDs require less power to operate, they do not emit as much heat as older incandescent light bulbs.
  • Request a free home energy audit today by one of United’s trusted energy advisors to identify any weaknesses or opportunities to save.
  • Fireplace flue dampers should be kept tightly closed when not in use. These will not be used for a while, so we recommend checking to make sure they were shut after their last use.
  • Having a good blanket of insulation over your home in the attic will pay dividends for years to come.  United recommends an attic insulation R-value of 38.  This R-value can be achieved by installing any of the following insulation amounts: 17 inches of blown fiberglass, 10 inches of blown cellulose, (2) 6 inch fiberglass batts, or approximately 5.5 inches of spray foam. United does offer rebates for added insulation. Another great reason to visit the rebate page. To get qualified, request a free home energy audit today.
  • Water heaters may not need to be set as high as the cooler months. United recommends setting the water heaters at 125 degrees or lower to minimize the standby losses and runtime of the water heater. Approximately 16 percent of a home’s electrical usage is consumed by the water heater.
  • A home’s attic should be well ventilated to the outside to decrease the heat transfer into the home.  If the attic is not well ventilated the heat will build up to dangerous levels and play havoc on the HVAC system and ductwork. The attics ventilation should be properly designed with intake and exhaust vents. Request a free home energy audit today to have the ventilation of the attic checked. 
  • Having sealed ductwork in the attic is very important. Mastic needs to be applied to all duct connections to ensure that the conditioned air within the ducting is not escaping to unconditioned areas. Mastic where the ductwork meets the plenums (both supply and return plenums), any joins in the ducting, and where the ductwork meets the supply registers.
  • Insulating and weather-striping attic entrances that are located within conditioned areas will decrease the amount of heat and air that is able to transfer through these corridors.  It is common for these access corridors to be covered with thin sheets of plywood or sheetrock, both of which possess poor insulation values and air sealing qualities.      

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UNITED'S MY HOME. WELCOME TO THE MEMBERHOOD.

Texas neighborhoodUnited Cooperative Services will provide exceptional service and value to its membership. Part of that commitment to service is working with our residential members on making sure the electric service they receive is second to none. Moreover, your electric cooperative invests time and resources into educating the members about ways they can modify both their behavior and their homes to ensure they’re living as energy efficiently as possible. We do this in a number of ways, including free home energy audits, energy efficiency rebates, and much more.

Whatever your home’s electric power needs, we stand ready to provide you a level of service  that you deserve. Meeting members needs today, as well as into the distant future, requires United to be innovators. In that vein, we encourage our members to access the menu of options available to them under Energy Innovation.

Or take a moment to take a tour of our online energy quizzes at Together We Save.

SO, I'M A NEW MEMBER. NOW WHAT?

Setting up electric serviceCooperatives are owned by the members, or customers, who use them—people who have organized them to provide themselves with the goods and/or services they need that aren’t being provided for otherwise.

United Cooperative Services began its history 80 years ago when members just like you needed electric services. They pulled together to organize your electric cooperative in a largely rural area, although that is rapidly changing in parts of our service territory.

Today, cooperatives are found in every state of the union and serve approximately 120 million people—nearly half of the population of the United States. Texas boasts 75 electric cooperatives that serve more than 3 million people, and United Cooperative Services serves more than 56,000 members,  83,000 meters in 14 counties.

Providing electric service the cooperative way distinguishes electric coops from investor-owned and electric utilities. Electric cooperative employees and board members are part of the communities the co-op serves. They are involved in community activities, such as safety programs at schools, sponsoring local fairs and events, helping little league diamonds with lighting projects, assisting churches in projects, as well as many, many more unique projects and events that need our help.

You can learn more about us here on our About Us page. Find out more about Billing and Payments here.

Cooperative members have a voice and a vote in cooperative matters. Plus any member residing on the cooperative’s lines can qualify to be elected as a board member. And any profits realized by Access Energy are returned to the members in the form of Member Dividends.

Our Mission Statement says it all

United Cooperative Services will provide exceptional service and value to its membership. That's a promise United employees make to you each day. Your cooperative’s success is based on seven cooperative principles which emphasize that:

  1. Membership is open to all.

  2. Each member has one vote.

  3. Members participate financially in the cooperative’s endeavors through the return of patronage dividends.

  4. The cooperative will remain independent and autonomous and locally owned and operated.

  5. The cooperative will continue to keep the members and employees up-to-date on current information and technology in order to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.

  6. Cooperatives work together among themselves.

  7. We maintain a sincere concern for the communities that we serve.

Get involved with your cooperative

Electric cooperatives are non-profit utility providers that focus on the needs of their member-owners and the local priorities for the communities they serve. Electric cooperatives brought electric power to areas—mostly rural—when no one else would. Today, America’s electric cooperatives continue to answer that call by providing much more than competitively priced, reliable energy. Learn more about United and cooperatives by clicking the button below:

About Us

Call or visit your local office.

Contact Us

Rates vary depending on application. For example, United has separate rates for residential, commercial and agricultural applications. Contact your local office to determine your rate. Or, visit our tariff section by clicking the button below:

Rates & Tariff

On top of the amount of electricity used by the member ($32.50 minimum), United charges a $22.50 base charge to residents on single-phase service. Commercial members on three-phase service using less than 700 kW are charged a $40 base charge. Commercial members who use more than 700 kW are charged a $75 base charge. Contact your local office for details.

At the time of application, United will run a utility credit check and make a deposit decision based on the results. Deposits are calculated based on 1/6 annual usage at that address. Based on the utility credit check the deposit can be waived in full, lowered to half or required in full.

You may purchase energy in advance by using our prePower program.

Billing and Payments

The due date is 16 days after billing date. Following 16 days, a delinquent notice is mailed out giving an additional eight days to pay.

You will only receive a paper bill unless you go online and select otherwise.

By mail (envelope provided), your local office, by telephone, by Interactive Voice Response System (through phone), online at MyAccount, or by night deposit. Learn all about billing and payments here:

Billing and Payments

United has six offices located throughout our service territory. You can find our phone numbers and addresses by clicking the button below.

Contact Us

Yes, either through the night drop, Interactive Voice Response System through the phone system, or online through MyAccount. Learn more here:

Billing and Payments

Yes, we offer both.

Billing and Payments

No.

Yes, following 12 months of service with an excellent pay record.

Billing and Payments

Yes. It's our prePower program, and applications to enroll can be made by phone or in office.

Billing and Payments

Member dividends accumulate based on the amount of electricity used by each member. Each year, United’s board of directors may vote to retire a portion of these dividends, based on the financial stability of the cooperative. Learn more below:

Member Dividends

Yes, the money is due to you from the time you were a member with the cooperative.

By calling your local office, using our Outage Texting tool, by Interactive Voice Response System (through phone), or by emailing us.

Outage Texting

Report Outages

DON'T BE LEFT IN THE DARK ABOUT UNITED'S AREA LIGHTS

Lights at nightUnited Cooperative Services strives to provide the latest innovations to the members it serves, while adhering to federal and state regulations and policies. Commitment to our members is an everlasting principle and serves as a constant reminder to all that being part of a not-for-profit electric cooperative has advantages. At United, our employees continually offer members information on products, services and industry issues that could affect how they use the electricity we deliver.

Changes in federal policy regarding area lights have led to a transition in how we address this specific area of our service portfolio. Through the information below, we hope to ensure that United members are fully informed on changes to area light policies.

Key Facts

  • The Energy Policy Act of 2005 prohibits manufacturing or importing traditional Mercury Vapor (MV) lamp ballasts as of Jan. 1, 2008.
  • Many of the area lights on United’s system have either a bluish-white light (which are Mercury Vapor, or MV, lamps) or an amber-colored light (which are High Pressure Sodium, or HPS, lamps). Years ago, United utilized the MV light exclusively up until changes were brought to our industry via the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This act dictated that we move away from the MV light completely and begin using the amber (HPS) light because it is more efficient than its predecessor. The tradeoff was that the HPS is somewhat less reliable and many find the amber color to be less appealing. Technology advancements and manufacturing techniques have now improved LED lighting so that they are now efficient, economical, and reliable. The LED area light also produces white light that many people have missed since United was forced to move to the HPS.
  • United will use LED lamps as a replacement for both the MV and HPS options no longer offered.
  • If an existing MV or HPS ballast fails, United must replace the area light to support LED.
  • An environmental fee could be assessed in the future for the disposal of MV bulbs.

Key Benefits of the change to LED Area Lights

  • LEDs have longer life expectancy, produce very little heat, contain no mercury, are shock and vibration resistant, and can operate effectively in extremely cold conditions.
  • LED lights produce more light-at the same cost-than the MV lamps
  • LED lights are being offered at the same unit price as their equivalent HPS light
  • The LED lights were chosen to fit the same light patterns as previous area lights.

Dark Sky Options

United’s LED fixtures provide a Dark Sky-compliant option if members would prefer to switch from their existing MV and HPS non-Dark Sky fixture. United may assess a trip fee to switch a working MV and HPS fixture to a LED area light.

Pricing Information

Construction Allowances

The pricing options are available in Section II of

United's Rates and Tariff
 

Looking Out for the Membership

The transition to LED lamps from MV and HPS lamps will be an ongoing effort. As always, United will continue to keep members fully abreast of changes to all federal and state industry policies and regulations. As those changes occur, we will offer innovative solutions, such as we have by providing LED lamps.

DON'T GET FROSTBITTEN BY HIGH WINTER BILLS

Ice%20006.JPGAs the mercy of fall’s milder temperatures begins to give way to those unpredictable winter months, United Cooperative Services wants to make sure its members are equipped with the knowledge to maximize their energy efficiency.

Using energy efficiently has multiple benefits. It paves the way for members to remain comfortable in their homes and—the bigger bonus—it allows them to do so while saving money. As we all use less energy (especially during peak usage hours), the demand for kilowatts drops, providing more stability to the supply resources in Texas.

The three biggest barriers to becoming more energy efficient include lack of knowledge, lack of resources and limited capital.

United has a variety of resources to help members overcome these barriers. We'll even come to your home and find areas where you literally may be throwing money out the window. Members can  learn more about these audits and sign up for a free home energy audit here.

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Quick Facts on Cold Snaps

A short cold snap causes most heating systems to reach capacity, and energy efficiency drops. That’s why it can cost more to stay comfortable when it suddenly turns colder or hotter—even if it’s just for a few days. That can lead to sticker shock when the energy bill arrives.

Heating and cooling accounts for the largest portion of a home’s energy usage. A geothermal heat pump can reduce energy consumption by more than 70 percent compared to electric-resistance heating.

Air-source heat pumps also are significantly easier on the wallet when compared to electric resistance heating. An air-source heat pump can deliver 1.5 to 3 times more heat energy to a home than the electrical energy it consumes. 

Even if consumers don't heat their home with a heat pump, other simple and cost-effective tricks can reduce energy use this winter.

Give These a Try and Watch Usage Drop

  • Ice%20Storm%20Gnome%20(1).JPGSet thermostats to 68 degrees. Heating systems will operate less and use less energy. For each degree above the recommended setting, energy consumption will increase by about five percent. For a small investment, consider purchasing a programmable thermostat to adjust the home's temperature settings automatically when sleeping or away. United offers rebates for WiFi thermostats. To learn more, please visit our rebate page.
  • Set your water heater to 120 degrees. Anywhere from 14 to 20 percent of the total energy used in a home can be attributed to heating water. Ensure faucets aren’t leaking, wash clothes using cold water when applicable, and take showers instead of baths. For a small investment, install a water heater blanket if the unit is in an unconditioned area, such as the garage. Consider investing in high-efficiency showerheads and faucets to reduce hot water consumption. Several of these items are available at no charge to the members if they have United conduct a free home energy audit.
  • Take advantage of Mother Nature. Use natural light and heat by opening drapes, blinds and shutters during the day. At night, close them to help retain that heat.
  • Keep your air filters clean. Check HVAC filters every month. A dirty filter will reduce airflow and won’t allow a unit to operate as efficiently. It could also promote service problems with the unit. Don't forget that members can get HVAC filters at steep discounts.
  • Switch to CFLs or LED light bulbs. Compact fluorescent bulbs are four times more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs and also provide the same lighting. LED lights are even more efficient than CFL bulbs, and they are considered to have a longer life expectancy. Some LEDs are available at no charge to members if they they sign up for a free home energy audit.
  • Weatherize your home. A tube of caulk goes a long way in providing an effective and inexpensive way of reducing energy loss. Use caulk to seal up holes and cracks around your home. Don’t forget about the weather stripping around doors, windows, and the attic opening.
  • Insulation. Members can see significant savings by having 17 inches of blown fiberglass insulation or 10 inches of blown cellulose in the attic to reach the optimal level of insulation value of R-38. United may be able to help offset the cost of increasing your insulation level by offering an Attic Insulation Retrofit Rebate. Click here to learn more.
  • Use ENERGY STAR® appliances. Remember items such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, furnaces, TVs and computers have two price tags—purchase price and lifetime energy cost. Invest wisely. Read the yellow energy use cards typically attached to appliances and select for energy efficiency.
  • Call us for more savings. To help members reach their energy innovation objectives, United has secured discounts with local vendors who agreed to participate in the cooperative’s Co-op Connections Card program. Members can locate a service company to do anything from installing attic insulation to performing a HVAC tune-up at a discount just for being a member of the cooperative. To learn more about United’s vast array of energy innovation programs, including rebates, contact your local United office today.
  • Ensure the fireplace flue is closed when not in use. An open flue sucks heat out of the home.
  • Avoid using electric space heaters, which are energy hogs and can substantially increase electric bills.