Running Down Big Savings

The start of a new year brings opportunities of a fresh beginning, and a chance to create a new chapter in life. Countless New Year’s resolutions will be born with the goal to improve life in the coming year. Research has shown that New Year’s resolutions centered around exercise, diet and losing weight often take the top spots, with goals of saving money, managing debt and spending less falling closely behind. If saving money is on the list this year, United members are encouraged to take advantage of the various programs offered by United’s Energy Solutions Department.

Rebates

For well over a decade, United has been offering Energy Innovation Rebates for select residential efficiency upgrades. While some of the rebates have remained on the list since the inception of the program, United re-evaluates the list of rebates each year and makes any necessary changes.

The co-op recognized early on that conscious efforts made by a member to waste less energy not only would keep hard-earned money in the member’s pocketbook, but also would help drive down costs for the entire cooperative membership. Member participation in United’s Energy Innovation Rebate Program continues to grow each year, and United expects 2022 to surpass all the others.  

The most popular rebate offered by United is the HVAC Tune-up Rebate. A member who gets their HVAC system tuned-up and inspected by a licensed HVAC contractor could receive up to $100 a year for each unit. United has approved and processed more than 27,000 HVAC Tune-up rebate applications since the program started in 2010. Experts estimate heating and cooling accounts for more than 50 percent of energy consumption in a standard residence, and HVAC maintenance is a vital aspect of managing energy consumption, which will pay dividends for years to come.

To see all United residential rebate offerings, members are encouraged to click the link above to learn more about the savings potential.

Energy Audits

Some members may not be aware that United performs free home and commercial/industrial energy audits for its members, and United has been offering this service for close to 20 years. The co-op’s trusted energy advisors have personally visited 13,000 different metering points scattered across our service territory and have saved the membership a considerable amount of money. United averages around 700-800 energy audits a year.  

While at the home, energy auditors will look for any way to save energy in the home. The most obvious items auditors will examine are lighting, water heaters, HVAC equipment, filters, thermostats, air infiltration areas, and insulation, ductwork and ventilation for the attic. The auditor will make a list of recommendations for the member and let them know what upgrades will have the quickest return on investment. The auditor will also let the member know what rebates can be applied for more savings.

If the auditor determines the excessive energy use is due to a major equipment malfunction in the home, United has policies in place to assist the member. If the member has the issue repaired in a timely manner, the auditor can assist the member by crediting the member’s account a portion of the energy overage. This policy was put in place to lessen the burden brought on by unforeseen equipment failures.

“Some of the highest energy usage we have encountered has been due to a stuck heating element,” said Eric Compton, one of United’s energy advisors. “This is especially true if the heating element gets stuck in the summer when the member is operating the A/C. The A/C is unable to cool the home properly due to the heating element being energized and they receive a bill at the end of the month for heating and cooling the home all at the same time.”

United’s members are then stuck with a high electric bill and a hefty repair bill on their HVAC system.

“The members are very appreciative when we are able to help them with an HVAC tune-up rebate and, if applicable, a credit to their account for a portion of the excess energy usage,” Compton said. “This policy lessens the financial burden on the member and helps them quickly get back on their feet.”        

To request a free home energy audit, members should click the link above or call their local office today.

Solicited Advice

Not only do United’s energy advisors perform in-home energy audits when they are requested, but they also can perform usage audits over the phone for high-bill situations.

The trained auditors are experts when it comes to looking at meter data and usage patterns in the home.

They are very good at identifying issues by dissecting meter data. The auditors have identified many problems over the phone, such as stuck heating elements, water heater issues and problems with water wells without even visiting the home.
Members of the Energy Solutions Department are available to answer questions related to energy conservation, installing solar systems, back-up generators and electric vehicles.

The energy auditors can help give free advice to members regarding any of these topics and can share their knowledge and expertise when needed.

United’s Bring Your Own Thermostat Program

United’s Energy Solutions team is constantly looking for innovative solutions that expand additional energy savings opportunities for members. In 2016, United entered into a partnership with Nest, a thermostat manufacturer, to assist members in saving energy during peak demand periods.

Due to the success of the Nest program, in 2021 United expanded United’s thermostat demand response program to include Honeywell/Resideo thermostats.  The newly expanded program was coined United’s Bring Your Own Thermostat Program.

During the summer when the grid is experiencing its highest load, United uses demand response procedures to help control the co-op’s load on the grid. By shifting demand to an off-peak period, either before or after the peak times occur, members help take strain off the grid as well as help United save on wholesale power costs from its wholesale power supplier, Brazos Electric Cooperative (Brazos).

Each year a portion of United’s power costs are calculated based on the co-op’s energy demand during both the Brazos and ERCOT peaks in June, July, August and September. In essence, if United can predict and shed load during peak times for both Brazos and ERCOT for each summer month, then such energy usage management can lead to significant savings for the following year.

Members with qualifying Nest and Honeywell/Resideo thermostats can enroll their thermostats through United’s website and can receive incentives for participation during the four summer months. United offers a $50 rebate for new purchases of Nest and Honeywell Smart Wifi-Enabled Thermostats.

In addition, after enrolling the thermostat in United’s Bring Your Own Thermostat Program, the member will receive a $15 bill credit for each of the four months they are enrolled (June, July, August and September). If the member has multiple thermostats enrolled, they will receive $15 for each thermostat enrolled. For additional information on United’s Bring Your Own Thermostat Program please click the link above.   

Most New Year’s Resolutions are easier to attain with the right accountability partners.  United will continue to offer assistance with any member’s energy needs.  Members can reach a representative of our Energy Solutions Team by calling their local office today.