Entergy Texas shares energy efficiency tips and programs as summer temperatures rise

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- While today marks the first official day of summer, excessive heat warnings are already in effect for the Entergy Texas service area. During summer months, cooling costs can make up more than 55% of an average customer’s electric bill. Taking steps to save energy can help lower electric bills when temperatures are high. Entergy Texas encourages customers to save money and manage their energy usage by installing energy efficient upgrades through the Entergy Solutions program.

Entergy Solutions offers several programs to help eligible residential and business customers lower their monthly bill. The programs have achieved energy savings of 47 million kilowatt hours through 2022, which is equivalent to about 4,200 homes energy usage for one year.

Customers also can save money with these quick and easy energy efficiency tips:

Change air filters. A dirty air filter will restrict air flow and make your system work harder to keep you cool. Be sure to replace your air filter at a minimum of every three months.

Setting the thermostat to 78 degrees or the highest comfortable temperature. Every degree lower than 78 can raise a bill as much as 3%.

Buy a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat can help manage costs, is controllable, and can help monitor usage.

Use fans to cool off. Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans use very little electricity to circulate the air. Make sure ceiling fans are rotating in the right direction – counter-clockwise during summer – to push cooler air down into the room. Be sure to turn all fans off in unused rooms.

Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in. Also, close air conditioning vents in rooms that are not in use.

Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows and ductwork. Weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air in and the hot air out.

Use the myAdvisor tool on myentergy.com. The usage and cost tool can compare usage history by month, day and hour and provide cost calculations for the current month.

For more information on energy efficiency tips, incentives and products offered in your area, visit entergy.com/energyefficiency.