Energy efficiency is key to ensuring a safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy system for the future. CPS Energy recognizes this and has taken steps to reduce the amount of energy consumed by our customers through our SaveNow programs. The suite of energy efficiency programs described throughout this newsletter were introduced to help our residential customers save energy and money.

These programs have been highly successful in reducing energy usage throughout the CPS Energy service area. In total, customers saved almost 40 million kWh (kilowatt-hours)! What exactly does that mean to you? That is the equivalent to the greenhouse gas emitted by 5,938 cars driven in one year. That’s also a savings equivalency of electricity usage of approximately 2,968 homes for an entire year. For this, CPS Energy and the City of San Antonio says congratulations and thank you!

While the programs collectively yielded tremendous savings, individually, they served a variety of residential customers in greater San Antonio with different needs. For example:

• Casa Verdeoffered income-qualifying customers free weatherization upgrades in more than 2,900 homes.
• The Home Energy Assessment program helped nearly 3,000 homeowners realize an average savings of more than $380 per year through home assessments and installations of LED light bulbs, faucet aerators, showerheads and pipe wrap. Another 8,300 homeowners received kits with these products mailed to their home for self-installation.
• Over 7,300 rebate checks were issued to homeowners that upgraded their central air conditioners, attic insulation and more through the Home Energy Rebate program.
• Nearly 8,500 apartment units across multi-family communities received free energy efficiency measures including LED lighting, faucet aerators and showerheads. Tenants are enjoying reduced energy bills and property owners have a more desirable community to attract new renters.

Have you participated in the CPS Energy SaveNow programs? We are ready to help you save through our offerings for residential customers. Come join us and SaveNow.

Summertime is a state of mind, filled with both fun and relaxation. Even with all there is to look forward to, there’s always still work to be done. This is the time of year to get those extra to-do items checked off around your house, like appliance maintenance and repairs.

Last September, several new programs were introduced to help our residential customers save energy in their homes and apartments. With eight energy efficiency program offerings available, there truly is a SaveNow program for everyone! Even sixth-grade students and their families can learn how to save energy and receive free energy efficiency products for their homes!

This year, we continue to offer a variety of programs and have expanded some rebates for single-family homeowners. Whether you live in a single-family home or an apartment, rent or own, are income-qualified or are ready to build a new home, we have ways to help you SaveNow!

Nearly 8,000 customers have received insulation or energy efficient equipment rebates since last September and we’re sure even more will participate this year. With these offerings, it’s hard to resist!

• We know how important air conditioning is in the greater San Antonio area. Purchase and install a qualifying energy efficient model and we’ll give you a rebate ranging from $100-$275 per ton. In heating and cooling terms, one ton equals 12,000 British thermal units or Btu. But you don’t need to worry about the technical terminology. Many local contractors have you covered and will help you get the right size and model for your home installed in no time and help you obtain the rebate.
• Prefer a heat pump for heating or cooling your home? Like central air conditioners, rebates for heat pumps are based on a per ton basis, with rebates from $100-$275 per ton.
• New this summer, are rebates for ductless mini-splits, rebated between $100-$275 per ton. What is a ductless mini-split, you might ask? It’s an alternative for cooling individual rooms or zones in homes with non-ducted systems. Some models can have their own zones with their own thermostat, allowing you to cool a room while occupied and save energy and money when they are not.
• Keep your pool operating efficiently with a new Pool Pump and receive a rebate of $150 per horsepower.
• Keep the cool conditioned air inside your home during the summer heat with proper attic insulation. Rebates have increased and vary for the do-it-yourselfer or contractor-installed projects, ranging from $0.25 to $0.35 per square foot.

Information on rebates offered, including program terms and conditions , is available at the Home Energy Rebates webpage.

Looking for More?

If you don’t plan to make equipment improvements or are looking for additional ways to save energy, check out the easiest way to begin. Order a free kit of energy saving products to be delivered to your home. Install the new LED bulbs (and more products if you have an electric water heater) and begin to save immediately! Take our online home energy assessment to learn more about your home’s energy use or have one of our home energy experts come to your home to provide an assessment and identify ways to save. During an in-home assessment, technicians will install energy saving products during their visit. All services and products are free with absolutely no obligation to do anything but enjoy the savings.

Bills too High and Need Assistance?

Income-qualified CPS Energy customers may be able to participate in the Casa Verde Weatherization Program. This program offers an average of $5,000 of free weatherization and energy saving measures that will make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy use. Learn more about the Casa Verde Program to find out if you are eligible to participate.

CPS Energy has a program for everyone. Which one is for you? 

Want to save some money this summer? There are many ways renters and homeowners can reduce their energy use – often without spending a dime. We have provided a list of several things to consider this summer.

Windows and Doors:

During the summer months, it’s important to maximize the cool air in your home while eliminating as much heat from the outside, keeping your home as comfortable as possible. A few ways to make sure you are keeping the cool air in and the hot air out are:

• Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows.
• Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.
• Add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors and windows.

Thermostats:

Your programmable or smart thermostat can keep you comfortable in the summer and help you manage your electric bills. Set your thermostat as high as you can. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees. That setting may seem high, but if you follow the other tips in this newsletter, you can keep the warm air out and keep your overall electric bill low. You want the difference between the outdoor and indoor temperatures as small as possible. A few ways to accomplish this are: 

• Keep your home warmer when you are away, and lower the thermostat setting only when you are home and need it cooler.
• A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set your temperature when you are not home.
• Learn to operate your thermostat for maximum energy savings.
• Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder than normal setting when you turn on your air conditioner. It doesn’t cool your home more quickly.

Air Conditioners:

Avoid costly repairs and achieve maximum efficiency through routine maintenance of your system.

• Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment.
• Avoid placing lamps or TV sets near your room air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• Vacuum the registers (where the room air enters the AC unit) regularly to remove dust buildup. Ensure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the airflow through your registers.

Water Heaters:

Water heating accounts for nearly 20% of the energy consumed in your home. To keep your water heating costs down, you should:

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120ºF). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes in cold water. Also, consider air drying both dishes and clothing to lower your costs.

Don’t add Heat to Your Home in Summer:

The last thing you want on those sweltering, hot dog days of summer is to create unnecessary heat in your home. There are a few steps that you can take to lessen the heat generated in your home through appliances and lighting:

• On hot days, avoid using the oven; cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or use a hot plate or grill outside.
• Install efficient lighting that runs cooler. Only about 10% to 15% of the electricity that incandescent lights consume results in light – the rest is turned into heat. Call us at 210-353-2SAV (2728) to schedule a home energy assessment and we’ll install improved bulbs for free!
• Take advantage of natural light instead of artificial lighting, but avoid direct sunlight.
• Take shorter showers instead of baths.
• Minimize activities during the hottest period of the day that will generate more heat in your home. Wait to do your laundry or run your dishwasher until the cooler evening hours.

These summer saving tips will not only save you money, but will keep you cool in the hot summer months ahead. A few small investments and adjustments made today can give you and your family peace of mind and allow everyone to enjoy a comfortable home without breaking the bank. Not sure where to begin? We can help!