Lincoln, Neb. May 10, 2022 - We know customer bills and energy usage are topics of conversation in the Nebraska communities we serve. We know changes to monthly bills can have an impact on the household budget and we’re here to help. As the weather warms, maintaining control over and even reducing your energy usage can help lower energy bills and help you create a more energy-efficient home. Here are several actions to take this spring and summer:
Set your water heater to 120*F: Lowering the temperature on your water heater can save a considerable amount of energy. You won’t notice in the shower, but you’ll see the difference on your energy bill.
Cook or bake as many dishes at the same time: Take advantage of the energy that goes into heating up the oven fewer times, plus use less energy. Don’t open the oven door unless you need to! Ovens lose about 25 degrees each time you open the oven door, so use the oven light and window to check on your food — this will also help keep your kitchen cooler while cooking.
Run complete loads of laundry and dishes: Do this to avoid using more hot water than necessary or consider using cold water, when possible. Lastly, avoid running these heat-producing appliances during the hottest times of the day to reduce the amount of heat flowing through your home.
Replace weather-stripping: Focus on the areas around doors and windows and seal any holes or gaps to help reduce energy waste and keep the cool air in and hot air out. Don’t forget the garage!
Clean or replace dirty air filters every three months: Clogged or dirty filters make your HVAC system work harder, using more energy. Plus, don’t forget to have your air conditioner and furnace serviced regularly. The start of the summer cooling season is a good time to do this.
Not using it? Unplug it: Unplug office equipment like printers, shredders, scanners and other household appliances, like your coffee maker, to prevent them from pulling energy when not in use. For multiple items, consider using a smart power strip and turn it off when it’s not in use.
Adjust your indoor thermostat: As the weather warms, if you’re using air conditioning, set your thermostat to 78 degrees if health concerns aren’t a factor and increase it to 88 degrees while you’re away. Plus, consider using a rebate to upgrade to a programable smart thermostat.
If you need help paying your energy bills, please reach out to our customer service team 888-890-5554 or visit our energy assistance programs webpage. We have several options available to support our customers, including making payment arrangements, budget billing and energy assistance programs.
For more ways to reduce wasted energy and for details about our energy efficiency programs, monitor your usage here.