Five Ways to Fight the Winter Chill and Save Energy

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We all have our favorite season. Some people love crisp, cool weather and bundling up under a favorite blanket, while others prefer the warm temperatures summer brings and all fun outdoor activities that go with it.
But there’s one thing we can all agree on: high winter bills are never fun. Pioneer Electric is here to help you find ways to manage your home energy use and keep winter bills in check.
Here are five ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency this winter:
MIND THE THERMOSTAT. This is one of the easiest ways to manage your home energy use. We recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees (or lower) when you’re home. When you’re sleeping or away for an extended period of time, try setting it between 58 and 62 degrees; there’s no need to heat your home when you’re away or sleeping and less active.

BUTTON UP YOUR HOME. The Department of Energy estimates that air leaks account for 24% to 40% of the energy used for heating and cooling a home. Caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors is another simple, cost-effective way to increase comfort and save energy. If you can feel drafts while standing near a window or door, it likely needs to be sealed.

USE WINDOW COVERINGS WISELY. Open blinds, drapes or other window coverings during the day to allow natural sunlight in to warm your home. Close them at night to keep the cold, drafty air out. If you feel cold air around windows, consider hanging curtains or drapes in a thicker material; heavier window coverings can make a significant difference in blocking cold outdoor air.

CONSIDER YOUR APPROACH TO APPLIANCE USE. When combined, appliances and electronics account for a significant chunk of our home energy use, so assess how efficiently you’re using them. For example, if you’re running the dishwasher or clothes washer, only wash full loads. Look for electronic devices that consume energy even when they’re not in use, like phone chargers or game consoles. Every little bit helps, so unplug them to save energy.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. If you’re still feeling chilly at home, think of other ways to warm up — beyond dialing up the thermostat. Add layers of clothing, wear thick socks and bundle up under blankets. You can even add layers to your home! If you have hard-surface flooring, consider purchasing an area rug to block cold air that leaks in through the floor.
Winter months often bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. By being proactive about saving energy, you can increase the comfort of your home and reduce monthly bills. Visit our website at www.pioneerelectric.coop for additional energy-saving tips.

Consumer Notice Regarding Automated and SmartHub Payment Methods

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Southern Pioneer Electric encourages consumers making payments through its automated payment phone number or SmartHub application to review their saved payment methods before utilizing them. Southern Pioneer Electric’s payment platform received a general software update. This update has caused some consumers to experience issues with the system pulling payment information from old or expired payment methods, leading to disconnections.

Consumers should ensure their accounts include their most up-to-date method of payment and delete any expired payment methods. Additionally, consumers who have utilized these payment methods should consider confirming their payment has been processed successfully.

Again, the malfunction is due to a platform update. All information pertaining to consumers and their accounts is secure.

Questions and account information may be addressed by speaking with a member of our customer service team. Please call 1-800-670-4381 during regular business hours (M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Electric Consumers Encouraged to Conserve Energy

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On Monday, July 18, Southern Pioneer Electric was notified that Southwest Power Pool’s (SPP) grid conditions had evolved to a “Conservative Operations Advisory.” The advisory, issued as a response to persistent high temperatures and reduced wind generation across the SPP’s 14-state region, is expected to last until 10 p.m. on Thursday, July 21.

Southern Pioneer Electric encourages consumers to consider energy conservation methods as grid conditions continue to evolve.

“Conserving energy, regardless of weather conditions, is always a good idea,” said Anita Wendt, Southern Pioneer Electric’s vice president of energy services. “Taking small steps towards conservation may help reduce your summer energy bill. During these hot days, we would encourage consumers to look around their homes – unplug electronics and cords that are not being used, remember to turn off lights and consider saving chores that require large appliances, like laundry and dishes, for times outside of the peak energy use hours between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.”

Consumers are not currently being asked to conserve to preserve regional grid operations. Load shed events may occur at an Energy Emergency Alert (EEA) Level 3, when curtailment is required by the SPP. In the event of a load shed event or rolling outage, Southern Pioneer Electric does not determine location or duration of the outage.

Consumers with questions may contact Southern Pioneer Electric’s office during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.) by calling 1 (800) 670-4381. Additional information regarding grid conditions and energy conservation can be found on Southern Pioneer’s website and Facebook pages.