Southeastern Indiana REMC is here for you and given the challenging times we’ve all experienced the last few months, I’d like to share some information and ideas to help you save energy and money.  

Summer is a great time to conduct an energy audit of your home and identify ways to boost energy efficiency. Understanding how your home uses energy can help you determine the best ways to modify energy use and keep more money in your wallet. 

An energy audit is one of the best ways to determine how energy efficient your home is. An audit can also identify areas for potential energy savings. Did you know that SEIREMC offers free in-home audits? There are also several qualified energy auditors in our local area. If you decide to have a home energy audit done, be sure to hire a professional who will conduct a thorough audit of your home. If you’d prefer to do an energy audit yourself, try ENERGY STAR^®’s online audit. Visit www.energystar.gov and then enter “home energy yardstick” in the search box to get started. But keep in mind, an online audit won’t be as thorough as an in-home audit.

Shifting to off-peak periods

Electric rates based on time of use allow members to lower their electricity costs without reducing the amount of electricity used. By performing some of your daily chores such as running the dishwasher or doing laundry during off-peak hours (when people are using less electricity), you can see meaningful savings on your energy bills. Use your programmable thermostat to adjust the settings so that your heating and air conditioning systems sync with the off-peak rate periods. Use automatic timers to run hot tubs, pool pumps, water heaters and other appliances in the same way. Be sure to program the timers to coincide with the less expensive off-peak times. For more information about our time-of-use (TOU) rates and other load management programs, visit www.seiremc.com or contact us at 800-737-4111.  

Putting power in your hands 

Prepaid electric service is intended to aid in budgeting your monthly energy costs. Soon, Southeastern Indiana REMC members will be able to pay for electricity before it is used and then use the electricity until the credit expires. During the time period you’ve paid for, you will receive regular feedback on your balance. We’re still working through the details and hope to launch the program this fall. Industry studies show that consumers who participate in prepaid electric service programs use up to 10% less electricity.  

Lastly, if you have recently purchased a new ENERGY STAR^®-rated appliance or product, make sure you are taking advantage of any special offers or rebates that are available. 

As your trusted energy advisor, we’re here to help. If you have questions about your bill or additional ways to save energy, please let us know. We’re only one click or phone call away.