RMP On Line Archive

August 5, 2010

Be Wattsmart and Save Money This Summer (and Year Round)!

By now, you've probably heard the term wattsmart. A watt is a measurement of electricity…watt, kilowatt, megawatt. Wattsmart is all about using electricity wisely and saving money in the process. Ca-ching!

Energy consumption in our area has grown a lot over the past 20 years. We have more electronic gadgets, larger and more power-hungry TVs and larger homes to cool in the summer. In fact, the average household served by Rocky Mountain Power uses about 26 percent more electricity today than they did two decades ago.

For years, we've offered energy efficiency programs and encouraged their use. But with the wattsmart campaign launched this April, we’re doing even more to inform customers about how they can easily reduce their electricity use, save money and help us to manage the future cost of electricity for all customers.

Frequently asked question: Why would my power company want me to use less of its product? What’s the gimmick?

Reaching into the RMP answer bag we find: Using less electricity actually helps all customers save money by reducing the amount of energy that Rocky Mountain Power has to purchase or produce to keep up with growing demand. In many cases, conserving energy is less costly for the company and our customers than building a new power plant.

With wattsmart, we have simple tips to help customers reduce their electricity use and programs that provide incentives for the purchase of new, energy-saving appliances and home improvements. We also have programs that allow us work together with customers to manage energy use.

Wattsmart programs are already making a big difference. In 2009, they helped Utah residents and businesses save a total of 248 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. That’s an energy savings equivalent to the amount of electricity generated by 47 wind turbines.

Let’s get more specific about how you can benefit by being wattsmart. Here are a few ways you can start saving energy and money this summer!

• Have your central air conditioner tuned up and clean or replace filters monthly for more efficient operation. AC tune-ups may be eligible for a $100 incentive.
• Eliminate, or deactivate, extra freezers or refrigerators. We'll haul away your old unit for proper recycling and pay you $30 through our See ya later, refrigerator program.
• Window, ceiling and whole-house fans are a low-cost way to keep your home a little cooler. ENERGY STAR® ceiling fans may be eligible for a $20 incentive.

Giveaway alert!!!
Be one of the first 10 Rocky Mountain Power customers to send an email telling me one way you’ll be more wattsmart during the month of August, and I’ll send you a free wattsmart t-shirt like the one I’m modeling in this photo.
(Stylin' hat and tie not included. Employees not eligible.)