1 00:00:05,520 --> 00:00:11,160 David Latona: Welcome to Co-op Conversations with DEMCO, where we talk about the topics that impact your power, 2 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:15,800 your co-op and your community. I'm your host, David Latona. 3 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:22,800 As temperatures rise, so can your energy use, and that often leads to higher bills. 4 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:29,080 But here's the good news. Saving energy doesn't mean giving up comfort or control. 5 00:00:29,280 --> 00:00:36,760 In this episode, we'll talk about some small changes you can make that can lead to big savings on your electric bill, 6 00:00:37,040 --> 00:00:41,080 and you won't have to sacrifice your comfort or convenience. 7 00:00:41,800 --> 00:00:47,560 Joining me is Ashley Carradine, DEMCO's energy services coordinator. 8 00:00:47,960 --> 00:00:55,640 Ashley works directly with our members to help them understand their energy use and find simple, 9 00:00:55,960 --> 00:00:59,080 effective ways to improve efficiency. 10 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:00,400 Ashley, welcome. 11 00:01:00,800 --> 00:01:07,390 Ashley Carradine: Thanks, David. I'm excited to be here and to be able to share some ideas that can really help our members stay cool and save 12 00:01:07,390 --> 00:01:07,870 money. 13 00:01:08,070 --> 00:01:13,830 David Latona: I'm so excited to have Ashley here. She does such a great job working with our members that may have questions about their 14 00:01:13,830 --> 00:01:21,830 bills or just their usage, and I know we want to dive right in because this is one of the most important topics to our members. 15 00:01:22,510 --> 00:01:25,110 Let's kick things off with basics. 16 00:01:25,350 --> 00:01:27,030 Is that okay? Ashley, can we do that? 17 00:01:27,070 --> 00:01:27,910 Ashley Carradine: Absolutely. 18 00:01:27,950 --> 00:01:34,310 David Latona: Okay. What are the top energy users inside a typical member's home? 19 00:01:34,830 --> 00:01:41,830 Ashley Carradine: Well, did you know that heating and cooling can make up 47% of a home's energy use? 20 00:01:41,870 --> 00:01:42,590 David Latona: 47? 21 00:01:41,870 --> 00:01:47,510 Ashley Carradine: Yes, water heating uses about 14%, and the rest comes from lighting, 22 00:01:47,790 --> 00:01:55,350 laundry, and appliances. A good way to think about this is if the average electricity bill for a 23 00:01:55,350 --> 00:02:01,310 1,500 square foot home is around $150 per month during the summer, 24 00:02:01,550 --> 00:02:05,900 nearly half of that about $75, goes to cooling alone. 25 00:02:06,340 --> 00:02:14,180 David Latona: So that seems like a lot to me. But I've lived here in South Louisiana long enough to know that that is very true. 26 00:02:14,180 --> 00:02:18,100 So nearly half your bill goes to staying cool. 27 00:02:18,100 --> 00:02:19,180 That's impressive. 28 00:02:19,580 --> 00:02:23,660 Ashley Carradine: Exactly. And that's why those systems are the best place to focus. 29 00:02:23,660 --> 00:02:27,220 If you want to lower your bill without giving up your comfort. 30 00:02:27,460 --> 00:02:33,340 David Latona: That's good info. I know not everybody thinks about that when they're thinking about a high usage bill. 31 00:02:34,180 --> 00:02:37,900 So let's talk about some of those smart changes. 32 00:02:38,420 --> 00:02:44,860 Ashley, can you share a few tips that help members save energy without giving up comfort? 33 00:02:45,140 --> 00:02:49,980 Ashley Carradine: Absolutely. One of my favorite tips is a laundry tip. 34 00:02:50,340 --> 00:02:57,660 Run the spin cycle twice on your washing machine because it actually removes more moisture from your 35 00:02:57,660 --> 00:03:02,500 clothes, which means your dryer won't have to work as hard or as long. 36 00:03:02,740 --> 00:03:06,260 David Latona: I have never heard that before, but it makes sense. 37 00:03:06,260 --> 00:03:06,900 Ashley Carradine: It does. 38 00:03:06,940 --> 00:03:13,650 David Latona: Oh my goodness, what a great tip because our dryers take more energy than do our washers, 39 00:03:13,650 --> 00:03:15,410 right because of that heating element. 40 00:03:15,450 --> 00:03:17,850 Okay. Great tip right Ashley. 41 00:03:17,970 --> 00:03:23,810 Ashley Carradine: And speaking of washing machines, don't fill your washer machine up all the way because the more 42 00:03:23,810 --> 00:03:27,450 clothes you have — number one, you're not going to wash your clothes fully. 43 00:03:27,450 --> 00:03:33,090 And then you're going to put those into the dryer, and it's going to take extra long to be able to dry those 44 00:03:33,090 --> 00:03:38,170 clothes. And if you're not running it on a second spin cycle, then it's going to take double the time, 45 00:03:38,170 --> 00:03:39,450 if that makes any sense. 46 00:03:39,570 --> 00:03:40,850 David Latona: That does. Great tip. 47 00:03:41,050 --> 00:03:43,290 Ashley Carradine: Another easy one is using ceiling fans. 48 00:03:43,290 --> 00:03:50,290 They help circulate the air and make rooms feel cooler so you can raise the thermostat a few degrees. 49 00:03:50,490 --> 00:03:53,490 Just make sure to turn them off when you leave the room. 50 00:03:53,730 --> 00:04:00,090 And speaking of thermostats, try setting it at 78 degrees when you're home and even higher when you're away, 51 00:04:00,090 --> 00:04:03,330 because that alone can make a noticeable difference. 52 00:04:03,770 --> 00:04:08,010 One awesome thing is to avoid using your oven on really hot days. 53 00:04:08,050 --> 00:04:09,250 David Latona: Oh, tell me about it. 54 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:11,640 Ashley Carradine: Yes. Me last night, trying to cook. 55 00:04:12,160 --> 00:04:15,920 It heats up your kitchen and makes your air conditioner work extra hard. 56 00:04:16,080 --> 00:04:19,600 Instead, get your grill or use a microwave. 57 00:04:20,000 --> 00:04:23,200 And one thing, do not forget electronics. 58 00:04:23,240 --> 00:04:26,080 Many devices draw power even when they're off. 59 00:04:26,280 --> 00:04:29,880 Plug them into a smart power strip or unplug them when it's not in use. 60 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,000 David Latona: Oh great idea. 61 00:04:32,040 --> 00:04:32,360 Ashley Carradine: Yes. 62 00:04:32,360 --> 00:04:35,840 David Latona: I love that about the washer. I really like that about the fans. 63 00:04:35,840 --> 00:04:41,960 And you know, another thing I've heard is that the fan only cools you off when you're in the room. 64 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:44,040 So, like you're saying, when you leave. 65 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:47,760 Turn that fan off because it's not doing – it's not cooling anyone off, 66 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:49,640 or it's not cooling off the home. 67 00:04:49,760 --> 00:04:50,880 Ashley Carradine: That is correct. 68 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:56,080 David Latona: Those are great tips. And what about outdoor features like pools and fountains? 69 00:04:56,120 --> 00:05:00,600 I know it's the summer and we've got a lot of use in our swimming pools. 70 00:05:00,600 --> 00:05:03,240 If you own a swimming pool, what's some good advice there? 71 00:05:03,720 --> 00:05:09,000 Ashley Carradine: Yeah, and a lot of people don't think about the outdoor water features like the pool pumps, 72 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:15,430 because that can be a big contributor to your energy bill, especially if they run 24/7. 73 00:05:15,750 --> 00:05:20,110 Those that have pools truly don't need the pump running all day. 74 00:05:20,670 --> 00:05:26,310 You can usually reduce the runtime 6 to 8 hours a day and still keep that water clean. 75 00:05:26,790 --> 00:05:29,190 It helps to run your pump before 8 a.m. 76 00:05:29,190 --> 00:05:35,630 or after 8 p.m., when fewer people are at home or using appliances and their air conditioners. 77 00:05:36,030 --> 00:05:40,110 That actually helps manage overall demand, and it can reduce cost. 78 00:05:40,150 --> 00:05:43,390 David Latona: Excellent tips. Those are so great, especially considering indoors, 79 00:05:43,430 --> 00:05:49,990 outdoors. And DEMCO has great resources on our website that walk you through all of this. 80 00:05:50,030 --> 00:05:50,990 Is that correct? 81 00:05:51,470 --> 00:05:58,270 Ashley Carradine: Yes, absolutely. We have power smart energy efficiency resources with lots of helpful information, 82 00:05:58,270 --> 00:06:03,990 including a brochure that you can download a DIY home energy audit checklist. 83 00:06:04,230 --> 00:06:11,470 All of this helps you assess your energy usage room by room, and it gives you suggestions for improving efficiency throughout 84 00:06:11,470 --> 00:06:17,530 your home. And you can download all of this at demco.org/powersmart. 85 00:06:17,970 --> 00:06:24,850 David Latona: It's a great tool for identifying where your energy is going and what you can do to reduce it. 86 00:06:25,250 --> 00:06:28,970 Ashley Carradine: Exactly. You only pay for the power you use. 87 00:06:28,970 --> 00:06:32,690 So the more efficient your home is, the less you spend. 88 00:06:33,170 --> 00:06:38,730 The checklist can help you take control of your usage and manage your budget more effectively. 89 00:06:39,010 --> 00:06:42,730 There are tons of useful ideas packed into that one resource. 90 00:06:43,250 --> 00:06:49,130 David Latona: That's great. You can find the checklist and other energy saving resources at demco.org. 91 00:06:49,530 --> 00:06:57,130 And if you want to explore even more, check out energy.gov energy saver page for step by step 92 00:06:57,650 --> 00:07:05,490 DIY projects. We also want to mention something that could be helpful to members looking to avoid seasonal bill 93 00:07:05,490 --> 00:07:08,650 spikes. DEMCO's levelized bill program. 94 00:07:08,650 --> 00:07:10,690 Would you talk a little bit about that, Ashley? 95 00:07:10,810 --> 00:07:16,320 Ashley Carradine: Yes, I would love to. I am actually on this myself, my husband and I for our home. 96 00:07:16,520 --> 00:07:22,200 Levelized billing is a great option to members who've been at their current residence for at least 12 months. 97 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:28,320 It doesn't reduce your overall energy use, but it does make your bill more predictable. 98 00:07:28,600 --> 00:07:35,840 Instead of big swings during peak heating and cooling months, your bill stays about the same month to month because it's based 99 00:07:35,840 --> 00:07:37,720 on a rolling 12 month average. 100 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,396 David Latona: That's great. I know that can be really helpful, even for folks that are, 101 00:07:42,396 --> 00:07:47,440 they're on a fixed income, and they need to budget a little more accurately month to month. 102 00:07:47,440 --> 00:07:48,640 So it's helpful in that way. 103 00:07:48,760 --> 00:07:56,560 Ashley Carradine: Yes, most certainly. You still pay for the energy you use, but the charges are spread out to avoid extreme highs or 104 00:07:56,560 --> 00:08:03,840 lows. To qualify, you need to have a zero balance and payments must be made on time to stay enrolled. 105 00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:08,000 If you're interested, you can sign up through your MyDEMCO portal. 106 00:08:08,600 --> 00:08:15,360 David Latona: That's great. I'm going to go do that myself because that sounds like a very beneficial member offering. 107 00:08:15,560 --> 00:08:19,790 Ashley Carradine: It definitely is. Like I said, my husband and I have been on it for about three years now, 108 00:08:19,790 --> 00:08:22,750 so it definitely helps me because I'm the one who pays MyDEMCO bill. 109 00:08:23,430 --> 00:08:27,550 David Latona: Excellent. Let's move into some frequently asked questions. 110 00:08:27,550 --> 00:08:29,390 This is when we dip into the mailbag. 111 00:08:29,390 --> 00:08:31,190 I hope that's all right. Ashley. 112 00:08:30,510 --> 00:08:31,190 Ashley Carradine: Yes, of course. 113 00:08:31,270 --> 00:08:39,230 David Latona: Here's one we hear a lot. Should I turn off my AC completely when I 114 00:08:39,230 --> 00:08:40,230 leave the house? 115 00:08:40,870 --> 00:08:46,110 Ashley Carradine: It's better to raise the thermostat a few degrees rather than turning it off. 116 00:08:46,430 --> 00:08:52,190 That way, your system doesn't have to work overtime to cool everything back down when you return. 117 00:08:52,310 --> 00:08:57,270 David Latona: That's good. That's good. Because I know that's a popular question. Great to hear from the expert on that. 118 00:08:57,430 --> 00:08:59,230 Ashley Carradine: It is a very popular question. 119 00:08:59,310 --> 00:09:07,310 David Latona: Another one we see here is do closing vents in unused rooms help save on my 120 00:09:07,310 --> 00:09:08,350 electric bill? 121 00:09:08,830 --> 00:09:14,670 Ashley Carradine: No, it can actually backfire. It creates pressure in your system that reduces efficiency. 122 00:09:14,790 --> 00:09:17,990 It's best to leave them open and keep airflow balanced. 123 00:09:18,190 --> 00:09:22,500 David Latona: That was a shocker. It was like I expected some creepy music in the background when you said that, 124 00:09:22,500 --> 00:09:28,820 because I thought turning off one vent in a room would help out, but maybe it'd be detrimental to the unit itself? 125 00:09:28,860 --> 00:09:34,740 Ashley Carradine: Yes, it definitely is. That's often a sign that your air conditioner is short cycling. 126 00:09:35,380 --> 00:09:40,860 If it's turning on and off too frequently, it may be running long enough to pull moisture out of the air. 127 00:09:41,260 --> 00:09:45,460 So a properly sized system and smart thermostat can help manage that. 128 00:09:45,900 --> 00:09:53,820 David Latona: Excellent. Here's another one. Is it better to leave lights on or turn them off if you're stepping 129 00:09:53,820 --> 00:09:55,540 away for just a few minutes? 130 00:09:55,980 --> 00:09:56,860 Ashley Carradine: Turn them off. 131 00:09:57,260 --> 00:09:58,140 David Latona: Turn them off? 132 00:09:58,300 --> 00:10:04,140 Ashley Carradine: Yes. Modern lighting, especially LEDs, use very little energy to turn back on. 133 00:10:04,460 --> 00:10:08,180 Leaving them on waste energy, even for short periods. 134 00:10:08,860 --> 00:10:11,460 David Latona: That's great advice. I'm so glad we have you on the show. 135 00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:14,020 Ashley Carradine: Thank you. I actually have LED lights in my home. 136 00:10:14,060 --> 00:10:18,340 David Latona: Okay, excellent. So here's one that my wife and I argue about. 137 00:10:18,660 --> 00:10:23,770 What about the dishes? Should I use the dishwasher, or if there's only a few, 138 00:10:23,810 --> 00:10:28,530 should I wash them by hand? What's the best bet with my energy consumption? 139 00:10:28,770 --> 00:10:34,250 Ashley Carradine: So I had to learn this myself because I am one that likes to wash dishes by hand. 140 00:10:34,450 --> 00:10:41,530 I prefer not to use the dishwasher, but a full dishwasher is actually more efficient than washing by 141 00:10:41,530 --> 00:10:46,170 hand. Just skip the heat dry setting and let your dishes air dry instead. 142 00:10:46,410 --> 00:10:50,210 David Latona: I'm so glad you said that so I can tell my wife. 143 00:10:50,810 --> 00:10:53,810 Okay, finally, we're gonna give you a break so. 144 00:10:54,010 --> 00:10:59,610 Does using cold water really make a difference when doing laundry? 145 00:10:59,970 --> 00:11:07,770 Ashley Carradine: It does. Heating water takes a lot of energy, so using cold water whenever possible is one of the easiest ways 146 00:11:07,770 --> 00:11:08,450 to save. 147 00:11:09,050 --> 00:11:11,130 David Latona: Okay, so I lost that one, but that's okay. 148 00:11:11,730 --> 00:11:18,650 Ashley, thanks so much for joining us and sharing these super helpful tips for our members to save on their electric bills. 149 00:11:19,170 --> 00:11:25,360 Ashley Carradine: Thank you David. It's all about making small, smart choices that add up and help our members stay comfortable 150 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:29,920 while managing their bills. For more energy saving tips and resources, 151 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:37,000 visit demco.org. Remember to download the DIY home energy audit checklist to start saving today. 152 00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:40,800 And if you're interested in spreading out your energy costs more evenly. 153 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:43,360 See if you qualify for the levelized billing. 154 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:50,040 You can sign in to your MyDECMO account portal or call 1-844-my-DEMCO. 155 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:54,320 Select option three and a member services representative can assist you. 156 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:58,320 David Latona: This has been such great information. 157 00:11:58,320 --> 00:12:00,200 We appreciate you for being here. 158 00:12:00,840 --> 00:12:04,920 Thank you all for listening to Co-op Conversations with DEMCO. 159 00:12:05,240 --> 00:12:08,120 Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. 160 00:12:08,680 --> 00:12:11,651 If you liked what you heard, leave us a review. 161 00:12:11,651 --> 00:12:14,040 Like and share the episode with a friend. 162 00:12:14,440 --> 00:12:17,320 For Ashley Carradine, I'm David Latona. 163 00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:19,800 Let's keep the conversation going.