OG&E Energy Efficiency Tips Can Help Lower Summer Electric Bills
- mike33692
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
OG&E Energy Efficiency Tips Can Help Lower Summer Electric Bills
As triple-digit temperatures continue across Oklahoma, many homeowners are seeing their air conditioners run longer and their monthly utility bills climb higher. OG&E energy efficiency programs are designed to help customers reduce energy waste, improve home comfort and lower electricity costs during the hottest months of the year.
The utility says many homes lose cooled air through small leaks around doors, windows and other openings, forcing air conditioning systems to work harder than necessary. By making a few simple improvements and taking advantage of free energy-saving resources, homeowners may be able to reduce energy use while staying comfortable throughout the summer.
OG&E Energy Efficiency Programs Offer Free Help
One of the biggest ways homeowners can save money is by keeping cool air inside the home. Air leaks, poor insulation and inefficient cooling systems can all contribute to higher monthly electric bills during periods of extreme heat.
OG&E encourages customers to inspect doors and windows for gaps, close blinds or curtains during the hottest part of the day and maintain a consistent thermostat setting rather than making frequent adjustments. The company also recommends replacing HVAC filters regularly so heating and cooling systems can operate more efficiently.
Through OG&E's Energy Efficiency Programs, customers can schedule a free in-home assessment where an energy advisor checks for air leaks, identifies areas where energy is being lost and recommends improvements that could lower monthly energy costs. In some cases, advisors may also install select energy-saving measures during the visit. Customers can learn more about the program at https://www.oge.com/wps/portal/ord/residential/save-energy-money/energy-efficiency-programs.
Smart Thermostats Can Help Reduce Energy Use
Smart thermostats are another tool homeowners can use to better manage electricity use during Oklahoma's hottest months.
By automatically adjusting temperatures based on a family's daily schedule, smart thermostats help reduce unnecessary cooling while maintaining comfort when people are home. Combined with routine HVAC maintenance and clean air filters, those adjustments can make cooling systems operate more efficiently throughout the summer.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that heating and cooling account for the largest portion of energy use in the average American home. The agency recommends regular maintenance, proper thermostat settings and sealing air leaks as some of the most effective ways to reduce monthly utility costs. Homeowners can find additional energy-saving recommendations at https://www.energy.gov/energysaver.
Small Changes Today Can Mean Lower Bills Tomorrow
While no one can control Oklahoma's summer temperatures, homeowners can take steps to reduce how much energy their homes use during extended periods of extreme heat.
Simple improvements such as sealing drafty windows and doors, adding weatherstripping, using ceiling fans correctly and limiting the use of heat-producing appliances during the hottest part of the day can all help reduce the workload on an air conditioning system. Those small changes often add up over an entire summer, especially when temperatures remain in the upper 90s and triple digits for days at a time.
OG&E says its energy efficiency programs are available to help customers identify those opportunities before high summer bills become even more expensive. In addition to free home assessments, the utility offers information about rebates, energy-saving programs and other residential resources through its customer website at https://www.oge.com.
With Oklahoma expected to remain under extreme summer heat, taking a few preventative steps now could help homeowners save energy, improve comfort and avoid some of the highest cooling costs of the season.
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