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Insights > Near record-breaking temps lead to increased energy use and high bills
Near record-breaking temps lead to increased energy use and high bills
08/11/2022
This summer is proving to be one of the hottest ever recorded. Continuously high temperatures are leading us to use our cooling systems more often and at a stronger level to stay out of the heat.
Extreme temperatures across Texas started in May and haven’t let up since.
The Woodlands recorded their highest recorded temperature for the month on July 10 at a sweltering 105 degrees. In Beaumont, Texas, July 12 marked the highest recorded temperature for the month at 98 degrees.
With near-recording-breaking temperatures across the state, Entergy Texas customers set a new level of peak electricity usage of 3,950 megawatts on July 13, exceeding the previous record of 3,708 on August 10 of 2020.
While May, June and July were high temperature months, August is usually considered the hottest month of the year in Texas with heat indexes reaching triple digits.
The greater the difference between inside and outside temperatures, and the more consecutive days of higher temperatures, the more energy customers use, which results in higher bills. Since cooling costs make up about 55% of an average customer’s electric bill, taking steps to save energy can help you better manage usage when temperatures are hot.
There are simple steps customers can take to make sure their home is using energy efficiently:
- During hotter months, set your thermostat at 78 degrees or the highest comfortable temperature. Every degree lower than 78 can raise your bill as much as 3%. If you crank down the A/C to a cooler 72 degrees, you’ve already increased your bill by 18%.
- Get your A/C inspected to make sure your system is leak-free and operating as efficiently as possible. Don’t forget about air filters; some units require monthly cleaning or replacing.
- Use fans to cool off, but remember – fans cool people, not rooms. Ceiling fans, box fans and oscillating fans use very little electricity to circulate the air, which helps you feel several degrees cooler. To save more energy, be sure to turn them off when you leave the room.
- Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep the sun out and the cool air in. Also, close air conditioning vents in rooms that are not in use.
- Seal cracks and holes around doors, windows and ductwork. Weather stripping and caulk will help keep the cold air in and the hot air out.
- For more tips to help keep your energy usage low when the temperature goes up – or down, visit entergy.com/conserve.
Quick links to more resources
- More about our company’s energy efficiency programs.
- Monitor your energy usage on myAdvisor.
- Ways to manage costs, receive utility bill assistance.
Get bill payment assistance through The Power to Care program.
