SMECO urges members to monitor energy

use during cold snap

        HUGHESVILLE (Jan. 7, 2009) ---  Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is reminding customer-members that the recent cold temperatures will affect energy bills. The sub-freezing temperatures that were prevalent in late December and that have continued into January will directly translate into higher energy usage, which results in higher energy bills, according to SMECO. For customer-members who want to save money on their bills, the Co-op provides the following information on how to reduce energy use when the weather is cold.

Heating systems account for a significant portion of a residential customer’s energy use, so wear warm clothes inside and turn down the thermostat, which SMECO recommends setting at 68 degrees.

Make sure to clean or replace the filters on your heating system monthly.

Keep window blinds and curtains open during the day to let in sunlight, but close them at night to keep cold air out.

Do not set your heat pump to run in emergency heat mode or auxiliary heat mode, because the resistance heat elements cost more to operate.

Avoid changing your heat pump thermostat. Find the coolest comfortable setting and leave it there. Moving the thermostat setting up and down will cause your heat pump to operate less efficiently and will cost you more money.

Keep exterior doors and windows closed.

Use bathroom exhaust fans only when needed. They pull warm air and humidity out of the house.

Keep snow and leaves away from the outdoor unit of your heat pump.

Have your heating system professionally serviced on a regular basis to keep it operating at its peak efficiency.

According to Tom Dennison, SMECO spokesperson, “It has been reported that we are on track for one of the coldest winters in decades.” He added, “To help customers manage their energy use, SMECO posts information on its website located at www.smeco.coop and in our monthly newsletter. We encourage customers to take the steps listed above as we continue to endure these record-low temperatures.”  

Customers who need assistance with paying their energy bills can contact the Office of Home Energy Programs at 301-274-4474. Customers in Prince George’s County can contact the Department of Social Services at 301-909-6300.

 

SMECO is a customer-owned electric cooperative providing electricity to over 147,000 services in southern Prince George’s County, and in Charles County, St. Mary’s County, and all but the northeast portion of Calvert County.  Co-ops are distinctly different from investor-owned utilities because co-ops are owned by their customers, and these members vote for men and women who sit on the Board of Directors. 

Co-ops also issue capital credits to their members.  What are capital credits?  They are the member’s share of the co-op’s margins, based on how much electricity the member purchased and the rate at which the account was billed.  SMECO’s margins—revenue less expenses—are used as working capital for new construction and system improvements.  Each year, SMECO determines what percentage of the capital credits can be distributed to the members.  Capital credits are then issued by check or credited to the member’s electric bill.