How saving energy saves you more than money 

Reducing household energy use doesn’t require walking around your house wearing extra sweaters and earmuffs in winter, or stripping down to the bare essentials in summer. It means being smarter about managing the energy you do use.

Consider NEC Co-op Energy, your electricity company in Texas and trusted resource for exploring energy-saving strategies. Nonprofit, member-owned electric co-ops want to help their member-owners make the most of every kilowatt-hour they purchase.

Energy efficiency means performing the same job and getting a similar outcome using less energy. This efficiency is often achieved through a mechanical change, such as replacing an older, less efficient appliance with a new model. Sometimes a minor change of habit is all that’s needed, such as dimming lights or washing clothes in cold water instead of hot.

Benefits of Energy Efficiency and Conservation
So why are energy conservation and energy efficiency more important than ever to our members? What are the benefits? The short answers are that energy reduction in your home 1) saves you money; 2) improves our economy by enabling consumers and businesses to spend and invest in other areas; and 3) reduces the amount of pollution emitted from power generation.
The more complex answer is that modern life means we are increasing demands on all forms of energy. Consumers are more reliant on devices, computers, phones (with charging stations), sophisticated media/home entertainment and video gaming systems, and “smart” technology—all of which rely on electricity. The wide array of new electronic devices is improving our quality of life, and electric co-ops are promoting efficiency to bring new conveniences at a lower cost.

Energy Efficiency: The “First Fuel”
In this period of rapidly changing technology, Americans are increasingly aware of the need to reduce energy consumption. Many now call energy savings the “first fuel” because the easiest way to reduce fuel cost and carbon emissions is to save energy. Energy is a valuable commodity, and while the discussions over climate change and carbon footprints continue, we must all do our part to conserve this precious resource.

Using less energy may even boost the economy by relieving the ever-tightening family budget, allowing dollars to be spent on more tangible goods.

Americans have demonstrated a willingness to take steps toward reducing their energy consumption, both to save money and out of concern for the environment. According to the January 2014 Nielsen U.S. Consumer Energy Sentiments Report, 91 percent of consumers are willing to change their energy-use behavior to save money on energy costs. The same report indicates that 77 percent would change their behavior out of concern for the environment.

NEC Retail utilizes a home energy tool which can be found at www.togetherwesave.com. Helping you save electricity and lower your electric bill is important to us, and that is the cooperative difference.