As your cooperative, we want to provide you with the most useful information and applicable resources to help you save on bills. In a previous newsletter, we tackled some common energy efficiency myths. This follow up to that article dives into a few more myths to help you make more informed decisions.

Reducing Energy Use is Too Expensive

The first and most common misconception about energy efficiency is cost. There’s a stigma associated with it that assumes it’s far too expensive to be worth it, which is incorrect. While members can begin to see increased savings by upgrading insulation and replacing old appliances, many of the immediate steps you can take toward using energy efficiently are behavioral changes. Some of these will be addressed below, but others include turning off lights when you leave a room, limiting use of kitchen and bathroom vents, closing doors to empty rooms while heating or cooling systems are running, and remembering to close your curtains in the summer – and conversely open them in the winter – to keep sunlight from affecting the temperature inside your home.

Myth or Truth: Myth

Adjusting the Thermostat Saves Energy

Adjusting your thermostat up or down a few degrees, depending on the season, can help you save energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates this little behavioral change could save consumers as much as 10 percent per year on their energy bills. Since heating and cooling our homes accounts for approximately half of our annual energy usage, that could result in significant savings. To see additional savings on your energy bills, you can adjust the thermostat a few more degrees when you and your family won’t be home. It is recommended to practice adjusting your thermostat 6-8 degrees when your home will be empty for several hours, such as when you’re at work. It’s important to note you may not see savings from this practice when you’re only away from the home for a couple hours. This practice is easily paired with a smart thermostat, which can either adjust your thermostat automatically based your location relative to the home or on a pre-programmed schedule. If you and your family are traveling for the holidays, you can set your thermostat to an even lower temperature, roughly 50 degrees, to both save energy and protect your pipes from winter temperatures. In certain situations, it may even be possible to turn your system off altogether, such as a family vacation in the summer or at night when you can allow Colorado’s mild climate to cool your home naturally by opening windows.

Myth or Truth: Truth

Ceiling Fans Keep Rooms Cool

Sitting in a room with a running ceiling fan may feel more comfortable than a room without one, but that’s not because the ceiling fan is actually cooling the air in the room. Instead, the room feels cooler because the ceiling fan keeps air in the room flowing constantly, cooling those who are in the room rather than the air itself. To use ceiling fans efficiently, run them only in occupied rooms while adjusting your thermostat up a few degrees. Leaving a ceiling fan running in an empty room just wastes energy.

Myth or Truth: Myth.

Setting Thermostat Higher Heats Home Faster

No matter what temperature you set your thermostat, your furnace will work equally as hard and fast to meet that goal. The only difference achieved by setting the temperature to a higher degree is that the system will work for a longer period of time, therefore using more energy. The same applies to air conditioners when set to a lower temperature then desired.

Myth or Truth: Myth

Appliances Don’t Use Power When Turned Off

You may have heard the term “vampire loads,” but do you know what causes them? When you turn off an electronic device or appliance, many don’t actually turn off. They go into a “standby” mode, which still draws a small amount of energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates these loads are approaching nearly 10% of our annual energy usage, due in large part to the increased number of electronics we use daily. To save energy, make sure your electronics are turned off rather than in standby and unplug unused chargers. Using a smart power strip may be an effective way to combat these loads, as well.

Myth or Truth: Myth

Using energy more efficiently isn’t as difficult as you may believe. Many of the quickest ways to see results are to make small behavioral changes. If you’re curious about more ways you can save, check out our website at www.unitedpower.com/energy-tips or contact an Energy Management Specialist at 303-637-1300.

Seeking an opportunity to give back during the holiday season, United Power employees participated in a virtual food drive to raise funds for the Food Bank of the Rockies in December. In the two weeks before Christmas, employees donated more than $2,000 to the food bank, which the cooperative generously matched, bringing the total to more than $4,000.

For each dollar donated, the Food Bank of the Rockies was able to provide four meals to individuals and families facing food insecurity and in need of assistance. Thanks to the contributions of United Power employees, the food bank was able to provide nearly 17,000 meals. The Food Bank of the Rockies was selected as the partner for the employee drive because of its accessibility for members across the service territory.

“We wanted to help our communities and our members, and this was a safe-distance solution that allowed us to reach as many members as possible,” said Laurel Eller, Senior Communication Specialist. “Employee giving is a rich tradition and our employees have been very generous this season. We thank all of them for helping make this virtual food drive a success.”

Demand at food banks quadrupled last year as many local familes faced food insecurity for the very first time. The Food Bank of the Rockies distributed more than 100 million pounds of food for the first time ever in 2020, which provided more than 83 million meals for those in need. To learn more or support the Food Bank of the Rockies, go to www.foodbankrockies.org.

The events that will come to define this past year were unpredictable. Even as work and home life looked different during this time, United Power has continued to work hard behind the scenes to provide the same level of service to our members despite unexpected limitations. Though the cooperative took certain steps for the health and safety of both members and employees, we continued to work toward providing safe, reliable and affordable power in 2020.

A United Response to COVID-19

Although 2020 had its share of defining moments, perhaps nothing will come to define it more than the pandemic that arrived on the scene midway through March, forcing United Power to temporarily close its offices to the public. Recognizing the impact certain COVID restrictions could have on members, the cooperative took immediate action to provide help and relief.

The cooperative became one of the first in the state to announce a temporary halt to disconnects for nonpayment, making the decision prior to Governor Jared Polis’ statewide executive order. In the weeks that followed, the Board of Directors approved an allocation of $250,000 in unclaimed capital credits to the Co-op Cares Fund. The fund was established to help members who were financially impacted by the pandemic pay balances on their account. Toward the end of the year, the Board approved an additional allocation of $300,000, including $250,000 to help support members in 2021. Among other relief efforts, the cooperative also retired capital credits to members several months early, getting cash back to members at a time when they could use the relief. Additional information about the cooperative’s ongoing COVID-19 response is available on our Coronavirus Response page. 

Round-Up Gets Involved

Considering the many families struggling because of the pandemic, Operation Round-Up distributed additional funds to nonprofits providing services to help United Power members. In addition to the continued support of several partner organizations, Round-Up provided $10,000 each to the Food Bank of the Rockies and the Weld Country Food Bank, helping provide thousands of meals for United Power members and their families.

Find out more information or sign up for Round-Up here. 

Contactless Payment Options

United Power has provided members with a variety of contactless payment methods for several years. Members are able to make payments quickly and easily using our free online account management tool, SmartHub, or the United Power mobile app. With these tools, members can schedule their own payments or enroll in Auto Pay, which ensures payments are made on time every month. Members may also make payments over the phone by calling 866-999-4485. United Power also invested in new ways for members to make contactless payments, installing kiosks at its office locations in Carbon Valley and Coal Creek. The cooperative later added a kiosk at the Brighton office location and recently in Fort Lupton at the Bank of Colorado’s Operation Center. More information about kiosks can be found on our Payment Options page. .

Supporting Causes Members Care About

United Power unveiled its Member Choice Grants program in 2020. The new program allowed members to nominate area nonprofits to receive grants from the cooperative, ensuring our continued support for causes you care about. The six nonprofits selected to receive grants in 2020 were focused on providing for the essential needs of others who were trying to navigate difficult circumstances. The program was renewed for 2021, and nominations are now being accepted on our Member Choice Grants page. 

Wildfire Rebuild in the Mountains

Several wildfires burned throughout Colorado during the summer and fall of 2020, representing the worst wildfire season in the state’s history. Thousands of acres were burned in rural parts of the state, impacting a few neighboring cooperatives. When the East Troublesome Fire consumed more than 100,000 acres overnight near Granby and Grand Lake in October, Mountain Parks Electric received significant damage to its system. United Power joined four other state cooperatives in dispatching crews and equipment to help rebuild parts of the system to quickly and safely restore power to as many of their members as possible.

Fifth Utility Solar Farm

Despite difficult circumstances, United Power was also busy behind the scenes maintaining its reputation as one of the nation’s most forward-thinking and innovative cooperatives in 2020. Toward the year’s end, United Power energized the Platteville Solar Farm, its fifth utility scale solar farm, directly adjacent to the Rattlesnake Solar Farm near Platteville. With the addition of this new facility, the cooperative now has more than 43 megawatts of solar connected to its system, in addition to approximately 6,000 residential rooftop systems.

Find our more about our innovative projects here. 

Investing in EV Resources

Electric vehicles are gaining popularity across the country, and there’s significant interest and adoption within the United Power service area. United Power provided several opportunities for members to look at potential investments in EVs this past year. In October, United Power hosted a live virtual event to dispel myths and hesitations about EVs and provide education on how an electric vehicle could be right for you and your family. Earlier in the year, we also rolled out a new online resource, called ChooseEV, to help answer member questions about either all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.

For more information on ChooseEV, click here. 

No Rate Increase for 2021

In December, United Power announced there would be no rate increase for the new year, which could not have come at a better time for many members, especially those who were impacted by the pandemic. Rates were able to remain stable thanks to the forethought of cooperative leadership, who recognized the financial impact of the pandemic and took immediate action to reduce spending in various departments. Other factors that allowed for stable rates included another strong year of growth in both membership and load.

As we move into this new year, the cooperative also remains in discussions with its wholesale power provider, Tri-State Generation & Transmission, in hopes of being able to reduce current rates and offer more competitive rates in the future. United Power responded to unprecedented and unpredictable circumstances in 2020. These situations helped us find new ways to communicate with members without sacrificing the same level of service you have come to expect from the cooperative. Responding to new challenges will inform us for years to come as we continue to provide our members with safe and reliable power.

Many United Power members have spent much of the past ten months making necessary lifestyle changes to accommodate recommended precautions for the COVID-19 pandemic. Working from home and distance learning have become common throughout our territory and may continue throughout the first part of the new year. With more time spent at home and more devices being used, it’s important our members consider the electrical safety implications of the current period.

Secure Wall Outlets

Over time, standard wall outlets may become loose, causing power cords to hang loose rather than hold firmly. This may not seem like a safety risk, especially if you’ve regularly used these outlets in the past. However, power cords hanging from loose outlets can cause arcing, which may lead to a fire. If your outlets are not firmly holding a plug, contact a certified electrician to make necessary repairs.

Don’t Overload Home Circuits

An additional safety concern with outlets in your home is overloading, which is when more power is requested of an outlet than it can deliver. This can be the result of either high-powered appliances or many small devices plugged into a single outlets. Overloaded outlets can trip circuit breakers or blow fuses, but it may also melt the plastic or rubber protection around power cords, exposing the wires. This poses another fire risk to households. An electrician can install additional outlets in your home to avoid the risks of overloaded circuits.

Don’t Daisy Chain Power Strips

One way people may add sockets to a wall outlet is using a power strip. Daisy chaining is the process of plugging an additional power strip into a power strip already in use, creating a “chain” of power strips, and is another way to easily overload your circuit.

This past year may have challenged many of our members to find ways to use energy more efficiently with many families staying home for both work and school during the pandemic. While the end may be in sight, members should remain vigilant about using energy efficiently to help keep bills low and manageable. United Power is committed to providing members with the information and resources they need to take control of their energy usage throughout the pandemic and after it is over.

Rates that Work for You

With families spending more time at home over the past year, our members may have become increasingly aware of how they use energy. As we roll into the new year, now is a good time to ask your cooperative about your rate and choose one that works for you and your family.

United Power expanded its menu of residential rates over the past couple years so we now offer several rates designed to fit a variety of lifestyles. The flexibility of available rates enables our members to review their energy use habits and select one that most closely fits their usage patterns. For example, if you’ve effectively managed to switch your usage to off-peak hours, perhaps the Peak Time of Day rate, which does not charge for demand during those hours, would be the best option for your household. The cooperative’s Board of Directors also approved a budget this past year that allowed rates to remain unchanged in 2021, which may come as a relief for many United Power members.

For more information on United Power’s residential rates, you can flip to page 6 or go to our Rates page. To have a dedicated Energy Management Specialist review your usage and recommend a rate option, call 303- 637-1300.

Take Advantage of Free Member Resources

United Power has rolled out several programs and tools to help members understand their usage. While our online account portal provides information related to your energy usage, the Power Portal is a member tool that goes deeper into your usage patterns. With the Power Portal, you can access your complete energy consumption portfolio in 15-minute intervals throughout the day to get a clear look at how you use your energy. You can then compare days or months to determine what behaviors are driving your usage and make small or large changes to save you over time and help keep bills manageable. You can find out more about the Power Portal here.

In addition to this resource, the cooperative has also launched calculators to help members understand what drives their demand or how charging an electric vehicle can impact their usage. More resources may be coming in the future, and all these tools are available free to United Power members.

The ‘Smart’ Way to Save on Heating this Winter

Nearly half of our energy use comes from keeping our homes at a comfortable temperature year-round, making it the most expensive part of our electric bills. A simple adjustment to your thermostat may be all it takes to realize quick savings on heating and cooling your home, and it’s unlikely you’ll even notice the slight change in temperature. The Department of Energy estimates a savings of approximately 1 percent per degree adjustment per 8 hours. Adjusting the temperature to a greater degree when you’re away from home may result in savings up to 10 percent annually. The most efficient way to manage your heating and cooling is installing a smart thermostat, which gives you control even when you’re not home. Many smart thermostats can also learn your schedule, analyze weather and adjust automatically.

Have you ever considered your water heater as a potential user of excess energy? Turns out, keeping your water warmer than necessary can also cause small spikes in energy use. Consider turning down the temperature to the warm setting (120°F) to save a little extra.

Watch for Vampire Loads

The way many families use energy makes it difficult to notice the small things that use energy, but those small uses can quickly add up. Over time, small loads may lead to noticeable changes on your electric bills. This is increasingly the case as more members make the switch to chargeable devices and electronics that use energy even when they appear to be off. These are known as “vampire loads.” Gaming systems or TVs set to standby or chargers left plugged in when not in use are examples of small things that can contribute to these loads, which account for approximately 10 percent of the average household’s energy use. Many devices are now available that can control the flow of energy to devices that might cause these loads, such as smart power strips or plugs that can be turned off or on either manually or remotely (some via WiFi and others Bluetooth).

Talk to a United Power Energy Management Specialist

A United Power Energy Management Specialist is available to advise and assist you with your energy concerns. An Energy Management Specialist can walk through your concerns, analyze your usage and provide you with practical information you can use to control your energy usage. They can walk you through available rates, programs and rebates to ensure you’re maximizing your energy savings.

Ultimately, energy savings comes down to the small things. Turn off lights and ceiling fans when you aren’t in a room. Turn off power strips to televisions, gaming systems and other electronics, including chargers, that are not in use. Take shorter showers. Consolidate loads of laundry and dishes to make the best use of hot water. Stagger the use of appliances to avoid a higher demand. Remind everyone in your family to make energy savings a priority. Work with them to start a conversation about saving energy, and you’ll see the savings every month. Enter into the new year resolved to be more energy efficient.