Energy Consumers Who Control Consumption This Summer Can Relieve Peak Power Demand, Cut Costs

In the state that takes pride in everything being bigger, summertime energy consumption is the one thing that doesn’t have to be. TXU Energy says customers don’t have to suffer under the weight of record-setting temperatures and bank-breaking bills. Instead, consumers have the power to control their consumption, cut the state’s demand for electricity, avoid service interruptions, lower their monthly bills and remain comfortable all summer long.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Texas consumes more electricity than any other state. Texas per-capita residential use of electricity is significantly higher than the national average due to high demand for air conditioning during the hot summer months.

TXU Energy helps customers by providing extensive energy education, solutions and incentives to control electricity consumption – all of which can have a significant impact on summertime electricity bills. High temperatures affect not only individual customer bills but also the reliability of the state’s electricity grid.

According to ERCOT’s Seasonal Assessment of Resource Adequacy for summer 2013, the grid operator expects this summer’s peak power demand to surpass the record set in the sizzling summer of 2011. Without conservation efforts, electric reliability could be imperiled.

Texas consumers across the state can reduce their usage and help safeguard the electric grid, hold down their costs and still keep cool by:

• Knowing

  the options: Customers benefit most from enrolling in electricity plans tailored to their needs and lifestyles. TXU Energy provides the right solutions, with more than 30 plans available. TXU Energy Free Nights or TXU Energy Free Weekends plans, for example, provide customers the options of free nighttime or weekend energy charges.

• Reviewing electric bills: TXU Energy recommends consumers take the time to review and understand their electric bills so they can plan for their spending. It’s a good idea to contact the provider prior to the bill’s due date to clarify any questions and avoid late-payment penalties.
• Understanding the effects of weather: Extreme conditions – like the 100-degree dog days of summer – naturally decrease the efficiency of cooling systems, which means a lot of electricity is used but less comfort is achieved. Cooling can account for 50 percent or more of customers’ summer electric bills. To save energy, customers should consider setting their thermostat at 78 degrees or warmer with the fan switched to “auto” and raising it to 82 degrees or more when they’re away from home.
• Conducting

  audits: An energy audit or home energy makeover can make homes more energy efficient and reduce the cost of electricity bills.

• Controlling consumption: TXU Energy encourages customers to monitor their consumption and cut back on consumption and costs year-round to help save money and protect the power grid.
• Taking advantage of efficiency tools: Having access to tools like TXU Energy’s MyEnergy Dashboard^SM, the Brighten^® iThermostat and the TXU Energy iPhone^® App offers consumers a variety of ways to take advantage of energy-saving techniques that can significantly help reduce usage and bills.

For more information on free energy-saving solutions, visit www.txu.com or call 1-866-CALL-TXU.

About TXU Energy

TXU Energy is a market-leading competitive retail electricity provider, powering the lives of more Texans than any other retailer. TXU Energy offers a variety of innovative products and solutions, allowing both its residential and business customers to choose options that best meet their needs, including exceptional customer service, competitively priced electricity service plans, innovative energy efficiency options, renewable energy programs and other electricity-related products and services. Visit txu.com for more information about TXU Energy. REP #10004