Hey there, Temple! Can you feel it? That thick, familiar heat that settles in around Central Texas every summer. It’s the season of backyard barbecues, splashing in the lake, and trying to find any patch of shade you can.

It’s also the season of that first eye-popping energy bill. You’re not alone if you’ve ever brought the mail in, opened that bill, and let out a sigh. We get it. We live here, too. Our team at Power Connect is made up of your neighbors, and we’re all in this heatwave together.

As your local electric company Temple TX families have relied on for years, we want to help you save money. This isn’t about complicated gadgets or sweating it out in your own home. It’s about being smart with your energy use so you can stay cool and keep your hard-earned cash in your wallet.

Here are our best, down-to-earth tips for beating the heat without blowing your budget.

Start With These Free & Easy Habits (Do Them Today!)

You don’t need to spend a dime to start saving. These simple changes can make a real difference.

·       Be Friends with Your Thermostat. This is the biggest win. Try setting it to 78°F when you’re home and awake. It might sound warm, but it’s a comfortable zone for most people, especially with a fan on. When you’re out for the day or asleep, nudge it up 7-10 degrees. Your AC gets a break, and you save big.

·       Let Your Fans Do the Heavy Lifting. Ceiling fans are magic. They create a breeze that makes your skin feel 4 or 5 degrees cooler. That means you can set your thermostat higher and feel just as good. Crucial fan rule: They cool people, not rooms. So, turn them off when you leave. No sense paying to cool an empty room!

·       Play Keep-Away with the Sun. That beautiful sunshine is your AC’s worst enemy. On hot days, especially in the afternoon, close the blinds and curtains on the sunny sides of your house. It’s like putting a sun hat on your home. You’ll be shocked how much cooler it stays.

·       Ditch the Oven. On a 100-degree day, turning on your oven is like fighting a battle on two fronts. You’re cooking your food and heating your house, forcing your AC to work double-time. Embrace no-cook meals, use the microwave, or be a hero and fire up the grill outside.

Small Investments for Bigger Savings

These next tips cost a little upfront but pay you back all summer long.

·       Change That AC Filter! We can’t say this enough. A clogged, dirty filter is like asking your AC to run a marathon while breathing through a straw. It has to strain, using way more energy and risking a breakdown. Check it monthly. If it looks gray and dusty, swap it out. A clean filter helps everything run smoothly.

·       Go on a Draft Hunt. On a breezy day, slowly run your hand around the edges of your windows and exterior doors. Feel a draft? That’s your cool, paid-for air sneaking out! A cheap tube of caulk for windows and some weatherstripping for doors can plug those leaks in no time.

·       Get Smart with Your Bulbs. Old-school incandescent light bulbs are basically tiny heaters that also give off light. Switching to LEDs is a no-brainer. They use a fraction of the energy and stay cool. You’ll save on your lighting bill and reduce a little source of heat in your home.

When You’re Ready for a Bigger Project

If you’re a homeowner looking to save for years to come, think about these.

·       Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat. This is like giving your brainy best friend control of your AC. You can program it to match your schedule perfectly. It can turn the temperature up when you leave for work and cool the house down just before you get home. Many even learn your habits and suggest savings.

·       Give Your AC a Check-Up. You get an annual physical, right? Your air conditioner deserves one too. Having a pro service it in the spring ensures it’s running as efficiently as possible. They’ll clean it, tighten connections, and spot small problems before they become big, expensive repairs.

FAQs: Your Temple Energy Questions, Answered

We get it. Energy stuff can be confusing. Here are honest answers to the questions we hear most often from our neighbors.

Q: I'm on a tight budget. What if I can't pay my bill on time?
A: Please, call us. The worst thing you can do is ignore it and stress. We're not a giant corporation in another state; we're your local electric company Temple TX customers can talk to. We can explain your payment options, like setting up a payment extension or a plan that spreads the cost out. We want to help you keep the lights on.

Q: What's the one thing I'm probably forgetting that would save me the most money?
A: Changing your AC air filter. Seriously! It’s like making your AC breathe through a clogged straw. A dirty filter makes your system work much harder, which costs you more money. Check it every month, especially in summer, and change it if it looks gray and dusty. It’s the cheapest, easiest tune-up you can do.

Q: Do those fancy "smart thermostats" actually work? Are they worth it?
A: For most folks, yes! Think of it like this: it automatically does the thing you always forget to do—like turning the temperature up when you leave for work. It learns your schedule and makes adjustments to save energy without you lifting a finger. Many of our customers tell us it’s one of the best investments they’ve made for cutting their summer bills.

Q: I'm moving into a new home in Temple. What do I need to do to get the power turned on?
A: Welcome to the neighborhood! The main thing is to give us a call at least a few business days before your move-in date. We’ll get your account set up and schedule the service switch. Have your new address and your Social Security Number or Driver's License handy. We’ll make sure the lights are on when you arrive.

Q: Besides sending a bill, what does my local electric company actually do for the community?
A: We love this question. As a true local electric company Temple TX depends on, we're invested here. Our crews are the ones you see working in the bucket trucks after a storm—they live here too. We sponsor local little league teams, support school programs, and our employees volunteer at community events. We’re not just a utility; we’re your neighbors, and we care about making Temple a great place to live

We’re Here to Help You Save

Remember, we’re not just the folks who send the bill. As a community-minded electric company Temple TX residents can talk to, we have a real interest in helping you manage your power use.

·       Take a Closer Look at Your Bill. Your monthly statement isn’t just a total amount due. It often has graphs or charts showing your usage. See how you compare to last month or last year. It’s the first clue to understanding your habits.

·       Reach Out and Ask! Wondering if a smart thermostat is right for you? Not sure why your bill was so high last month? Give us a call. We can often look at your account and usage and offer personalized advice. That’s what a local electric company Temple TX neighbors can count on is for.

Staying cool in Temple doesn’t have to be a battle against your budget. Try a few of these tips and see what works for your home. Here’s to a summer full of fun, family, and manageable energy bills!

Stay cool,
Your Neighbors at Power Connect - Your trusted electric company Temple TX.