Originally published June 25, 2008

Ken Laubenstein has turned his handyman skills into energy savings at his home east of Muskogee.

He insulated his water heaters, makes good use of his attic fan, and a smaller fan he installed exhausts hot air from a west-facing room with tall glass windows.

“I’m kind of a penny pincher; I haven’t turned on my central air conditioning this summer yet,” he said. “My poor central air conditioner has cobwebs on it, but I’m outside most of the time.”

In the areas indoors where he spends more time, he spot cools.

“I have a window unit in the bedroom that I’ve been using to keep it cool there,” Laubenstein said.

Then, there are the simple decisions that can be made at the grocery store.

“I use cold water Tide, and it works fine,” he said.

With hot summer temperatures just around the corner, two things are certain: more air conditioning and higher electric bills.

In a media release, OG&E offers suggestions that can help save both energy and dollars.

“Our habits and how we use electricity can have a significant impact on summer bills,” said OG&E spokesman Brian Alford.

At Hoopes Hardware on South Main Street, store manager Stacy Blundell talked about a few energy savers they offer.

“Filters are available in different grades of precision, from the standard blue material on up to the white pleated,” she said. “Some of the pleated filters can be reused, but you need to be sure to get in the habit of cleaning it out. An ordinary disposable air filter measuring 16 by 25 inches costs about $3 plus tax. With the time that disposables last, for $20 you are set for a year.”

Blundell said fans are an under-utilized way to reduce the cost of heating and cooling in homes with air conditioning or heaters.

“We sell the Lasko brand, which offers every kind of fan, from window, to box, to oscillating,” she said. “They are dependable, and you’re not paying out high dollars.”

Ceiling fans cost less to purchase and run than most people realize. Blundell said they save money just like other fans.

“Heating and cooling is all about circulating air,” she said. “With some type of fan, you can get comfortable without putting as much load on your heating and cooling source. You can get a nice ceiling fan for $20 to $40.”

Blundell added that some fancy-looking gadgets will pay for themselves, like electronic digital thermostats.

“An electronic thermostat has saved me a fortune here at the store,” she said. “It doesn’t turn on until 30 minutes before we open, then it turns off 30 minutes after we close. They are available with daily or weekly programming.”


9 ways to save
By using a few simple tips, customers can take greater control of their summer energy bills. OG&E offers home energy-saving tips at www.oge.com. Here are nine effective ways to save energy and money during the summertime:

1. Set your thermostat at 76 degrees or higher and keep it there. Each degree can save up to 4 percent on the cost of operating an air conditioner.

2. Clean or change air conditioner filters monthly. Make sure air vents are clear of furniture or other objects that might impede airflow.

3. Keep air moving in the house by using fans. A ceiling fan uses about as much electricity as a light bulb — far less than an air conditioner.

4. Close drapes and window blinds on the sunny side of the house.

5. Lower the temperature of your water heater to 120 degrees and/or place an insulation blanket around your water heater.

6. Cook meals and run the clothes dryer during cooler evening and morning hours.

7. Use a microwave oven. It uses up to 70 percent less energy than a conventional oven and releases less heat into the kitchen.

8. Air dry dishes. Many dishwashers have an energy-saving “air dry” feature. Summer is the best time to use it.

9. Get kids involved. With children home from school, there is increased use of lights, computers, televisions, stereo equipment, refrigerators and other appliances that not only use electricity, but also generate heat. They should be turned off when not in use.

Source: OG&E Electric Services


Payment programs

Customers interested in billing payment programs or who need to make payment arrangements may call OG&E Customer Service from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at (405) 272-9741 or (800) 272-9741. Information about programs, along with energy-saving tips, also can be found on the company's Web site, www.oge.com.

Kim Hunter visits with OG&E spokesperson Al Stevens who offers some energy and money-saving tips to make your money go further. Watch the video below.