Customers can follow simple tips to conserve energy use this winter

Baton Rouge, La. – Although Entergy Louisiana, LLC customers have enjoyed lower electric bills in recent months thanks to lower natural gas prices, the recent cold snap serves as a reminder that increased energy use due to severe weather can lead to higher bills.

During January’s recent run of record low temperatures in Entergy’s four-state service territory, the company saw record usage amounts as customers used more power to heat their homes, offices and businesses. From January 1-15, temperatures were about 25-30 percent colder than normal across Louisiana.

The return of Waterford 3 as an inexpensive power source after a successful refueling outage lowered fuel costs by 15 percent for Entergy Louisiana customers in February, although customers who used more kilowatt-hours during the cold snap could see increases on their bills. To help customers better manage their energy use in the future, Entergy Louisiana has a variety of services and billing options as well as a few simple tips that can potentially help lower monthly electric bills during the chilly winter months.

“Colder weather can lead to increased energy use during the winter as our customers try to keep warm,” said Steven Scheurich, vice president for customer service for Entergy Louisiana, LLC. “The best way for customers to avoid surprises on their bills is to take a serious look at their homes to see where they can make energy efficiency improvements. We also have options available like Level Billing, which averages 12 months’ worth of bills so that each bill is predictable and there are no sharp spikes because of higher usage.”

In additional to the Level Billing option, customers who are signed up for Entergy Louisiana’s My Account Online service can access the company’s new Bill Analyzer feature. The Bill Analyzer offers a simple overview that shows customers why their bill amount may have changed compared to previous bills. Detail of customer usage, energy charges and other factors are available for customers who want additional information.

My Account Online also allows customers to view and pay their bill, view their billing and payment history and update account information. For more information on My Account Online, customers can visit entergy-louisiana.com/my_account.

“It is important for customers to know that they can help control their electricity costs by using energy efficiently,” Scheurich added. “By using tools such as Entergy’s Simple Steps or Level Billing, customers can better manage their bills and seasonal weather.”

Customers can find answers to a variety of energy-related topics, including how electricity is made, what goes into energy costs and what Entergy Louisiana is doing to ensure affordable energy in the future, at EntergyAnswers.com. The Web site also offers a series of easy to use tips that can help customers lower their monthly energy bills:

• Adjust your thermostat: Heating and/or cooling the air in your home can account for as much as 55 percent of your monthly electric bill. Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the winter is an easy way for to reduce how much energy you use. Every degree above 68 on the thermostat can increase your bill by about three percent. Entergy Louisiana also recommends setting the thermostat to 55 degrees if you plan to be away from home for several days.

• Conserve hot water: Heating the water you use each day, whether for showers or washing dishes or clothes, can account for 20 percent of your monthly bill. Wrap your electric water heater with a water heater jacket (available at any home improvement store) and set the temperature on the unit to 120 degrees or medium. Washing clothes in cold water when possible and running the dishwasher only when full can also help to save energy.

• Replace air filters every 30 days: The harder your heating unit has to work to warm your house, the more energy it uses. Keeping air filters clean can make your unit more efficient, which means it uses less energy. Fiberglass air filters should be replaced monthly and aluminum mesh filters should be washed monthly.

• Use energy-efficient light bulbs: ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulbs use 70 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer than regular light bulbs. If you need more light, use one larger bulb rather than several smaller ones. A 100-watt bulb produces 50 percent more light than four 25-watt bulbs for the same amount of energy.

• Seal air leaks around windows and doors: Caulking and weather-stripping are easy ways to stop cold air from outside from entering your home. Put weather-stripping around doors, windows and wall seams. You can also seal places where electrical, plumbing or heating systems enter your house and add insulating gaskets on all electrical outlets and switches.

Entergy Louisiana also works with local community action agencies and parish Councils on Aging to help elderly or disabled customers through the company’s Power to Care program. The company also actively supports the federally-funded Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. For more information on these programs, visit entergy.com/our_community.
“The Power to Care and LIHEAP programs are great resources for low income, elderly or disabled customers who might have trouble paying their bill,” Scheurich said.

Entergy’s Louisiana utility companies serve more than one million customers through the operating companies Entergy Louisiana, LLC, Entergy New Orleans, Inc. and Entergy Gulf States Louisiana, L.L.C. With operations in southern, central and northeastern Louisiana, the companies are part of Entergy Corporation’s electric system serving 2.7 million customers in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi and Texas.

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