Load Management Program
Save money on your electric bills by signing up for the Town of Farmville’s load management program. The Town’s electric department installs a load management switch on your electric hot water heater and/or central air conditioner. This switch allows the unit to cycle during peak times when electric usage is at its highest. Peak periods are usually 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. during the summer and 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. during the winter. Typically, we cycle appliances three or four peak days a month.
The Town Of Farmville’s load management customers receive:
- $2 Monthly credit for electric hot water heaters
- $4 monthly credit for air conditioners/heat pumps (25% control) – This credit shows up during the months the customer is billed for summer electric usage. The months are July, August, September & October
Best of all, you probably won’t even notice when we’re cycling your appliance. The water heater will store plenty of hot water for your use, and the air conditioning is only cycled for about 7 – 15 minutes.
This program helps the Town of Farmville make the most of its current system capacity. By conserving electricity when demand is at its highest, we save you money.
Stay warm in the winter, and cool in the summer
- If your attic is less than R-38, add more insulation. A natural ridge vent is best for ventilation with proper soffit vents.
- Add insulation jacket to your hot water heater, insulate both hot and cold water pipes.
- Keep furniture, draperies, rugs and other objects away from vents
- Trim shrubs and grass back from the outdoor unit and avoid running the lawn mower over the exposed refrigerant lines.
- Keep your thermostat no higher than 68 in the winter, and no lower than 78 in the summer. Each additional degree adds about 5 % to your energy cost.
- If you have an old furnace or air conditioning system that needs replacing, a new high energy heat pump or gas pack will save you money.
- If you have a heat pump, it will operate most efficiently if you set your thermostat and leave it.
- When it’s time to buy a new appliance, buy the most energy efficient models.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Replace your incandescent lamps with florescent.
- Keeping lamps and fixtures clean can save as much as 20% on lighting costs.
- Fully insulating your house can save as much as 55% on your heating and cooling bills.
- Check for air escaping through your dryer vents, range vent and exhaust fan openings. Keep refrigerator return and lent filter on dryer clean.
- Clean or replace filters monthly.
- Use permanent sealant to seal leaky supply and return ducts. Install insulation in crawl space and cover ground with a vapor barrier.
- Seal all cracks around window air conditioners and open areas around unit. Cover unit in winter.
- Close drapes and blinds during summer days, and winter nights.
- Keep fireplace dampers closed.
- Don’t close off individual rooms supplies. Closing vents will alter the air flow and can damage the compressor.
- Use fans instead of, or in addition to air conditioning.
- Use smaller appliances, like microwave, or toaster oven, instead for your full oven.
- If your freezer is not frost free, defrost often. Clean the condenser once a year. Check seals and caskets, and don’t open the door more often than necessary.
- When running your dishwasher, use the energy saving cycle and run only full loads.
- Lower setting on your hot water heater to 120, especially during the summer months.
- Fix leaky faucets
- Don’t leave water running when you are shaving or washing dishes.
- Take short showers instead of baths, and install low-flow shower heads.
- Close doors to storage rooms without vents to avoid heating and cooling extra space.
- If you have holes where ducts, pipes or wiring enters or leaves your living area, close up with insulation or caulk.