Energy customers near record usage

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Energy was just 115 megawatts short of their all-time summer peak record Tuesday.

The all-time record was set just last year at 2,514 during a period of 50, over 100 degree days.

"We have about 2,700 megawatts of total generation, not including another 439 megawatts of wind turbines, that send us energy from West Texas," Austin Energy Public Information Officer Ed Clark said in an e-mail interview Wednesday. "What creates a potential for records is when you have, say, four days straight of 100 degree or more temps."

Clark said the accumulation of heat in the ground, concrete and buildings is what sets the stage for potential record use. Austin Energy is not expecting to break another record this year, based on their forecasts.

Clark reminds those who want to save money on their electric bills this summer to take part in Austin Energy's rebate plans.

People who are customers of Austin Energy and Texas Gas Service who need additional attic insulation, duct repair or solar screens on windows can get rebates from both Austin Energy and Texas Gas Service, Clark said.

With the rebate, Clark said, customers typically only pay for about one-third of the cost.

North Austin resident Carlos Hinojosa recently spent about $7,000 to replace his air conditioner, and make his house more energy efficient.

"If your air conditioning system is several years old, it probably wouldn't hurt to get an estimate," he said.

Hinojosa said the contractor he hired worked to get about 20 percent of the costs back in rebates, despite Hinojosa having some reservations.

"We've had a few instances where rebates weren't quite what we expected, or it didn't come at all," he said. "And we figured this one being from the city was going to take a while. But, it actually came really quick, far sooner than they said it was going to come in."

Austin Energy considers the rebates a great deal since the three most frequent energy efficiency improvements offer rebates.

Officials say the best way to start making your home efficient is to consider the following:  additional attic insulation, repairs to leaking ducts and solar screens on windows hit by direct sunlight.