Beat the heat and the energy bill

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With the sun beating down bringing record-breaking heat for the fourth day in a row, Austin Energy is encouraging people to think smart to keep their bills down.

Thursday Austin Energy customers used more energy than ever before at 2,551 megawatts. Wednesday consumers used 2,518 megawatts. Before this summer, the record was set last August with a peak of 2,514 megawatts.

Austin Energy spokesman Ed Clark said the utility is prepared to keep up, but if the summer continues with record-breaking days, that could mean some changes. The more power used, the more likely they are to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a new power plant.

"If you have a consistently growing peak demand, that's what dictates building the next power plant," said Clark.

There are about 85,000 Austin Energy customers with Power Partner thermostats . Officials with Austin Energy said they believe by cycling some air-conditioning units off, they can peak demand.

"Which helps delay the need to build expensive power plants and keep electric rates lower," said Clark.

Power Partner participants receive a free programmable thermostat plus free installation and warranty. Customers voluntarily allow Austin Energy to coordinate the cycling of their air conditioners with others.

Because cycling keeps demand for electricity level, we "cycle" off power on summer days when demand for electricity is highest, between 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

"You don't even notived it that it goes off but it really helps," said Darwin Mann, a participant in the Austin Energy Savings program. "It's just a simple matter of being conscious of your electrical use and knowing that it would be good to conserve on that hot afternoon," said Mann.

Austin Energy offers a one-time $25 bonus for single-family customers that allow them to cycle off an extra five minutes. To apply or learn more call (877) 549-2774.