KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Oncor Energy Efficiency Program To Take A Load Off Texas

Oncor Energy Efficiency Program To Take A Load Off Texas

Oncor says it wants to help you take a load off this summer - on your energy bills.

KLTV 7's Layron Livingston was on the job site today. The mercury's rising, but with the right plan, your electric bill doesn't have to.

"When we're done with our work, the house must be 90 percent efficient, or better."

That's the challenge. The blower door is in place, and Mike Burnside with Enertia Energy Conservation says he's up to it. "Most of the houses we walk into are already losing about 25 to 30 percent of their air." Burnside is just one of the contractors helping Oncor take an energy load off Texas.

The electric delivery company is offering a number of programs to help keep the heat out of your home, and money in your hands.

"...This weather stripping, it's old, it's wearing out, so we're going to replace that."

The crew is up in the attic, blowing in fresh new insulation, sealing duct work - even insulating light switches and sockets.

"This is a win-win proposition for Texas." Charles Hill with Oncor says customers aren't the only ones benefitting when they use less energy. "We have a fixed amount of money to spend on upgrading our system, so this keeps us from having to spend a lot of money on our system."

He says theirs an energy efficiency program for pretty much everyone, regardless of where you pay your bill.

Many repairs are made at little or no cost.

"We don't pay the contractor until they prove to us that the standards have been met."

Burnside doesn't charge homeowners at all, but rewards come in other ways.

"We've gotten cards from people saying, 'you've saved me so much money on my electric bill'."

The house we saw today, once at 78 percent efficiency, is now 93 percent efficient - the ultimate goal, as summer heats up. 

Oncor says it also offers efficiency programs for renters, too.

Layron Livingston, reporting. llivingston@kltv.com