Safety & Conservation

  • Use Less Energy
  • Change your habits
  • Make easy changes first

Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • Set thermostats for energy efficiency. Keep your thermostat on 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter. It is estimated that a 1 degree F temperature change can reduce heating and cooling costs by 3-4%.

  • Keep cooling and heating systems working more efficiently by replacing filters monthly and cleaning coils annually.

  • Turn off lights whenever possible.

  • Keep fixtures clean.

  • Use energy-efficient lightings such as compact fluorescence, T-8 fluorescent lighting, and high-pressure sodium lighting.

  • Lower the temperature setting on your water heater to 120 degrees F.

  • Fix hot water faucet leaks.

  • Reduce phantom loads [see video below]. Phantom Loads—the power supplies to your “instant on” TVs, computers and their peripherals, cordless phones, cell phone charges, clocks on microwaves and electric ranges, etc., are examples of “phantom loads” that steadily consume electricity whether you are using the device or not.

  • Take short showers instead of a bath.

  • Turn off your water heater when you go on vacation.

Together We Save

Save Energy, Save Money

Find out how the little changes add up at TogetherWeSave.com
Imagine if everyone in your co-op made one small change. Now, stop imagining. Flip a switch. Seal some cracks. Turn on an LED. Install a programmable thermostat and actually program it. Doesn’t take a lot of energy to save energy. But it sure pays off.
That’s the thinking behind TogetherWeSave.com, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives’ national energy-efficiency campaign.

Designed to inspire consumers to easily save energy by saving them money, TogetherWeSave.com is filled with tips to help members become more energy efficient.

The site features more than a dozen energy-efficiency interactive web applications linked to a virtual home tour, all designed to encourage co-op members throughout the country to take energy-saving actions now. Plus Touchstone Energy TV, showcasing energy-efficiency videos and the Energy Saving Forum, where members can post their own energy saving success stories and learn more information on how they can lower their energy bill.

Storm Checklist

To report an outage, call PenTex Energy at 940-759-2211 or use our PenTex app. [Android] [iPhone]

If your lights go off during a storm, be prepared for the power outage. Assemble supplies to have on hand rather than rushing around when the storm is coming and waiting in long lines for milk or bread. Rotate your supplies to keep them fresh and use the following checklist to prepare for power outages:

Have Plenty of Food

  • Keep a 3- to 5-day supply of drinking water in plastic bottles. Plan on at least 1 gallon of water per person, per day.

  • Store a manual can opener with enough nonperishable foods for 3 to 5 days. Canned meats, tuna fish, and peanut butter are good foods to store. Don’t forget pet foods!

  • Conserve water by using paper plates and plastic utensils.

  • Have a camp stove or grill for outdoor cooking.

Stay In Touch

  • Have a portable, battery-powered radio and alarm clock.

  • Have one non-portable phone that will work even if power is interrupted.

  • Plan where to meet and how to communicate with family members if separated.

  • Keep essential family member contact information near your phone, in your wallet, and in your glove compartment.

Keep Things Going

  • Keep plenty of gas in your car.

  • Keep extra batteries, matches, propane, charcoal, and firewood.

Stay Happy, Healthy, and Warm

  • Coordinate with neighbors for care of the elderly and disabled living alone.

  • Maintain a supply of prescriptions, nonprescription drugs, vitamins, and special dietary foods.

  • Playing cards, books, drawing and writing supplies, and board games help pass the time. If you have a video camera and tapes, your family can make a storm documentary.

  • Keep sanitary and personal hygiene supplies replenished. Premoistened cleansing towelettes are useful and help conserve water.

  • Use plastic trash bags and ties for garbage.

  • Put first-aid kits in your home and car.

  • Make sure you have cold weather clothing, foul weather gear, blankets, and sleeping bags.

  • Consider purchasing alternative UL-approved heating devices. For example, a fireplace insert or woodstove will keep the heat in your home instead of up the chimney.

  • Use flashlights and other battery-operated lighting instead of candles.

  • Keep fire extinguishers fully charged.

  • Fill your bathtub with water for bathroom use before the storm (if you have a well).

CHECK LOCAL WEATHER