March 2023 Energy Works - pnmprod
Energy Works - March 2023
Start preparing your home for summer
As the weather starts to turn warmer here in New Mexico, it's time to start thinking about ways to save during the warmer months. Small changes lead to big results and PNM wants to help save you energy and money throughout your home.
Air Conditioner Maintenance is a must. Servicing your air conditioner by performing general maintenance such as replacing, or cleaning air filters can lower your cooling system's energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Add an annual calendar reminder for the first day of spring to check your air conditioner's evaporator coil. This should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing optimally.
Use your ceiling fans to offset cooling costs. Cooling your home with ceiling fans will allow you to raise your thermostat four degrees. This can help lower your electricity bills without sacrificing overall comfort. In the summer, fan blades should be turning counterclockwise so air pushes downward, making the home feel cooler. Of course, make sure to turn off the ceiling fans when the house is empty.
Seal those ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high energy costs, accounting for nearly 30 percent of a cooling system's energy consumption. By sealing and insulating your ducts you can lower your energy bills.
Visit our tips page for more ways to learn how to save energy and money on your electric bill.
Dog safety as temperatures warm
A dog's natural instinct is to protect the customer's property. During the summer, this is even greater as pets typically spend the day outside.
PNM visits your property once a month to obtain a meter reading. Please secure your dog on the day PNM is scheduled to read your meter so we can safely access it and take the meter reading. We appreciate your help with making our visit to your property quick and safe by maintaining easy access to the meter and keeping your dogs away from the electric meter area.
Visit our site to find out how to view the day your meter is scheduled to be read.
Add additional security to your PNM.com account
A strong password can help keep your online accounts safe and most people are opting for something even more secure. PNM is helping you do just that by offering Additional Account Security with your PNM.com online account. To enable this feature, login to your PNM.com online account, and go to your Account Summary and look for the link in the green bar. PNM will then text or email you a one-time code to enter every time you login. Signing up for this feature helps to immediately neutralize the risks associated with compromised passwords. If a password is hacked, guessed, or even phished, that password alone is no longer enough to give an intruder access without this second layer of security sent directly to you.
Safety around downed power lines
When working outside, be sure to stay away from power lines. Don't work near or around them. If you spot a downed line, don't approach it. Just because you may not see sparks from a downed line, it may still be energized. Instead, contact PNM immediately at 888-DIAL-PNM.
How PNM helped New Mexico renters
PNM is proud to share that more than $8.6 million of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funding was awarded to more than 12,000 PNM customers in need of utility assistance through a partnership with the State of New Mexico's Department of Finance and Administration since the inception of the program, back in the summer of 2021.
The Emergency Rental Assistance Program was federally funded by the CARES Act, and was designed to help people with rent relief and utility assistance during COVID. Throughout 2021 and 2022, PNM partnered closely with the state's program, sending them hundreds of customer applications requesting electric utility assistance, and inviting them to the monthly PNM Good Neighbor Fund Bill Assistance events - an opportunity for customers to learn and apply for PNM and ERAP programs, maximizing the amount of financial assistance available to those in need.
PNM continues to offer online and in-person applications for financial assistance to customers who may be struggling to keep up with the rising costs of household expenses. Visit the Bill Help page to learn more about how PNM can help.
How to plan for your monthly electric bill
Budget Billing gives you more predictable energy bills by balancing seasonal highs and lows, taking the guesswork out of your monthly bill. Once signed up, you'll pay a similar amount every month - making budgeting and planning much easier. You still pay for the energy you use, but your total costs are spread evenly throughout the year. Budget Billing amounts are evaluated twice a year, usually in February and August, and may go up or down based on your actual usage and updated energy costs. Visit our Budget Billing page to learn more and to sign-up.
