Mandeville homeowner Wallace Simmons knows summer heat can bring more than just sweat—it brings sticker shock.
“In the Summer months, we were paying $700 to $800,” Simmons said.
That is why he turned to Cleco Power for help.
Cleco’s Power Wise Weatherization Program offers free home energy assessments, where certified contractors inspect for things like: leaky air ducts, poor insulation, and air leaks that let hot air in and cool air out.
“That assessment is done at zero out-of-pocket cost,” said Jaci Meche, Cleco’s manager of energy efficiency.
“They’ll come in, tell you what you qualify for, and what can be done to save energy in your home.
In Simmons’ case, technicians discovered hot, humid attic air was leaking into his system, forcing it to work overtime just to cool the home.
“Instead of just pulling the air that’s circulating through the house, it’s pulling warm air from the attic,” explained the technician examining Simmons’ home.
The U.S. Department of Energy says weatherizing your home can cut energy use by 10–20%.
You don’t have to wait for a professional visit to start saving. Some quick DIY fixes include:
- Unplugging unused appliances and phone chargers to stop “phantom power” drain
- Switching to LED bulbs
- Using a smart thermostat
- Installing door sweeps or using caulk to seal cracks
“These small changes can keep the hot air out and the cool air in,” Meche said.
Need help outside of Cleco’s service area?
Here are more resources to save money on energy
https://www.entergylouisiana.com/energyefficiency/tax-credits
READ MORE:High power bill? Free fixes could help cool your home and cut your costs.
