Dakota Electric Association

No special energy-saving measures are necessary. Still, Dakota Electric encourages members to find ways to conserve energy in their homes every day. Following are some tips to get you started.

• Join the more than 40,000 members on Cycled Air^®.
• Install a programmable thermostat.
• Install ENERGY STAR^® compact fluorescent light bulbs in as many light fixtures as possible.
• Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances and home electronics.
• Wash laundry in cold water using cold water detergent.
• Turn off or unplug appliances you are not using, especially when you are away for a few days.
• Clean or replace furnace filters at least once a month.
• Turn on your computer's energy-saving feature.
• Get more tips and energy-saving resources.
• Sign up for ENERGY WISE^® off-peak programs.
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Place child safety plugs in unused outlets to stop air flow through the outlet holes.
• Sign up to get e-mail notices on peak and critical use days.

Thank you for saving energy!

Electricity use is forecasted to be especially high today. As a result, Dakota Electric is incurring high wholesale energy costs and promoting wise energy use to reduce the impact. By working together to reduce energy use, we can help keep power costs down; therefore, Dakota Electric is asking members to voluntarily conserve energy from noon until 10 p.m. with the following tips:

• Delay running the dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer until 10 p.m. or the next morning.
• Instead of using the oven to prepare meals, try grilling, making meals in the microwave or dining out.
• Close your window shades and drapes to keep out the sun.
• Turn off lights, appliances and other electric items that are not needed. Do not forget pool pumps, dehumidifiers or pumps for water features such as ponds and fountains.
• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.
• Join the more than 40,000 members on Cycled Air^®.
• Sign up to receive e-mail notices on peak and critical use days

Thank you for saving energy!

Dakota Electric and regional utilities are in a rare and temporary period of critical electricity use, and Dakota Electric is asking members to do everything they can to reduce electricity use. Critical energy use often results from unique circumstances such as prolonged periods of extreme weather or excessive transmission constraints. Working together, we can greatly reduce the economic impact of these circumstances.

• Instead of using the oven to prepare meals, try making meals in the microwave or dining out.
• Turn off all unnecessary indoor and outdoor lights.
• Turn off and unplug computers, home entertainment equipment and other electronic equipment, including chargers for cell phones and MP3 players.
• Delay running your dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer until after 10 p.m.
• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher.
• Turn off appliances and other electric items that are not needed. Do not forget pool pumps, dehumidifiers or pumps for water features such as ponds and fountains.
• Use fans to increase cooling efficiency.
• Close shades and drapes to keep out the sun's warmth.
• Take shorter showers.
• Sign up to receive e-mail notices on peak and critical use days

Thank you for saving energy!

Dakota Electric updates the gauge every afternoon to reflect conservation needs for the next day. For example, Dakota Electric updates the gauge on Tuesday afternoon to reflect the conservation needs for Wednesday. Every afternoon, Dakota Electric's wholesale power supplier receives the forecasted use and price of electricity for the next day. Informing members of the next day's forecasted electricity use allows members to plan and prepare for energy conservation measures. For example, a member may wake up early to do laundry or close the blinds before going to work on a peak electricity use day.