Northeast Wisconsin Residents Asked to Conserve Energy amid Hot, Humid Weather

Kaukauna Utilities says 70% of their energy is provided by WPBI Energy and the other 30% comes from their seven local hydro-plants.

“We’ve been fortunate this year to have a lot of rain in the spring and early summer time, so we have good hydro production going on right now which really is, again, going to help customers save money on their energy bills,” Avanzi said.

A sign of the increased energy use is Island Street Peaking Plant, which according to Kaukauna Utilities is only used during days where the heat is up and energy is in high demand.

Frank Barth, Energy Services Manager with Kaukauna Utilities, says there are a number of ways residents can minimize the amount of energy they’re using when running their air conditioners.

“We recommend that you set it back, and what that means is set it higher when you’re not at home. We recommend that if you can get it to 78 degrees, even when you’re at home, you’re going to save the most energy the higher you set that,” Barth said.

He also says it’s important to inspect your A/C unit regularly.

“The first thing we recommend that you keep those units clean and maintained, for an AC — or a central air unit — we recommend that you get that tuned up every year by a professional,” Barth said.

Avanzi says this is just a part of the Midwest-wide initiative.

“This is not something we’re doing,” he explained. “It’s really something that we’re being asked to do to help everybody in this part of the country on a hot day.”