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With AC units running full force and appliances in constant use, summer can be one of the most energy-intensive times of the year. That’s why Cam the Chameleon is springing back into action and ready to help! Cam changes color to reflect the conservation level of the day, making it easy to stay on top of what’s needed. You’ll be able to find Cam’s updates on our website and social media.
Our color-coded conservation system is made up of four levels: Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red. These levels are designed to provide specific conservation tips depending on the color of the day and are directly associated with the anticipated demand for energy.
Most days will be Green Days, which call for everyday conservation actions. Yellow Days will be called as temperatures rise and a higher strain on the grid occurs. Yellow Days encourage more energy conservation between peak demand hours — these are times when energy consumption is at its highest and can be found on our website. Orange Alerts and Red Alerts will only be issued if the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the statewide grid manager, declares that grid reliability is at risk.
Here is what Cam recommends for each level:
Green Days
- Set your thermostat to 78 degrees.
- Run ceiling fans in occupied rooms — it can make it feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler!
- Close shades and blinds
- Unplug electronics when not in use
- Line-dry clothes when possible
Yellow Days
- Continue Green Day conservation measures
- Check cpsenergy.com/ConserveAndSave & our social media for times of day when more conservation is needed.
- Adjust thermostats further to minimize HVAC use
- Avoid using large appliances like your oven, washer, dryer, and dishwasher
- Charge electric vehicles after 10 pm
Orange and Red Alerts
These alerts will only be issued if ERCOT declares that grid reliability is at risk. During these alerts, it’s important to limit power usage and visit our website and social media for updates.
CPS Energy would also like to remind all our customers to sign up for Energy Alerts and follow CPS Energy’s outage map and social media for updates. Customers can also utilize Manage My Account to view their energy usage and access more energy saving tips.
With one eye on savings and the other on reliability, Cam the Chameleon is here to help you beat the heat without breaking the bank. Visit our website for more tips on conserving energy, being prepared for emergencies, learning about residential programs and rebates, and more.
