Today (June 20) marks the start of summer, and CenterPoint Energy is encouraging customers to prepare for the warmer temperatures ahead using company-offered tools, tips and resources. Customers can unlock savings with easy-to-implement energy efficiency actions and programs, while prioritizing safety as they work on outdoor home digging projects.
"At CenterPoint, we have tips, tools and programs to help customers save energy and manage their bills. The start of summer is a great reminder to prepare for the coming warmer temperatures. We encourage our customers to take steps to increase the energy efficiency of their homes so that they can continue to stay comfortable inside year-round while also reducing their energy use. By taking small and easy actions, customers can make a difference in reducing monthly energy bills," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.
Gardner continued, "We also want to remind customers to keep safety top of mind by dialing 811 before any home projects that include digging. By taking this easy step, our customers and community members help keep themselves, their loved ones and neighbors safe."
Tips, tools and resources for customers for energy and cost savings
Customers can do the following to stay comfortable while saving energy and money:
- Turn up the thermostat when leaving home: Raise the temperature a few degrees when away from home for energy savings. With a smart or programmable thermostat, a cooling system can work around a customer's schedule.
- Change or clean filters in HVAC systems: Air conditioning represents approximately 50 percent of a home's energy use when it's warm out. Regular maintenance can extend the life of a home's system, so change or clean filters to keep the system running efficiently.
- Slay energy vampires: Energy drainers - also known as "energy vampires"- are electronic devices and appliances that suck up electricity by hovering in standby or ready mode without fully powering off. Save energy by turning off non-essential electric appliances, equipment and lights when not in use.
- Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air: Setting ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise helps circulate cool air and keep rooms at a comfortable temperature.
- Keep warm air out: Use weatherstripping or caulk areas in and around a home where cooled air may escape, such as around windows and doors or anywhere else warm air might enter.
- Block the sun's rays: When temperatures increase outside, keep window coverings closed when the sun is shining brightest to maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.
- Upgrade appliances and equipment: When replacing appliances and equipment, choose models with increased energy efficiency ratings for long-term cost savings. Rebates may be available for qualifying appliances.
Customers can learn more about tips and programs that can help them prepare for the longer and warmer days at CenterPointEnergy.com/SavingsTips.
Call before you dig
There's no time like summer to begin outdoor home improvement projects. Anyone planning a project that requires digging should contact 811 at least three business days before starting work to have underground utilities located and marked at no cost. This includes projects done by customers or their contractors, including gardening, building or repairing a fence, planting trees, installing a deck, placing a mailbox or laying a patio.
Visit 811BeforeYouDig.com to learn more about 811 and the process to have underground utility lines located and marked. For more information about natural gas safety, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety.
Hurricane season preparedness
The start of summer means hurricane season is officially underway in the Greater Houston area. CenterPoint has been fully engaged in completing a series of historic resiliency improvements and preparedness activities, including:
- Completing historic grid improvements: As part of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), CenterPoint has completed a series of critical resiliency actions ahead of schedule, including:
- Installing 26,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles;
- Installing 5,150 automated devices;
- Clearing high-risk vegetation from 6,000 miles of power lines;
- Undergrounding more than 400 miles of power lines; and
- Installing 100 weather stations to provide real-time weather monitoring.
- Leveraging AI and emerging technologies: Collaborating with industry-leading technology providers, including Neara and Technosylva, to better predict and prepare for extreme weather impacts.
- Working with emergency partners to get ready: Coordinating with local officials, emergency management offices and community partners to prepare for extreme weather events, including through joint emergency response exercises.
- Donating and installing emergency generators to key locations: Working with local communities to provide backup generators to critical facilities and community centers that provide medical care, food and water, cooling and other essential services in emergencies.
- Hosting customer and community hurricane preparedness events: Holding a series of community preparedness events and webinars to provide updates about CenterPoint's preparations for hurricane season, important safety tips and key resources for customers.
- Enhancing critical storm response tools: Implemented sophisticated damage modeling to help expedite critical decision making before and during an event, as well as adopted a new storm management software program to more efficiently onboard and deploy mutual assistance crews in support of CenterPoint's emergency response efforts.
- Upgrading CenterPoint's Outage Tracker: Launched a new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker to provide real-time updates on outages and restoration efforts, available in English and Spanish.
CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its critical resiliency actions. More information is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.
About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
