Conserving water and electricity is vital to Greater San Antonio’s future. Residents and businesses depend on SAWS and CPS Energy to be good stewards of these important resources that are essential to life. So, how are we doing? And what conservation efforts are in place that the community can participate in? We asked the experts at CPS Energy and SAWS to share their insights into the utilities’ efforts to keep the nation’s seventh largest city on a path toward a sustainable future.

Kathe Doran, CPS Energy
Manager of Energy Management

Karen Guz, SAWS Conservation Director

Why is conserving energy so important to San Antonio's future?

Kathe: Reliable, affordable energy is necessary for economic growth and the comfort of our citizens.  Conserving energy reduces the need for new generation sources and thereby keeps our costs lower. CPS Energy views energy conservation as a “source of power” – in essence the “fifth fuel” along with coal, natural gas, nuclear and renewable generation.

When it comes to energy conservation, what are the major challenges that our community faces?

Kathe: We’re still growing! Even during the economic downturn, this community continued to add businesses and population. The challenge is to plan and provide for that growth while balancing environmentally-friendly options with affordability. 

How much of a difference can residents make if they give their homes energy audits?

Kathe: Residents can make a tremendous difference by assessing where their energy use goes. Even simple things like being sure their thermostats are set correctly can have an impact of 10% or more on their heating and cooling costs. If other upgrades are considered, such as additional insulation in the attic and energy efficient appliances, residents could see significant savings in their overall energy costs. See our Home Energy Audits.

What are the biggest energy users in a home and what are some good ways to save energy while using them?

Kathe: The biggest energy user in a home is an HVAC system, which accounts for more than 50 percent of energy costs on a utility bill. The second largest user is a hot water heater, which accounts for 14 percent of energy costs.

We encourage customers to set their AC thermostats to 78-80 degrees while at home this summer, and when you leave, set it 3-5 degrees higher.  Its saves energy and money. For water heaters, maintain a temperature setting of 125 to 140 degrees and use pipe insulations on hot and cold lines located above the water heater. (You can check the hot water temperature by holding a meat thermometer under hot tap water for a few seconds.)

How effective have the rebate programs been so far in encouraging residents to conserve energy?

Kathe: CPS Energy’s Save for Tomorrow Energy Plan (STEP) programs have been extremely effective in conserving energy. In 2008, the STEP programs saved 38.9 megawatts (MW) and in 2009 the programs saved approximately 50 MWs. That’s a total of 88.9 MWs, which is almost double the goal for those years of 47 MWs. We are making great strides toward reaching our STEP goal of saving 771 MW by the year 2020.

What kind of future is CPS Energy working toward by implementing the Save for Tomorrow Energy programs?

Kathe: STEP programs like the Demand Response Program, the Peak Saver Thermostat Program and the Residential and Commercial Rebate programs are a few examples of CPS Energy successfully involving the community in energy conservation. Community involvement is essential to meeting our STEP goal, which will help us reduce a need for a new power plant. By implementing energy efficiency as an important part of its Strategic Energy Plan, CPS Energy is steering Greater San Antonio toward a sustainable future.

Why is conserving water so important to San Antonio's future?

Karen: San Antonio will continue to grow. We need to manage our water resources to sustain that growth while complying with regulatory constraints. We’ll be in good shape if we can manage tomorrow’s water today.

When it comes to water conservation, what are the major challenges that our community faces?

Karen: One of our biggest challenges is to meet our peak demand period, which is from May to October. During these months, the Edwards Aquifer receives the biggest draw from agriculture, and residents use more water to manage their landscapes. At the same time, SAWS has to make sure the community remains in compliance with whatever state regulatory restrictions are in place.

What are the biggest water wasters in a home and what are some good ways to save water while using them?

Karen: Inside a home, toilets are the biggest culprit for water use while automatic sprinkler systems are the biggest water users outside. A lot of people don’t realize that toilets and irrigation systems need routine maintenance to avoid wasting thousands of gallons of water from leaks. 

We encourage customers to dedicate some time to check their sprinkler system for leaks. We also encourage them to check the flapper inside the toilet tank, which should be changed out at least once a year. Choosing the correct model of flapper for your toilet is also important. Customers should check the flapper frequently to make sure water isn’t leaking into the bowl.

How much of a difference did residents make during SAWS’ Fix-A-Leak Rebate Program?

Karen: Thanks to the Fix-A-Leak program, more than a thousand people walked around their homes to check for leaks in exchange for a $5 credit on their water bills. Customers helped us save thousands of gallons of water just by applying simple fixes to toilets, irrigation systems and other water fixtures.

How effective have rebate programs and other water conservation initiatives been so far in encouraging residents to conserve water?

Karen: We’ve had more people than ever before applying for our Kick the Can Rebate Program to get up to two water-efficient toilets for free. The washing machine rebate has also been incredibly popular.  

What kind of future is SAWS working toward by implementing its water conservation initiatives and programs? 

Karen: San Antonio has a sustainable future. We have a 50-year water management plan for supply and demand, so that future generations can enjoy a high quality of life.