Go for the gold with these energy saving tips

Use these tips to set a new efficiency record on your bill as you cheer on Team USA!

Turn on the fan while being a fan. If you are hosting a get-together, a ceiling fan circulating the air will help your guests feel cool and save on your air conditioning costs.

Sprint past your normal temperature setting. Experts say setting your air conditioning to 78 degrees will keep your wallet cool with savings.

Dive into water heating tips. The average household spends about $300 a year on water heating costs alone. Flip turn your water heater thermostat to 120 degrees to save energy and money.

Keep your Olympic flame blue. Make sure the burner flame on your natural gas range burns blue. That blue flame means your stovetop is working efficiently.

Game, set, match. Match your pot size to a similar sized burner on your oven to serve up savings of about $18 a year. It not only takes less time to heat, but also uses heat more efficiently.

Tumble your energy costs. Use a microwave or other small appliance to make your party food. Cooking small portions in the microwave can reduce the energy you use for cooking by as much as 80%!

Make the outdoors your cooking goal. Steering clear of your kitchen can help kick down your energy bill. Using kitchen appliances can raise the temperature in your home. Not only will you reduce the energy you use to run those appliances, but you’ll also save on air conditioning costs.

We Energies named the nation’s most trusted energy company by business customers

We Energies is being recognized as the nation’s top energy company by the businesses it serves. We Energies received the highest score on the 2021 Trusted Business Partner Brand Trust Index in a nationwide study by Escalent, a top human behavior and analytics advisory firm.

We Energies received the honor, in part, because of its efforts to connect with and assist local businesses and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to providing affordable, reliable and clean energy during the pandemic, We Energies worked with customers on flexible payment arrangements and enhanced digital services. The We Energies Foundation also supported communities through donations to front-line relief efforts and a rebuild and revitalize fund aimed at helping businesses in historically underinvested communities.

“In a year of extraordinary challenges, our focus on providing reliable, world-class service never wavered,” said Tom Metcalfe, president — We Energies. “We are grateful to serve our customers every day.”

The Trusted Business Partner recognition from Escalent is based on surveys of more than 15,000 business electric and natural gas utility customers. The report evaluates energy companies in the areas of customer focus, business community support, communications effectiveness, reliable quality, environmental dedication and company reputation.

Keep more of your hard-earned bucks in six steps as you Cheer the Deer toward a championship

 As the Milwaukee Bucks continue their championship run on the hardwood, We Energies is getting in the game with an energy-efficient assist to customers. Our game plan of six simple steps can help you come through in crunch time and see nothing but net savings on your energy bill.

1. Swat away the sun

You don’t need to be the Greek Freak to block higher energy bills. Use blinds or curtains to keep the sun from heating up your home during the day. Not only will it keep you cooler, it also means your air conditioner won’t need to run as much.

2. Run a thermostat pick-and-roll

Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees can help you stay cool while managing energy costs. For a more effective play — and to save money — set it a few degrees higher when you’re asleep or away from home.

3. Avoid a charging foul

Cellphones, computers and other electronics can steal energy even while they’re turned off. Shut down wasted power by plugging these devices into a smart power strip or unplugging them when they’re not being used. 

4. Use fans to create home-court advantage

Ceiling and standalone fans provide an efficient edge for your home, as they use less energy than an air conditioner. Use fans to stay cool and comfortable without turning your thermostat down as temperatures go up.

5. Play lockdown defense on leaks

Use caulk or weather stripping to put a full-court press on gaps and cracks around windows, doors and siding. These materials stop warm air from getting in and cool air from leaking outside your home.

6. Make a midrange play with the microwave

Microwaves and slow cookers are versatile options on game day. They use less energy than an oven and don’t heat up your home. 

Where are they now?: Blaze

He was named in honor of blaze orange worn by Wisconsin hunters, but Blaze the peregrine falcon prefers camouflage when he’s on the hunt. The young adult was recently spotted in Glendale, blending into his surroundings.

Blaze (middle) was one of three chicks born at the Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee in 2020. Our customers voted to name him and his siblings, Brandy and Hoppy, after some of our favorite things about Wisconsin. 

Paul Sparks spotted Blaze in May at Kletzsch Park in Glendale and reached out to our peregrine falcon expert, Greg Septon. Sparks sent us these pictures and gave us permission to share them. 

Sightings like this one are always exciting, because after our peregrine falcon chicks leave the nest, we never know if we’ll see them again. Septon was able to make the identification thanks to the small bands we attached to Blaze’s legs while he was still a nestling. 

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

Don’t let a balloon blunder leave your neighborhood in the dark

Whether you’re celebrating Dad or grads this weekend, there is one party staple that could turn your backyard bash into a blackout — a balloon.

Every year, thousands of our customers lose power in balloon-related outages. Over 20,000 We Energies customers lost power in 2020 due to balloons coming into contact with our power lines and other equipment. 

Not only can balloons knock out power, the short circuit from the balloon also can cause power lines to fall to the ground, creating a dangerous situation. 

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or graduation, or just hosting a summer get-together, follow these steps to keep your family safe and the power on:

• When possible, keep balloons inside. 
• Never release balloons outside.
• Make sure all balloons are tied securely to a weight that’s heavy enough to keep them from flying away.
• When you’re done with balloons, let the air out and throw them in the trash.
• Never try to retrieve a balloon that has become entangled in a power line. 

If you spot a balloon stuck in our equipment, give us a call at 800-662-4797. 

Bye bye, birdies: We Energies peregrine falcon chicks begin to leave the nest

Two sets of our peregrine falcon parents are officially empty nesters. The chicks born this spring at our power plants in Oak Creek and Milwaukee have learned to fly.

“Fauci” was the first chick to spread his wings at the Oak Creek Power Plant nest box, followed by his brothers “Checkers” and “Beaker.” Over at the Valley Power Plant nest box, “Kizzmekia” was the first to leave. All of the baby falcons were named in honor of the heroes and helpers of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The fledglings will spend the next few weeks learning how to hunt prey and mastering their flying skills. After that, they’ll head off in separate directions to start their own lives. 

There’s still plenty of action on our live nest box cameras. The chicks born at the Port Washington Generating Station are younger and will likely stick around for at least another week.

This year’s class of chicks brings the total number of peregrines hatched, named and banded at We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) power plants to 421 since our recovery efforts began in the mid-1990s.

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to Wisconsin’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.

Introducing Fauci, Energizer and Courage: Peregrine falcon chicks officially named and banded

They grow up so quickly! The We Energies and Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) peregrine falcon chicks are moving on to the next stage of their lives. Thousands of people voted to name the baby birds in honor of the heroes and helpers of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the 11 chicks born at our power plants have been given their names and their identification bands. 

Oak Creek Power Plant 

From left to right: 

• Fauci, in honor of health care workers
• Checkers, in honor of grocery store workers
• Beaker, in honor of scientists

Port Washington Power Plant

From left to right: 

• Cheers, in honor of restaurant and bar workers
• Hugs, in honor of parents and guardians
• Harvest, in honor of farmers

Valley Power Plant in Milwaukee

From left to right: 

• Kizzmekia, in honor of vaccinators
• Sparkle, in honor of cleaning crews
• Energizer, in honor of utility workers

Weston Power Plant in Rothschild

From left to right: 

• Courage, in honor of everyone making sacrifices
• Siren, in honor of first responders

About the bandings:

During the banding, our peregrine falcon manager gently places a towel over the chick’s head to calm it down. He then carefully attaches a small metal band to each leg. The bands allow people to contact us and let us know if they’ve spotted one of our peregrines in the wild.

This year’s chicks are just starting to leave the nest. Make sure to tune into our live nest box cameras before they say goodbye!

Peregrine falcon program

We Energies and WPS are honored to be a part of a statewide effort to restore the peregrine falcon population. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources added peregrine falcons to the state’s endangered species list in the 1970s.

Since our first successful nest in the mid-’90s, 421 peregrine falcons have hatched at our facilities. The falcons are drawn to tall structures along Lake Michigan or major rivers, which make many of the We Energies and WPS facilities ideal nesting sites.

This program is another way We Energies and WPS are building a bright, sustainable future. From helping endangered animals and restoring natural habitats, to building new solar facilities and reducing carbon emissions, we are committed to a cleaner future.