Cleco donated 800 box fans in April to help senior customers stay comfortable and save money on their electric bills this summer.

“The weather is warming up, and many older customers are on a fixed income,” said Andre Guillory, chief customer officer at Cleco. “Helping them stay cool while managing their energy use is one of the ways we’re helping our customers better manage bills.”

In Louisiana, air conditioners typically consume the largest amount of energy in a home during the summer. Raising the thermostat to 78 degrees and using a fan can help the air temperature to feel cooler, allowing customers to stay comfortable while using less energy.

Through Cleco’s “Keeping You Cool” program, fans are being distributed this month to customers at locations in Bunkie, Eunice, Oakdale and Mansfield. Qualifying customers were notified through their local Council on Aging or through a Cleco customer service office.

“The fan giveaway assists Cleco customers who are 60 years of age or older and is part of the company’s Cleco Connects initiative that connects our customers to programs and services and gives them the opportunity to meet our team in person,” said Tracy Daigrepont, director of customer experience at Cleco.

Cleco recommends the following tips to help lower energy usage:

• Install a programable thermostat and raise the setting to the highest comfortable temperature to save about three percent on air conditioning costs for each degree raised.

• Use heat generating appliances such as dryers and ovens in the evening when temperatures cool down a bit outside. 

• Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors. 
  
• Change air filters.

• Keep curtains and blinds closed during the day. 

• Sign up for a free Cleco MyAccount to monitor energy usage and set up daily usage alerts. 

• Customers can sign up for a no-cost on-site home weatherization, receive rebates for appliance and equipment upgrades, and more by visiting www.cleco.com/powerwise.  

For more energy saving tips, visit www.cleco.com/wattmatters.