July 2025


Efficient Air Conditioners Put Energy Waste on Ice

Air conditioners can take the edge off a hot summer day, but one that’s the wrong size, outdated or needing maintenance can waste energy, drive up energy costs, and reduce personal comfort.

Here are some key considerations for AC units to balance comfort with energy costs:

  • Know your size. Bigger isn’t always better, and smaller isn’t always cheaper. An oversized AC will waste energy and be more expensive to run for the same result. An undersized AC may run constantly without effectively cooling the room. To get the right size AC, match the square footage of the space it’ll cool to the capacity needed in BTUs per hour. For example, a 125 sq ft room would need a 5000 BTU unit. Guidelines are widely available from manufacturers and energystar.gov.
  • Find the biggest EERs. The Energy Efficiency Ratio is the performance score for an AC’s cooling capacity and power consumption. The higher the  EER, the less energy needed for the same performance so take time to compare.
  • Look for the ENERGY STAR logo. ENERGY STAR-certified ACs use the latest technology to save energy and money without sacrificing performance.
  • Different designs, different performances. Window-mounted units generally are the most efficient design because they cool and recirculate indoor air. Single-hose portable units are typically the least efficient because they create negative indoor air pressure which pulls hot air back indoors through tiny gaps in the home. Dual-hose portable ACs are more efficient and cost less to operate than single-hose models because they eliminate negative pressure, but they usually cost more to purchase.

Air conditioning can be a real relief, but for those managing hot days without AC there are many no-and low-cost methods to stay cool while using little or no additional energy.

Look Up First for Ladder Safety

Locate overhead power lines and anything they touch before carrying or setting up a ladder. Assume every overhead wire is an electrified power line and anything in contact could conduct electricity.

When working near them use a nonconductive fiberglass ladder, not metal or wood. Set up where the distance to the nearest overhead line is at least twice the length of the ladder itself and always lower it before moving to avoid accidental contact with overhead electric equipment.

Maintaining Our System for Year-Round Reliability

We work every day knowing each home and business in Clark County is a customer depending on safe and reliable power and water service to live and work. And that service requires robust and resilient infrastructure in every season.

That’s why routine inspection and regular maintenance of the critical infrastructure in our power and water utility systems are year-round priorities. Clark Public Utilities crews and contractors are often seen on the roads and in neighborhoods throughout Clark County, working to keep services dependable to support our growing communities and local economy.

Information about the utility’s infrastructure management, current infrastructure projects, and planning for the future can be found at clarkpublicutilities.com/projects.

Donate to Help Local Families in Financial Crisis

When customers experience a sudden financial crisis, Operation Warm Heart is there to help. The program is administered by Clark Public Utilities and funded entirely by donations from customers, employees and local businesses.

Every dollar goes directly to keeping the lights on for local households in urgent need. Every tax-deductible contribution makes a difference.

If you’d like to help support Operation Warm Heart, log in to MyAccount, include a donation with your next mailed payment, or call customer service any time.

Energy-Saving Solutions, Payment Options and More in MyAccount

Ready to tune up your energy use and bring monthly bills down? MyAccount makes it easy to track and compare energy use over time and provides customized tips to lower costs. Log in anytime to access free energy calculators, make a payment, set up text or email notifications, or manage subscriptions like AutoPay and EqualPay. Need help getting started? Visit myaccount.clarkpublicutilities.com or call customer service any time for assistance with account setup.