Skip to main content

Toll Free: 800-658-2368 or 507-794-3331

Home
View Outage Map
Load Management
GRE Co-op Solar Output
BCREA Solar Production
Menu
  • Bills are mailed out around the 5th of each month and payment is due the 20th of each month.
  • Doors are currently locked to visitors. Please call to make an appointment if needed.
  • 2021 Calendars Available for pick-up in office entryway.
1 of 3 
  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Your Cooperative
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Our History
    • Board of Directors
      • Map Of Districts
    • By-Laws & Articles of Incorporation
    • Our Mission, Vision, and Values
    • The Seven Cooperative Principles
    • BCREA Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Service Area Map
    • Member Handbook
  • Calendar
  • Customer Service
    • Billing
    • Billing Statement Explained
    • Bill Pay
    • Budget Billing
    • Capital Credits
    • Payment Options
    • Unclaimed Property
  • Resources
    • Energy Assistance
    • Newsletters
    • MN Cold Weather Rules
    • Outage Texting Registration
    • Conservation Tips
    • Touchstone Energy Brochures
    • Safety
    • Electrical Safety Checklist
    • Storm Center/Outage Map
    • Webpage Links
  • Programs & Services
    • Distributed Energy Resources
    • Heartland Security
    • Load Management Programs
    • Operation Round Up
    • Rebates
    • TV Services
    • Yard Lights
    • Youth Tour
    • 811 Call Before You Dig
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Forms
    • ACH Authorization Form
    • Agricultural Exemption Form ST3
    • BCREA MN Cold Weather Form
    • CTV Enrollment Form
    • Credit/Debit Card Authorization Form
    • LED Yard Light Rental Program
    • Life Support Program Form
    • Operation Round-Up Form
    • Residential Heat Exemption Form
    • Update My Information
    • Wellspring Sign-Up
  • Contact Us

Conservation Tips

You are here

  1. Resources
  2. Conservation Tips

Use Energy Wisely

Brown County REA aims to provide the best possible electric service to all within our service area at the lowest price consistent with the highest standard of customer service. At the same time we promote the wise and beneficial use of electricity, appliances and equipment in the home, farm or business.

The first step to better energy management is understanding how your home and habits affect your bill. We are proud to be your electric service provider and hope this information is helpful.

How to estimate energy use and cost

STEP 1 - Figure cost/kWh

Since the cost of electricity is determined by the number of kilowatt-hours (kWh) used during the billing cycle, the first step is to determine your average cost per kilowatt-hour.

 
Avg. kWh Cost = $ amount of electric bill
kWh used

STEP 2 - Figure Wattage

Since the wattage of an appliance (equipment) determines the electrical usage per hour, the second step is to determine the wattage.

The wattage of an appliance is found on the serial plate. But it is possible that the electrical requirements will be expressed in volts and amps, rather than watts. If so, multiply volts times amps to obtain wattage.

Example of serial plate

 

MICROWAVE OVEN

AMPS 12.1   VOLTS 120
HERTZ 60   WATTS 1450
FORM # 00000   MODEL # 0000
CODE 0   SERIAL # 0000000

STEP 3 - Figure Cost/Appliance

 Use the formula shown in the following example to estimate usage and cost.

EXAMPLE: An incandescent light bulb uses 100 watts and is left on 15 hours. How many kWhs are used and what does it cost you?

 
kWh use = 100 watts x 15 hrs. = 1.5 kWh
1,000 watts

Your cost = 1.5 x $.095 = $.1425 or 14.25 cents.

TIP: If you change that light bulb to an equivalent LED bulb,
which uses 10 watts, your cost drops to 1.4 cents to operate for 15 hours.

STEP 4 - Find your daily cost of electricity 

To find your daily cost of electricity, divide your bill by the number of days in the month.

 

EXAMPLE:

    $90    = $3.00
30 days

 

You can take control of your electricity expenses with efficient habits and smart decisions but there are some factors beyond your control which can dramatically affect energy consumption:

Season - Electric bills will typically jump in the summer due to air conditioner use. You may see similar increases in the winter if you heat with electricity. Electric bills tend to be lower in the spring and fall when temperatures are milder.

"Phantom" load - When you turn something off that doesn't necessarily mean it has stopped using electricity. Many electronics have a standby mode which draws an electric current even while turned off. Known as "phantom" loads, they can add up quickly. Unplug all electronics which display a clock or light when turned off, or use a smart power strip to limit phantom loads.

Vintage - Older appliances and electronic devices often draw more current than newer ones. While it can be difficult to invest in new appliances or electronic devices when you have reliable older models, the cost savings from reduced energy use can, in some cases, recoup the cost of an upgrade.

Visit energywisemn.com for more energy saving tips.

 

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Your Cooperative
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Our History
    • Board of Directors
      • Board of Directors
      • Map Of Districts
    • By-Laws & Articles of Incorporation
    • Our Mission, Vision, and Values
    • The Seven Cooperative Principles
    • BCREA Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Service Area Map
    • Member Handbook
  • Calendar
  • Customer Service
    • Billing
    • Billing Statement Explained
    • Bill Pay
    • Budget Billing
    • Capital Credits
    • Payment Options
    • Unclaimed Property
  • Resources
    • Energy Assistance
    • Newsletters
    • MN Cold Weather Rules
    • Outage Texting Registration
    • Conservation Tips
    • Touchstone Energy Brochures
    • Safety
    • Electrical Safety Checklist
    • Storm Center/Outage Map
    • Webpage Links
  • Programs & Services
    • Distributed Energy Resources
    • Heartland Security
    • Load Management Programs
    • Operation Round Up
    • Rebates
    • TV Services
    • Yard Lights
    • Youth Tour
    • 811 Call Before You Dig
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Forms
    • ACH Authorization Form
    • Agricultural Exemption Form ST3
    • BCREA MN Cold Weather Form
    • CTV Enrollment Form
    • Credit/Debit Card Authorization Form
    • LED Yard Light Rental Program
    • Life Support Program Form
    • Operation Round-Up Form
    • Residential Heat Exemption Form
    • Update My Information
    • Wellspring Sign-Up
  • Contact Us
You inspire us to find solutions, so we can provide the energy and savings you need. Visit Touchstoneenergy.com to learn more.
Back to Top

Quick Links

  • Contact Us
  • News

Contact Info

Brown County Rural Electric
24386 State Hwy 4
Box 529
Sleepy Eye, MN 56085
1-800-658-2368
507-794-3331

 

 

Mission

To safely provide our members with electric service at the lowest possible cost, consistent with sound business practices.

Follow Us Online

©2021 Brown County REA. All Rights Reserved.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Your Cooperative
    • About Touchstone Energy
    • Our History
    • Board of Directors
      • Map Of Districts
    • By-Laws & Articles of Incorporation
    • Our Mission, Vision, and Values
    • The Seven Cooperative Principles
    • BCREA Staff
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Service Area Map
    • Member Handbook
  • Calendar
  • Customer Service
    • Billing
    • Billing Statement Explained
    • Bill Pay
    • Budget Billing
    • Capital Credits
    • Payment Options
    • Unclaimed Property
  • Resources
    • Energy Assistance
    • Newsletters
    • MN Cold Weather Rules
    • Outage Texting Registration
    • Conservation Tips
    • Touchstone Energy Brochures
    • Safety
    • Electrical Safety Checklist
    • Storm Center/Outage Map
    • Webpage Links
  • Programs & Services
    • Distributed Energy Resources
    • Heartland Security
    • Load Management Programs
    • Operation Round Up
    • Rebates
    • TV Services
    • Yard Lights
    • Youth Tour
    • 811 Call Before You Dig
    • Electric Vehicles
  • Forms
    • ACH Authorization Form
    • Agricultural Exemption Form ST3
    • BCREA MN Cold Weather Form
    • CTV Enrollment Form
    • Credit/Debit Card Authorization Form
    • LED Yard Light Rental Program
    • Life Support Program Form
    • Operation Round-Up Form
    • Residential Heat Exemption Form
    • Update My Information
    • Wellspring Sign-Up
  • Contact Us