PSO employees shine light on energy efficiency

Ray Vasconcellos, working foreman, Hugo, installs a new CFL bulb in a residence at the Choctaw Nation Housing Authority in Hugo earlier this week while Ryan Oakes, engineering technician, Hugo, looks on.Photo by: Harolynn Wofford

(Story by Stan Whiteford)

HUGO, Okla. — Residents in 37 Choctaw Nation Housing Authority (CNHA) houses and apartments should soon notice significant savings on their home energy bills, thanks to the efforts of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).

Recently about a half-dozen PSO employees and program partners spent the day at CNHA residences in Hugo installing free faucet aerators, night lights and compact fluorescent lights (CFLs). The installations were part of PSO’s Home Energy Audit program, administered through the Energy Efficiency/Consumer Programs department.

The program primarily targets senior living facilities, but may also include other select or qualifying customer groups. In this case, PSO worked with the CNHA to identify and reach out to residents who might benefit most from the program.

“Although the program involves the installation of a few specific energy-saving devices, the real benefit comes through the face to face interactions with the customers,” said Dawn Casey, EE/Consumer Programs coordinator. “Through those interactions we learn about the customers’ individual needs, and can then share useful tips and information to help them make decisions and take actions that will result in ongoing energy and cost savings.”

Along with the CNHA facilities in Hugo, the Home Energy Audit team scheduled similar installation projects in Atoka, Coalgate, Talihina, Red Oak, Quinton, Hartshorne and Okmulgee.

The Home Energy Audit is just one program in a suite of energy efficiency program offerings available to PSO customers. For more information on programs designed to help save energy and money, visit PSOklahoma.com/save.