Energy Wise Rates in Colorado Springs: How to Save on Utilities Without Sacrificing Comfort

On October 1st 2025, Colorado Springs Utilities began implementing their new Energy Wise Rates. The goal is to encourage all of us to be more mindful of energy use, especially during peak hours of 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM, when demand is highest.

What does this mean for you? Simply put: utilities will cost more during these hours, but will be less expensive during “off-peak” times. By shifting some of your habits, you can keep your home comfortable and your energy bills under control.

Here are some simple ways you can adjust:

Use Appliances Outside of Peak Hours

• Run dishwashers, washers, and dryers earlier in the day or later in the evening.

• If you have a programmable appliance, set it to start automatically at off-peak times.

Manage Your Thermostat Wisely

• In summer: pre-cool your home earlier in the day so your A/C runs less from 5–9 PM.

• Just don’t set it too low — you could end up with freezing issues!

• In winter: set your thermostat a couple of degrees warmer during peak hours and let your system do more of the heavy lifting before 5 PM.

• A smart thermostat can make this automatic with programming options.

• As an added bonus, many smart thermostats are eligible for CSU rebates!

Use Fans and Natural Ventilation

• Fans use far less energy than your furnace or A/C. Pairing ceiling or box fans with pre-cooling helps your home stay comfortable without heavy energy use.

• Use your furnaces' ‘fan mode’ to circulate the conditioned air already in your home. Running just the fan costs less than operating the full system.

• Don’t forget your ceiling fan! Switch the fan to rotate clockwise in the winter at a low speed. This gently pushes warm air that rises to the ceiling back down into the living space, keeping you more comfortable without cranking up the heat.

Small Shifts Add Up

• Turn off unnecessary lights and electronics.

• Unplug chargers and small appliances when not in use.

• Switch to LED lighting if you haven’t already.

• Plan for high-efficiency appliances when it is time to replace them.

• CSU also has rebates for high-efficiency and heat pump HVAC systems as well as other energy-efficient systems in your home.

Keep Your HVAC System & Appliances Maintained

• One of the most important — and often overlooked — steps is scheduling annual maintenance to keep your HVAC system and other appliances running efficiently.

• A clogged air filter, dirty coils, or worn-down parts can make your system work harder, using more energy and raising your bill.

• At Pendleton Heating & Cooling, we provide one of the most comprehensive Precision Tune-Ups in the area. It’s designed to keep your system clean, safe, and efficient, which means you’ll stay comfortable while using less energy. Mention this blog post and we’ll take $10 off your Precision Tune-Up this season.

The Energy Wise Rates program is about more than saving money — it’s about working together as a community to reduce demand during peak times. With a few small shifts in your habits, you can lower your bill, extend the life of your appliances, and help keep our local energy grid strong.