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Go Green this St. Patrick’s Day by Signing Up for Paperless Billing

Access your account anytime, anywhere through CPU’s customer portal or free mobile app

St. Patrick’s Day is synonymous with the color green. It’s everywhere you look — green clothing, green beads and even green beverages. So, while you’re picking out your favorite emerald shirt and hanging shamrocks around your home or business, why not also green up your energy lifestyle?

One easy way is to sign up for Clarksdale’s Public Utilities’ paperless billing option — a program that sends your monthly billing statements by email so you can pay your balances quickly and conveniently through CPU’s PowerLine customer portal or free mobile app.

“Not only does paperless billing allow you to access your bill from any location, but it is also an environmentally friendly way to do business,” said Curtis D. Boschert, CPU general manager. “It saves in annual bill delivery costs that can be invested elsewhere and clears the clutter paper bills can cause.”

If 100% of CPU’s approximately 6,800 customers chose the paperless billing option, the result would save some $43,248 in those annual bill delivery costs, as well as 2 tons of paper, 37 trees, 27,650 pounds of greenhouse gases, 1,813 pounds of solid waste and 32,873 gallons of water per year.

What’s more, with the time you’ll save by not having to manage extra paperwork, you can tackle other environmentally friendly upgrades around your property. Let’s take a look:

Seal air leaks. Sealing cracks and spaces around windows and doors at a bare minimum can save a lot of your energy dollars. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the potential energy savings from reducing drafts in a home may range from 5% to 30% per year.

Upgrade an old thermostat. By installing and setting a programmable thermostat, you can save energy and money by regulating the temperature whether you’re at home or away. Estimates from the DOE show that homeowners can save about $180 per year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.

Add or replace insulation. Living in an older home that has the original insulation in place? Then it’s time to think about replacing that aging product with a new, more energy-efficient version. Even if you live in a newer home, increasing insulation is one of the most cost-effective and quickest ways to reduce energy waste.

Use ENERGY STAR-certified products. In the market for new appliances, electronics, windows or lights? Consider those that have earned the ENERGY STAR label when doing your research. A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows that a typical household can save about $450 on energy bills each year by choosing ENERGY STAR.

More tips, videos and guides to help you go green through energy efficiency can be found at the DOE’s Energy Saver website.

Clarksdale Public Utilities is a municipally owned utility serving approximately 6,800 homes and businesses in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Its mission is to safely provide sustainable electric, water and wastewater services in a reliable and courteous manner by well-trained team members, committed to top quality, efficient operations, competitive rates and the vitality of the community.