April 2020
Member Spotlight
In 2020, SECC will be recognizing a member each month, providing an organizational profile and highlighting the member's accomplishments and output in the smart energy space.
About Oncor
Oncor is a regulated electric transmission and distribution company that operates the largest energy delivery system in Texas. The company serves more than 3.7 million homes and businesses in more than 400 communities and operates 139,000 miles of transmission and distribution lines throughout the Lone Star State.
Oncor’s rates are among the lowest of any investor-owned utility within the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market. Oncor also maintains one of the fastest customer and asset growth rates in the nation.
Leading the Charge for Safety
To help bridge the gap in electric safety education for Texas’ public-school students, Oncor created the Super Safe Kids program, a traveling show that teaches students about electric safety. Through memorable songs, hands-on activities and unforgettable demonstrations, this program is bringing real-world safety skills to thousands of young students each year.
Super Safe Kids from Oncor has reached nearly 80,000 students across 24 school districts. The company has also partnered with PBS Kids to air an animated public service announcement about electric safety on local affiliate stations that has been viewed more than 16 million times by children ages 6-11.
Helping Customers Reduce Energy
More than 10 million Texas residents receive energy from Oncor through their chosen retail electric provider. Oncor offers a number of incentive programs, including savings for solar energy, insulation, ENERGY STAR® appliances, LED lighting and high-efficiency air-conditioning through its Take A Load Off, Texas program.
In 2019, Oncor budgeted more than $50 million for Take A Load Off, Texas energy efficiency programs. Since 2002, these programs have helped more than 950,000 customers manage their energy usage.
Oncor also recently launched a Retail Products Program, which partnered with participating retailers, including Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Costco and Lowe’s to give customers a break when they purchase qualifying ENERGY STAR® rated LED light bulbs. In 2019, Oncor partnered with approximately 157 retailers in its service territory and more than 2.2 million bulbs were sold through the program, delivering approximately 60,000 MWh in savings.
In addition, the company offers financial incentives for multifamily dwellings, both for low-income and market price apartments, through its Multifamily HVAC program to replace old HVAC units with new, high-efficiency systems. In the case of multifamily dwellings, apartment owners work with HVAC contractors and apply for the funds to assist in replacing inefficient, older systems with new, high-efficient heat pumps. In 2019, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy gave Oncor’s Multifamily HVAC program an Exemplary Program Award based on its effectiveness and innovation in helping customers achieve better energy efficiency levels.
Driving the Change
With more electric cars and hybrids on the road, more charging stations are popping up to power them. While electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and cost less to operate than gas-powered cars, there are other factors to consider.
Oncor is helping to drive the change to electric vehicles by providing user-friendly online information for customers exploring electric vehicles. The site provides facts and benefits related to electric vehicles as well as a handy vehicle comparison tool, savings calculator and interactive charger map.
Oncor has also partnered with Nissan to offer customers and employees the chance to purchase 2019 or 2020 Nissan LEAF electric vehicles at a discount.
