CustomerConnect is a free tool for utility customers that allows you to monitor your water and electric consumption, see reports and graphs of your account, set notifications and more!

CustomerConnect allows you to

• Monitor your water and electric consumption to help budget and manage utility costs. 
• Access a variety of graphs and reports.
• Set email notifications based on your usage to help identify possible issues like water leaks.
• View tips to improve energy efficiency and reduce consumption.

View more CustomerConnect Information & Tutorials.

Energy Advisor is an interactive, survey-based home energy auditing program. It can indicate opportunities to save energy, which may save costs. It can also show the impact of changing habits or upgrading appliances to your usage and, ultimately, the electric portion of your utility bill.

Check out the Energy Resource Center.

The largest portion of your electric utility bill is from heating and cooling. See the Weatherization section for more info. Here are some cold weather tips and resources:

• Insulation, caulking and weather stripping can cut heating costs up to 35%.
• Set your thermostat at 68 degrees, close off unused rooms and make sure vents or radiators aren't blocked. View our Thermostat Setting Chart (PDF) to see the difference a few degrees can make.
• Open curtains on sunny days to let the heat in.
• Use fluorescent or LED light bulbs — they use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer.
• Turn off lights and televisions in empty rooms.
• Use the online tools and resources from Energy Advisor to help you better understand and manage your home energy use and costs
• Learn about energy, conservation and safety at Kid's "Korner".
• View the US Dept of Energy's Energy Saver Guide - English (PDF) or Energy Saver Guide - Spanish (PDF).

Rock Hill Utilities has some helpful tips to keep you cool indoors during the warm weather season without costing you extra dollars:

• To save on energy use, set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible (72-78 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Use ceiling and stand-alone fans for cooling and air circulation.
• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units, but do not block the system’s airflow. A unit operating in the shade uses as much as 10% less electricity than the same one operating in the sun.
• Check your home’s air duct system for leaks. Use UL rated duct tape to repair and seal duct holes and tears.
• View the US Dept of Energy's Energy Saver Guide - English (PDF) or Energy Saver Guide - Spanish (PDF)

Water Conservation In the Home

Be Water Wise! Faucet Facts to Save Money:

• The sewer portion of your bill is based on how much water you use. If your water consumption increases due to a leak, your water bill goes up AND your sewer bill goes up.
• A water leak in your water heater will increase your water bill and also increase your electric usage.
• A slow dripping faucet can waste more than 20 gallons of water a day and can increase your water bill.
• One washing machine load uses 25–40 gallons of water. One dish washer load uses 12 gallons of water. Wash full loads of clothes and dishes and you can save up to 300 gallons per week.
• Don’t run the water while you brush your teeth — this wastes up to 70 gallons per week.
• Repair leaky faucets, pipes and toilets.

Remember that your sewer bill is based on your water consumption, so by saving water, you’re also saving on sewer charges. By following these conservation steps, you can save nearly 4,000 gallons of water a month, which could save you more than $12 on your total utility bill.

In the Yard

People use more water during the summer to beat the heat and to keep their lawns and gardens looking beautiful. Since the demand for water grows in hot weather, it's the most important time to practice water conservation.

• Water your lawn when the sun is down and not on days that are windy.
• Remember to turn off your outside taps after you’ve watered the lawn.
• Plant flowers, shrubs and trees that need less water.

Additional Resources 

• Visit the H2Ouse for a variety of helpful resources and ideas to conserve water and save money at your home, including the top five actions to save water and a water budget calculator.
• To get more information about smart irrigation, see the Irrigation Association's Turf & Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices.
• Learn more about the City of Rock Hill's Water Service.

According to the US Department of Energy, weatherization helps you save money by saving energy and it improves the comfort of your home.

Here are the most effective ways to weatherize:

• Seal Doors and Windows
  Older homes and buildings especially have a lot of gaps in the doors and windows. Reseal any gaps and it will help keep warm air from escaping.
• Replace Air Filters
  A clogged air filter causes your HVAC system to work harder and longer, and can cost more on your energy bill.
• Insulate the Attic
  Insulation has one of the best returns on investment of any weatherization project. Heat loss is typically through the roof, so an easy place to focus is on the attic area. Have you ever noticed what looks like steam coming off your roof on a cold day? This is the heat escaping and meeting the cold air. Even if you can't see it, your heat is escaping through the roof if there is no insulation in your attic.
• Change the Setting on the Water Heater
  This costs nothing yet, saves money every month. Most water heaters come with the default setting of 140 degrees. The US Department of Energy recommends changing this setting to 120 degrees. Turning down the temperature from 140 F to 120 F saves you 6–10%. See more at US Department of Energy - Energy Saver.

The US Department of Energy has a Weatherization Assistance Program that reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. This program is for renters or owners. For more information on this program, call 803-324-9767 or view the Dept. of Energy Weatherization Works Flyer (PDF).

Call Rock Hill Accounts Management at 803-329-8729 to request a one-on-one consultation to learn tips on how to make your home more energy efficient.

Protect Your Home Electronics

Today’s sensitive home electronics operate with a greater sensitivity and less tolerance to power fluctuations and interruptions. If not properly protected, electronic equipment and appliances may not withstand voltage spikes caused by things such as lightning.

Surge protection is most effective when applied at three levels.

• Make sure your home is properly grounded. Grounding provides the primary path for a surge protector to dissipate the energy from an electrical spike.
• Have a high-energy surge protection device installed at your main power panel entering the house. This will help divert damaging surges away from your electrical system.
• Protect each piece of sensitive electronic equipment inside your home- such as you home entertainment system, fax machine, microwave oven and personal computer by using plug-in surge protectors.

Before purchasing surge protection, check the label carefully. Consider only those devices listed as transient voltage surge suppressors, or TVSS, that meet the "UL 1449" standard.

Even though surge suppression does not guarantee absolute protection, it is an important measure for customers to improve power quality in their home or business. For more information about surge protection, call 803-329-5500.

Residential customers can apply for an adjustment to the sewer charge on their utility bill for the initial filling of their pool by completing the Pool Adjustment Request form. This form must be submitted within 30 days from the date the pool is filled.

Pool Adjustment Request Form

Related Information

• Residential Swimming Pool Permit Application (PDF)
• Commercial Swimming Pool/Clubhouse Permit Application (PDF)

Be Prepared For Winter Weather

• Check supplies of flashlights, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable foods, medicines, etc.
• Ensure a portable, battery-operated radio, TV or NOAA weather radio is on hand.
• Avoid heating homes with a gas grill or bringing a generator inside. Such equipment should be operated only outdoors and only in well-ventilated areas. Manufacturer instructions should be followed.
• Check on family members, friends and neighbors who have special medical needs or who are elderly to ensure they have necessary emergency supplies. Determine now what action they would take in the event of an extended power outage.
• Make sure you know how to report a power outage.