Citizen Connection Dec 2020Winter Energy Saving Tips
With cooler temperatures here, energy usage will
increase. To help you save energy and money, Denton
Municipal Electric has prepared the following Winter
energy-saving tips:
1. Take advantage of heat from the sun
Open curtains on your south-facing windows during
the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home,
and close them at night to reduce the chill you may
feel from cold windows.
2. Cover drafty windows
If you can’t replace a drafty window, then stop air
leaks by adding caulking, weatherstripping, or sealing a
heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet onto the window frame
during the cold winter months.
3. Adjust the temperature
Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when
you are home and awake. When you are asleep or out
of the house, turn your thermostat down 5°-10° from
your usual setting. This could save you 10% a year on
your electric bill. A programmable thermostat can
make this change easy.
4. Maintain your heating systems
Schedule service for your heating system and replace
your filter as recommended by the manufacturer,
usually every 2-3 months, or as needed.
5. Reduce heat loss from the fireplace
Unless a fire is burning, keep your fireplace damper
closed. Keeping the damper open is like having a
window wide open. When you use the fireplace,
reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom
of the firebox (if provided), closing doors leading into
the room, and lowering the thermostat.
6. Lower your water heating costs
Turn down the temperature of your water heater to
the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy
and money, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.
7. Use efficient holiday lighting options
Reduce the cost of decorating your home for the
winter holidays by using LED light strings.
8. Learn about energy efficiency & apply for rebates
Contact the City’s Sustainability Department to discuss
energy usage habits and apply for energy efficiency
rebates. Email rebates@cityofdenton.com or call
(940) 349-7733 for more information.
As the holidays are approaching Denton residents may
arrange for their non-artificial, non-flocked trees to be
collected curbside, at no additional charge. All trees
need to be free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, ribbon and
tree stand. Place the tree at the curb four feet from
your trash and recycling carts. The trees will be diverted
from the landfill and will be used by the Beneficial
Reuse Division to make Dyno Dirt. Artificial, flocked or
decorated trees cannot be composted.
Call customer service at (940) 349-8700 to schedule
your tree collection. If you have opted into the yard
waste program no need to call and schedule. You may
also bring your non-artificial, non-flocked trees tree out
to the City of Denton Landfill at 1527 S. Mayhill Rd.—
no fees apply. If you are looking for other sustainable
options, try getting a tree to plant after the holidays.
Visit www.dentonrecycles.com for more information.
Holiday Waste Tip
Holiday Solid Waste and
Recycling Schedule
• Dec. 24, 2020 – No effect to collections,
Landfill open 7 a.m. to noon.
• Dec. 25, 2020 – No effect to collections,
Landfill closed.
• Jan. 1, 2021 – No effect to collections,
Landfill closed.
• Jan. 21, 2021 - There will be no curbside
collection on Monday, Jan. 21. See the
holiday pickup schedule below.
- Monday’s pickup will move to Tuesday;
- Tuesday’s pickup will move to Wednesday;
- Wednesday’s pickup will move to Thursday;
- and Thursday’s pickup will move to Friday.
- Landfill open 7 a.m. to noon.
A publication of the City of Denton Department of Public Affairs
ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
Batteries come in all different shapes and sizes, but
when they don’t work or are expired it’s important that
you do not put them in your trash or recycling cart. This
is because batteries are composed of different chemical
compounds and there are a multitude of types. It’s
important that batteries are disposed of properly
because the chemicals inside can cause dangerous
contamination issues, explosions or fires when they are
compressed or exposed to water.
City of Denton residents can schedule a pickup for
batteries to be collected curbside free of charge by
calling Customer Service at (940) 349-8700. Residents
may schedule a collection and place batteries in a
plastic bag outside by the curb for pickup. The Home
Chemical Collection (HCC) Department will then collect
and properly dispose of your items. Residents may also
schedule collections for items such as used motor
oil, cooking oil (screw top lid), paint (of all kinds), light
bulbs (of all kinds), household cleaners, aerosol cans,
automotive fluids/fuels, lawn/garden items (including
fertilizer, pesticides and weed killers), pool chemicals,
varnishes, strippers, turpentine, stains, glues, and
epoxies. For info, visit www.dentonrecycles.com.
How to Dispose of
Expired Batteries
With the holidays here, you may have excess waste
from holiday gifts or family meals. We encourage
all residents to use the three R’s to minimize waste:
reduce, reuse, recycle. However, if you are unable to
donate or have a bulky item that is broken, the City
offers curbside collection for bulky waste.
Bulky waste service allows residents to schedule up to
2 large bulky household items for collection each week
at no additional charge. Fees will apply for more than 2
items scheduled in a week. These items are household
items such as sofas, bedroom furniture, chairs, tables,
and more. Extra trash bags can be scheduled for
collection as bulky waste as well. Each trash bag would
count as one bulky item. Each additional item can be
collected at a rate of $5 per item.
Construction and demolition waste such as lumber,
brick, fencing, drywall, fixtures, and carpet is not
included in this service. Bulky item pick-up must be
scheduled at least one day before collection by calling
Customer Service at (940) 349-8700. Large items can
also be taken to the City of Denton Landfill; fees apply.
If you have a question about an item, check out the
waste wizard application at www.dentonrecycles.com.
Scheduling Pickup for
Bulky Waste
Know Your Point of Contact
for Utility Emergencies
The City of Denton plans for every possibility, but
sometimes this little thing called life can happen. In the
event that you experience power or water outages, we
want to provide you with the tools to contact us and
get life back on track.
To report a utilities-related incident or outage that
requires immediate attention, such as downed electrical
poles or wires, a water main break, a clogged or
overflowing sewer main, or a leaking water meter or
hydrant, call our Emergency Utility Dispatch line at
(940) 349-7000.
You can also notify the City of non-immediate issues
through Engage Denton. Download the mobile app on
your smartphone or submit a request online at
www.engagedenton.com.
The City also provides up to date information on
outages, street closures due to repair crews being on
site, and timelines of when service will return on our
Twitter (@cityofdentontx and @dmepower)
Schedule bulky waste
pickup at least one
day in advance.
Utility Dispatch
has received724
home water meter
calls received
DME’s average
outage response
has decreased to
minutes
26
Combined, there
have been 360
Water Distribution
& Waste Water
calls received
*Based on 2020 call data from the City of Denton Utility
Dispatch Department and Denton Municipal Electric.