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Take Advantage of FEC
Energy Audit Program Before It Ends Farmers' Electric Cooperative will continue to provide whole house energy audits at 50 percent of the regular energy audit price through 2012. Plus, FEC will also pay for 50 percent of the energy efficiency home improvements that you make, up to $500. The whole house energy audit price is usually $250, but members of FEC will receive the 50 percent discount and pay only $125. "After we finish the energy audit, if the member will follow our recommendations there is generally a monthly savings on their energy bill of around 20 percent," said Stan Hayward, SCADA Supervisor with FEC. "It doesn't take long to get your money back and then you are saving money every day." FEC has employees in its member services department who have received specific training in conducting blower-door energy audits. They also use an infrared camera when there are temperature differences between the interior of the house and the outside daytime temperatures. Once the energy audit is completed, a report is prepared for the member, which includes a list of recommendations. To receive up to $500 for your home energy efficiency improvements, you must have the blower door energy audit conducted by FEC personnel. How much can you save each month? For example, a former FEC employee decided to add insulation in their attic to meet new United States Department of Energy (DOE) guidelines. In 2006, the DOE changed its insulation recommendation in attics for north of the Missouri River in this state. Prior to 2006, the recommendation was for an R-factor of 38. The recommendation is now R-49. The former employee increased the insulation in the attic from R-38 to R-49 and noticed a savings that first winter of around 270 kilo-watt hours, which is around $25. According to the energy audit team here at FEC, well over 90 percent of the homes in Farmers' Electric's service territory are well short of not only the R-49 attic insulation recommendation, but also the R-38 insulation mark. To receive an R-49 rating, you must have 18 to 21 inches of insulation. According to the energy auditors at FEC, most homes in the area have around six to eight inches of insulation or less in the attic. Insulation is the cheapest action you can take that will save you the most money. And, if you have FEC perform the blower door test, FEC will pay for half of the insulation, up to $500. If you add $125 for the energy audit plus $1,000 for new insulation, then subtract the $500 energy efficiency money from FEC, you would be getting $1,000 worth of insulation for only $625. Plus, don't forget there will be a list of other actions you can take to save even more money. Just give FEC a call and ask for the member services department. They will be glad to explain the energy audit program to you. If you decide to have an energy audit conducted on your home, they will work with you on a date and time that is convenient to you. If you would like to save around 20 percent on your energy bill each month, give us a call. Sign Up Now for a
Home Energy Audit and Save Money Every Day A large majority of the residences in FEC's service territory are over 20 years old. An even larger majority of the homes in this area are woefully inadequate when it comes to being energy efficient. For example, an attic that has five to six inches of insulation, which usually puts the insulation at the top of the rafter, isn't even close to the recommended insulation guidelines for this part of the country. Unfortunately, it is a fact, most of the homes in the area don't meet the old insulation guidelines. Four years ago, the Department of Energy changed its recommendation for insulation in north Missouri from an R-38 to R-49. To reach the R-49 recommendation, cellulose insulation must be 18-21 inches in depth. The easiest way to determine what energy efficiency changes need to be made to your home is to have an energy audit conducted on the structure. The best way to determine the inefficiencies in your home is to have a blower door energy audit. The blower door energy audit also includes a 75-point walk through audit that checks the insulation levels in your attic and other areas of the homes which may need some attention. The blower door energy audit usually costs $250, but for the rest of this year, the audits are half-price at $125. Plus, Farmers' Electric will pay for 50 percent of the energy work that you do at your home, up to a maximum of $500. If you have questions, contact the member services department at FEC and ask for Stan Hayward or Joe Hardie. Or, you can print and fill out the coupon and place it in the mail with your bill or drop it by the office in Chillicothe and Stan or Joe will contact you to set up an appointment. |
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