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June
2008
Cool savings for summer season
New programs to help members save on energy use, costs
Looking to slow rising electricity
demand and help save cooperative members on energy costs,
(Co-op name) Electric Cooperative is partnering with (G&T name) and wholesale power generator Associated Electric
Cooperative (AECI) to offer new energy efficiency programs and incentives.
The new “Take Control & Save” program is the result
of more than a year of research and analysis by AECI and (G&T name) to find affordable ways to slow the rapidly
growing electricity needs of the 57 regional and local electric cooperative systems, including (Co-op name), that receive
wholesale power generated by AECI.
“Take Control & Save” will build on (Co-op name)’s existing
efficiency programs and include educational resources, services and rebates for various activities and upgrades that
could not only save on residential and commercial electricity consumption but also save home and business owners on
electricity costs.
Main program offerings include residential and commercial
energy audits to improve building energy performance; incentives for switching to highly efficient compact
fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs); rebates for Energy Star appliances and heating and cooling equipment; and pilot
projects to identify best practices.
The new program was unveiled in Springfield March 7. (Coop
name) will begin offering these new services and incentives to its members starting (insert
date).
Growing electricity use
necessitates new efficiency programs, resources
(Co-op name) is part of a growing three-tiered system
of locally owned and controlled rural electric cooperatives. (Co-op name) receives power supply from (G&T name). That
power supply is generated by AECI, the wholesale power supplier for six regional and 51 local rural electric cooperative
systems in Missouri, southeast Iowa and northeast Oklahoma.
At about 2 percent per year,
total system growth equates to 100 megawatts annually, enough power to serve about 30,000 additional
homes each year.
To help meet this growth,
AECI has undertaken a number of initiatives in addition to offering new efficiency programs, including
adding new natural-gas-based generation and becoming the first utility to have
Missouri-based wind energy on its system.
AECI and its member
cooperatives made Missouri’s first wind farms possible by signing
long-term contracts to purchase all the electricity produced and providing
strategic transmission access to get the electricity from the generator to
cooperative members’ homes and businesses.
Cool down for summer
Summer’s here, and the heat’s on. Hopefully, you did all
you could in the spring to prepare for summer. What can you do now to stay comfortable and cool your energy usage?
In the heat and humidity of summer’s dog days, it may
be tempting to forget about efficiency and conservation and push down the air conditioner’s thermostat for a quick cool
down. A better approach is to set the thermostat at the highest possible temperature at which you are comfortable and leave
it at that setting except when you are away from the house for hours at a time. Instead of relying solely on air conditioning,
use fans and natural ventilation to cool your house. You can further reduce your summer electricity usage — and your bill
- by shading windows, using appliances appropriately and insulating.
So, stay cool this summer, but be cool about how you stay
comfortable, save money and use less power.
Principles of cooling
It’s all about feeling comfortable in summer. Ventilation
- moving air - creates a wind chill effect that cools you down. Ventilation can enhance the ways your body naturally cools
down: convection, radiation and perspiration. Convection occurs when heat is carried away from your body by
ventilation. The U.S. Department of Energy explains that if the air around you is cooler than your skin, the air will absorb
your heat and rise. Cooler air moves in to take the place of the warm air around you.
Radiation occurs when heat moves across the space
between you and the objects in your home. If objects are
warmer than you are, heat will travel toward you. Removing heat through ventilation reduces the temperature of the
ceiling, walls and furnishings.
Finally, perspiration is the body’s cooling mechanism. As
moisture leaves your skin, it carries heat with it. If a breeze (ventilation from a fan, for example) passes over your skin, the
Cool savings for summer season moisture evaporates more quickly, and you’ll feel cooler.
Give me a breeze!
Ventilation — moving air — is an alternative to air
conditioning except on the hottest days. You can move air
in your home naturally and mechanically. Let’s look at natural ventilation.
Natural ventilation relies on
wind and the “chimney effect” to move air. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE),
when wind blows against your house in summer, it pushes hot air into your house where
it accumulates during the day. Strategically placed trees and windbreaks of trees and hedges
(best planted in the fall) can block wind and either force air into or away from windows. Wind
movement along a wall creates
a vacuum that pulls air out of windows.
To remove the hot air that has
accumulated in your house during the day, ventilate at night and close doors and windows during
the day. Of course, if outside humidity is high, you may not want to pull that air into your
house, as excess humidity can lead to mold, rot and pests. USA Today and other sources recommend indoor
humidity of 30 percent to 50 percent. You can purchase a hygrometer to measure humidity from
sources such as home improvement and electronics stores and even www.amazon.com.
One way to flush hot air out at night is with
crossventilation. This involves adjusting the size and location of
window and door openings to ventilate different parts of the house. Experiment by opening and closing different doors and
windows to find the best airflow pathway.
If the inlet area and outlet area are directly opposite each
other, only the direct path of the airflow between them is cooled. Instead, force the air to take a longer path between the
inlet and outlet. Use smaller window openings for the inlets and larger openings for the outlets to increase air speed and
improve the cooling effect. Air from cooler, shaded outdoor areas provides the best intake air.
Take advantage of the prevailing wind (set up a simple
windsock if you don’t know the wind direction at your home). In Missouri’s hot, humid summer climate, the prevailing
wind, combined with shade, is important for maximum cross ventilation.
Also use cross ventilation in your attic to reduce
temperatures 10 degrees to 25 degrees, slowing transfer of the heat to the living space below. This can save on your electric
bill.
The chimney effect occurs when cool air enters a house
on the first floor or basement, absorbs heat, rises and exits through open upstairs windows. The effect is a partial vacuum
that pulls more air in through open lower-level windows.
Beat the heat with a fan
Our grandparents knew a thing or two about keeping
cool before air conditioners became so popular. Except on the hottest of days, you can likely substitute fans for air
conditioning and still be comfortable. Mechanical ventilation using circulating fans, whole-house fans, attic fans and
evaporative coolers can provide continuously moving air that will keep your home cool day
and night and reduce your air conditioning usage. Here’s the scoop on fans:
- Circulating fans
- Ceiling, table, floor and window fans, as well as those mounted to a wall or pole,
can create a wind chill effect that will make you feel more comfortable. According to the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), even if you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan
can allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit. Even mild
air movement of 1 mph from a ceiling or portable fan can make you feel 3 or 4 degrees cooler.
DOE recommends installing a fan in every room that needs to be cooled. Fans work best when
the blades are 7 to 9 feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. Fan blades
should be no closer than 8 inches
from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls.
A 36- or 44-inch-diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet. Use fans of 52 inches or more in larger rooms.
Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small and medium-sized fans provide efficient cooling in a 4- to
6-foot diameter area, while larger fans are effective up to 10 feet. Adjust your ceiling fan so it turns counterclockwise and
blows air downward. Think about stepping out of a shower and then sitting directly under a ceiling fan. Do you want to
feel cool or warm? Adjust the fan accordingly.
DOE says window fans work best in windows facing the prevailing wind or away from it to provide
cross-ventilation. If wind direction changes frequently, you can buy reversible-type
window fans to either pull or push air.
Experiment with placement. In a larger house, consider installing a window fan that blows air in through a lower-level
window in a cool area and another that blows air out through a higher-level window in a hotter area.
Exhaust fans in the kitchen and bath can remove heat and humidity when cooking and bathing.
Large exhaust fans can be mounted outdoors on a wall or roof if an open window presents a security problem.
DOE cautions that you need plenty of ventilation for large exhaust fans so that they don’t pull contaminants such as
carbon monoxide from furnaces or water heaters into your living space. Have a licensed heating, ventilation and air
conditioning professional install such fans.
- Whole-house fans
- According to DOE, a whole-house fan can substitute for an air conditioner most of the year in most climates. When
combined with ceiling and portable fans, they can keep you comfortable even in hot weather.
A whole-house fan, which is typically mounted in the ceiling of the uppermost room of a house, pulls air
through the house, inducing a strong draft in rooms where windows are open as it pulls cooler, outdoor air inside and
exhausts warm air through the attic and roof. It not only ventilates your living space, it also
ventilates the attic where temperatures can soar to 150 degrees.
DOE recommends whole-house fans provide houses with 30 to 60 “air changes” an hour. This will vary with climate
and floor plan, so check with a professional heating, air conditioning and ventilation contractor to determine what is
appropriate for your home. The more you depend on a whole-house fan to cool your house, the larger it needs to be.
Whole-house fans are sized in cubic feet per minute of ventilating power. To determine the size you need, calculate
the volume of your house in cubic feet by multiplying the square footage of the floor area you want to cool by the height
from floor to ceiling. Multiply that volume by 30 to 60 air changes per hour and divide by 60 minutes to get the cubic
feet per minute of capacity: square feet x room height x 30 or 60 ÷ 60 =
cfm.
Of course, if it’s extremely humid outside, you don’t want to pull humidity inside your house. The ideal indoor humidity
is 30 percent to 50 percent. And if a household member has allergies, you may not want to run your whole-house fans
during high-pollen periods.
- Attic fans -
Attic fans, mounted on the roof, are typically smaller than whole-house fans and are designed to reduce the temperature
of trapped warm air in the attic. If the attic is cooler, the house temperature will be lower and air conditioners will not have
to work nearly so hard to keep the home at a comfortable temperature. These fans are inexpensive and run by a
thermostat that turns the fan on automatically whenever the attic temperature gets hot.
Drafty attics are a good thing
Tom Kraenthler of The Money Pit radio show aired
on some Missouri stations, points out that a drafty attic
makes for efficient cooling and heating. A well-ventilated attic, he says, should be as close to the ambient outside air
temperature as possible. To achieve this, most homes should have a combination of ridge and soffit vents. The ridge vent,
mounted along the entire peak of the roof, allows trapped warm air and moisture to escape to the outside.
To make this happen however, lower vents must be added
at the soffit, which is at the underside of the roof overhang. With these vents installed, air is pushed into the soffits, rides
up the underside of the roof sheathing, and exits the home at the ridge.
The nice thing about this ventilation system is that it
works year round. Unlike attic fans which run only in the
summer and cost money to operate, ridge and soffit vents work together to push out hot air in the summer and trapped
moisture in the winter, which can cause insulation to become damp and inefficient.
Automate your cool down
You can save about 10 percent a year on your cooling
and heating bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10 degrees to 15 degrees for eight hours, according to the
U.S. Department of Energy. Do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or
programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats allow you to operate your air
conditioner more efficiently. They can be set to use less air conditioning when you are away or asleep. They can store
multiple daily settings, which you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly schedule.
Of course, for a programmable thermostat to work
properly, you must program it. Sounds obvious, but if you
don’t program it to fit your lifestyle, you’ll be disappointed in the results. Follow the installation instructions or ask the
store where you purchased the thermostat for help if the instructions are unclear.
According to Energy Star, programmable thermostats have
these advantages:
- Are more convenient and accurate than manual
thermostats and improve your home’s comfort
- Contain no mercury
- Save energy and save money on utility bills — when used
properly, about $150 a year
- Are better for the environment, since using less energy
helps reduce air emissions from energy production.
Programmable thermostats work well with heat pumps in
the summer. In its cooling mode, a heat pump operates like an air conditioner, so turning up the thermostat will save energy
and money.
Five tips to keep your air conditioner
running
Keeping your air conditioner in peak operating condition
and protecting it from overuse can save big bucks and prevent a breakdown. The U.S. Department of Energy suggests:
- Shade your room air conditioner from direct sun to
reduce its workload
- Clean filters once a month and replace as
necessary — hold the filter up to a bright light: If you can’t see
through it, it’s time to clean or replace it
- Check your owner’s guide to see how to safely
clean the condenser coils and fins on the outside of the unit
- Raise the setting when you’re away to a setting
higher than you’re comfortable with when at home – try 85 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
- Don’t fiddle with the thermostat — set it at the
highest temperature you’re comfortable with when you’re at home; 78 degrees or higher
Made in the shade
Fall is the best time to plant trees, vines or shrubs to shade
your air conditioning unit’s condenser from the sun next summer. For this summer, shade your air conditioner with an
awning or screen.
Don’t forget your windows. Light-colored drapes,
blinds, exterior shades, awnings and other window coverings can block significant heat and light from entering your house.
Pay particular attention to west windows that receive the full brunt of the afternoon sun. Applying solar control window
films to existing glass is another effective method to reduce the amount of solar light and heat entering your windows.
This method can save 5 percent to 10 percent on your energy bill, says California’s Consumer Energy Center.
For more information about solar window films and where
to find a local dealer go to the International Window Films Association Web site at
www.iwfa.com.
Seal for summer
Insulation has the same summertime benefits as cold
weather benefits. You can insulate any time of year and
realize those benefits immediately in reduced electricity usage and lower utility bills. Here are a few places to focus on this
summer:
- Insulate ceilings – You need a barrier between the hot
air in your attic and the cooler interior of your house. Ceilings should have a minimum of 8 inches of insulation.
- Insulate hot water pipes - Insulating your hot
water pipes is another way to block heat from your living space. According to the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE), insulation can raise water temperature 2 degrees to 4 degrees hotter than in uninsulated pipes,
allowing for a lower temperature setting on your water heater. You also won’t have to wait as long for hot
water when you turn on a faucet or showerhead, which helps conserve water. Insulate all accessible pipes but
especially within 3 feet of the water heater. On gas water heaters, keep insulation at least 6 inches from
the flue. If pipes are within 8 inches of the flue, your safest choice is to use fiberglass pipe-wrap (at least
1-inch thick) without a facing.
- Use storm windows and doors – Storm windows and
doors may not immediately come to mind when talking about insulation, but they improve the thermal efficiency of
exterior windows and keep cool air inside. Tom Kraenthler of The Money Pit radio show aired on some Missouri stations
recommends making sure the bottom of the storm window has “weep” holes. These small holes let water out of the
inside of the storm window so trapped moisture won’t rot your wooden
window.
DOE warns that storm doors should not receive more than a few hours of
direct sunlight or they could, in fact, trap heat and even ruin the door behind
them.
- Plug your home’s leaks –
California’s Consumer Energy Center reports you can save 2 percent in energy
usage by weatherstripping, sealing and caulking leaky doors and windows and
installing foam gaskets behind outlet covers. Don’t forget to stop air leaks
around your window air conditioner.
Seal your ducts — Leaking ductwork accounts for 25 percent of cooling
costs in an average home, according to California’s Consumer Energy
Center. Have your ducts tested, cleaned and repaired by a qualified contractor. Check ducts for air leaks and repair with
mechanical fasteners, then seal any remaining leaks with mastic (a spreadable, paint-on, putty-type sealant) or metalbacked
(foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. Ironically, in spite of its name, duct tape is just about the
least reliable sealant for ducts. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractors say don’t use it for sealing ducts.
After sealing ducts, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in summer. Also seal ducts you can access
in the living space of the house. Finally, make sure the connections at vents and registers are
well-sealed where they meet the floors, walls and ceiling.
Keep cool for free
Keeping cool this summer doesn’t have to mean higher
electricity usage. Here are some “fast and free” actions that won’t cost you a cent but will save dollars on your electricity
bill. These tips come from the California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center,
www.greenoptions.com and the U.S.
Department of Energy.
- Skip traditional cooking – Microwaves use two-thirds
less energy than your stove on average. Microwaves use energy to directly cook food, whereas conventional stoves dump
excess heat from cooking directly into the air.
- Dishwasher magic – Your dishwasher actually uses less
water than washing dishes by hand. Save even more resources by skipping the drying cycle and letting the dishes air dry.
Instead of running your dishwasher during the peak energy period of 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., program it to run after you’ve gone
to bed.
- Fill up the fridge – If your refrigerator is full, it won’t
warm up as fast when you open the door. Give your fridge a break!
- Turn up the thermostat – Set the thermostat to the
highest temperature you’re comfortable with. Try 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when at home and 85 or higher when
you’re away. You’ll save 1 percent to 3 percent in electricity for
every degree the thermostat is set above 72 degrees.
- Use your appliances wisely – Avoid running your
appliances during the hours of greatest electricity usage between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. or
anytime your utility declares an electricity shortage.
- Eliminate wasted energy
– Turn off appliances, lights and equipment not in use and save 2
percent. Unplug electronic devices and chargers when not in use and save 1 percent to 2 percent. Unplug
or recycle your second refrigerator in the basement or garage and save
10 percent to 20 percent. Also avoid placing heat-producing appliances
next to thermostats.
- Dress for summer inside –
Wear short-sleeved, loose clothing. Absorbent, wickable cotton is a summer classic clothing choice.
- Turn off furnace pilot light
– It’s easy for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning contractor or
your utility to relight next fall when you do your annual furnace check.
- Close the fireplace damper
– It’s another leak to seal. If you don’t, the cool air will go up your
chimney.
- Air dry your laundry – It
makes sense to minimize the use of your clothes dryer, particularly in summer. Throw laundry that
tends to wrinkle in the dryer for a few minutes to work out the wrinkles, then hang the clothes outside on a line or drape
them on a portable clothes line. Your clothes will smell fresh too.
- Cook, bathe and launder during off hours – Avoid
any of these activities during the hours of greatest electricity
usage between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Retreat to your coolest space – Some rooms are just
naturally cooler than others. If you have a basement, that space will be the coolest. Concentrate daily activities in these
cooler areas.
- Pull your drapes – Block heat-producing sunlight from
entering your windows by pulling drapes shut.
- Operate swimming pools efficiently – Save 1 percent
to 2 percent in energy usage per hour of reduction when
operating your pool filter and automatic cleaning sweep. Use them only four to five hours and only during
off-peak times.
Reduce your need for AC
The easiest way to save money and energy from
cooling is to reduce the need for air conditioning. Here are some tips from the American Council for an
Energy-Efficient Economy:
- Shade or improve windows – Fall is the best time
to plant trees and vines to screen your windows. But in summer, you can add a variety of other screens
and awnings on south, east and west-facing windows. New windows on walls that get the most summer sun
should have low-e glazings to block unwanted heat gain.
- Cool with air movement and ventilation –
Circulating air with fans will help cool your house, reduce your air conditioning usage by as much as 30 percent and
use very little energy doing it. A ceiling fan in summer can
make a room feel as much as 7 degrees cooler by creating a “wind chill” effect. Adjust your ceiling fan so it turns
counterclockwise and blows air downward. Think about stepping out of a shower and then sitting directly under a
ceiling fan. Do you want to feel cool or warm? Adjust the fan accordingly.
- Portable fans also can be effective in moving air. Even
mild air movement of 1 mph can make you feel 3 or 4 degrees cooler.
- Whole-house fans can be an effective way to cool your
entire house without central air conditioning. These fans suck air through the house, inducing a strong draft in rooms
where windows are open as it pulls cooler, outdoor air inside. However, before switching on the house fan, consider the
temperature and humidity level outside. A house fan may pull in unwanted humidity, resulting in more work for your air
conditioner. Ideally, indoor humidity should range from 30 percent to 50 percent.
- Insulate and tighten your house – Make checking
insulation levels and air leaks between your living space and the attic your highest priority.
- Get rid of inefficient appliances – Inefficient
appliances emit a lot of heat. Old refrigerators are prime suspects. Also replace incandescent light bulbs,
which give off more heat energy than light energy, with compact fluorescents, and unplug electronic
equipment not being used.
- Consider cool exterior finishes – Use light-colored
roofing and siding products that can reduce your peak attic cooling demand by 10 to 15 percent.
Use air conditioning the smart way
Yes, there’s a price to pay for a house cooled by air
conditioning. But by using air conditioning wisely, you can reduce that price. Here’s how, according to the Missouri
Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Energy:
- Set your thermostat at the highest
temperature at which you feel comfortable — 78 degrees or higher is a good place to start
- Use a programmable thermostat to adjust the setting on your air conditioner at night or when no one
is home; avoid using the air conditioner when you are not home
- Use a fan with your window air conditioner to spread cool air effectively through your home
- Don’t place lamps or TVs near a thermostat; the heat from the appliances will cause the air
conditioner to run longer
- Shade your existing condenser with a screen or foliage so it’s not in direct sunlight or place it on the
north side of your house if you are adding a new unit – you may reduce
your energy cost by 1 percent to 2 percent; however, don’t obstruct air
flow around the unit
- Locate a room air conditioner in a window or wall near the center
of the room and on the shadiest part of the house; seal gaps between the
unit and the window with foam weatherstripping.
Refrigeration tips for summer
Of course you need a refrigerator in summer! Although your refrigerator uses as
much as 8 percent to 10 percent of your home’s electricity, you can still keep food
cool and save energy by following these tips:
- Position the refrigerator away from a heat source such as a stove, dishwasher
or direct sunlight from a window.
- Leave a space between the wall or cabinets and the refrigerator to allow air to
circulate around the condenser coils.
- Vacuum the condenser coils every three months to reduce dirt buildup, or
get a coil cleaning brush made for this purpose. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator
before cleaning the coils.
- Keep door seals tight; Consumer Reports recommends closing the door on a
dollar bill: if the bill falls out or can easily be removed without opening the door,
replace the gasket.
- Set the temperature 35 degrees to 38 degrees and the freezer at 0 degrees to 5
degrees. Settings 10 degrees too cold can increase energy bills by 25 percent.
- Minimize the time the refrigerator door is open.
- Avoid exterior ice makers. They use much more electricity than an ice maker
in the freezer.
- Experiment with the energy saver switch, which adjusts the heating coil that controls
condensation. Many refrigerators have small heaters in the walls to prevent moisture from condensing on the outer surface.
Some units allow you to turn this feature off with an energy-saver or power-saver switch.
- Consider turning off the butter conditioner since it’s operated by a heater. Some refrigerators feature a compartment that
uses a small heater to keep butter cool but soft and spreadable.
- Replace paper wrappings on food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap – paper insulates and causes the fridge to work harder.
- Cover liquids and wrap foods; uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.
- Keep your fridge full: the fuller it is, the less electricity it takes to keep things cool.
Let’s Talk!
Members can help start a dialogue on our energy future
Pressure is mounting in
Congress to do something about climate change. And while political debates in
Washington, D.C., may seem far away, the outcome will have a direct impact on our cooperative – and on
you, the cooperative member and other electric consumers.
Climate change is but one
aspect of a looming energy crisis created by increasing demand and decreasing capacity to meet that demand. Experts now say
some areas of the country will be short of power within one or
two years.
And yet energy supply isn’t an issue our elected
representatives are spending a lot of time on. These forces,
the desire by government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly and the growing demand for power by consumers, are
about to collide.
Some people say we can meet demand through
efficiency and renewable energy. The reality is we need all the efficiency and renewable energy we can get, but that will not
be enough.
To avert an energy crisis, the federal government
must exercise true leadership, the same leadership that got
Americans to the moon in the 1960s. Without that leadership — without a sound, responsible plan — government risks
not only the reliability of our electric system, but literally the ability of many Americans to be able to afford to pay their
electric bill.
We, as electric co-op
members and constituents, must call on elected officials to provide this leadership.
That’s why we want to encourage you to contact your elected officials.
Now.
You don’t need to be an
energy expert to ask questions. Asking questions helps find the answers to solve the problem of
balancing climate change goals with keeping your lights on and your electric bills affordable.
Right now, members of Congress as well as state
elected officials are hearing from lots of different interest groups who have ideas about how to address climate change.
No one is talking to consumers, however. We need a plan people can live with today while we deal with the climate
change problem of tomorrow.
To make things easy, we have a website that will send
an email for you. Go to www.ourenergy.coop and plug in
your address. There you’ll be able to ask a series of questions to your representatives in Washington.
We’re kicking this effort off with a basic but critical question: What are they
doing to make sure we’ll have the power we need in the future?
Far too often questions don’t get asked by policy
makers until plans go wrong. We believe it makes sense to
know the answers before the laws are passed. You can help your elected officials and yourself by having this conversation.
The electric bill you save will be your own.
Here's help!
Your co-op supports a variety of programs designed to meet
members needs
Take Control & Save
This program is a joint project between your electric cooperative and its wholesale
supplier of energy, Associated Electric Cooperative, which is backing the program
with $31.1 million over the next six years. The idea is to not only save members
money on their electric bill, but to reduce demand for electricity by encouraging
members to replace inefficient appliances, install compact fluorescent light bulbs,
weatherize their homes and practice an energy-efficient lifestyle. More information on this program and energy saving
ideas can be found at www.takecontrolandsave.coop.
Our Energy, Our Future
Across the country, rates are on the rise as the demand for more
electricity runs head-on into the need to cut emissions of greenhouse gases. While many plans to curb climate change are on the
table in Congress, no one except the nation’s electric cooperatives are talking about how these
solutions will impact consumers. For this reason, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
launched the “Our Energy, Our Future” campaign to give members a voice in the debate. Log
on to www.ourenergy.coop to learn more and to send an e-mail to your elected officials.
Safe Electricity
Safe Electricity is a multi-media public awareness program designed to provide information to consumers and complement the
safety-education activities of utilities and educators. Safe Electricity provides life-saving information through many venues,
including radio and television public services announcements, news releases and articles
and its comprehensive Web site, www.safeelectricity.org. Safe Electricity has received national
recognition for the quality and scope of its programs and services. Missouri’s electric cooperatives
are now taking part in this effort and we encourage you to visit the site regularly
for information that can save your life.
Missouri One Call Systems
State law requires anyone digging to first call to ensure there are no underground utilities present at the
dig site. Missouri One Call System, Inc. (MOCS), provides a single point of contact for anyone wanting to
dig through a statewide toll-free telephone number 1-800-DIG-RITE (344-7483). MOCS was established in
1986 and currently is providing statewide services to utilities and excavators to comply with the law. This
law applies to any person excavating in the state of Missouri. By using the service that MOCS provides, the
general public’s safety and the environment also are protected. A more convenient way to do locates is via
the Internet at http://www.mo1call.com. Nationwide, the number to call is 811.
Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department
of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient
products and practices. The ENERGY STAR label is now on major appliances, office equipment,
lighting, home electronics, and more. EPA has also extended the label to cover new homes and
commercial and industrial buildings. ENERGY STAR has successfully delivered energy and cost savings
across the country, saving businesses, organizations, and consumers about $16 billion in 2007
alone. Over the past decade, ENERGY STAR has been a driving force behind the more widespread
use of such technological innovations as efficient fluorescent lighting, power management systems
for office equipment, and low standby energy use. ENERGY STAR provides a trustworthy label on over 50 product categories
(and thousands of models) for the home and office. For more information log on to
www.energystar.gov.
Touchstone Energy
Touchstone Energy is a national alliance made up of more than 640 local, consumer-owned electric
cooperatives in 46 states. Touchstone Energy co-ops collectively deliver power and energy solutions to more than 30 million members every day. Electric
cooperatives distribute power for 75 percent of the U.S. land mass over 2.4 million miles
of power lines. Electric cooperatives were established to provide electricity to rural America,
and now make up the largest electric utility network in the nation. Touchstone Energy
is the national brand identity for that network. Touchstone has leveraged the advantages
of cooperative membership to offer electric co-op members significant savings on products
they buy through the Co-op Connections Card. For more information log on to
touchstoneenergy.cooperative.com. You can also find energy saving info here.
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