The CEO’s Ideas on How to Save Energy

On April 1, our new rate adjustments will go into effect. You should have received a couple of pieces of correspondence from the cooperative on the rate adjustment. We mailed both a letter and the official notice.
     
With all energy prices rising, now is a good time to look at ways of becoming more energy efficient. Your cooperative wants to help you save on your energy bill. We have trained energy advisors who will assist you in identifying how you use energy in your home or business and can make recommendations in how you can save.
 
One tool we have to assist you in making your home more efficient is our “blower door” testing equipment. A blower door test will identify where your home is “leaking air.” Even a small leak adds to the cost of both heating and cooling your home. The blower door test will show you where you need to weather strip and caulk your home to stop even small leaks. It can also help in determining whether or not it is cost effective to replace old windows.
 
Along with advice on ways to save energy, we also offer assistance in helping with the cost of energy efficiency improvements. 

• We offer rebates on geothermal and air source heat pumps and electric water heaters. To qualify for the rebates, the heat pump or water heater must meet minimum efficiency standards. 
• We also offer financing for many efficiency upgrades through our ERC Loan Program.
• Our website has a special section with energy saving tips.
• Your monthly newsletter contains energy saving ideas each month.

You may also be eligible for federal tax deductions or credits for efficiency upgrades. The recently passed Federal Energy Bill includes both tax credits and deductions for certain upgrades. Generally speaking, homeowners are eligible for up to a $500 tax credit for improvements made between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2007. For some very good information on energy efficiency and the tax incentive in the Federal Energy bill, I would recommend visiting the Iowa Energy Center's web site at www.energy.iastate.edu/.
 
Looking for ways to reduce our energy consumption is not a new concept. Mark Aeilts, the manager at Southern Iowa Electric Cooperative recently shared a copy of the May 26, 1960 Bloomfield Democrat, that included an article on “How to Reduce Your Electric Bill” that included these tips on how to save energy. I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.

• Keep your spouse from setting the furnace thermostat too high. Train them to keep on the move and keep warm nature's way.
• Cook everything rare, a little step each day and you can soon eat it raw.
• Go to bed earlier.
• Don't bathe your kids too often. If they smell send them outside to play.
• Ditch your TV (Just as good an idea today as in 1960).
• Go to church, while there, your TV, radio and other equipment will not be in use.
• Visit your friends and relatives as often as possible. Accept their invitations for meals - even a bath if an invitation can be wrangled. Their water is just as good as yours.
  

For more good advice on saving energy, rebates, ERC Loans or to schedule an energy audit or blower door test, call us here at your Cooperative at 319-385-1580 or toll free at 866-242-4232. Or you can visit us on the Web at accessenegycoop.com.