PowerHouse News - August 2010
WPL edition - Volume 14, Issue 8
Recycle that old, second fridge and turn it into something cool
Did you have a second refrigerator or freezer that you barely use, maybe it's used for extra meat or a couple six-packs? Have you had it for so long that the seals don't quite seal? An old fridge - like the one you may have in your garage or basement - can cost up to $150 a year to run.
Consider recycling that old, second refrigerator or freezer. Can you imagine what you would do with an additional $150 a year? You'll save energy, money and help keep unwanted materials out of landfills and recycled into new products.
Check the age of all your fridges and freezers. A unit manufactured before 1993 costs more than double to operate than a new ENERGY STAR qualified model. Fridges and freezers from the 1970s cost four times more to operate. Even if you bought your fridge or freezer in the mid-1990s, the time may be right to replace it. This is especially true if you have a side-by-side refrigerator - which uses up to 25 percent more energy than a typical top-mount unit.
If you're in the market for a new unit, be sure to look for the blue ENERGY STAR label. Every major appliance manufacturer sells ENERGY STAR qualified fridges, which must be at least 20 percent more efficient than the minimum federal energy standard, and ENERGY STAR qualified freezers, must be at least ten percent more efficient. Depending on your needs, specific models may best meet your situation like compact ENERGY STAR qualified dorm-size units or units designed for the garage. These efficient models offer advanced technologies to keep your food fresher, longer.
If you decide to purchase a new, efficient model, inquire with the retailer about taking the older appliance at the time of delivery. After all, recycling your fridge or freezer is an important step in the reduce-reuse-recycle process. Over 12,000 appliance recycling locations exist across the United States; in fact, your municipality may even offer appliance recycling.
Learn more about ENERGY STAR qualified products or find an appliance recycling location near you.
Focus on Energy
Focus on Energy is Wisconsin's statewide program for energy efficiency and renewable energy. Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents to install cost effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Q. What are the organizations that make up Focus on Energy?
A. The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin is the independent state agency that regulates Wisconsin's public utilities (including Alliant Energy) and oversees Focus on Energy. Other entities include: the Statewide Energy Efficiency and Renewable Administration; Wisconsin Energy Conservation Corporation; Energy Center of Wisconsin; as well as other independent evaluation, fiscal and compliance agents.
Q. How can Focus on Energy help?
A. Focus on Energy is your source for information and advice for saving energy and money at home and at work. Contact them for ways to reduce your energy costs. Their friendly experts can help you:
Call 800-762-7077 for more information.
What's on the Web?
Locate a CFL recycling site near you
Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) are an easy way to reduce your electricity consumption. They use two-thirds less energy, saving you up to $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb, and last 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. However, eventually you'll need to replace them. When you do, don't throw the used CFLs in the trash.
CFLs contain a tiny amount of mercury. The safest way to dispose of the bulb is to have it recycled. Find a recycling location near you for CFLs and many other materials.
Manage your utility account online, anytime
Everything you ever wanted to know about your utility account is ready and waiting for you online 24/7. Managing your account online is fast, easy and FREE! Your Account is your one-stop destination to handle all your utility account needs ... or just those that you select.
Take a look at all you can do:
1. Sign up for easy, convenient payment options.
2. Stop or start utility service. If you're preparing to move, you can handle the necessary transactions online!
3. Review your energy usage and payment history. You'll find your usage data and payment information for the last 18 months online. Use it to set up this year's budget, or compare this year to last.
4. Check your account balance and payment due date. If you've misplaced your bill, with a few clicks the information is instantly at hand. If needed, you can also pay the bill online.
5. You can even report that annoying streetlight outage on your block.
It's a 24/7 world and Alliant Energy is keeping pace with your need to manage your utility account no matter where you are or what the time of day.
To become a Your Account member all you'll need is your Alliant Energy account name as it appears on your bill, and your account number.
To become a Your Account member all you'll need is your Alliant Energy account name as it appears on your bill, and your account number.
How to make sure your payment is credited on time
As an Alliant Energy customer, we know that timely and accurate processing of your utility payment is important to you. You can help make sure your payment is handled quickly and efficiently by following some simple suggestions.
When writing a check, make sure to write legibly and stay within the lines. Use a non-gel blue or black ink. When filling in the area with the amount of your check, use only numerals - no additional underlines or flourishes.
If the automation equipment cannot read your check, it will be set aside for manual processing. This could delay credit of your payment to your account.
Please do not staple, paperclip or tape your check to your payment stub. This too, will result in the need for manual processing. Do not pay with cash through the mail, as there is no way to trace your payment if it is lost or stolen.
To ensure your payment arrives quickly, mail it in the return envelope provided with your bill.
If you'd like to eliminate the paper clutter and the need to write a check, Alliant Energy encourages you to enroll in Your e-Bill paperless billing and Easy Pay automatic payment.
With Your e-Bill, each month, you'll receive an e-mail when your bill is ready to view and pay online. Just log on, view your bill and schedule your payment - it's fast, easy and secure!
Easy Pay allows you to have your utility bill automatically deducted from your checking or savings account each month. You'll avoid the hassle of writing a monthly check - and you'll never worry about a late payment if you're away from home or just busy.
Natural gas leak warnings you see, hear and smell!
Although leaks from natural gas pipelines are rare, it's important to know the warning signs. Use your eyes, ears and nose, and call Alliant Energy if you:
Alliant Energy encourages customers to recognize the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning as well and be aware of other potential hazards.
Carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless, odorless gas produced when fuel-burning appliances aren't working properly. When people breathe in carbon monoxide, it enters the bloodstream and interferes with the absorption of oxygen by the blood cells. Because carbon monoxide poisoning is so serious, for your safety, install a carbon monoxide detector near the living or sleeping areas of your home.
If you suspect carbon monoxide in your home, get everyone out of the house and call a service professional to inspect your appliances right away. If you or anyone living in your home is seriously ill, call 911.
Natural gas is extremely flammable and easily ignited by heat, sparks or flames. Make sure to keep paint, papers, aerosol sprays and other flammables away from gas appliances. Also, never store or stack boxes, laundry or other materials around the base of a gas appliance.
Get more information on natural gas pipeline safety online or call 1-800-257-3645.
Q&A: What direction should my ceiling fan blades turn to keep me cool during the summer?
A. Every time the seasons change, you need to switch the direction of your ceiling fan blades. Simply flip the switch located on your fan (usually located near the portion close to the ceiling). A properly used ceiling fan will allow you to raise/lower your thermostat setting about four degrees with no reduction in comfort.
Here's how you can tell whether your fan is in heating or cooling mode. Turn your fan on and stand (or sit) directly underneath it. For summer and spring months, make sure the ceiling fan is pushing air downward to help you feel cooler. In the winter, change the fan's direction to pull air upward. This upward flow of air will push the warm air near the ceiling down.
If you do not currently have a ceiling fan, consider installing one in rooms where you spend most of your time (like the living room or bedroom). There is a $15 Cash-Back Reward available on your purchase of an ENERGY STAR® qualified ceiling fan.
Before you go shopping, review qualification information and download your ceiling fan claim form.
Grant money available for renewable energy installations
Considering a renewable energy system on your property? If you're in agriculture, or operate a small business in a rural area, you could receive financial help from the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) through the USDA.
REAP offers grants, guaranteed loans, and combination grant/guaranteed loans to help install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements in rural areas. The renewable energy projects can include:
Energy efficiency improvements must be recommended by an energy audit or feasibility study.
Grants are also available to eligible entities to conduct the feasibility studies and energy audits. The studies and audits provide recommendations and information on how to improve the energy efficiency of the operation or small business; and on how to use renewable energy technologies and resources in these operations.
A REAP grant can cover 25 percent of the cost of the renewable system up to $500,000, or up to $250,000 for an energy efficiency project. It will also cover as much as 25 percent of the cost of a feasibility study, up to $50,000. An energy audit or renewable assistance project can qualify for a grant of up to $100,000.
Ask the expert
Create an energy efficiency plan for your home and save
You plan for vacations, you plan for retirement, so how about an energy plan for your home? Julie Blackwell, Residential Energy Efficiency Program Manager with Alliant Energy says not only is it easy, but the money you save could go toward that vacation!
"It's amazing when you do the math: simple things like turning off your video game system when you're finished can save up to $145 a year. It doesn't have to be complicated, and we can make it easy for you."
Blackwell recommends starting with an energy audit. It pinpoints where energy is wasted in your home. Do it yourself with Alliant Energy's My Home Comfort Check Up at alliantenergy.com/mhcc or call 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268) to see if you qualify for an in-home inspection by an auditor.
"The audit generates a list of recommended energy-efficiency projects you can use to create your energy plan - and it doesn't have to be all big ticket projects," says Blackwell. "Always start with the low- and no-cost options."
Some are as simple as washing clothes in cold water, turning your water heater down to 120 degrees, and using your programmable thermostat properly. Blackwell steers customers to the, "101 Ways to Save Energy" Power House brochure for low- and no-cost fixes. You can download it at powerhousetv.com/101 or call 1-866-ALLIANT (1-866-255-4268) to request a free copy.
Next, the plan should address larger upgrades like adding insulation, or buying a more efficient furnace or air conditioner.
Once you have your plan in place, get your family involved. "Many kids enjoy being the 'energy monitor' in their homes - especially if it means reminding an adult to turn out the lights when they leave a room."
And finally, don't forget to check the success of your energy plan by comparing your energy bills to last year's bills. You can also access that information online through Your Account. If you haven't yet signed up, get started at alliantenergy.com/youraccount.
Call us
For customer service, call 1-800-ALLIANT (1-800-255-4268)
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