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Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of Oklahoma
We're the Energy Experts
Air Conditioner Efficiency:
Air conditioners use a lot of electricity, consuming the most in a summertime heat wave. Without regular service to your air conditioner, its efficiency can fall by as much as half, especially when it works overtime in the summer heat. However, proper maintenance and repair on your air conditioner will save you money and can extend its life for roughly 15 years.
Air conditioners are complicated and require specialized tools to service them. It is best to hire an air-conditioning technician. An annual tune-up of your air conditioner averages approximately $50 to $100, but can reduce your cooling costs by 5 percent or more.
Here are some maintenance tips that should be performed by a professional:
- Inspect the ductwork for loose joints and other leaks. Air leaks waste energy and should be sealed with duct mastic, not duct tape.
- Check hose connections for leaks, and make sure the condensation tube is draining freely.
- Clean the blower so that it can move air more efficiently.
- Oil the motor and check the belts for tightness and wear.
- Verify the airflow by measurement. Improper airflow can affect efficiency.
- Clean the indoor evaporator and outdoor condenser coil.If it doesn't have an access panel, have one installed.
- Check the refrigerant charge and adjust if needed. Remember that the law requires refrigerant to be recaptured when units are recharged.
- Straighten any bent films on the condenser and evaporator coils.
- Inspect the electric terminals.
- Make sure to clean and tighten the connections.
- Inspect the thermostat to ensure that it provides a reliable reading.
- Install a programmable thermostat to adjust your home's temperature automatically. This thermostat increases the temperature setting while you're gone and then returns the home to a more comfortable setting before you return.___________________________________________
CFL Information
CFLs are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. A 22-watt CFL has about the same light ouput as a 100 watt incandescent. CFLs use 50 to 80 percent less energy than incandescents.
Although initially more expensive, you save money in the long run because CFLs use one-third the electricity and last up to 10 times as long as incandescents.
Newer CFLs give a warm, inviting light instead of the “cool white” light of older fluorescents and they don’t flicker or hum. 3-way CFLs are now available for lamps with 3-way settings. Dimmable CFLs are also available for lights using a dimmer switch and are available in multiple shapes and sizes.
Proper Handling and Disposal:
Although household CFL bulbs may legally be disposed of with regular trash in Oklahoma, they are categorized as household hazardous waste. Due to the mercury content in CFLs, consumers must be sure to properly disposed of CFLs as they would paint, batteries and thermostats. There are several disposal sites across Oklahoma including your co-op.
Because there is such a small amount of mercury in CFLs (about 5 mg, the size of the point of an ink pen), your greatest risk if a bulb breaks is getting cut by the glass shards. Research indicates that there is no immediate health risk to you or your family should a bulb break and it is cleaned up properly. You can minimize any risks by following these proper clean-up and disposal guidelines:
- Sweep up – don’t vacuum – all of the glass fragments and fine particles.
- Place broken pieces in a sealed plastic bag and wipe the area with a damp paper towel to pick up any stray shards of glass or fine particles, Put the paper towel in the bag also.
- If weather permits, open windows to allow the room to ventilate. _______________________________________
Computer and Office Equipment:
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, computers and office equipment energy use is one of the fastest-growing sources of electricity consumption in schools, businesses and homes. This category includes: computers, monitors, printers, fax machines and copiers.
Energy use by office equipment is expected to grow by as much as 500 percent in the next decade. Follow these tips to ensure your computers and related equipment are not using unnecessary power:
Turn off screen savers - While these programs do help with burn damage to monitors, they actually waste power keeping your computer active.
- Turn off equipment when not in use - Contrary to popular belief, turning off older computers and printers will not wear them down quicker (as long as it is no more than six times daily). Turning off equipment at night can cut annual energy costs from as much as $200 per computer.
- Consider upgrades - If your budget allows, look into newer computer models. Flat screen monitors are quickly becoming the most energy efficient part of the system - although they do cost more, they will save you money (about 1/3 less energy consumed) and office space in the long term.
- Share printers - By networking printers, an entire classroom or department can share one resource.
- Configure your computer to "sleep mode" - For ideal savings, set your power management to turn off your monitor after 10 minutes and your hard disks after 20 minutes.
- Donate older equipment - Many non-profits, schools, churches and other charitable organizations are in need of computer and office equipment. Look in your local phone directory for resources or go online to find national recycling programs.
- Consider laptops - they tend to use about _ the electricity of most desktop models. Source: Questline.com___________
Energy Efficiency FAQs
What uses the most energy in my home? Heating and cooling systems typically consume the most energy in your home, followed closely by refrigerators and clothes dryers. But don't underestimate the power of the small electronics in your home. Televisions, computers, cordless phones and answering machines will still draw electricity even if they are turned off or on standby mode. According to Energy Star ®, every year idle electronics consume the same amount of energy as the output of 17 power plants in the United States.
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If I turn my heat down during the day when I'm not home, won't I use more energy heating the house back up when I come back? Turning your heat down a few degrees during the day will cut down the number of heating cycles your system runs while you are at work. The money and energy you will save during those eight hours will be more than you will use when you turn the thermostat back up.
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How do I know if I need to add more insulation to my home? If you live in a relatively new home, chances are you have adequate insulation. If your home is older, adding more insulation will help you reduce your heating and cooling cost. A certified energy auditor can help you determine if you need more insulation or you can inspect your home yourself.
First look at exposed areas adjacent to unheated spaces like in the attic, garage or basement. This is a good place to easily see how much and how thick your insulation is in your home.
You can also inspect insulation by removing the electrical outlet cover (make sure you turn off the electricity first!) and shining a flashlight behind the wall. Pull out a small amount of insulation to inspect its thickness. Make sure you check in other floors/walls as well, you may have 03616 good insulation in some places and inadequate amounts in other places.
Once you have inspected your insulation, determine the R-Value and how much you should add. Click on the Energy Savers icon; click on Home Energy Saver Audit – and take the on-line audit to learn more about insulation and other things you can do to make your home more energy efficient. _____
Energy Efficiency-Conservation
Flip on the lights, click on the T.V. remote, boot up your computer, start a load of laundry, and head to the kitchen to start dinner. Most of us walk through that familiar routine every day after work. We hardly take a step that does not involve the reliable flow of electricity. Every light switch and appliance we turn on sends the electric meter outside spinning a little faster and raises the monthly bill a little higher.
We watch the media coverage every night surrounding climate change and ask, “Is ther anything one person can do to make a difference?” The answer is an emphatic Yes. It starts with learning all we can about energy efficiency and conservation. We make choices about how we use energy, like turning equipment off when not in use, or choosing to buy energy efficient appliances. There are many things we can do to use less energy and use it more wisely. Many people think energy efficiency and energy conservation mean the same thing, but they are different.
What is energy efficiency and energy conservation? Which should I do? Both are equally important as they relate to the comfort of your home and your monthly utility bill. To put it in simple terms, energy efficiency occurs when we replace or upgrade the essentials in our lives (e.g., appliances, lighting, insulation) which allows us to realize the same benefit while using less energy. Efficiency uses technology to utilize less energy to perform the same function.
Energy conservation occurs when we reduce our total consumption of energy, often achieved by simply turning off anything that consumes electricity when not needed.
Here are some examples of energy efficiency and energy conservation and how they work together. Purchasing an automobile that gets better gas mileage is an example of energy efficiency, while traveling less would be conservation. Installing a more efficient water heater would be an example of energy efficiency while using less hot water would be conservation.
WFEC and our co-ops are working hard to identify and adopt achievable and balanced solutions to today’s energy and environmental challenges. One of the quickest remedies involves embracing efficiency and making it a part of our daily routine. Although energy consumption may continue to increase, by using electricity more efficiently, we can slow the overall growth and demand for more power. ______________________________
Energy is Changing in America
According to NRECA, co-ops across the nation are facing a “perfect storm”. Prices are going up, demand is going up, supply is running out and policies are emerging to reduce carbon. There’s an unbreakable link between energy availability, affordability and environmental responsibility. Reliability may be at risk if these issues aren’t resolved carefully and brownouts/blackouts may be a real threat in the future.
Our nation’s energy future depends on several technology solutions, including a diverse fuel mix, clean coal with carbon capture and storage, natural gas, nuclear, renewables, and greater efficiency. There is no magic wand or silver bullet and the new technology required will take a lot of time, money and hard work to develop.
Your co-op is committed to doing our part to help all our members use energy wisely through efficiency and conservation programs. We will continue to build on our proud record of member service and environmental stewardship. We share the responsibility on behalf of our members to find the right energy and climate change solutions.
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washers:
Ask for ENERGY STAR®...
ENERGY STAR products meet strict efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. You can cut your energy bills by up to 30 percent with Energy Star-labeled appliances, lighting, windows, office equipment and home electronics.
An ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer can save you $550 in operating costs over its lifetime compared to a regular clothes washer.
Lower your Utility Bills and Conserve Energy - Choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer over a standard model can lower your utility bills, save energy, and save water. Qualified models perform more efficiently than standard models without sacrificing performance.
Save More than Money - An ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washer can save you time and help lengthen the life of your clothes.
New Technology Makes Washers Energy Efficient - New technological advances have allowed ENERGY STAR clothes washers to use significantly less energy and water.
Buy with Confidence - Make sure you choose a clothes washer that is the right size and model, and has the appropriate features to fit your needs.
Get the Best Performance - Take advantage of simple energy-saving tips and best practices at ENERGY STAR.gov to save more money on your utility bills. ________________________________
Fireplace Efficiency:
When you cozy up next to a crackling fire on a cold winter day, you probably don't realize that your fireplace is one of the most inefficient heat sources you can possibly use. It literally sends your energy dollars right up the chimney along with volumes of warm air. A roaring fire can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air per hour to the outside, which must be replaced by cold air coming into the house from the outside. Your heating system must warm up this air, which is then exhausted through your chimney.
Tips to Save Energy and Money:
- If you never use your fireplace, plug and seal the chimney flue.
- Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is going. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
- When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided) or open the nearest window slightly-approximately one inch-and close doors leading into the room. Lower the thermostat setting to between 50 degrees and 55 degrees.
- Install tempered glass doors and a heat-air exchange system that blows warmed air back into the room.
- Check the seal on the flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
- Add caulking around the fireplace.
- Use grates made of C-shaped metal tubes to draw cool room air into the fireplace and circulate warm air back into the room. _______________________________________
High Gas Prices:
Tips to Combat High Fuel Prices
Before Hitting the Road: When purchasing a new car, look for a fuel efficient model.
Always keep your tires properly inflated to manufacturer specs.
Use the recommended grade of motor oil.
Get regular tune-ups, filter changes & engine lubes.
Ride a bicycle for short trips, take a walk, plan ahead for the shortest most gas-saving itinerary and buy fuel-efficient replacement tires.
Behind the Wheel: Don't speed, dDon't drive aggressively, aAvoid excessive idling, use air conditioning sparingly, and take advantage of cruise control.
Taking a Trip: Avoid carrying items on your vehicle's roof, travel light.
When renting a car, ask for a model that gets better fuel economy.__
Keeping the Lights On
Demand for electricity nationally will increase by 40 percent during the next 22 years, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Yet even with an optimistic projection of a 9 percent reduction in electricity consumption due to increased efficiency and an increase in renewable power sources, our nation may soon run out of excess generating capacity and needs to build more power plants and transmission lines to keep the lights on.
This is a catch-22 situation. Unless significantly more power plants are placed into service soon, there’s a good chance consumers could experience brownouts and even rolling blackouts in the not-too distant future. But this generation will be the most expensive in history, coming at a time when prices for fuels to produce electricity and construction materials like steel, copper and concrete are skyrocketing. On top of it all local, state and federal lawmakers are considering additional costs on power plants. For electric co-ops, experiencing 2.6 percent overall growth (twice the national average), we take our responsibility of maintaining a safe, reliable and affordable supply of power seriously.
When it comes to meeting our nation’s energy challenges, including climate change, co-ops believe answers can be found in a diversified mix of advancements in energy efficiency and technology, renewables, nuclear, and natural gas generation and advanced coal generation. No magic “silver bullet” exists.
Co-ops have a great story to tell in how we’re already tackling each of the ambitious goals, which produce the additional bonus of helping reduce the need to build as much generation. Today more than 80 percent of co-ops supply electricity produced by wind, solar, hydro and other renewable power sources. Cooperatives across the nation are also recognized industry leaders in promoting energy efficiency and wise energy use.
When it comes to energy, electric co-ops recognize that consumers ultimately pay the freight for whatever decisions are made. As our commitment to you, we will work to ensure that the people in positions of power understand this fact as well and seek out practical long-term remedies based on new technology that will allow us to continue providing safe, reliable, and affordable power in an environmentally responsible fashion. Through it all, our drumbeat will be loud and clear: “we’re putting consumers first.” ______________
Lighting Hints for Efficiency:
If you're looking for ways to increase the efficiency of your home and to help reduce your electric bills, timing could be the answer. With a little technology you can make sure the lights are on only when they need to be - even if you forget to turn them off.
Photocells: These neat little devices turn lights on and off based on natural light levels, both indoors and out.
Timers: If you want to control what time the lights go on and off, then timers are the answer. They allow you to set the on and off times. They are also a great security feature, letting you turn lights on and off even when you are not at home.
Motion Sensors: These are a great choice for outdoor lighting and for added security. Whenever they sense movement, they turn on and then turn back off after a certain period of time.
Another fantastic energy and money saving option is choosing to use compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs throughout your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), if every American home replaced just one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR CFL, we would save enough energy to light more than 2.5 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of nearly 800,000 cars.
ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs are four times more efficient than standard bulbs to provide the same amount of light and last up to 10 times longer. You save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb's lifetime and they generate 70 percent less heat, so they are safer and can cut energy costs in the summer.
To get the most energy savings, replace bulbs where lights are on the most, such as your family and living room, kitchen, dining room and porch. You can purchase similar wattages to your current lightbulbs and can find various sizes to fit all your needs. _________
Lighting Efficiency:
Did you know that lighting accounts for 20 percent of the average home's electric bill? You can save money by switching from incandescent light bulbs to CFLs. CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy and last eight to 10 times longer and provide the same quality of light. Start by replacing your most frequently used lightbulbs with CFLs today. You'll be amazed. _________________
No-Cost Ways to Save Energy
Number One: Turn off everything when not in use: lights, TVs, computers, etc.
Check the furnace or air conditioner filter each month, and clean or replace it as needed. Dirty filters block air flow through your heating and cooling systems, increasing your energy bill and shortening the life of the equipment.
During hot months, keep window coverings closed on the south, east, and west windows. In winter, let the sun in.
Glass fireplace doors help stop heat from being lost up the chimney. Also, close the fireplace damper when not in use.
Activate "sleep" features on computers and office equipment that power down when not in use for a while. Turn off equipment during longer periods of non-use to cut energy costs and improve longevity.
When cooking, keep the lids on pots. Better yet, use a microwave oven instead.
Dress appropriately for the weather, and set your thermostat to the lowest possible comfortable setting. On winter nights, put an extra blanket on the bed and turn down your thermostat more.
During the summer, use fans whenever possible instead of air conditioning, and ventilate at night in this manner when practical. Using fans to supplement air conditioning allows you to raise the thermostat temperature, therefore using less energy. Fans cost less to use than air conditioners.
About 15 percent of an average home energy bill goes to heating water. To save hot water, take five-minute showers instead of baths. Do only full loads when using the clothes washer or dishwasher.
Switch to cold water washing of laundry in top-loading, washing machines to save energy and up to $63 a year—detergents formulated for cold water get clothes just as clean.
Lower the temperature on your water heater. It should be set at “warm,” so that a thermometer held under running water reads no more than 120 degrees.
Only heat or cool the rooms you need—close vents and doors of unused rooms. ______________________________________
Remodeling Projects to Increase
Energy Efficiency:
Improvements to the outside of your home offer excellent opportunities to incorporate energy-saving measures with little additional effort. New siding, windows, and doors, for example, can improve the efficiency of your home if they are installed carefully. They add beauty and value too.
If you plan to replace the exterior siding of your home, don't miss the chance to add wall insulation. Many older homes have wall cavities that are un-insulated or only partially insulated, allowing rapid heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
Wall insulation is one of the most cost-effective energy savers available. Loose-fill insulation can be installed in these wall cavities through holes that are drilled through the siding or sheeting underneath the siding. This requires specialized tools, so you should have a professional insulator do the job. Your new siding will cover the insulation holes, saving the price of repair.
Some types of siding can be installed over a layer of foam insulation that's added between the old and new siding. This layer can be added with or without the new cavity insulation described above.
New high-efficiency windows and doors can save a lot of energy if installed properly. One key to maintaining efficiency is by sealing the edges where they meet the wall, so cold air and moisture can't enter the home. Pay close attention to the hidden joints where the window or door meets the wall framing, as well as the visible seams at the siding. Fill large, hidden gaps with liquid urethane foam, or with tightly packed fiberglass. Install a bead of good quality caulk at the surface of each joint, and paint it to match. Now your new window or door will perform at its best. Source - Cooperative.com _________
Water Heaters:
- Make sure water heater is set at the lowest point. Try setting it at 120 degrees.
- Try washing clothes with warm water and rinsing with cold.
- If your water heater is located in an un-insulated space, consider installing a thermal wrap around it.
- Consider buying a new energy efficient water heater. While it may cost more initially than a standard unit, the energy savings will continue during the lifetime of the appliance. Some electric cooperatives offer incentives to reduce the costs of a replacement.
- Although most water heaters last 10-15 years, it's best to start shopping for a new one if yours is more than seven years old. Doing some research before your heater fails will enable you to select one that most appropriately meets your needs.
- Drain a quart of water from your water tank every three months to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. The type of water tank you have determines the steps to take, so follow the manufacturer's advice.
- Try to use less hot water overall. This helps keep your costs down.
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