February 2008 Power Lines Newsletter
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In this issue
- Keep warm for less through the winter months
- Simple, free ways to lower your energy bills
- Wind power = solar energy
- PUD calendar photo contest
- How energy-efficient is your home?
- My Fair Lady Pageant seeks nominations
- Finance home improvements with a Community Partners Loan
Keep warm for less through the winter months
Our Energy Experts can help you keep winter heating bills low
When the temperature drops, heating costs rise. Our Energy Experts can help you find ways to lower your heating bills, many of which can also improve your home’s value while keeping you more comfortable. Here are a few examples:
Increase insulation levels
Increasing the amount of insulation in your attic, walls and floor can greatly decrease heat loss. We offer rebates and financing for insulation upgrades that are completed through our home weatherization program.
Install efficient windows
Energy efficient windows can reduce your heating and cooling bill by as much as 15%. We offer rebates financing for the purchase of qualifying windows that are installed through the PUD’s window replacement program.
Install a heat pump system
A heat pump system is one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool your home. We offer rebates, financing and quality assurance inspections for qualifying systems that are installed through the PUD’s heat pump program.
For more information
To learn more about how you can improve the efficiency of your home and earn cash incentives for efficiency improvements, contact our Energy Experts at (503) 366-5470 or visit www.crpud.net.
Simple, free ways to lower your energy bills
- Turn your thermostat down a few degrees. Set it even lower when you are away or asleep.
- Set your water heater at 120° (140° if you have a dishwasher without a heating unit).
- Take shorter showers. Showers can account for 2/3 of your water heating costs.
- Your dishwasher uses less water than you do if you run full loads. Use the ‘energy-saver’ mode if there is one.
- Turn the lights off when you leave a room.
- Replace burned out light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs, which use much less electricity.
- Caulk or weather-strip around all exterior openings.
- Keep your fireplace damper closed when your fireplace is not in use. (Wait several hours after the fire dies.)
Wind Power = Solar Energy!
Did you know? Your wind power purchases support solar energy programs at local schools!
PUD customers who buy Choice Energy Wind Power help support solar photo-voltaic installations and curriculum at local schools. Together, we're building renewable energy resources for the future.
St. Helens High School dedicated the county's first solar project in October. See live data on the solar panel's output.
PUD Calendar Photo Contest
The photo contest for the PUD’s 2009 Scenic Calendar is now open. To enter, send us your best shots of Columbia County by September 15. See entry forms and complete contest details.
How energy-efficient is your home?
Is your home an energy hog? You can find out by taking our free online home energy evaluation. This simple questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete and identifies potential energy-saving opportunities in your home. Complete the evaluation now.
If you’d like a more thorough review of your home’s energy use, you may also request a free in-home energy evaluation. Your heating fuel determines which organization will provide the evaluation:
If you heat with electricity:
We offer free in-home energy evaluations and a variety of rebate programs for efficiency improvements. Learn more.
If you heat with gas:
The Energy Trust of Oregon offers free home energy reviews and cash incentives for efficiency improvements.
Phone: (866) 368-7878 Web: www.energytrust.org
If you heat with other fuels:
The Oregon Department of Energy offers efficiency improvement rebates for oil, propane, kerosene, butane, or wood-heated homes.
Phone: (800) 221-8035 Web: www.oregon.gov/energy
My Fair Lady Pageant seeks nominations
The My Fair Lady Pageant is held during the Columbia County Fair each year to recognize senior women for their outstanding service in our community. The pageant is currently seeking nominees for the 2008 My Fair Lady Court.
To nominate someone for the court, contact Nancy Harwood at the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), (503) 397-5655 or rsvp@opusnet.com, for an application.
Nominees must be at least 55 years old but do not need to be a member of RSVP or their local senior center. Nominations are due March 31.
The 2007 My Fair Lady Court. Pictured, Front: Queen Lydia Arthur, Princess Tessie Aldrich; Back Row: Princesses Betty Karsten, Mary Ann Dahlgren, Marian Nolin
Finance home improvements with a Community Partners Loan
The Community Partners Loan Program at St. Helens Community Federal Credit Union provides qualified customers with 6% financing for up to 84 months for energy efficiency improvements, electrical system improvements and renewable energy installations, with no loan fees and no prepayment penalty. Projects must be pre-approved by the PUD.
To learn more, contact our Energy Experts at (503) 366-5470 or experts@crpud.org.