October 2008 Power Lines Newsletter

Download a PDF file of the newsletter

In this issue

  • Save Energy Now with these Simple, Free Tips
  • Simplify life with Always Current
  • LIEAP assistance available from CAT
  • PUD Low-Income Assistance Programs
  • Rebates for ENERGY STAR® Qualified Appliances
  • Marathon® Water Heaters
  • Take our Online Home Energy Evaluation to See How You Can Save

Save Energy Now with these Simple, Free Tips

  • 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.
  • Photo of fully loaded dishwasherRun your dishwasher only when it is full. Using your dishwasher consumes less water than hand washing dishes, but only if you run full loads.  Use the ‘energy-saver’ mode if there is one.
  • Wash laundry in cold water. Save hot water washes for heavily soiled or stained items. Wash full loads, and don’t over-dry.
  • Clean furnace filters monthly.
  • Turn off the lights when you leave a room. 
  • Replace burned out light bulbs with CFLs, which use much less electricity.
  • Keep the damper closed when your fireplace is not in use. (Wait several hours after the fire dies.)


Simplify life with Always Current Automatic Bill Payment

Always Current makes paying your PUD bill simple! Woman reading to grandchild

  • Receive your PUD statement by email 
  • Your payment is automatically deducted from your account
  • View your payment history and electricity usage online, anytime

To Sign Up

To sign up for Always Current, download and complete this enrollment form.

Low-Income Energy Assistance Program available through Community Action Team

The Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program that assists low-income households with home heating costs.  Community Action Team (CAT) is the agency that distributes LIEAP funds in our area. To make a LIEAP appointment with CAT, call (503) 397-4951.

PUD LOW-Income Assistance Programs

The PUD also offers two assistance programs for low-income customers - the Neighbor’s GLOW Fund and the Special Waiver:

  • GLOW provides emergency assistance to low-income PUD customers who are behind in their payments and in danger of having their electricity shut off.
  • The Special Waiver Program waives the $7 monthly customer charge for low-income households.

For more information about the GLOW and Special Waiver programs, contact Customer Accounts at (503) 397- 0590 or custsvc@crpud.org.

Rebates for ENERGY STAR® Qualified Appliances

If it's time for you to replace a home applinace, be sure to choose an ENERGY STAR® qualified model.  We offer rebates for ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers, dishwashers and refrigerators. Amounts are as follows:

  • Clothes washers - electric hot water heater - $75
  • Clothes washers - gas, propane or oil hot water heater - $75
  • Dishwasher - $25
  • Refrigerator - $25
  • Freezer - $25

Contact our Energy Experts at experts@crpud.org or (503) 366-5470 to learn more.

Tax Credits Also Available

The state of Oregon also offers tax credits on energy efficient appliances.  The credits range from $60 to $180.  Their qualification standards differ slightly from ours - for more information visit http://www.oregon.gov/energy.

Marathon water heater cutaway viewMarathon®Water Heaters offer a Lifetime of Efficiency & Savings

Ordinary water heaters last 10 to 15 years. Their metal tanks corrode and eventually leak, leaving you with quite a mess and no hot water.

That’s why you should choose a Marathon® water heater.  Marathon water heaters have plastic tanks that will never corrode, rust or leak.  They’re also the most energy-efficient water heaters on the market, which means you’ll spend less to heat the water you use.

We offer $250 rebates and 0% financing on Marathon water heaters.  To learn more, contact our Energy Experts at (503) 366-5470 or visit www.crpud.net.

Take our Online Home Energy Evaluation to See How You Can Save

Is your home an energy hog? You can find out by taking the free home energy evaluation on our website.  This simple questionnaire takes about 20 minutes to complete and identifies potential energy-saving opportunities in your home.
Take the evaluation now.

Free In-Home Energy Evaluations

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.
Phone: (503) 366-5470 Web: www.crpud.net

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 oil, propane, kerosene, butane or wood:

The Oregon Department of Energy offers efficiency improvement rebates: 
Phone: (800) 221-8035   Web:  www.oregon.gov/energy