Did You Know:

• There is a consistent and free source of heating and cooling right under our feet.  Geothermal systems tap the consistent underground temperatures of 50-60 degrees to provide heating and cooling for homes, businesses and schools.  In 2001 we installed a geothermal system in our home for heating, air conditioning and supplementing our hot water.  We need to make it possible for more people to install these systems so they too can enjoy the energy savings that is possible with geothermal.

• The most recent budget includes funding for the energy bill.  This should provide rebates and incentives for clean energy alternatives such as geothermal and solar.  We need to remain vigilant to be sure these funds reach the people in a timely manner to help them install systems that will help them save on energy costs.

• Electric Rate Caps are due to come off within the next two years.  Some companies across the state have already begun the process.  Electric rates are expected to rise anywhere from 30-70%.

What Can We Do to Prepare

• Utility companies should be required to make their customers aware of time of day rates and make them readily available as an option for their customers. Not only can time of day rates lower costs for customers but they also reduce the need to build new power plants.  Time of day rates give customers less expensive rates when they shift power usage to “off-peak” hours.  This is really not difficult to do and gives consumers a concrete way to control their own costs by shifting their usage to off-peak times.
• Heating hot water is a major user of electricity in homes.  Most of us do not require our hot water heaters to run 24/7.  Utilities can provide timers to turn off hot water heaters for several hours each day.
• CFL light bulbs save 75% in energy over conventional bulbs.  There has been some discussion of late concerning disposal of these bulbs due to mercury content.  Remember these bulbs can last for 7 years so you are not disposing of many and our county hazardous waste collection sites accept them for disposal.

I know these will work.  We have had our home on the time of day rate since we moved here 30 years ago.  Our hot water heater is on a timer with 12 hours on and 12 hours off.  We have replaced all possible bulbs with CFLs.  Our Geothermal system is extremely efficient in heating and cooling our home.  I am a little old fashioned in that I still hang my laundry out to dry, but I just can’t resist that FREE energy!  While we do have a small, modest home, all of these changes have allowed us to enjoy a total utility bill of just $939.00 for the ENTIRE year.

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