Energy Efficiency & Conservation

1. Energy Efficiency & Conservation

2. The Energy Pyramid ENERGY EFFICIENCY: Using less energy to accomplish the same task, such as heating or lighting a building ENERGY CONSERVATION: Is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used

3. SWCE Programs Dual Fuel: Electric (gshp, ashp, boilers, etc.) as main heat source with fossil fuel back up Dual Fuel rate applies ($0.05/ kWh) Water heater and a/c can also be put on DF rate • Marathon Water Heaters: • * FREE 85 – or 105-gallon water heater if on control for at least • 7 years • * $5 or $10 / month or if on Dual Fuel then DF rate Cycled Cooling: Receive $15 credit ($5 for months of June, July and August)

4. SWCE 2010 Residential Energy Star Rebates • clothes washers - $25 • dishwashers - $25 • refrigerators and freezers - $50 • with recycling of old appliance - $75 • dehumidifiers - $25 • room window air conditioners - $35 • ECM (electric commutated motor) - $100 • CFL’s - $2/ bulb or up to ½ the package price • Ground source heat pumps - $400 / ton • Ductless air source heat pumps - $300 Rebate forms are available at www.swce.coop Look for the Energy Star logo whenever you buy

5. Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) What is an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM)? ECM ‘s adjust its speed to ensure the optimal airflow at all times. In addition ECM motors are significantly quieter and less expensive to operate than conventional furnace fans. ECMs use significantly less electricity to deliver the warm air from the furnace and the cool air from the CAC throughout your home. With their adjustable speed design, furnaces with an ECM motor operate with as little as 80 watts of electricity. That’s as much as ten times less than standard fan motors which run on high all the time. Furnaces equipped with an Electronically Commutated Motor (ECM) have lower annual operating costs and can save you $40 to $300 per year depending on how you use the furnace fan .

6. Qualified Installation (QI) Rebates Central A/C and Air Source Heat Pump rebates are available through HVAC companies who have taken an assessment test. Once they have taken this test, they become a ‘qualified installer’ in the state of Minnesota. This test assures that the unit is being installed correctly and that the homeowner is getting the SEER rating that they paid for. The A/C and ASHP rebates are as follows: A/CASHP 13 SEER $30 $330 14 SEER $180 $480 15 SEER $280 $580 16+ SEER $330 $630 A list of qualified installers can be found on our website www.swce.coop under the ‘save energy and money’ heading.

7. Commercial, Industrial & Agricultural Rebates • Standard rebates: • milking vacuum pump VFD • milk transfer pump VFD • lighting • NEMA premium efficient motors • Custom rebates may include, but not limited to: • compressor heat recovery systems • plate & frame type milk pre-coolers • hog farrowing controls • scroll compressors for bulk tank • low pressure irrigation systems • livestock water heaters

8. The Smart Strip is Pretty Smart The Smart Strip works like this: It has one plug called “control” It has special plugs for things that go off when the “control” is not in use It has additional plugs that are always on So plug the computer or TV itself into the master Plug in monitor, speakers and various other devices into the special plugs - use the 'always active' sockets for the satellite receiver/Tivo/etc. When the “control” is off, the Smart Strip automatically turns off the special plugs

9. Niagara Electric Water Heater Conservation Kit • Available from Niagara for only $10 from Jan 1- March 31, 2010 • Mail in form is in the current issue of Sparks or • Go on-line to ‘www.mnbrighterideas.com’ • Under Promotions, use promo code ‘SWC671’ • LIMIT 1 • The conservation kit includes: Earth ™ Massage Showerhead (1.5 GPM) Kitchen Swivel Aerator (1.5 GPM) Two Bathroom Faucet Aerators (1.0 GPM) Hot Water Temperature Card

10. The biggest bang for the buck? CFL’s! • Did you know… • That 15-20 % of your electric bill is attributed to lighting • alone? • CFL’s use up to 75% less energy to produce the same • amount of light? • Lasts up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent • bulbs? • You can save $30 or more in energy costs over the life of • the bulb? • SWCE offers $2 per bulb (up to ½ the price of package • rebate) • CFL’s generate 70% less heat • Safer to operate • Can cut energy cost associated with home cooling • cost

11. www.togetherwesave.com

12. Home Energy Audits • A home energy audit typically lasts about 2 hours. • The following areas are examined: • furnace or boiler • air conditioner • insulation • air leaks • water heater • appliances • An infrared camera used inside will pinpoint cold air seeping through ceilings, walls and floors. A picture from the outside will show heat loss. • A blower door test, which identifies air leaks, can be performed for an additional cost. • Additional testing may be available, depending on the company. Prices vary greatly from under $100 to over $600 per audit. Here’s two website to search for a home energy audit: www.energyconservation.com www.mbpa.us/findaconsultant.htm

13. Websites: http://www.ezbngreen.com Affordable Home Energy Audits 763-274-4248 http://www.togetherwesave.com Interactive website on how ‘little’ things add up http://www.mnbrighterideas.com www.energyconservation.com www.mbpa.us/findaconsultant.htm Find an energy auditor

14. Questions?