Energy Management Consultation - Flathead
Electric personnel will work with residential and commercial members to
select the most appropriate options to control energy use.
The Cooperative periodically sponsors workshops for irrigators, special
workshops on efficient home construction, ventilation and many other topics.
Watch for our newspaper and radio ads as well as special notices that announce
these special workshops and seminars.
Financing
Financing for Ground Source Heat Pumps - The Cooperative will provide partial
financing for members who install a ground source heat pump, the most efficient
heating device available today. The program is available for residential or commercial,
and both new and retrofit installations.
26 GREAT ENERGY HABITS TO ADOPT
Lower your thermostat at night and when you're not home. Use a
programmable thermostat so it's automatic. Every degree lower can take 2
percent off your power bill.
Make it a habit to shut off lights, computers and other
appliances when you're not using them.
Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. They use a fourth of the
energy used by regular bulbs.
Replace halogen lamps in torchieres with compact fluorescent
torchieres. They use about 70 percent less energy and produce more light.
Use motion detectors to turn on outdoor lights rather than
leaving them on all night.
Close your fireplace damper when there's no fire. Leaving it
open is like having a 48-inch-square hole in your house.
Close off and don't heat unoccupied rooms.
Take showers with low-flow showerheads (they use 50 percent less
hot water) instead of baths.
Set your water heater at 115 degrees (F), which is comfortable
for most uses. Turn your water heater off when you go on vacation.
Wrap your water heater in R11 insulated wrap but don't cover
the thermostat.
Run only full loads in your dishwashers and clothes
washers - and wash in warm or cold water.
Wash and dry clothes on week-ends when energy use isn't as
high.
Air dry your dishes. In nicer weather or in a warm basement,
air dry your clothes.
Clean your furnace and heat pump filters to keep them operating
efficiently.
Limit use of kitchen and bathroom fans since they pull heat out
of the house.
Open south-facing drapes and blinds during the day to let heat in.
Cover all windows at night in winter.
Weather strip around your doors and windows and anywhere you
feel a draft.
Set your refrigerator between 37 and 40 degrees (F).
Keep your refrigerator well stocked. It takes more energy to
cool an empty fridge.
Clean lint out of refrigerator coils and out of dryers.
Use a microwave or toaster oven for cooking and heating small
portions.
Check ceilings and crawl spaces to ensure there's adequate
insulation.
Seal or fix broken basement windows.
Fix broken ducts and replace cracked or peeling tape on ducts.
Use tape with the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) logo.
For long-term savings, choose and use energy-efficient
appliances. Compare energy rating labels before you buy.