Energy-Saving Tip of the Week
Trying to plug an air leak with fiberglass insulation won’t work very well, because the material is not a good air barrier. Instead, use solid materials such as caulking, spray foam, drywall, plywood or rigid foam to stop air infiltration.
Make the most of your heating dollars
Make sure all the heat you’re paying for reaches its destination! Move furniture that’s blocking air registers or baseboard heaters, stopping warmed air from being distributed throughout the room.
STATE APPLIANCE REBATE PROGRAM WILL BEGIN MARCH 1!
The program is available only to residents of Iowa; landlords are not eligible, nor are people who live outside the state but own property here. Rebates will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and every rebate will be paid by a Visa debit card you can use like a gift card at any retailer that accepts Visa. You cannot apply for a rebate until 8:00 a.m on March 1 at a special Web site or toll-free number; however, starting Feb. 19 the Web site (www.iowaappliancerebate.com) will provide basic details on the program. For more information, watch the Office of Energy Independence Web site at www.energy.iowa.gov.
At the top of our list of success stories to share with legislators this year is the investment
in energy-efficiency programs Iowa’s electric co-ops have projected for the next five years.
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Seventy percent of electricity used across the country is generated by coal and natural gas-fired power plants, and Congress must recognize that practical technologies aren’t available for meeting the proposed carbon dioxide reduction goals in the climate change legislation now being debated. » Read more
If you look around your home, you can find energy vampires in almost every room. These phantom or parasitic loads are things that consume electricity even when they’re turned off. » Read more
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This device turns off energy wasters for you
It’s one thing to get family members to turn off the lights when they leave a room, but what about shutting down the TV and the other home entertainment components – or the computer and all of its peripherals? This energy-saving surge protector automatically cuts the power to equipment that’s not in use.
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Co-op Cooks
Co-ops are helping in Haiti, and you can too
Support the earthquake relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti by contributing to one of these 501(c)(3) charitable organizations that are affiliated with America’s electric cooperatives.
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Stop cold air leaks
under exterior doors
Adjust the threshold under each exterior door to eliminate cold air leaks. If you think there’s an air leak but you’re not quite sure, place a dollar bill on the threshold and close the door. If you easily can pull out the dollar bill, adjust the threshold until it fits tightly against the bottom of the door. If the threshold is damaged or isn’t adjustable, replace it with a new one in the appropriate style.
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