Aim Green Omaha

January 2012
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Check out a watt detector, literally.

By admin On January 25th, 2012 in Uncategorized /

A partnership between Omaha Public Power District and local libraries now allows residents to check out watt detector kits.

What is a Watt Detector?

Watt detectors help measure the amount of energy your appliances use. It calculates how much money or energy is being spent on an hourly, daily, monthly or yearly basis. And it measures energy use in watts and translates that into kilowatt hours (kWh), the same unit of measure used on your electric bills. By doing so, you can manage and reduce your energy use, which can result in lower electric bills.

Studies show that people using electricity monitors will save between 5-20% on their bill by watching their energy use and making effective changes. Common changes include:

Unplug small appliances
Upgrade to ENERGY STAR™ products
Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs)
Reduce overall energy consumption

How to use the Watt Detector

The Watt Detector is compatible with any electrical outlet. The device will measure kWh used and calculate the associated costs over a period of time. It’s even pre-programmed for your convenience with the average electricity rate for OPPD customers, $0.092 per kilowatt hour (kWh). This number takes into consideration OPPD’s summer and winter rates and averages the two for an annual average.

Need more information?

For more information and a list of participating libraries, visit www.oppd.com/wattdetector.

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Get with the program. And get $50.

By admin On January 19th, 2012 in Uncategorized /

Air Conditioning Management Program

COMING SOON! In the spring of 2012 OPPD will be launching the AC Management Program. This program will pay you $50 the first year you participate in summer peak-load reduction efforts, which can also help keep rates low.

How does the program work?

OPPD will install an outdoor device near your central air conditioning unit or heat pump. No appointments are necessary and no one goes into your home.

On most days, OPPD will not need to manage your air conditioner. AC Management will only occur Monday through Friday in the summer (excluding holidays) when demand for electricity is at its highest. OPPD will only manage your air conditioner a maximum of 12 times each year. Customers will also have the option of two opt-out days each year. The device will manage your air conditioner or heat pump in 15 minute intervals for 2.5 hours between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. During a management event, the indoor furnace blower fan will continue to circulate air throughout your home, keeping your home comfortable.

What are the benefits?

• You will receive a bill credit in the amount of $30 after the device is installed and an additional $20 bill credit for each year of participation. That’s a total of $50 for the first year!

• The program will help reduce the peak demand for electricity. Reducing the peak demand during high usage times helps OPPD delay the need to build a new power plant and the cost to build it, which helps keep OPPD’s rates low.

How do I sign up?

If you’re interested in participating in the AC Management Program or would like more information, contact the OPPD Energy Advisor at 402-636-3850 or energyadvisor@oppd.com.

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Walk for a Cause

By admin On January 11th, 2012 in Uncategorized /

Note: The Energy Assistance Program was established in 1988 to provide emergency aid to elderly, disabled or customers in need with energy-related expenses. OPPD’s total funding support from 1988 to Oct. 2011 is $3.5 million. OPPD community outreach also educates these individuals on energy-efficiency tips and programs.

Heartland Walk for Warmth - Feb. 2, 2012 - 6 p.m. - Westroads Mall
The Heartland Walk for Warmth raises funds and awareness for area energy assistance programs to help those in need in extreme weather.

How Can You Help?
Register for the walk the day of at Westroads Mall. A $20 donation is suggested.

Walk around Westroad Mall (in case of inclement weather, the walk will be moved indoors.)
Walkers will receive discounts from participating retailers.
Registration fees and donations are tax-deductible

If you’re unable to attend the walk, donate online at www.heartlandwalkforwarmth.org or send donations to:
Heartland Walk for Warmth Campaign
c/o Omaha Community Foundation
302 S. 36th St., Ste. 100
Omaha, NE 68131

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Watt’s up with the Bulb Phaseout?

By admin On January 5th, 2012 in Uncategorized /

As of Jan. 1, manufacturers can no longer make standard 100-watt incandescent lightbulbs. This is the first step in a three-year phaseout of the energy-inefficient bulbs, but there are alternatives available.

New Year’s shopping list:

Five pounds of deli meat
Two pounds of cheese
Six bags of chips
50 four-packs of 100-watt lightbulbs

Okay, so the lightbulbs probably didn’t make your list, but some people did stock up on 100W bulbs in advance of the phaseout. You may still find some standard 100W incandescents until retailers sell out of them, but manufacturers are not allowed to produce them starting Jan. 1.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 includes a gradual phase-out of standard incandescents, as follows.

Jan. 1, 2012: 100W
Jan. 1, 2013: 75W
Jan. 1, 2014: 60W & 40W

The 2007 federal law requires manufacturers to meet gradually increasing standards for the efficacy – lumens per watt – of incandescent bulbs, noted Dave Tallon, OPPD’s senior field engineer in Customer Sales & Service. Lumens are the amount of light visible produced by a lighting source.

“About 85 to 90 percent of the energy consumed by a traditional incandescent is given off as heat,” Dave explained. “The bulb design has not changed dramatically since Edison perfected it for the mass market in 1879.”

Dave said manufacturers have begun producing general-purpose high-efficiency incandescent (HEI) bulbs that meet the new efficacy standards. As was the case with compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs), it will take a few years for the price of HEIs to come down as they catch on with consumers and are produced in larger quantities.

Meanwhile, there’s a growing variety of CFLs and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs available today that meet the new standards. The price of LED bulbs is coming down very rapidly, Dave said.

“When deciding which type of lightbulb to buy, it’s important to match the bulb with how and where you’re going to use it,” he said. There are numerous exceptions to the incandescent phase-out, including three-way bulbs, appliance bulbs, colored bulbs, plant lights, bug lights and shatter-resistant bulbs.

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Sustainability Efforts in Nebraska

By admin On December 27th, 2011 in Uncategorized /

The Nebraska Power Association has published its 2010 Research & Conservation Report. The report was prepared in the fourth quarter of 2011 and was created with the support of many Nebraska utilities and the Nebraska Energy Office.

The report provides a glimpse at sustainability goals, renewable energy, energy efficiency programs, research, pilots and much more.

You can review the full report on OPPD’s website. To learn more about Nebraska’s public power advantage, you can also visit The Nebraska Power Association website.

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Free Trees! Apply today.

By admin On December 14th, 2011 in Uncategorized /

If your non-profit group is located within OPPD’s service territory, you could be eligible for tree planting funds, up to $2,500. The deadline for OPPD’s Tree Promotion Program is March 23, 2012.

OPPD’s Tree Promotion Program promotes the planting of trees and provides education concerning the value, selection, placement and welfare of trees. Nonprofit groups, organizations and schools interested in requesting an OPPD tree-planting sponsorship can visit click here for guidelines and application information.

If you live in the Omaha area, check out OPPD’s arboretum, located at 108th & Blondo. Enjoy the walking trails and pick up a variety of landscaping tips along the way.

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Space Heaters – Be Warm and Safe

By admin On December 7th, 2011 in Uncategorized /

An electric space heater is a great way to add supplemental heat to a room, but when using one, safety should be a top consideration. OPPD urges its customers to follow these safe operating practices when using space heaters:

Features: Only purchase models that are the proper size for the room you wish to heat, are Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL)-certified, and have all the current safety features. For portable space heaters, buy a unit with a tip-over safety switch, which automatically shuts off the heater if it is tipped over.

Distance: Keep the unit at least three feet away from flammable materials. Never place it near plumbing or water. Avoid using an extension cord, but if necessary, only use heavy-duty cords that are rated for the power consumption of the space heater you are using.

Use It Wisely: Keep the heater on a level surface away from foot traffic. Be especially careful to keep children and pets away from the heater. Never dry clothes on the unit or use it to thaw pipes. Unplug the heater when it is not in use and never leave it running unattended or when you’re sleeping.

The Department of Energy points out that you can save money with portable heaters, but only if you choose the right models and use them properly. If you want to save money with space heaters this winter, keep the following tips in mind:

Turn down the thermostat: A space heater makes the most sense if you spend a lot of time in specific areas of your home… heat that space rather than the whole building.

Look for a thermostatically-controlled heater: Heating a room too much not only makes you uncomfortable, but wastes energy. A space heater with thermostatic control allows you to set the temperature, and avoid the waste of overheating.

Check the sizing table on the heater you’re considering: Make sure the space heater you purchase is designed for the size of the room in which you plan to use it. If it’s too small, you won’t be warm enough (or you’ll always run it too high); if it’s too large, you’re using more energy than necessary.

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LEDs are A-OK!

By admin On November 29th, 2011 in Uncategorized /

Okay holiday decorators - are you debating whether to spring for LED holiday lights, as opposed to the regular lights which cost less? Or do they?

Just check out the numbers below. LED lights may cost a little more up front, but they last for years and they use far less electricity than the old-style bulbs. Educate yourself. Once you have the facts, you’ll be dashing to get those LEDs.

Assume you use 10 strings of lights and run them 6 hours a day for 30 days. Below is a comparison of what you might pay for electricity ($.09 average kilowatt-hour).

Old-style lights, with 25 large bulbs per string, use 175 watts and average $28.35/month.

LEDs, with 25 large bulbs per string, use 2 watts and average $.32/month.

Old-style lights, with 100 small bulbs per string, use 40 watts at an average cost of $6.48/month.

LEDs with 100 small bulbs per string, use 4.2 watts at an average cost of $.68/month.

So in the long run, save yourself some cash. Why wait? Go get those LEDs.

And remember, for holiday safety tips, visit OPPD.com.

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Save Money and Trees!

By admin On November 17th, 2011 in Uncategorized /

Pay your bill in a few clicks or no clicks at all – saving you time, saving you money on postage and even saving a few trees!

Check out PayItGreen to calculate your environmental impact by switching to electronic bill payments.

Did you know by making the switch, the average American household could save more than 6 pounds of paper a year?

If just 20% of households made the switch, 1.8 million trees would be saved each year!

Contact your utilities, your banks and you mortgage company to check out your options.

With Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), you can quickly and easily pay your bills online or with automatic payments. OPPD.com makes paying your bill quick and easy. Sign up for Automatic Bill Payment (taken directly from your bank account) or enroll in MyAccount to review your bill and make one-time payments online. Make sure to sign up for paperless billing.

For more information, visit OPPD.com/MyAccount today or call 402-536-4131 (outside Omaha: 877-536-4131).

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Info on Electric Rates and Energy Tips

By admin On November 11th, 2011 in Uncategorized /

OPPD is committed to doing what’s necessary to keep rates as low as possible while ensuring safe, reliable power. This year, circumstances related to the flood and upcoming EPA regulations have had considerable impact on our business and budget.

Omaha Public Power District needs to propose a rate increase to its board, and we understand that any increase will impact our customers.

If you are interested in the details of the proposed rate increase, you are invited to
attend the OPPD Board of Directors meeting on Thursday, November 17, at 10am. The meeting will be held at Energy Plaza (16 & Harney, Omaha) or you can submit input at OPPD.com.

To help manage your energy, OPPD provides tips and videos online, including the tips below.

No-cost Tips
• Set your thermostat at 78 degrees or higher in the summer and 68 or lower in the winter.
• Turn off lights and ceiling fans in unoccupied rooms.
• Set the water heater at 120 to 140 degrees.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and laundry.
• Unplug unused electronics and chargers.
• Clean refrigerator condenser coils each year.
• Use energy-saving settings on all appliances.
• Make sure furniture and drapes are not blocking air registers.
• Close the damper when not using your fireplace.

Low-cost Tips (Less than 1-year payback)• Use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in lamps and other frequently used fixtures.
• Install plastic storm window kits on windows.
• Install an insulation jacket on your water heater.
• Repair leaky faucets and toilets.
• Seal large leaks in heating ducts.
• Clean or change your heating and cooling system’s air filter monthly.
• Have a licensed contractor check your heating equipment each fall.

For more energy-saving tips and energy-efficiency videos, visit oppd.com or call the OPPD Energy Advisor at 402-636-3850 (1-800-648-2658 outside Omaha).

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Posts

Check out a watt detector, literally.

Get with the program. And get $50.

Walk for a Cause

Watt’s up with the Bulb Phaseout?

Sustainability Efforts in Nebraska

Free Trees! Apply today.

Space Heaters – Be Warm and Safe

LEDs are A-OK!

Save Money and Trees!

Info on Electric Rates and Energy Tips