Using less energy to accomplish the same task, such as heating or lighting a building

ENERGY EFFICIENCY:

ENERGY CONSERVATION:

Is the practice of decreasing the quantity of energy used

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

Dual Fuel:Electric (gshp, ashp, boilers, etc.) as main heat source

with fossil fuel back upDual Fuel rate applies ($0.05/ kWh)Water heater and a/c can also be put on DF rate

Cycled Cooling:Receive $15 credit ($5 for months of June, July and

August)

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 - $300Rebate forms are available at www.swce.coop

Look for the Energy Star logo whenever you buy

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 .

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/C ASHP

13 SEER $30 $33014 SEER $180 $48015 SEER $280 $58016+ SEER $330 $630

A list of qualified installers can be found on our website www.swce.coop under the ‘save energy and money’ heading.

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

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 useIt has additional plugs that are always onSo plug the computer or TV itself into the masterPlug 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

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

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

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.comwww.mbpa.us/findaconsultant.htm

http://www.ezbngreen.com

http://www.togetherwesave.comInteractive website on how ‘little’ things add up

Affordable Home Energy Audits 763-274-4248

http://www.mnbrighterideas.com

www.energyconservation.comwww.mbpa.us/findaconsultant.htm

Find an energy auditor

Questions?