Customer Newsletter, April 2010

For Household Energy and Money Savings, Look for the ENERGY STAR!

The U.S. government has a program that can help you make an EnergyWise decision when purchasing electric appliances for the home. Always look for the ENERGY STAR logo! When buying an appliance, remember that it has two price tags: one that you pay at the store and another that you pay for the energy and water the appliance uses once you get it home. ENERGY STAR qualified appliances incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models. The money you save on your utility bills can more than make up for the cost of a more expensive but more efficient ENERGY STAR model. Simple actions can make a big difference. If just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, the change would be like planting 1.7 million new acres of trees.

FOCUS: Refrigerators

In most households, the refrigerator is the single biggest energy consuming kitchen appliance. Looking for the ENERGY STAR could make a huge difference when considering the purchase of a new refrigerator. For example, replacing a refrigerator bought in 1990 with a new ENERGY STAR qualified model would save enough energy to light the average household for nearly four months.

Other refrigerator EnergyWise Tips:
You may also be interested to know that you can reduce the amount of energy your refrigerator or freezer uses, whether with a standard or an ENERGY STAR qualified model:
  • Position your refrigerator away from a heat source such as an oven, a dishwasher, or direct sunlight from a window.
  • Cleaning the coils (on the back or underneath) will help transfer the heat and make the unit run less.
  • Make sure the door seals are airtight.
  • Keep your refrigerator between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit and your freezer at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open.
  • Recycle older or second refrigerators - or if you have a second older inefficient refrigerator for refreshments, consider unplugging it! Southern Power District offers the Refrigerator Recycling Program, read more about this program.
For more information about the ENERGY STAR program visit: the Energy Star website.

Other stories you'll find inside this edition:
  • Nebraska Electric Rates Are Among Lowest in the Nation
    • In March, the US Energy Information Administration released state electricity profiles, which outline average retail prices for electricity state by state. More>>>
  • Wind Integration Study Published by NPA
    • In March, the Nebraska Power Association's (NPA) Board of Directors published results of a year-long, statewide study that determined various cost and operational impacts of adding large amounts of wind-powered generation to the state's electric power grid. More>>>
  • Refrigerator Recycle Program
    • Get $35 in cold cash when you recycle your old, inefficient refrigerator. More>>>
  • The Value of Electricity
    • A dollar's worth can get you so much! More>>>
  • SPD Seeks to Return Unclaimed Funds
    • The individuals listed here, with the addresses we have on record, have left funds due them with Southern Power District. More>>>
  • Credit Card Payment Option Available
    • You can pay your electric bill 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, and from any location. More>>>
  • Recipe Box
    • White Chocolate Fruit Tart Enjoy!>>>
    Feel free to drop off your samples of this recipe to Southern's main offices for sampling. :-)