Energy Load Breakdown

Typical Monthly Usage:			KWH
Portable Electric Heater			274
Furnace Fan			90
Window Air Conditioner			150
Dehumidifier			30
Electric Water Heater (*For a family of 3. Add 100 KWH for each additional person)			500
Electric Range + Oven			127
Dishwasher			36
Clothes Washer			15
Clothes Dryer (*or 5 kWh x number of loads per month)			150
Refrigerator (old)			120
Refrigerator (Energy Star)			36
Food Freezer (*or 10 kWh x number of cubic feet)			195
Microwave			15
Television (27" color)			27
VCR			1
Computer (monitor + printer)			26
Spa (6 KW)			400
Lights			100
Outside Lighting (150 watt)			45
Water Bed Heater (king size)			120
Hot Tub (Elec. Heat 11 kW)			1000
Well Pump - domestic			70
Small Appliances:
Coffee Maker			12
Electric Skillet			15
Electric Blanket			13
Stereo - Radio			10
Toaster			4
Vent Fan			5
Vacuum Cleaner			5
Misc. Small Appliances			25
Separate Facility: Barn, Shop
Welder			100
Misc. Shop Tools			100
Electric Fence			7
Multiply total estimated monthly kWh usage by the following rate:
1 - 1250 kWh @			$0.0825 per kWh
over 1250 kWh @			$0.0568 per kWh
Plus Monthly Basic Service Charge Residential (R-2004), adopted October 18, 2004			$24.00

Energy Efficiency Tips

No-Cost or Low-Cost:

1. Lower your thermostat at night and whenever the house is unoccupied. Close off and don't heat unoccupied rooms (unless you have a heat pump). If you consistently set your thermostat back 10 degrees (F) at night, you can reduce your heating bill by 10-20 percent.
2. Lower the thermostat and dress warmer. As little as 1 to 3 degrees (F) makes a difference.
3. Lower the temperature on your electric water heater to 120 (F) degrees. Turn it off when leaving for extended periods of time.
4. Set refrigerator temperatures between 37 and 40 degrees (F). Clean the coils. Keep the refrigerator stocked; it takes more energy to cool an empty fridge.
5. Turn off and safely store extra refrigerators, especially if older than 10 years. They can use over 3 times the energy of newer models.
6. Wash full loads of dishes and air dry.
7. When washing clothes, use warm or cold water and rinse with cold. Air dry clothes.
8. Shut off lights, computers and other electronic appliances when you're not using them.
9. Use the bathroom or kitchen fans only while showering or cooking on the stove to avoid moisture problems.
10. Use a microwave or toaster oven for smaller items.
11. Install a low-flow showerhead. Showers use less hot water than baths.
12. Close your fireplace damper and seal the opening shut when not in use.
13. Open south-facing window coverings (e.g. drapes, blinds, etc.) during the day. Close all window coverings at night to keep the heat in.
14. Install gaskets behind electric-outlet and switch-plate covers.

Steps that cost more, but pay for themselves in two years or less:

1. Install an automatic setback thermostat that adjusts temperature according to your daily schedule.
2. Install do-it-yourself weatherstripping and caulking.
3. Install do-it-yourself storm windows that cost less than $1/sq.ft., such as flexible vinyl glazing.
4. Use motion sensors for outdoor lighting. You'll still have security and save energy.
5. Replace incandescent light bulbs in common areas (where lights are on most of the time) with compact fluorescent lamps(CFLs). They use about a quarter of the energy.
6. Replace the halogen torchiere floor lamp with a CFL model. They're safer, use 70 percent less electricity and produce as much, if not more, light.
7. Tune up the furnace annually.
8. Replace furnace filters. The dirtier they are the harder the furnace fan works.
9. Add water heater tank and hot water pipe insulation especially if in an unheated space. Don't cover the thermostat or, for natural gas models, the air inlets.
10. Install a sheet metal fireplace cover.

Home energy improvements that pay for themselves in two to five years:

1. Increase attic insulation to R-38 (the current requirement for new homes).
2. Insulate floors over unheated spaces to R-19.
3. Insulate and seal ducts, attics, crawl spaces, garages and other unheated areas.
4. Install do-it-yourself storm windows that cost less than $3/sq.ft., such as rigid acrylic glazing.
5. Perform low-cost fireplace modifications, such as flue-top damper or inexpensive glass doors.

Home improvements that take more than five years to pay for themselves:

1. When you do replace a home appliance, the more energy-efficient models will be more expensive initially, but you will save money and energy for the entire life. There are two price tags: the purchase price and the operating price. An appliance that is cheaper to purchase initially will have higher operating costs, where as an Energy Star appliance will be more expensive at first, but the savings you'll accumulate from operating will be substantial. See the Energy Star® web site at ENERGY STAR for more information on home products.
2. Energy Star® clothes washers save energy, water, and detergent.
3. Energy Star® windows only cost ~$0.50 /sq.ft. more than standard windows, save energy and increase comfort.
4. Look for and purchase Energy Star®-labeled electronic goods, and lighting bulbs and fixtures.
5. Add do-it-yourself insulated (quilted) window covers (minimum R-3 and costing less than $5/sq.ft.) or install blinds, drapes or other window coverings.
6. Wall insulation should be added when the space is made accessible during home remodeling.
7. Furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioning and water heaters all have high efficiency models available and should be considered when replacing these appliances.
8. Invest in commercially installed storm windows or insulated glass.
9. Replacing conventional oil burner (oil furnace) with more efficient flame-retention burner.
10. Install a fireplace insert and wood stove in the fireplace.
11. Install a solar water heater