There's a lot more to energy savings than turning off the lights. On hot, humid days, electricity is in big demand. As the day gets warmer, more and more electricity is demanded until a peak demand is reached. Supplying the electricity to meet this peak demand can be very costly. That's why it's important on hot days to limit your use of electricity. This doesn't suggest you stop using electricity altogether but by using it sparingly between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. you can help reduce the cost of electricity for everyone while reducing the demand on our earth's natural resources.

By simply following the lucky "13" demand savings items listed below on peak alert days or during a Peak Alert (broadcasted on KRFO, KOWZ, AND Power 96) you can become Pierre's "POWER SAVING PARTNER."

HERE ARE SOME WAYS OUR "POWER SAVINGS PARTNERS" CAN HELP REDUCE DEMAND ON HOT SUMMER DAYS.

• Try to reduce your air conditioner usage by turning the temperature on your thermostat up. This will allow your air conditioner to run less. Most people are comfortable at a 78-82°F thermostat setting. For medical reasons some people may need to keep their air conditioners on to maintain a prescribed temperature. Your doctor's advice should be followed.

• Rebate Programs if you have a window air conditioner and are thinking about adding central air or upgrading your central air conditioner, remember OPU has rebate programs for installations based on the efficiency of unit. The rebates start at $200 for 14 SEER. Since 1972, new central air conditioners have become 50% more efficient!

• If you plan on staying with the window air conditioner take a few seconds to check the filter and blow the dust from the cooling fins. If possible install the unit on the shady side of the house. Energy Star Window units qualify for a $25 rebate with a bonus recycling rebate up to $25.

• Invest in a setback thermostat. Why cool it down when you're not home.  $25 rebate available from OPU.

• Keep your air conditioner condenser (the one outside) free of debris. The coils of the unit can become plugged, also make sure there is a minimum of 18 inches between the unit and any plants or shrubs.

• Change your furnace filter. Many people forget the filter is used for heating and cooling.

• Pull the plug. Make sure the drain for your furnace is free of debris. Your air conditioner cools by removing the humidity from the air inside your home. This is turned back into water that needs to be drained to assure your air conditioner's top performance.

• Do you have it made in the shade? During the summer, leafy, deciduous trees seem almost made for energy savings. In the summer the leaves shade the hot sun and in the winter the lack of leaves lets the sun warm things up. You'll benefit most if you plant them on the south and west sides of your house.

• Pull a shade to save. Pulling shades or drapes can really screen out the sun.

• Dehumidifier. Yes that little R2-D2 in the damp basement is really hungry when the humidity is high. Get reacquainted with R2-D2, he probably hasn't seen you in awhile. Dust off his coils and make sure the drain is open or his water tank is empty.  Purchase a new Energy Star dehumidifier and recycle your old one to receive a $65 rebate from OPU.

• Put a damper on it. For those with fireplaces, make sure the damper is closed.

• Do a load to save one. When you have a choice, try to do your chores before 11:00 a.m. and after 7:00 p.m. On extremely warm days consider doing a load of clothes or a load of dishes before work. Just think about how you'll feel after work on a hot day if your chores are already done.

• Grill it why chill it? Peak time is normally when day workers get home from work, start cooking dinner, and turn air conditioners up. By grilling outside on peak days you will reduce the added heat in your home that the air conditioner needs to cool.

• Have you ever been audited? Many people would like to do something to lower their heating and cooling bills but don't know where to start. OPU has a number of programs available to pinpoint energy robbing areas in your home. An energy audit of your home takes only a short time to show you a number of things you can do yourself to make your home more efficient year-round. For more information contact our Marketing Department or click here to sign up on-line. To see a brochure on Energy Audits, click here. 

• Don't be a drip. Only one drop of water per second equals 60 gallons of water a week. A coffee cup that fills in 10 minutes would waste 3280 gallons of water in a year and the electricity to pump it.

• Is your money evaporating? Watering your lawn before 11:00 a.m. makes your lawn healthier, wastes less water by evaporation, and saves you money.

REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR UTILITY.  OWATONNA PUBLIC UTILITIES IS DEDICATED TO SERVING YOU, OUR VALUED CUSTOMER.

PLEASE HELP US AT OPU HELP YOU IN A CONTINUING EFFORT TO MANAGE CURRENT COSTS AND ADDED DEMANDS FOR ELECTRICITY IN THE FUTURE.

Rebate Programs on High Efficiency:

• Gas Furnaces
• Gas Water Heaters
• Boilers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerators
• Freezers
• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Air Source Heat Pumps
• Room Air Conditioners
• Air Conditioners
• Clothes Washers
• Dehumidifiers
• Compact Fluorescent Bulbs
• Attic Insulation
• Programmable Thermostats
• Furnace Fan Motors
• Ceiling Fans with Lights

Automatic Bank Paid Plan
The Easy Way To Pay Your Bill

Cellular Phone Service Group Rate

Long Distance Phone Cards
Available for Purchase

Gift Certificates - Any amount

Watts Up? Electricity Meter

Budget Billing

GAS LEAK?

If you smell gas and can't find the source immediately, go to a neighbor's house and call OPU at 451-1616.

Don't turn electrical switches on or off or use a flashlight or telephone in the home, because an electrical spark could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

Gopher State One Call
1-800-252-1166

GSOC -
Gopher State One Call

Different Ways to Save Money and Energy

• Tool (from DOE & EPA) for calculating energy use in your home
• Tool for finding the resources to make energy savings happen
• Demo movie available on the site
• As you provide more information about your home you receive increasingly customized results along with energy-saving upgrade recommendations. All end uses (heating, cooling, major appliances, lighting, and miscellaneous uses) are included. (Save your Session # and your customized data can be used in a later session - no need to reenter.)
• This tool project is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) as part of the national ENERGY STAR Program for improving energy efficiency in homes.