Ashford Fire Station

Public safety improving for Ashford

Co-op partnerships deliver second fire station

Recognizing Ashford’s potential for growth, both in number of homes as well as businesses, Wiregrass leaders developed a plan for infrastructure needed to keep Ashford and Houston County citizens safe. A decade after the effort began, the fruits of that collaboration and forward-thinking are ripening with the construction of the Ashford Fire Southside Station.

The second of the community’s fire stations, it’s expected to accommodate growth for the next 20 to 30 years. With the capacity to offer 24/7 emergency service, the facility is a potential catalyst for economic expansion by establishing the fast response times needed by hotels, motels and similar businesses. Similarly, residents will be assured emergency services aren’t far away, something future developers can emphasize in their plans.

Wiregrass Electric Cooperative and PowerSouth Energy Cooperative provided funds for two-thirds of the total project cost through their Revolving Loan Fund, contributing $300,000 through a loan with a 10-year term at 1% interest.

“It is wonderful to partner with the great City of Ashford and help finally bring this dream to fruition for people who live here and the businesses that exist now and in the future,” says Brad Kimbro, WEC’s chief operating officer. “When we brought this idea and opportunity to our WEC board, it was a quick yes. We’re happy to play a part in making the Wiregrass a better, safer place for our members and our neighbors.”

The fund provides low-interest loans to individuals, companies or municipalities to help them finance their projects or businesses. Creation and retention of local jobs are key goals of the effort.

“This is a great project,” says Caleb Goodwin, community development and finance representative for PowerSouth. “We are fortunate to have the resources we do at PowerSouth, such as our Revolving Loan Fund, that allow us to do what really is our core mission: to serve communities and do everything we can to help them advance community and economic development." The Revolving Loan fund exists to help PowerSouth’s member systems fund projects that benefit their communities.

The city of Ashford will fund the remaining $200,000, and the Houston County Road and Bridge Department will prepare the site for construction.

Ready for launch

A groundbreaking ceremony in May for the new fire station was attended by the Wiregrass’ state delegation, representatives from PowerSouth and WEC, local commissioners and leaders and members of Ashford’s fire and road and bridge departments.

“There’s one thing that I’ve learned to live by as an elected official,” state Sen. Donnie Chesteen says. “When communities come to you with a request,

Wiregrass leaders and staff shovel dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for Ashford’s new fire station on U.S. Highway 84 East in May.

(LEFT) State Sen. Donnie Chesteen and Rep. Paul Lee discuss leadership and cooperation during a groundbreaking ceremony for Ashford’s new fire station. (MIDDLE) Jimmy Posey, fire chief for Ashford Fire and Rescue, and his son Jeff Posey, Ashford Fire Department’s chief of operations, discuss the many benefits of the new fire station, including the extra space to store large equipment. (RIGHT) Ashford’s existing fire station, built in 1988 near downtown, will remain operational once the second site is constructed.

find a way. That’s exactly what we did right here. It couldn’t have happened without the partnership, without people and Wiregrass Electric and PowerSouth stepping up and saying, ‘We can help.’ Support for projects like this for our small towns is very, very important.”

Goodwin also lauded WEC’s partnership and elected officials in the Wiregrass and statehouse.

“Really, without them none of this would have been possible,” Goodwin says. “I know this is going to make a difference in this community by greatly enhancing public safety. We want fire department members to be adequately prepared and equipped and ready to respond when they’re needed.”

Duty to serve

The volunteer fire department in Ashford has operated at least since the early 1950s, but it’s outgrown the existing fire station close to the city’s historic downtown, says to Ashford Fire Department’s Chief of Operations Jeff Posey.

“The new station will provide more garage space to protect our equipment from the elements, provide more indoor and outdoor space for training new members and be more visible to the public because of its location,” Posey says.

The new station will put emergency equipment on both sides of the railroad tracks, improving response times and better accommodating growth, says Jimmy Posey, longtime Ashford fire chief.

“This is a very special time for the City of Ashford,” Mayor Carole Barfield says. “The journey for me started in 2010, when we first got the property to put our station on, but the idea only really started becoming a reality when Sen. Chesteen, Rep. Paul Lee, Wiregrass Electric and PowerSouth got involved with the project. We are very thankful for their assistance.”

Houston County Commissioner Doug Sinquefield says, “Being here in Ashford and seeing the growth and the prosperity that we’ve seen over the years, I just get too excited — more excited than I get at the beach with the grand-young’uns sometimes.” 

TEE UPfor WEC’s first golf tournament

Event to boost Operation Round Up's impact

Whether you’re a golfing pro or you just started putting around, you’re invited to hit the links at Wiregrass Electric Cooperative’s first golf tournament.

WEC’s Operation Round Up Charitable Golf Tournament will be a four-person scramble on Sept. 8 at the Highland Oaks Golf Course in Dothan, with a shotgun start at noon.

“Young and old, male or female — golfers of every skill level are welcome to take part in this incredible event,” says Brad Kimbro, WEC’s chief operating officer. “This is just another way that Wiregrass Electric is working to help better the communities we serve.”

Concern for community

Since 2015, WEC’s Operation Round Up Charitable Foundation has benefited local communities. Through members’ generosity, the foundation annually provides more than 20 scholarships, fulfills dozens of emergency grant requests and donates to hospitals, first responder units and school programs.

About 85% of WEC’s members volunteer to round their monthly bills to the next-highest dollar. While the most any one member will contribute in a year is $12, the foundation collects more than $120,000 annually — which is then disbursed to worthy causes through grants, big and small.

The initiative is a testament to the generosity of co-op members. One of the primary goals of cooperatives is to work for the sustainable development of communities through policies and programs accepted by members.

“We’ve seen these grants making tremendous impacts in our communities over the years,” Kimbro says. “While many of these contributions are immediately beneficial to local residents, a lot of these dollars going back into the Wiregrass are paying dividends for future generations of the Wiregrass.”

Operation Round Up has handed out hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students and helped fund training and equipment for first responder agencies, playground equipment for local schools, hospital equipment at Southeast Health and emergency assistance to victims of local natural disasters, among other projects.

In addition, WEC began a partnership with WTVY for Silent Heroes of the Wiregrass, a program that provides money and recognition to unsung local organizations and individuals who help members of the community.

“Wiregrass Electric wants to help channel that momentum to take that impact a little further and better more lives — that’s why we’re excited to invite everyone to participate in the first ORU Charitable Golf Tournament,” Kimbro says.

Locally owned businesses and vendors are providing numerous door prizes for the event, in addition to cash prizes that will be awarded to the top three teams in net scoring and the team with the top overall gross scorer.

There will also be prizes for the longest drive, the closest shot to the pin and the winner of the bucket truck ball drop competition. 

EVENT INFO

WHEN: Sept. 8 REGISTRATION begins at 10 a.m. with lunch at 11 a.m. Shotgun start is at noon. WHERE: Highland Oaks Golf Course, Dothan COST: $500 per four-person team HOW TO REGISTER: Find the registration form at wiregrass.coop. EMAIL Bethany Retherford at bretherford@wiregrass.coop for more information.

PARTNER WITH US! SPONSORSHIPS ARE STILL AVAILABLE AT THREE LEVELS: platinum, $5,000; gold, $2,500; and silver, $1,500. Hole sponsorships, which are $150, are also still available. For more information or to make a commitment, email Bethany Retherford at bretherford@wiregrass.coop today.

Tinley Parker at Hurbert Family Tulip Farm in New

Market. SUBMITTED by Lori Parker, Rainsville.

American white pelicans at Wheeler Refuge public boat launch in Decatur.

SUBMITTED by Michael Segorski, Decatur.

Sunset. SUBMITTED by Celina Calvert, Gulf Shores.

Cruella enjoying her new life in Alabama.

SUBMITTED by Michelle Kilander, Cullman. Wise old owl spotted in Mentone. SUBMITTED BY Brenda Yates, Glencoe.

Beautiful fall morning on the farm. SUBMITTED by Stewart Kopp, Bon Secour.

September theme: “Football”

Deadline to submit: July 31

Online: alabamaliving.coop Mail: Attn: Snapshots P.O. Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124

SUBMIT to WIN $10!

RULES: Alabama Living will pay $10 for photos that best match our theme of the month. Photos may also be published on our website at alabamaliving.coop and on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Alabama Living is not responsible for lost or damaged photos. Send a self-addressed stamped envelope to have photos returned.

New program provides money for beginning farmers

If you’re a beginning farmer in the lower 40 counties served by Alabama Ag Credit, a $10,000 grant may help you jumpstart your farming dreams.

“We know that starting a farm is a challenge,” says Doug Thiessen, Alabama Ag Credit president and CEO. “Our team is passionate about supporting agriculture in Alabama, including these startup operations.”

Full- or part-time farmers who started farming within the past two years or who plan to start a farm business in the next year can apply for one of five $10,000 jumpstart grants. In addition to farming in the Alabama Ag Credit territory, recipients must submit a business plan and complete the AgBiz Basics educational program by July 31. Applicants need not be current Alabama Ag Credit customers.

To learn more, visit AlabamaAgCredit.com/jumpstart

Severe weather knows no seasons

Alabama is no stranger to storms, tornadoes, flooding and other weather-related events. It’s important to be aware of pending weather to remain safe.

The Alabama Rural Electric Association safety staff offers these reminders as we continue into hurricane season: • Make a safety plan for severe weather. Pick an area of the home without windows, such as an interior bathroom, to seek shelter. • For smaller children use a bicycle helmet or other type helmet to protect their heads. • Make sure flashlights are charged or have fresh batteries.

See more information at Ready.gov.

Take us along!

We’ve enjoyed seeing photos from our readers on their travels with Alabama Living! Please send us a photo of you with a copy of the magazine on your travels to: mytravels@alabamaliving. coop. Be sure to include your name, hometown and electric cooperative, and the location of your photo.We’ll draw a winner for the $25 prize each month.

Paula Blass of Arab Electric Cooperative took her magazine along on a visit to Tuckaleechee Caverns in Townsend, Tennessee. Faith Byrd of Montgomery took her magazine to San Marcos, Texas, for a trip last fall to the Troy Trojans vs. Texas State Bobcats football game. TROY won 31 -28. She is a member of Dixie EC.

Fuel your day with healthy snacks

Carbohydrates and fats are our main fuel sources throughout the day. The more active we are, the more carbohydrates we need and use. Our bodies use fats too, but those require more oxygen and are typically for when we are at rest or moving slowly.

In contrast, good quality, nutrient-dense carbohydrates help us feel good and give us energy, alertness and focus for exercise.

From HealthMed Inc., here are some healthy snack ideas to fuel your day:

Veggies (bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, etc.) with guacamole or hummus; Greek yogurt with mixed berries; apple slices with nut butter; hard-boiled egg; cheese stick with whole-grain crackers and a piece of fruit; air-popped popcorn; oatmeal with fresh fruit; smoothie made with fruit; edamame and frozen grapes.

Sam and Debbie Black, members of Cullman EC, visited the Snake River with their magazine in the Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming.

Carol Burton of Gulf Shores, a member of Baldwin EMC, visited the famous Alabama Jack’s Roadside Bar and Grill in Key Largo, Florida, with her copy. Traci and Jeff Pryhuber of Bay Minette packed their copy of Alabama Living on a trip to Atlantic City, New Jersey. They are members of Baldwin EMC.

Whereville, AL

Identify and place this Alabama landmark and you could win $25! Winner is chosen at random from all correct entries. Multiple entries from the same person will be disqualified. Send your answer with your name, address and the name of your rural electric cooperative, if applicable. The winner and answer will be announced in the August issue.

Submit by email: whereville@alabamaliving.coop, or by mail: Whereville, P.O. Box 244014, Montgomery, AL 36124.

Do you like finding interesting or unusual landmarks? Contribute a photo you took for an upcoming issue! Remember, all readers whose photos are chosen also win $25!

June’s answer: This closeup is of the eight-foot, one ton bronze statue of Jesse Owens, the track and field star who won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. The statue, created by sculptor Branko Medenica, is part of the 30-acre Jesse Owens Memorial Park in Oakville, dedicated to the athletic icon who was born at the site on Sept. 12, 1913. Owens is remembered for his athletic accomplishments, but also as a symbol of triumph over obstacles and achievement of the American dream. (Information from Encyclopedia of Alabama; see more at jesseowensmemorialpark.com.) (Photo by Lenore Vickrey of Alabama Living) The randomly drawn correct guess winner will be announced in the August issue.

By the time you receive this magazine, many of you will have found the airplane dingbat in the June issue. But due to delays at our printer, many of you did not receive the June magazine in time for us to review your contest entries and congratulate the winner this month. We promise to reveal the winner for June in our August magazine. Meanwhile, enjoy looking for this month’s dingbat, a hotdog, just in time for your July 4th cookout! Happy hunting!

Find the hidden dingbat!

Sponsored by

By mail: Find the Dingbat Alabama Living PO Box 244014 Montgomery, AL 36124

By email: dingbat@alabamaliving.com

Have a happy (and safe) Fourth of July

In 2020, at least 18 people died and over 15,000 people were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. 66% of all fireworks-related incidents reported in 2020 occurred around the July 4th holiday. While it’s common to give

The safest way to enjoy a fire- children sparklers, they burn works display is at a communi- at about 2,000 degrees. ty-sanctioned, licensed event. Alabama law allows only consumer fireworks, formerly known as class Consider giving kids glow sticks, confetti poppers or flags instead, the National Safety Council recommends. C fireworks. Some municipalities outlaw fireworks altogether.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission prevents large numbers of hazardous fireworks from reaching consumers. Illegal mail order kits contain chemical mixtures that can explode unexpectedly and violently. M-80s, cherry bombs and quarter sticks are so highly explosive that they have been banned by federal law since 1966. If fireworks are legal where you live and you decide to set them off on your own, be sure to follow these important safety tips: • Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks. • Never use fireworks while impaired by alcohol or drugs. • Read and follow all warnings and instructions. • Discuss safety procedures with children, including teaching them to "stop, drop and roll." • Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks. • Never aim or throw fireworks at another person. • Only light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves and flammable materials. • Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly. • Never try to relight or pick up fireworks that have not fully functioned. • Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose nearby in case of a malfunction or fire.

Source: Alabama Department of Public Health

The giraffes, standing 16 feet tall, love for visitors to hand-feed romaine lettuce from a raised vewing platform.

Take a wild ride

at the Alabama Safari Park

Story and photos by Nick Thomas

Visitors to the Alabama Safari Park this summer can expect many of the animal residents to personally greet their human guests. In fact, you’ll have many eating out of the palm of your hand – literally.

Home to more than 800 animals, visitors to the 350-acre wildlife park just south of Montgomery in Hope Hull drive the facility’s 3-mile winding gravel road while pausing periodically to hand-feed the free-roaming zebras, llamas, ostriches, and many other species from food buckets through car windows.

“It’s very safe, but there are rules that should be followed,” says park founder and CEO Eric Mogensen. “For example, you must always remain in your vehicle. You can ride in the bed of a pickup truck, but you absolutely cannot exit your vehicle. We have staff constantly monitoring the park, ensuring everyone follows the rules.”

In addition to catering to the daily stream of curious tourists, the park is dedicated to wildlife conservation as part of the Zoofari Parks group, which operates similar facilities in other states.

“We work closely with other zoos and private breeders around the country on captive breeding programs to build a healthy population of animals,” Mogensen says. This includes their sister parks, Virginia Safari Park, Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida, and their newest Texas Safari Park, which is opening soon. “Our collection (of animals) depends upon availability, and proper management depends upon facilities and staffing.”

The park also supports conservation projects both nationally and globally, as well as native Alabama wildlife programs, by offering grants ranging from $100 to $5,000. Supported projects include the Siaga Conservation Alliance, Pygmy Hippo Research, tortoise population research at the University of West Florida, the International Crane Foundation, and the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund.

“We budget a certain percentage of our income to be used towards our conservation programs,” Mogensen says. “We believe that there are habitats and species around the world that need additional funding for their programs, and we are able to assist. Our guests can enjoy the fact that while they are enjoying our park, they are actually helping our conservation efforts.”

Mogensen says the park is entirely self-funding, accepting neither donations nor state or federal money. “Because we have been doing this for a long time, we have developed a successful business model that allows us to be self-sufficient. We operate on income generated by admissions, feed sales, our gift shop, and animal encounters.”

Feeding some new friends

In addition to the self-driving tour, animal encounters include hand-feeding giraffes with lettuce (available on-site). From the raised viewing platform, visitors can stand eye-to-eye with the tallest terrestrial animal in the world which, on average, towers some 16 feet over fellow inhabitants in their native African savannahs and woodlands.

For an additional cost, visitors can also feed vegetable sticks to the newest park residents – the slow-moving but gentle twotoed sloths. And in a separate exhibit, Madagascar’s most famous mammals – lemurs – are on display. The park’s ring-tailed and black-and-white ruffed lemurs represent two of the 100 lemur species that are only native to the west African island nation.

There’s also a petting area with goats, potbellied pigs, chickens, and baby llamas, and at the Kangaroo Walk-About area, the famous bouncing Aussie marsupials could be leaping effortlessly across the grassland, lazing in the Southern sun, or tending to baby joeys in their pouches. Barnaby and Armstid, a pair of Giant Anteaters, are also recent additions to the park’s menagerie.

While Alabama is home to several traditional zoos, Mogensen doesn’t view the park attraction as a commercial rival.

Different from a zoo

“Before we built this park we were in close contact with the management of the Montgomery Zoo and have been careful to be an asset rather than competition,” he says. “We offer a very different experience than the Montgomery or Birmingham Zoos because our park is a drive-thru safari park. Guests can interact more with the animals and have closer encounters with various animals. It’s worth noting that our organizations are very supportive of one another.”

The region just south of Montgomery was selected for the Alabama park site due to the abundant grazing fields. And with Interstate 65 just minutes away, there’s easy access for travelers passing through the area looking for an interesting detour.

For the animals’ safety, visitors cannot provide outside food of any kind, but buckets of suitable feed are available for $5 at the gift shop. But with a constant mobile human food delivery service throughout the day, could the animals overeat?

“Our animals tend to self-regulate when being fed,” Mogensen says. “That is why every trip through is a different experience. When an animal eats and gets full, it will tend to move off and settle down for a nice rest.”

In addition to daily park passes, annual memberships are also available offering unlimited visits.

“We are constantly adding new animals and exhibits and are always planning for the future,” says Mogensen. “A guest should always notice something new with each visit.”

The Alabama Safari Park is open daily (except Thanksgiving and Christmas days), with summer hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; last admission is 4 p.m. Adults are $22.95, with discounts for children, seniors, and the military. Admission grants access to the Safari Drive-Thru and Walk-Thru areas for the entire day (receipts allow re-entry to the park). Wagon rides are also available for $10 per person.

The park is located off I-65 at Exit 158 at 1664 Venable Road, Hope Hull. Phone 334-288-2105 or go to www.alabamasafaripark.com for more information.

The slow-moving but gentle two-toed sloths enjoy munching on vegetable sticks.

This young Scottish Highland cow is gentle and easily handled.

Corporate marketing manager Susan Robichaux gets up-close and personal with the giraffes.

Lake Martin comes to life at songwriters festival

By Scott Baker

The sounds of Nashville will reach the shores of Lake Martin in late July during the 2nd annual Lake Martin Songwriters Festival. More than 20 hit-writing and highly acclaimed songwriters are slated to appear and perform at 15 different venues in the area July 27- 31, 2022. The big finale on Saturday night in downtown Alexander City will be headlined by Thompson Square.

The inaugural event in 2021 attracted so much attention and praise from both the songwriters and patrons that the organizing committee has been overwhelmed with writers clamoring to get involved. “I never expected to be receiving phone calls from such prestigious writers,” says Sandra Fuller, Executive Director of Tallapoosa County Tourism and one of the organizers. “I’ve been listening to these artists’ hit songs on the radio, and suddenly they’re calling me up and asking if they can participate. It’s surreal!”

Jamie O’Neal, the writer and artist behind the #1 hit singles “There Is No Arizona” and “When I Think About Angels”, is one of those artists. Another is Kristen Kelly, who is taking a break from touring with Brad Paisley, Racal Flatts and others. The star-studded songwriter

line-up also includes Marla Cannon-Goodman, Heidi Raye, and Brian White among others. While their names may not be recognizable, the artists who’ve recorded their songs are: Rascal Chad Wilson headlined the 2021 Lake Martin Songwriters Festival at Main Street in Alexander City. PHOTO BY SCOTT BAKER Flatts, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Martina McBryde, and just about every other major recording artist. Grammy-nominated Blue Foley, writer of Ashley MacBryde’s “Never Will”, enjoyed the event so much last year that he wasted no time drumming up enthusiasm and support for the second year event. The effect of Foley’s support is evident with the inclusion of Johnny Bulford, co-writer of the #1 hit “A Woman Like You” by Lee Brice and “Lonely Eyes” by Chris Young. Terri Jo Box, a hit-writing machine for Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Trisha Yearwood and many others, declared her desire to return before she even left the stage last year. “The folks at Lake Martin were so welcoming, and the lake is absolutely magnificent,” Blue Foley says. “All the songwriters stayed together and we jammed all night and played on the lake all day. I couldn’t wait to return to Nashville and tell everyone about it.

Blue Foley

PHOTO COURTESY OF BLUE FOLEY

(From left) Chancie Neal, Kensie Coppin, Emma Zinck and Cameron Havens perform at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters during the 2021 festival.

PHOTOS BY SCOTT BAKER

This year is going to be even better!”

The Lake Martin Songwriter Festival is more than a showcase of the writers behind the songs; it’s a weekend chock-full of world-class performances at small venues where the writers share insight on their writing process, what compelled them to write the song, and invite questions from attendees. At many of the venues, spectators are merely a few feet away from the performers and the feeling is intimate and conversational.

In addition to the showcase of talent, this year’s event will feature a songwriting competition for writers 20 years of age and younger. Held on Friday night at Wind Creek State Park, the event will be hosted and judged by Bruce Wawrzyniak with “Hear This Now” podcast and Trey Foshee of the band Blackberry Breeze. The winner will perform their winning composition on the main stage concert Saturday night. Main Street in Alexander City will be transformed with a stage erected between the historic downtown buildings creating a natural acoustic venue. The Josh Kiser Band opens the concert at 6:30 pm, followed by Jamie O’Neal performing her hit singles “There Is No Arizona” and “When I Think About Angels.” Thompson Square will share their new single “Country In My Soul,” among other favorites. “One of the best parts of the Lake Martin Songwriters Festival is it’s all free,” Fuller says. “Lake Martin already is a fantastic vacation destination and this festival will continue to grow and introduce more and more songwriters and music lovers to Lake Martin and central Alabama.” The Lake Martin Film Festival is presented by Those Lake Martin Guys and Tallapoosa County Tourism. For more information and a complete lineup, Chad Wilson and Eric Erdman entertain the audience at Copper’s Grill at Stillwaters. visit lakemartinsongwritersfestival.com.

Planning a remodel? Timing is everything

Q:I’m planning a remodeling project this year. What energy efficiency upgrades should I consider?

A:I write this from deep in the throes of a remodel that, like many remodels, has lasted much longer than planned.

Remodeling is a great opportunity to take care of energy efficiency improvements by adding them to your scope of work. If your home is already under construction, take the extra step to make it more efficient.

Planning for efficiency is the first step. Look at the scope of your remodeling project to see what energy efficiency upgrades you can add. There may be cost savings and convenience in tackling both at once.

Here are a few examples of energy efficiency upgrades for common remodeling projects.

Kitchen remodel

If your kitchen remodel includes new appliances, buy ENERGY STAR®-rated models. ENERGY STAR® refrigerators are about 9% more efficient than standard models, and ENERGY STAR® dishwashers save both energy and water.

As for kitchen faucets, there are options available with multiple flow-rate settings. You can save water by using a lower flow rate on your faucet when washing dishes, vegetables or your hands, but you can change the setting to quickly fill a pot for cooking.

Bathroom remodel

If you plan to remodel your bathroom, include a high-performance showerhead. Look for the WaterSense logo for showerheads, faucets and toilets, which ensures the product meets performance and water use standards.

Check the fine print on your existing equipment to see how much you can save. The gallons per minute (GPM) is usually printed on showerheads and faucet aerators and the gallons per flush (GPF) is usually printed on toilets.

High-performance showerheads and faucet aerators conserve water and save energy used to heat water. Using less water can lower your water bill or increase your septic system’s lifespan.

When shopping for new appliances, check for the ENERGYSTAR® logo on the Energy Guide. ENERGYSTAR®-rated dishwashers save both energy and water. PHOTO COURTESY MARK GILLILAND, PIONEER UTILITY RESOURCES

New siding or exterior paint

The best time to make sure your wall insulation is adequate— or to see if you have wall insulation at all—is when you replace your siding or paint the exterior of your home.

Wall insulation saves on energy costs, makes your home more comfortable and reduces outside noise.

Batt insulation, spray foam or foam board are good options if you are removing the siding. If you are painting, you can have a contractor blow insulation into the wall cavities through holes cut into the siding or from inside the house. The holes are then plugged and prepped for paint.

Lighting

Whether it’s under cabinet kitchen lighting or new can lights in the basement, LED options use less energy than traditional incandescent or CFL bulbs.

Attic insulation

Basement remodel

This is where I find myself right now. Our basement has gone from a wide-open space with concrete walls to a nearly completed living space with a den, two bedrooms, a bathroom and a laundry room.

We air sealed and insulated the sill plate and rim joist—the framing between the concrete foundation and the main level floor. We built and insulated walls around the basement’s perimeter, ensuring a cozy living space and a more comfortable home.

We upgraded our electric storage water heater to a hybrid—or heat pump—water heater, which is 70% more efficient than a standard electric model.

Also, we ran power for an electric vehicle charger while the walls were open. It is much less expensive to run the power supply while you have access.

Miranda Boutelle is the director of operations and customer engagement at Efficiency Services Group, which partners with electric utilities to provide energy efficiency services to members. She writes on energy efficiency topics for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives.

Often, remodeling requires work in the attic for new lighting or venting bath or kitchen fans. During any project that takes you into the attic, check insulation levels. Work in the attic can negatively impact attic insulation by crushing it or removing it to access work areas.

If more insulation is needed, air seal and check ventilation. Also, make sure all bath and kitchen fans vent to the exterior of the house.

Insulation may not be as pretty as new countertops, but it can help reduce your energy costs and make your home more comfortable.

A little planning during a remodel can go a long way toward improving your home’s energy efficiency. Remember: it’s more difficult and more expensive to go back and tackle energy efficiency projects after your space is finished.