LIGHT READING INLAND POWER AND LIGHT inlandpower.com
APRIL 2017
Efficiency Tips for Outdoor Shops and Barns There are many benefits to having an energy efficient outdoor shop or barn. Aside from saving energy, an efficient outdoor building can keep the environment around your structure healthy and safe; save money on your water bill; keep your animals happier and healthier; and save you from costly structural repairs. Whether you are looking to build a new structure, or make changes to an existing structure, there are many ways you can make your outdoor shop or barn more energy efficient. Are you planning to build a new structure on your property? Follow these tips to achieve energy efficiency: • Location matters. If possible, carefully consider where you build your shop or barn. Consider drainage, sun exposure and how the building may affect your neighbors. • Start with a sustainable design plan. A sustainable design plan, according to the U.S. General Services Administration, includes the ability to use environmentally preferable products; protect and conserve water; enhance indoor environmental quality; and optimize operational and maintenance practices.
Follow these tips to make energy efficient upgrades to an existing structure: • Replace indoor lighting with energy efficient LED bulbs. • Ensure your existing structure has adequate insulation levels.
Whether you are looking to build a new structure, or make changes to an existing structure, there are many ways you can
• Choose outdoor lighting designed to be energy efficient, and install motion detectors to reduce energy consumption when not in use. • Plant trees around your metal shed or barn. In colder climates, trees act as a windbreak, and in warmer climates, trees have a natural cooling effect that can reduce temperatures in your metal building 3 to 6 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Consider adding a ceiling fan to circulate air. Typically, there is a 2 degree make your outdoor Fahrenheit temperature increase for every one-foot increase in ceiling height. shop or barn more A ceiling fan can help keep warm air close • If you are hiring a contractor to help to the ground in the winter, and circulate build your structure, make sure you energy efficient. fresher, cooler air in the summer. Not look for companies who specialize in only will this help with energy costs, it will “green” buildings and energy efficient also help keep the air in the building from practices. becoming hot and stagnant. • Choose efficient building methods. Pole barns offer reliable Remember, energy efficiency doesn’t have to be difficult. shelter without costly excavation, concrete foundations or Focus on small changes to save big. Learn more about ways general site disruption. to save energy by visiting www.inlandpower.com or calling our conservation department at (509) 789-1801.
i n land powe r is my coope rat ive
WE ARE A MEMBER-OWNED ENERGY COOPERATIVE COMMITTED TO SAFE, RELIABLE SERVICE AT COMPETITIVE RATES.
New Electric Vehicle Incentive
- i n l a n d p o w e r m i s s i o n stat e m e n t
Inland Power Now Offering an Electric Vehicle Charger Incentive Get a $250 Rebate on a 240v Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charger from Inland Power. Take advantage of the many benefits an electric vehicle (EV) provides such as fuel efficiency, zero emissions, affordability and the convenience of charging at home. Inland Power wants to help you charge faster with a Level 2 EV Charger. Level 2 chargers provide 240 volts of electricity, rather than the 120 volts a standard home outlet provides. This means faster charging! Receipt and proof of installation required to qualify for our $250 rebate.
Scholarships Due April 14, 2017
Inland Power Excellence Award Scholarships Inland Power is proud to offer the Excellence Award scholarship program. The cooperative awards 15 – $1,000 scholarships to either graduating high school seniors or continuing college students. In addition, and in an effort to inspire and promote future linemen, this scholarship program is open to students enrolling in line school. The program is exclusively for active Inland Power members and their children. For the full program description, application and eligibility requirements, please visit www. inlandpower.com, or call (509) 789-4277. The deadline to apply is April 14, 2017.
ENERGY EFFICIENCY T O D D A N D L I N D S E Y, YO U R E N E R G Y E F F I C I E N C Y T E A M
Will Summer Ever Come? By Todd Williams Does this photo look familiar? I don’t know about you, but I am sick of the cold, the gray and the shoveling. This past winter was one of the coldest and longest we can remember. We were hit with record breaking cold and more snow than we’ve had in the past few years combined. I’m willing to wager based on conversations with the membership that you were sick of winter too. What does this arctic weather mean for Inland members? You may not have done anything different and your winter month bills may have been between 20% to 30% higher than last year’s bills. This winter pushed heating systems into overdrive to maintain household comfort. Now is the perfect time to remind you to have your heating system professionally maintained. It is now spring, and you will find our Performance Tested Comfort System (PTCS) contractors finally have time to do a thorough job of cleaning, testing and tuning your system. If you have a heat pump great, if you don’t, it’s time you get one. You will want a PTCS installed system if you want to get the most out of your investment. When it comes to heat pumps if you want to be comfortable, reduce your winter energy consumption and be sure the system will be durable for many years, you will want to go with a PTCS contractor.
What is so wonderful about PTCS trained installers? • An Inland rebate between $300 and $2,500. • A more reliable, longer lasting system. • Increased home comfort and energy savings. PTCS is a regional program that ensures heat pump efficiency and reliability. A durable, properly installed heat pump is a cornerstone to a home’s comfort and energy savings year after year. PTCS contractors have a performance checklist to follow with every installation. Those steps are the difference between a long life with good return on investment and a total system loss in extreme weather. Choose a recommended contractor from our website at www.inlandpower.com/ residential/incentives-rebates and avoid non-participating contractors. These certified installers could provide you with energy savings for the life of your system.
VISIT INLANDPOWER.COM FOR MORE ENERGY EFFICIENCY TIPS
April is National Safe Digging Month Call 811 Before You Dig
ALWAYS
CALL BEFORE YOU
One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked and helps protect you from injury and wasted expense. Know what’s below. Always call 811 before you dig.
DIG
Q. What is 811? 811 is a new federally-mandated N-11 number designated by the FCC to consolidate all local “Call Before You Dig” numbers and help save lives by minimizing damages to underground utilities. One easy phone call to 811 quickly and easily begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked. Local personnel will notify affected utility
One free, easy call gets your utility lines marked AND helps protect you from injury and expense. Safe Digging Is No Accident: Always Call 811 Before You Dig Know what’s below. Always call 811 before you dig. Visit call811.com for more information.
companies, who will mark the underground lines at no charge. Q. I’m just a homeowner, not a contractor - is 811 for me? Whether you are a professional excavator or an avid do-it-yourselfer, you must call 811 before every dig. Q. Who is promoting awareness of 811? The national 811 campaign is a project of Common Ground Alliance (CGA), working with its 1,400 individual members, member organizations, sponsors and national launch partners to help keep you safe.
INSERT CALL CENTER LOGO HERE
10110 W HALLETT ROAD
|
SPOKANE, WA 99224
inlandpower.com