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N ove m b e r 2 0 2 3
. . . e d i s in SAFETY
Safeguard your home this winter CO M M U N I T Y Recap of Fall events
Serve up savings this holiday season
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he holidays bring a frenzy of decorating, cooking and family gatherings, and amid the hectic hustle and bustle, you may receive higher-than-usual energy bills. We thought this month would be a good time to remind our members of a few efficiency tips to help lower your monthly energy use. Winter months typically bring some of the highest energy bills of the year. Making minor, low-cost improvements, like weatherstripping exterior doors and caulking around old, drafty windows can make a positive impact on energy bills. With holiday lights and decorations, we suggest making a switch to LEDs to save energy. LED holiday lights use 88 percent less energy than incandescent holiday lights. To put that into perspective, the Department of Energy estimates that with standard holiday decorations, LED lights typically increase energy bills by about $5 to $7. But with incandescent lights, energy bills
will typically increase by $33 or more. For homes that go above and beyond with incandescent holiday lighting, energy bills could increase by as much as $350. Beyond energy savings, LEDs provide additional benefits, such as being shockresistant, shatterproof and cool to the touch, making them safer for the home. You can also lower energy use by managing holiday lighting. Smart light timers can help you save energy by connecting to a smart phone app or voice assistant to program lights. If you don’t use smart home technology, you can still save energy by using traditional timers. Additional easy ways to save during the holiday season include turning off overhead lights and using your Christmas tree to illuminate your home. If you have a fireplace, remember to close the flue when you are not burning a fire to ensure heat does not escape through the chimney.
If you plan to entertain this holiday season, try using small countertop appliances like microwaves, air fryers and slow cookers when possible, as they use less energy than the stovetop or oven. When using the oven, bake multiple dishes at once for maximum efficiency. Turn the oven off a few minutes before cooking end time and allow the residual heat to finish baking the dish. Once the food is done, leave the stove door ajar to allow the residual heat to warm the room. When using the stove top, match the pan size to the burner to maximize the stove top’s efficiency. We hope these tips will be helpful as we approach the holiday season. For more information on energy savings tips and programs, please visit, inlandpower.com/save-energy.
“OUR mission IS OUR members.” – M I S S I O N S T A T E M E N T
Five ways to safeguard your home this winter
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s the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, there’s a natural inclination to create a warm and cozy environment at home. Unfortunately, as we see increased use of heating equipment, candles and electrical items, the number of home fires tends to increase during winter months. 1. Ensure carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are working properly. If your detectors are battery-operated, replace the batteries annually. Test the detectors once a month and give them a good dusting to ensure the sensors are clear of dirt and debris. 2. Inspect electrical cords. We depend on more cords during winter, whether for holiday lighting, extension cords or portable heaters. Before using any corded items, double check to make sure cords aren’t frayed or cracked. If you use portable space heaters, remember to keep them at least 3 feet away from flammable items. Use models that include an auto shut-off feature and overheat protection. Space heaters can take a toll on your energy bills. Use them efficiently and safely to heat smaller spaces. Never
plug a space heater into a power strip. 3. Avoid overloading electrical outlets and power strips. When overloaded with electrical items, outlets and power strips can overheat and catch fire. If you use power strips for multiple devices, make sure the strip can handle the electrical load. For a safer bet, look for power strips that include surge protection. 4. Clean the fireplace to improve safety and efficiency. There’s nothing better than a warm fire on a chilly night, but it’s important to maintain your fireplace for safety. As wood burns, a sticky substance known as creosote builds up in the chimney. When creosote buildup becomes too thick, a chimney fire can ignite. The chimney should be cleaned at least once
Please note
a year to reduce fire risks. Cleaning also improves air flow and limits the amount of carbon monoxide that seeps indoors. 5. Practice safety in the kitchen. As we spend more time in the kitchen during the holiday season, be mindful of potential fire hazards. Never leave food that’s cooking on the stovetop unattended. Clean and remove spilled foods from cooking surfaces and be mindful of where you place flammable items like dish towels. Inland Power wants all our members and their families to be safe this winter season. For additional winter safety tips, be sure to like or follow us on social media.
Inland Power is my cooperative!
Considering Solar?
Are you considering solar for your home? As an Inland Power member, we want to make sure you are making the right decision and fully understand all the details and specifics required before you make a decision on your investment. Here are a few helpful checklist items to follow before you move forward: 1. Make sure you’re communicating with certified and licensed installers. 2. Always get two or more bids to review. 3. Understand financing options. Make sure your ROI makes sense. The federal government and Inland Power do not offer any programs to install free solar panels. There are legitimate programs available, however be sure to do your research and properly vet them before you move forward. 4. Find out if a tax credit is available for you to install any system. You could be eligible, so make sure to investigate before you make a decision. 5. Help educate your family and friends and share your knowledge and experience. 6. Don’t forget to visit the Inland Power website at inlandpower.com/ renewable-interconnection to answer frequently asked questions and learn more about the interconnection and net metering application process to approve a solar project.
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nland Power has had a very busy fall season! We’ve hit the road and participated in multiple community events. Being out and about, we had the opportunity to chat with members, meet new individuals throughout the communities and show our support for organizations within our service territory. Trucks were on display at the 13th annual Touch-a-Truck event presented by Spokane’s Junior League Chapter. The September event was held at Spokane Community College. This family friendly day is a favorite and allows kids the opportunity to see and experience large trucks and machinery up close. A wide variety of vehicles were on display, including tractor trailers, first responder vehicles and utility trucks. On the same day, Inland Power attended the region’s Annual National Drive Electric Week and EV Day in Liberty Lake. We had the opportunity to display our Ford Mustang Mach-E, and discuss our EV Charger rebate
program available to current Inland Power members. Our next adventure was on Oct. 4, 2023, as 1,400 middle school students from around the region visited the The Spokane Valley HUB for the 2nd annual Unlock Your Future Career Fair. Inland Power along with 60 other local businesses including trades, manufacturing, construction and medical industries. Inland Power hit the road and traveled to Kennewick, Washington to participate in Rvierfest. This annual family event brings exhibitors together to celebrate our rivers and learn why hydropower is so important for our region. We enjoyed playing a role in all these recent events and look forward to future involvement in other community activities.