A Guide to Energy Savings Table of Contents Monitoring Your Electric Budget

Monitoring Your Electric Budget ...... 3 You may have a household budget for shelter, , transportation and clothing. Why not make a budget for Budget Billing ...... 4 electric usage? This energy guide provides many energy- Terms Used on Your Bill ...... 4 saving tips, consumption and monitoring ideas and will help guide you to getting the most for your money. Some savings Understanding Your Meter ...... 5 suggestions may be familiar while others could surprise you. Calculating Your Electric Bill ...... 6 Weather is one of the leading reasons for fluctuations in your Tips and Usage ...... 6 bill. Heating and cooling your home often represents 40% to 60% of your total energy bill. Basic energy requirements Lighting Tips ...... 6 for hot water heaters, , freezers, clothes How to Choose the Right Bulb ...... 7 Why not make a washers, clothes dryers, lighting, cooking, budget for electric and various small appliances and electronics, account Heating and Cooling ...... 8 usage. for the balance of your energy dollars. Kitchen Tips ...... 11 House guests, including children home from college, can use a lot more electricity- more showers, Laundry Tips ...... 13 laundry, cooking and dishes, all of which use hot Water Bed Tips ...... 14 water. In addition, individual lifestyle and energy use habits, number and age of occupants as well Miscellaneous Tips ...... 15 as the size, age, design, levels of insulation in your Watt Reader ...... 16 home, amount of shade your home receives and its heating and cooling system, all combine to determine the amount of energy you consume. When it becomes necessary to replace an appliance, investigate the new high efficiency ENERGY STAR® models. ENERGY STAR® products not only can save you money but often have much higher performance levels than a standard model. The statistics in this booklet are based on national averages and should be used to find the approximate cost. Wattage usage and efficiencies of your appliances, your own use habits and the size of your family may cause variance. So keep this in mind when you’re planning your own electric budget. On page 6 you will find the formula used to calculate the costs; adjust these figures to your own situation and calculate costs for any appliances not listed.

2 3 Budget Billing Is it easier for you to pay a set monthly charge USAGE - The amount of electricity you use is determined by rather than to budget for a bill that can change subtracting the previous reading from the current reading. every month? If so, budget billing may be your Next, multiply the difference by the meter multiplier answer. It is a program established for customers (typically 1, for residential customers) to calculate the who desire a fixed monthly payment for their electricity (kilowatt-hours) used. utility bill. The program adds the most recent twelve utility bills at your location and divides the Understanding Your Meter total by eleven. That figure becomes your City of Loveland Water monthly budget payment. All-electric homes may Budget Billing is a and Power meter readers be calculated differently. program established generally visit your home To get more information or to sign-up for budget for customers for an actual “read” each billing, call 970-962-2111 or visit one of the Utility who desire a fixed month. Meters are read Billing offices located at 500 East Third Street, or monthly payment for approximately every 200 North Wilson Avenue. their utility bill. thirty days. Your meters will be read on or about the same day each Terms Used on Your Bill month. Different areas are read at different BILL DATE - The date your bill was printed. times. Therefore, when Charges and payments processed after that date will appear a person moves from one on your next bill. address to another there SERVICE PERIOD - The number of days in your billing may be a change in the period is given on each bill. Most billing cycles run between day of the month the 27 to 35 days. Because of holidays, etc., the number of days meter is read. in a service period does vary. Keep in mind, during cold Over the years the City has installed several different meter weather, a few days more or less in a billing cycle will affect models. One of the more common types of meters have your bill. clock-type dials, with rotating hands to indicate usage. Each kWh (KILOWATT-HOURS) - The amount of electricity you hand rotates in the opposite direction of the preceding dial, use is measured in watt-hours. A kilowatt-hour is 1000 watt- either clockwise or counterclockwise. hours. For example, a light bulb rated to consume 100 watts To ensure accurate reads, it is important to stand directly in operating for a total of 10 hours would consume 1000 watt- front of the meter and have sufficient lighting. hours (Wh) of electricity, equaling 1 kilowatt-hour(kWh) of electricity. 1. Read the meter dials from right to left and record the readings in the same order. MULTIPLIER - Each meter has a multiplier. After your meter is read and the difference between the old and the 2. When the hand is between two digits, record the smaller new reading is established, a multiplier is used to convert the digit. difference into use. Meters which count each kilowatt-hour 3. If you are not certain whether or not the hand has reached used have a multiplier of 1 (most common for residential the next digit, check the dial to the right. If the hand is customers). Meters which count kilowatt-hours by 20s have not on or slightly past the zero, record the lower digit. a multiplier of 20.

4 5 4. Subtract the last reading from your present reading, bulb. Light actually given off is measured in lumens. Law times the multiplier, if your meter has one. now requires manufacturers to list wattage, lumen output 5. Refer to the last reading on your bill and recheck your and approximate life span of each bulb on packaging. The read for accuracy. most energy efficient bulb is the one that gives off the most lumens per watt. Divide lumens by watts to compare bulb Other types of meters you may see ratings. in Loveland have dials or digital displays that show the meter There are a varity of bulbs avalable for many of the light kilowatt meter reading. Just fixtures in your home. subtract the last reading from your present reading, times the multiplier, How to Choose the Right Light Bulb if your meter has one. Slpira Covered Globe Tubed Candle Indoor outdoor A-Shape Reflector Reflector Calculating Your Electric Bill

Example: r oo

To calculate your bill, multiply usage for l ps

Present Reading 4863 kWh F m e/ a l the month in kWh’s by the per kWh Previous Reading - 4151 kWh b a rate. Add this to your monthly base 712 kWh T l

t s e

Multiplier x 1 r

charge to get your total monthly charge. u t x endan 712 kWh i (kWh rate = energy charge + PILT) To get P kWh Rate x $ 0.06926 f

the most current and up-to-date rates visit s g $ 49.31 e r u t

www.ci.loveland.co.us/wp/power/rates.htm or eilin Base Charge + $ 6.89 x i C call (970) 962-2111. $ 56.20

f g s n a eilin Tips and Usage C f s

e c n The following charts are based on the typical usage of a all o W c family of four. Families smaller or larger, of course, could S

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use more or less depending on that families need. e s s s e an c C e Lighting Tips R

g • Turn off lights not being used. k n i c t a h r g T i • Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescent L lighting (CFLs).

r d e oo r d t ove • Avoid over lighting a room. Lower the level of the general u C lighting and add task lighting if needed. r

d ood t • Take advantage of daylight as much as possible. l F u O oo o

• Keep bulbs and fixtures clean, since accumulation of dust can lower lighting levels. Avoid Early Burnout • Only bulbs marked “dimmable” or “three-way” will work on dimmers or three-way switches. • Automatic timers to turn on or off lights when you’re not • Most photocells and timers are not designed to work with CFLs. at home are available at a reasonable cost. • For recessed cans only choose bulbs marked “indoor reflector” or “for indoor use”. • Light bulbs differ in energy efficiency. The wattage rating measures only the amount of energy needed to light the

6 7 Living Room Appliances • Schedule yearly maintenance by a heating and cooling contractor. Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month • When selecting a central air-conditioning system, check CFL (light output= 150w incandescent) 39 150 5.85 $ 0.41 its seasonal energy-efficiency ratio (SEER). The higher the CFL (light output= 100w incandescent) 30 150 4.5 $ 0.31 SEER, the better. CFL (light output= 90w incandescent) 23 150 3.45 $ 0.24 Room Air Conditioner CFL (light output= 75w incandescent) 20 150 3.0 $ 0.21 • Provide a clear space around the unit on the inside and CFL (light output= 60w incandescent) 15 150 2.25 $ 0.16 outside. Furniture or draperies in front of a unit decrease , box, 20” 130 120 15.6 $ 1.08 Fan, ceiling, small 60 120 7.2 $ 0.50 energy efficiency. Fan, ceiling, large 100 120 12.0 $ 0.83 • When selecting a room air conditioner, check its energy Fan, oscillating 47 120 5.64 $ 0.39 efficiency ratio (EER). As with the SEER, the higher the Light bulb, incandescent- 150w 150 150 22.5 $ 1.56 EER the better. Light bulb, incandescent- 100w 100 150 15.0 $ 1.04 Other Choices Light bulb, incandescent- 75w 75 150 11.25 $ 0.78 Light bulb, incandescent- 60w 60 150 9.0 $ 0.62 • A great way to save energy while not sacrificing comfort is Light bulb, incandescent- 50w 50 150 7.5 $ 0.52 by using a programmable . Light bulb, incandescent- 40w 40 150 6.0 $ 0.42 • Position the Radio 20 120 2.4 $ 0.17 thermostat away from cool drafts or heat sources, as sharp Radio/stereo 80 120 9.6 $ 0.66 temperatures changes , black & white 55 244 13.42 $ 0.93 ES NERGY TAR® recommends the following settings: Television, color 120 244 29.28 $ 2.03 will cause the furnace SettingT ime Setpoint Temperature Setpoint Temperature to turn on and off Television, HD LCD 42” 213 244 51.97 $ 3.60 (Heat) (Cool) Television, HD plasma 50” 350 244 85.4 $ 5.91 sporadically (Even Wake 6:00 a.m. ≤ 70° F ≥ 78° F Television, HD rear-projection 60” 212 244 51.73 $ 3.58 placing items such as Day 8:00 a.m. Setback at least 8° F Setup at least 7° F TV add-on: Cable box 15 730 10.95 $ 0.76 lamps, TVs and other Evening 6:00 p.m. ≤ 70° F ≥ 78° F TV add-on: DVD player 20 45.75 0.92 $ 0.06 electronics can trigger Sleep 10:00 p.m. Setback at least 8° F Setup at least 4° F TV add-on: DVR 33 730 24.09 $ 1.67 your thermostat). TV add-on: Play Station 3 197 61 12.02 $ 0.83 • Evaporative coolers, sometimes called swamp coolers, cost TV add-on: VCR 40 62 2.48 $ 0.17 TV add-on: Wii 19 61 1.16 $ 0.08 less to operate than air-conditioning. TV add-on: Xbox 360 187 61 11.41 $ 0.79 • Drafts are a big robber of energy. Weather stripping and Electric Fireplace 1500 10 15.0 $ 1.04 insulation keep the heat (or cool) inside. * Based on the residential rate of 6.926¢ per kilowatt hour • Use a whole house fan. • Use ceiling fans and window fans to bring cool night air Heating and Cooling into the house. • Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Ceiling Central fans do not change the temperature of the room, just affect • Remove dust and grass clippings from occupants comfort level. the outside condenser and change or • On sunny winter days, open your draperies to get full clean the filters monthly during the benefit of sun shining through the windows. In summer, cooling season. close the draperies to help keep out unwanted heat. • Reduce the cooling load by delaying heat-generating • Close vents and doors in unoccupied rooms. activities such as drying clothes, washing dishes or cooking • Fireplace dampers should be kept closed when you’re not until later in the evening. using the fireplace. A chimney can draw off as much as • If indoor air filtration is not an issue, avoid continuous running 25% of the heated air in your house if the damper is left open. of the furnace fan. It can add 300 to 500 kWh’s a month! 8 9 Water Heater • For most families a setting of 120° F is adequate and best for Kitchen Tips efficiency. If you have a check the manufacturer’s instructions for suggested temperature setting. Generally, Dishwashing residential water heaters should not exceed 140° F. • When using automatic , only wash full loads. CAUTION: Turn off the circuit breaker before you adjust • Scrape, don’t rinse. Rinsing dishes before placing in a the temperature on an electric water heater. dishwasher can use up to 20 gallons of water before the • Add an insulated “blanket” around the water heater. A dishes are even loaded. well-insulated water heater should save between $8 to $20 • Select the no heat drying option. It gives good drying a year in energy costs. Savings decrease if the water heater results with less energy. is located in an unheated area. • If you wash dishes by hand, fill the sink basin or dish pan • Drain a gallon of water every three months through with hot rinse water. Avoid wasting energy and water by the faucet at the bottom of the water heater to remove rinsing dishes under running water. Remember, most of sediment. Sediment in the bottom of the tank decreases the energy used in washing dishes goes to heating water. the transfer of heat to the water tank, so it takes longer to heat the same tank of water. /Freezer • Insulate water pipes with pipe insulation if possible. • Install the refrigerator and freezer away from any heat source. • Install low-flow showerheads. A low-flow shower head • Keep the frost level below 1/4 inch. A thick layer of frost reduces water use from 5 gallons a minute to 1-3 gallons increases the electricity used to maintain the same temperature. a minute. Conserving hot water cuts down water-heating • Check the tightness of your refrigerator/freezer door gaskets expenses. by shutting a piece of paper in the door. If the paper slides • Repair leaky hot water faucets immediately. One drip each out without resistance, it may be leaking cold air. Replace second equals 200 gallons of water a month. worn or loose gaskets. Heating/Cooling/Air Appliances • Keep both the refrigerator and freezer full but not overcrowded. It takes more energy to keep air cool than it Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month does liquids or food. If you do not keep a full refrigerator, Air-conditioner, room 200-320 67.0 13.4-21.4 $ 0.90-$1.44 place containers of water on the shelves to retain cold. If it is Air-conditioner, central 2500-8500 67.0 168.0-570.0 $ 11.31-$38.41 empty, unplug and safely store. 250 210.0 52.5 $ 3.54 • Use moisture and vapor-proof containers or wraps. Electric furnace w/o air-conditioner 8500 321.0 2728.5 $ 183.85 Do not freeze food in waxed paper or regular plastic bags. Electric heater, 5-ft baseboard 1250 300.0 375.0 $ 25.27 Evaporation of the liquid can force the unit to work harder to Space heater 1500 60.0-240.0 90.0-360.0 $ 6.06-$24.26 Water heater, (quick recovery) 4500 78.4 352.8 $ 23.77 remove the moisture. Evaporative (Swamp) Cooler 4800 cfm 620 450.0 279.0 $ 18.80 • Keep the condenser coils at the back or bottom of the Fans refrigerator clean. Remove the dust every three months. Attic 375 150.0 56.25 $ 3.79 If you have pets, clean the coils more frequently. Circulating 88 150.0 13.2 $ 0.89 Exhaust- Small 200 30.0 6.0 $ 0.40 • Minimize the amount of time the refrigerator door is open. Furnace (auto. cycle) 500 250.0 125.0 $ 8.42 • Set refrigeration controls to maintain a temperature Furnace (cont. cycle) 500 720.0 360.0 $ 24.26 between 35° and 38° F and between 0° and 5° F inside the Rollabout 171 60.0 10.26 $ 0.69 freezer section. Use a thermometer to check for the correct Window 200 60.0 12.0 $ 0.81 150 60.0 9.0 $ 0.61 temperatures. A refrigerator that freezes vegetables or milk * Based on the residential rate of 6.926¢ per kilowatt hour needs the temperature adjusted or the thermostat replaced. 10 11 • Leave room for circulation behind the unit. A few inches Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost between the wall, cabinets and unit is Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month sufficient Convection 1600 30 48.0 $ 3.32 Crock-Pot 80 32 2.56 $ 0.18 /Electric Range Dishwasher with heater 1200 31 37.2 $ 2.58 • Keep the microwave oven clean so that waves Disposal 500 1 0.5 $ 0.03 concentrate on cooking the food rather Fan, kitchen 250 30 7.5 $ 0.52 than the spills. Freezer (16 cu. ft.), manual defrost 330 220 72.6 $ 5.03 Freezer (16 cu. ft.), auto defrost 400 260 104.0 $ 7.20 • Use a microwave oven to decrease 480 0.5 0.24 $ 0.02 food cooking time and costs. For Fryer, deep fat 1500 4 6.0 $ 0.42 example, potatoes for one Frying pan 1200 8 9.6 $ 0.66 hour in a conventional oven costs Garbage disposal 450 3 1.35 $ 0.09 more than baking potatoes for about Griddle 1200 2 2.4 $ 0.17 10 minutes in a microwave oven. Hot plate with 2 elements 1250 2 2.5 $ 0.17 Microwave oven 1000 30 30.0 $ 2.08 • Use small, portable appliances such as an (portable) 125 8 1.0 $ 0.07 electric fry pan or a crock-pot. Both use less Popcorn popper 660 5 3.3 $ 0.23 electricity than large or small range burners. Range (surface unit and oven) 12,000 11 132.0 $ 9.14 Range, during self-cleaning process 5000 1 5.0 $ 0.35 • Use pots and pans that match the size of the burner. Refrig/Freezer (14 cu. ft.), new 130 300 39.0 $ 2.70 For example, use a frying pan with a nine-inch Refrig/Freezer (14 cu. ft.), older 280 380 106.4 $ 7.37 diameter bottom on an eight-inch range burner. Refrig/Freezer (18 cu. ft.), ENERGY STAR 175 280 49.0 $ 3.39 Replace pots and pans that are rounded on the bottom. Refrig/Freezer (18 cu. ft.), older 400 380 152.0 $ 10.53 A flat-bottomed pan on a burner conducts heat efficiently. Slow cooker 200 225 45.0 $ 3.12 • Use lids when cooking to retain heat and decrease cooking 1100 2 2.2 $ 0.15 time. Toaster oven 1500 5 7.5 $ 0.52 Trash compactor 400 15 6.0 $ 0.42 • Leave at least two inches between pans in the oven for iron 1200 2 2.4 $ 0.17 proper heat circulation. Pans should not touch each other, * Based on the residential rate of 6.926¢ per kilowatt hour the oven doors or walls. • Don’t peek! Each time you open the oven door you can Laundry Tips lose up to 20% of the heat. If you must look, look through the oven window. Rely on your thermostat and timer. Kitchen Appliances • On sunny days, hang the clothes on the line outside instead of using the dryer. Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month • Keep your dryer exhaust vent clean. If clogged, it can 385 5 1.93 $ 0.13 lengthen drying time and increase energy consumption. Broiler 1400 4 5.6 $ 0.39 Can opener 180 1 0.18 $ 0.01 • Clean the lint filter before each use. A filter covered with Clock 3 Continuous 2.16 $ 0.15 lint blocks air circulation. Coffee-maker, automatic, brew cycle 880 Twice daily 13.6 $ 0.94 • Dry loads one right after another. You will use less energy Coffee-maker, automatic, warm cycle 80 30 2.4 $ 0.17 because the dryer is already heated. Coffee-maker, drip, brew cycle 1500 Twice daily 23.3 $ 1.61 Coffee-maker, drip, warm cycle 70 30 2.1 $ 0.15 • Avoid over-drying clothes. Remove clothes promptly at the 1600 30 48.0 $ 3.32 end of the cycle to avoid wrinkling. continued on next page • Sort clothes by thinness to avoid running an additional cycle for only one or two slow drying items. 12 13 • If drying times become noticeably different, consider having the dryer checked by a professional. You might Miscellaneous Tips have a burnt out element. Clothes Washer • Turn off PC’s, monitors and printers when not in use or set for sleep mode between uses. • Wash clothes in cold water to save energy. If you need a hot wash, use a cold rinse. The largest expense in washing • Unplug cell phone chargers, video games and other clothes is heating the water. electronics when not in use. Electronics, even when switched off, use a small amount of electricity. • Select the appropriate water level for the load being washed and spin speeds to extract water from the clothing. • Use a timer for the engine block heater. Set a timer to heat Less water means less drying time. it when you need it. Utility/Laundry Room Appliances Miscellaneous Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month Computer 60-250 300 18-75 $1.25-$5.19 Clothes dryer 5000 24 120.0 $ 8.31 Computer in sleep mode 1-6 420 .42-2.52 $0 03-$0.17 Clothes washer, general 500 18 9.0 $ 0.62 Floodlight, outdoor, with photocell 150 350 52.5 $3.64 Clothes washer, horizontal axis 263 18 4.73 $ 0.33 Garage door opener 350 Twice daily 0.1 $0.01 Iron 1100 4 4.4 $ 0.30 Furnace fan 650 150 97.5 $6.75 75 12 0.9 $ 0.06 Holiday lights, 100 mini-lights 60 180 10.8 $0.75 900 4 3.6 $ 0.25 Holiday lights, 100 CT lights 500 180 90.0 $ 6.23 * Based on the residential rate of 6.926¢ per kilowatt hour Holiday lights, 100 LED lights 3 180 0.54 $ 0.04 Hot tub 3000-8000 75 225-600 $15.58-$41.56 Well pump (1 horsepower) 1000 95 95.0 $ 6.58 Water Bed Tips Block heater 1200 150 180.0 $ 12.47 • Cover the water bed with a thick comforter or several Sump pump 85 4 0.34 $ 0.02 blankets to keep the heat in the mattress from escaping. Snow Melting Cable 100’ Gutter (7 w. per ft of cable) 700 10 7.0 $ 0.48 • Place rigid foam insulation between the mattress and 4’ x 70’ Sidewalk (40 w. per sq. ft.) 11,200 10 112.0 $ 7.76 the side of the frame to stop heat loss from the mattress. 10’ x 50’ Driveway (40 w. per sq. ft.) 20,000 10 200.0 $ 13.85 Ask your water bed dealer for instructions about insulating Heat Tape for Water Pipes your water bed. 25’ of Tape (7 w. per ft. of tape) 175 10 1.75 $ 0.12 Garden Tools • Turn down temperature when possible and turn off when Edger 480 2 0.96 $ 0.07 not in use for extended periods of time. Hedge Trimmer 288 2 0.58 $ 0.04 Bedroom and Bath Appliances 1200 4 4.8 $ 0.33 * Based on the residential rate of 6.926¢ per kilowatt hour Average Hours Operated Kilowatt-Hours Average Cost Watts Per Month Per Month Per Month Blanket, electric 200 85.0 17.0 $ 1.18 1000 15.0 15.0 $ 1.04 Hair curlers 350 7.5 2.63 $ 0.18 Shaver 15 7.5 0.11 $ 0.01 Sun lamp 250 10.0 2.5 $ 0.17 Toothbrush, electric 10 10.0 0.1 $ 0.01 Water bed heater 300 380.0 114.0 $ 7.90 * Based on the residential rate of 6.926¢ per kilowatt hour 14 15 Watt Reader

Want a way to more accurately measure how much electricity it takes to operate a variety of your household appliances and electronics? Visit the Loveland Public Library to check out a Watt Reader Kit. Use the Calculating Your Bill section at the beginning of this booklet to project the cost of electricity used.

*This publication and more can be found on our Web site: www.ci.loveland.co.us/wp/power/ or by calling (970)-962-3000

City of Loveland Water and Power Department 200 North Wilson Avenue Loveland, Colorado 80537

Printed on recycled paper. 12/10 The City of Loveland does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. For disabled persons needing reasonable accommodation to apply for, attend or participate in a City service, program or activity, call 962-2000 or the TDD#962-2620 as far in advanced as possible.