6.1f. ERMUSR 11-17-2015 Elk River
Municipal Utilities UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
TO: FROM:
Elk River Municipal Utilities Commission Tom Sagstetter- Conservation and Key Accounts
John Dietz—Chair Manager
Al Nadeau—Vice Chair
Daryl Thompson—Trustee
MEETING DATE: AGENDA ITEM NUMBER:
November 17th, 2015 6.1f
I SUBJECT:
Staff Update
DISCUSSION:
• Rebate volume has been very high recently as the fourth quarter always has the highest
volume. This is also the time of year where companies are putting together capital
budgets for the upcoming year and want rebate estimates. At this point, it appears that
ERMU will be below the savings goal of 1% for 2015,but 2016 appears to be very good
based on estimates and growth in the commercial customer classes.
• The LED holiday lighting contest and promotions have been distributed and other
organizations in the community are embracing and supporting the program. Interest has
been very high and we currently have 6 registered participants. The deadline for entry is
December 4t . Judging will occur December 9th through the 12th
• The Coffer Dam data center project is still waiting for a final response. The most recent
information is from September 20th, and that response was that they have not made a final
decision as of yet. ERMU staff and the City of Elk River EDA met with another
prospective buyer on October 30th to discuss the possibility of a co-location facility that
could be up to 12 MW.
• Included in the Commission packet is an Energy Guide that was developed to help
ERMU staff and customers determine the cause of high electric bills. This booklet has
been in the works for a long time and is now a great tool to help customers and staff work
through how customers use, and waste energy, on a monthly basis.
ATTACHMENT:
• Energy Guide
POWERED BY
• Page 1 of 1 NATURE
Reliable Public
Power Provider P O W E R E D T O S ERV E
180
E . . G _ de
The first step to a better understanding of energy use is recognizing how your home and habits affect
your bill. Elk River Municipal Utilities hopes the information in this guide will help you to use energy
in your home more wisely; resulting in a lower monthly electric bill. If you have any questions, please
feel free to contact us at 763-441-2020, or log onto our website at www.elkriverutilities.com for more
information on energy conservation programs, education and rebates.
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Become an informed consumer.
Elk River Municipal Utilities (ERMU) provides the
same quiet, dependable electricity whether you
plug in a laptop or lamp. However, these devices
use very different amounts of electricity—and have
dramatically different costs to operate.
Because electrical outlets don't come equipped with
gauges like cars, you need to make an extra effort
to understand how much energy you're using when
you plug things in. Familiarizing yourself with how
4
_ much energy your electronic devices use can be
«` helpful. The nameplate on your appliance and this
, 4
ilk i
Energy Guide provide information that is similar to
the nutritional information you find on food labels.
This guide is designed to provide the tools and
r information you need to better understand how
} '# much electricity you use in your home, and how your
habits affect your monthly bill.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Understanding your energy use 1
• . �" Energy needs at home 2
Understanding your electric bill 3
._ The best way to save energy 4
Symbols of efficiency 5
Energy use table 6-7
Monitor your use table 8
Factors that affect energy 9
It starts with you 10
Resources 11
182
Understanding your energy use.
We all know the wonderful things electricity makes
possible. There's TV, radio, video games, computers.
Not to mention that electricity keeps us warm in
winter and cool in summer, cooks our food, heats
our water, cleans our clothes and keeps our homes
and businesses bright. Electricity is always ready to
make our lives a little easier. /Electricity's abundance and reliability are preciselylivi
why it's so tricky to tell how much you're using.
Other types of energy require occasional reminders
i
of how much you've consumed - your car will need
at
a refill, or you'll empty the propane tank on your gas
grill - but you never really run out" of electricity.
However, that doesn't mean you can't measure how ....
much you use. 4
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First,waste less . °
You don't need to give anything up to reduce your
energy use. By simply changing a few habits, you
can reduce the amount of electricity you waste and
take control of your energy costs. Being a smart
energy consumer means you're doing the same thing
you've always done - only with less energy.
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1
Energy needs at home.
The typical family of four uses approximately 1,400 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each month, but your
home is unique. Factors that affect your energy use include:
• The number of people in your family
• Your behaviors
• The age and efficiency of your electric appliances
• The type of heating and cooling you use
• Maintenance practices
• How often you entertain guests
Other factors can affect energy costs as well. Was it colder or hotter than normal? Did you finally buy that new
flat screen TV you've been saving up for? Is your furnace fan set on automatic, or does it run continuously?
Heating and Air Conditioning 55%
Several factors affect how much energy you need to keep your home comfortable,
including the efficiency of your heating or air conditioning unit, your home's insulation
and its sun exposure.
Appliances 15%
Appliances can save you a lot of time and effort, but they can also result in significant
energy costs. The age of your electric appliances, how efficient they are, and how
frequently you use them affects your energy expenses.
Water Heating 15%
Homes use an immense amount of energy to heat water for laundry, showers, dishes and
cooking. Small fixes like efficient low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can make a
difference on your electric, water and sewer bills.
Lighting 10%
The average household has more than 40 light sockets. However, highly efficient
technologies such as CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light emitting diodes)
are becoming more common and affordable, especially with rebate coupons from Elk
River Municipal Utilities.
Electronics 5%
The list of electronics continues to grow, and includes things like smart phones, tablets
and TV set-top boxes.
Source.Minnesota Department of Commerce,Division of Energy Resources
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Understanding your electric bill.
It's important to note that your utility bill may reflect charges for multiple utility services. The typical electric
portion is broken down into three components:
1. Customer Charge - This fixed charge does not change, regardless of how much or how little
electricity you use during the month. It covers the cost for billing, meter reading, equipment,
and maintenance.
2. Electric Usage - This is the charge based on the amount of electricity you use, and it usually varies
from month to month. Elk River Municipal Utilities has separate summer and winter rates.
3. Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) - This also varies based on ERMU's wholesale power costs. The PCA
is set at zero, but may fluctuate up as a surcharge or down as a credit that will be applied to your
monthly energy use.
Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). One kWh of energy is equal to 1,000 watt hours and will power a 100
watt light bulb for 10 hours (100 watts x 10 hours =1,000 watt hours = 1 kWh) Appliance and equipment wattage and
operating costs can vary greatly. The following formulas will show you how to determine where your electricity dollars
are being spent.
STEP 1 The first step is to determine your average cost per kWh. Average kWh cost = $ amount of the
energy portion of your electric bill divided by kWh used.
EXAMPLE $127.00 =1,000 kWh = $.127 per kWh
STEP 2 To find your daily cost for electricity, divide your bill amount by the number of days in the billing cycle.
EXAMPLE $127.00 _ 30 days = $4.23 which is your daily cost
To find the daily cost per person in your family, divide the daily cost by the number of people in your family.
EXAMPLE $4.23 _ 4 people = $1.06 per person per day
STEP 3 Since the wattage of an appliance determines the electrical use per hour, the third step is to determine
the wattage of the appliances of concern. The wattage of an appliance is found on the name plate. Electrical
load may also be expressed in volts and amperes (amps), rather than watts. If so, multiply volts times amps to
determine the wattage.
EXAMPLE 120 volts x 12.1 amps = 1,452 watts
STEP 4 Use the formula shown in the following examples to estimate use and cost. A light uses 100 watts and
is left on 15 hours. How many kWh are used and what does it cost you?
EXAMPLE kWh used = (100 watts x 15 hours) _ 1,000 watts = 1.5 kWh
Your cost = 1.5 kWh x $.127 = $.19
A space heater uses 1,500 watts and is used 3 hours per night, every night in December. How many kWh are
used and what does it cost you?
EXAMPLE kWh used = (1,500 watts x 3 hours per day x 31 days) _ 1,000 watts = 139.5 kWh
Your cost = 139.5 kWh x $.127 = $17.72
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3
The best way to save energy is
to understand how it's used
and wasted.
The Electricity Use Table included in this guide is a valuable tool that can be used to help assess energy
consumption around your home. Saving energy begins with behavior and is supplemented by high
efficiency equipment.
ENERGY SAVING BEHAVIORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE
The most efficient refrigerator, LED light, or programmable thermostat will not save you as much money
and energy as they could if you don't keep energy conservation in mind when you use them. In
some cases customers buy the most high tech programmable thermostat and never program it, or they
constantly hit the bypass button to manually control the air conditioning or heat. The energy savings
result from installing the equipment correctly and using it as designed. LED lights can save a huge
amount of energy, but leaving them on when they're not needed still costs you.
HIGH EFFICIENCY APPLIANCES
Most of us have no idea which appliances use the most energy in our homes; the electricity use table
in this guide will help you identify them. Based on your findings you can determine how to best use
those appliances and/or replace them. A great example is the refrigerator in the garage that is used for
cooling foods for the holidays and keeping beverages cold in the summer. Refrigerators that are used
infrequently use electricity every day whether or not there is anything in them. These refrigerators can
cost you well over $100 per year to have plugged in.
PLUGGED IN= ENERGY USE
Another thing to keep in mind as you are completing the energy assessment is that anything plugged
into the wall outlet is using energy and costing you money. While these electric loads can be big or
small, they all add up. Think of all of the electronics included in your entertainment center: television,
cable or satellite set-top box, DVD, gaming systems and sound systems; if you can turn it on using a
remote control, all of those appliances are using energy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a
year. Just one cable set-top box can cost you $1.75 per month, and with the average home having three
televisions that equates to $5.20 per month.
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4
What to look for when
purchasing appliances.
SYMBOLS OF EFFICIENCY
ENERGY STAR®
ENERGY STAR® is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals
save money and protect the climate through superior energy
efficiency. Appliances that are ENERGY STAR® rated save you
money in two ways: they use less energy and they may qualify
for rebates from Elk River Municipal Utilities. These appliances
may cost a little more, but they're worth it. The additional
I'JERGY sTAR cost is quickly paid for with energy savings and rebate funds
from ERMU. Next time you are shopping appliances, look for
the ENERGY STAR® logo. For a complete listing of available
rebates visit www.elkriverutilities.com.
ENERGY GUIDE
All major home appliances must meet the Appliance --if: .. t **,..-0- G;.;ut;r "",
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Standards Program set bythe U.S. Department of Energya `a n3 ," I\ ! , .. ,`: ,. ., �-t',n
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(DOE). Manufacturers must use the standard test procedures �„� `' ` --
developed by DOE to demonstrate the energy use and ti... t �,,, ,�,
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theellow label and manufacturers are required to display .d..,--, �,4`a�
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the label on many appliances. This label will give you an F".1,, `ce -'
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estimate of yearly energy cost. If the appliance is ENERGY "L! t --4 u�t i` "
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STAR® certified it must carry the EnergyGuide label. Its -:y,,r;, .:
good practice to look at these labels while shopping for ---h'"•=:-..,. "" 'N°° """ -
appliances to get a general idea of the energy cost. An � .."01- *',�, „`
appliance that costs less initially may end up costing you _.,h v
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more in energy use over a period of time. :�.o 0.r _,« • :r Ian -'-
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ESTIMATED MONTHLY AVERAGE MONTHLY COST ff CALCULATE YOUR ESII
ENERGY-USING APPLIANCE
ENERGY USE[MIND so�ns NwN MArEU MONTHLY COST
REFRIGERATORS
Top Freezer-Purchased 1993-2000 71 $9.01
Top Freezer-Purchased 2001 -2008 43 $5.46
Top Freezer-ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED 34 $4.31
Side-by-Side-Purchased 1993-2000 91 $11.55
Side-by-Side-Purchased 2001 -2008 58 $7.36
Side-by Side-ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED 44 $5.58
Bottom Freezer-Purchased 1993-2000 73 $9.26
Bottom Freezer-Purchased 2001 -2008 50 $6.35
Bottom Freezer-ENERGY STAR QUALIFIED 38 $4.82
FREEZERS
Upright Freezer<16.5 Cubic Feet 56 $7.11
ENERGY STAR Upright Freezer<16.5 Cubic Feet 47 $5.96
Chest Freezer<16.5 Cubic Feet 34 $4.31
ENERGY STAR CHEST FREEZER<16.5 Cubic Feet 29 $3.68
KITCHEN APPLIANCES
Dishwasher 30 $3.81
ENERGY STAR Dishwasher 26 $3.30
Oven 45 $5.71
Range Top 37 $4.70
Microwave Oven 17 $2.16
Toaster Oven 4 $0.51
Coffeemaker 10 $1.27
Cordless Phone(with answering machine) 2.5 $0.32
Water Softener 6 $0.74
LAUNDRY
Clothes Washer(electrically heated water)
Warm Wash,Cold Rinse 37 $4.67
Hot Wash,Warm Rinse 101 $12.79
Clothes Dryer 120 $15.23
LIGHTING
T-12 Fluorescent 8 foot 2 lamp fixture 110 watt 31 $3.96
T-12 Fluorescent 4 foot 4 lamp fixture 40 watt 21 $2.64
T-12 Fluorescent 4 foot 2 lamp fixture 40 watt 11 $1.33
T-8 Fluorescent 4 foot 4 lamp fixture 32 watt 16 $2.01
T-8 Fluorescent 4 foot 2 lamp fixture 32 watt 8 $1.04
LED T-8 or T-12 Replacement Fixture 50 watt 6 $0.79
300 Watt Security Light 37 $4.72
LED Security Light 50 Watt 6 $0.79
100 Watt Incandescent 12 $1.57
23 Watt Compact Fluorescent 3 $0.36
16 Watt LED 2 $0.25
60 Watt Incandescent 7 $0.94
15 Watt Compact Fluorescent 2 $0.24
6 Watt LED 1 $0.09
Holiday Lights C-9 Incandescent 260 $33.04
Holiday Lights LED ENERGY STAR C9 36 $4.57
Holiday Lights Mini Incandescent 17 $2.11
*Note:Estimated based on 4 hours of use per day **Note:Holillgaights are based on 300 bulbs
6
AVERAGE MONTRIM
ENERGY-USINGAPPIJANCE ESTI EDMONn�II COST A CALCULATE YOUR ESTI-
ENERGY USE MINI $Q1230 RWN MATED MOMLY COST
APPLIANCES
Clock Radio(LED Display) 3 $0.38
Electric Blanket(7 hours per night)
Twin 18 $2.26
Double/Queen 22 $2.81
King 36 $4.52
Portable Fan(200 Watts,10 Hours per day) 62 $7.87
Vacuum Cleaner 8 $1.02
Ceiling Fan 7-30 $0.89-$3.81
Air Handler/Heat Exchanger 62 $7.87
Portable Space Heater(1,500 Watts,3hours/night) 140 $17.70
Hair Dryer 3 $0.38
Cell Phone Charger(4 hours charging/day) 1 $0.08
Portable Spa/Hot Tub(1,500 Watts) 60 $7.61
Pool Pump(1 hp) 66-540 $8.38-$68.53
Well Pump 7-108 $0.89-$13.71
Desktop Personal Computer 20 $2.54
Laptop Computer 6 $0.76
Stereo System 10 $1.27
Engine Block Heater(6 hours per night) 28 $3.54
ENTERTAINMENT
<40"Plasma Television 19 $2.41
>40" Plasma Television 47 $5.96
<40" Digital HD Television(LCD) 7 $0.89
>40"Digital HD Television(LCD) 19 $2.41
<40" LED Television 6 $0.76
>40" LED Television 16 $2.03
*TVs<40"are estimated on 3 hours/day and
TVs>40"are estimated on 5 hours/day
DVD Player 7 $0.89
Cable TV/Satellite set top box 15 $1.90
Video Game system 4 $0.51
MISCELLANEOUS
Standard Electric Water Heater-Family of 4 400 $50.76
Standard Electric Water Heater-Family of 2 200 $25.38
Storage Water Heater-Family of 4(0.045/kWh) 400 $18.00
Storage Water Heater-Family of 2(0.045/kWh) 200 $9.00
Baseboard Electric Heat(250 Watts/foot,4 hr/night) 186 $23.60
Dehumidifier 81 -690 $10.28-$87.56
ENERGY STAR Dehumidifier 69-587 $8.76-$74.49
Air Purification System 60-120 $7.61 -$15.23
Furnace Fan(Automatic) 100-200 $12.69-$25.38
Furnace Fan(Constant) 250-500 $31.73-$63.45
Fish Tank(35 gallon) 83 $10.53
Humidifier 41 $5.19
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
Oxygen Concentrator 168 $21.32
Sleep Apnea Machine(CPAP) 9.6 $1.22
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Monitor Your Use and Cost
DAILY READING KWh USED DAILY RECORD OF DAILY ACTIVITIES THAT AFFECTED YOUR ENERGY USE
EXAMPLE WEEK
Day 1 5656
Day 2 5697 41
Day 3 5720 23 On vacation,nobody home
Day 4 5788 68 Turned Central AC on outside temp 97 degrees,turned dehumidifier on
Day 5 5848 60 Washed 3 loads of clothes in hot water,outside temp 94 degrees
Day 6 5876 28 Turned circulating pool pump off,temperature 84 degrees
Day 7 5905 29
Weekly Total 40490 249 41.5 Average per day Week 1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
WEEKLY TOTAL
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
WEEKLY TOTAL
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
WEEKLY TOTAL
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
WEEKLY TOTAL
29
30
31
EXTRA DAYS TOTAL
MONTHLY TOTAL
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Factors that affect energy consumption.
You can take control of your electricity expenses with efficient habits and smart decisions, but there are some
factors beyond your control that can dramatically affect your energy consumption.
SEASON
Electric bills will typically jump in the summer due to air conditioner use. You may see similar increases in the winter if you heat
with electricity. Electric bills tend to be lower in the spring and fall when temperatures are milder.
`PHANTOM'LOAD
When you turn something off, that doesn't necessarily mean that it has stopped using electricity. Many electronics have a
standby mode that draws an electric current even while turned off. Known as "phantom" loads, they can add up quickly. Unplug
all electronics that display a clock or light while turned off, or use a smart power strip to limit phantom loads.
VACATION
Taking a vacation? This is a perfect time to benchmark your home for standard electric use. Many people believe that when they
leave for vacation, their electric meter stops until they return. If you've ever wondered how an empty house can use so much
energy, ask yourself the following questions:
Was the water heater turned down or off during your vacation?- Remember, if the water heater is left on during vacation, it will
continue to operate and maintain the tank temperature even if you're not using any hot water.
Did you adjust your thermostat;up in the summer and down in the winter?
Did other appliances and electronic devices run while you were on vacation?- Clocks, cell phone chargers, DUD players, heating
and air conditioning equipment, computers, gaming systems and TV sets may draw some "phantom" electricity. Unplug them
while you're away for an extended period of time.
VINTAGE
Older appliances and electronic devices often use more electricity than newer ones. While it can be difficult to invest in new
appliances or electronic devices when you've got reliable older models, the cost savings from reduced energy use can, in some
cases, recoup a significant portion of the cost of an upgrade. Contact Elk River Municipal Utilities for available rebate options for
household appliance replacement.
GET INSIDE THE OUTLET
The table on pages 6 and 7 will give you an estimate of your electricity use, and your meter is great for accurately measuring
consumption for your entire home, but there are tools that can help identify those items that are particularly costly to operate.
A portable electric monitor fits between an appliance and the outlet to measure electricity use and cost. By isolating an
individual device,you can watch how your habits affect your power bill. Portable electric monitors can be purchased, or checked
out for use from Elk River Municipal Utilities or the Elk River Public Library.
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It starts with you.
Elk River Municipal Utilities offers a host of programs that can help you make your home more energy efficient,
but there's one other factor that holds vast potential for improving your home's efficiency: you.
Making a habit out of any combination of the following measures can significantly reduce your electricity usage.
ADJUSTABLE THERMOSTATS INSULATE
Turn down your thermostat during cool months and turn You spend a lot of money and energy heating your home.
it up when air conditioning. Install a programmable Don't let it escape too easily. Use insulation with an R
thermostat to accommodate your weekly schedule (i.e., value of 45 or more in the ceiling and attic, and 20 or
don't heat an empty home). more in the walls.
TURN DOWN THE WATER NEATER REPLACE FILTERS
Although some manufacturers set water heater Replacing a dirty air filter can save money by reducing
thermostats at 140°F, most households usually only the amount of electricity needed to run a blower motor.
require them to be set at 120°E For each 10°F reduction It's recommended you check your filter every month and
in water temperature, you can save 3-5% in energy costs. replace it at a minimum of once every three months.
GO LOW FLOW SHUT THEM OFF
Install water flow restrictions and aerators on sink Turn off electronic devices when not in use. Don't
faucets and shower heads. These measures save money underestimate the energy savings realized by turning off
by reducing water use-and minimize the burden on your or unplugging unused televisions,stereos and computers.
water heater.
FILL THE CRACKS
TURN OFF LIGHTS Seal exterior cracks and holes and ensure tight-fitting
Just like mom and dad always said: leaving lights on windows. Small cracks or holes in the building's exterior
wastes electricity. can really add up to substantial heating or cooling losses.
SWAP FOR CFLS OR LEDS MAKE SOME SHADE
Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light emitting Sunlight streaming through windows in the summer
diodes (LEDs) use less energy and last longer than can substantially increase air conditioning costs. Use
standard incandescent bulbs. Contact ERMU to receive shading methods (like window coverings, awnings, trees
coupons for these types of bulbs. and bushes) wherever possible.
SEAL DUCT LEAKS CLOSE THE DOOR
Leakage from areas such as joints, elbows and Don't heat or cool the outdoors. Keep exterior doors
connections in your ductwork can be substantial. Use closed as much as possible. Block and insulate unneeded
foil tape (not duct tape) or caulk to seal ducts. windows and other openings.
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Available Resources
There are many resources available to help customers take control of their energy costs.
www.elkriverutilities.com
www.energystargov
Energy City: www.elkrivermn.gov/energycity
www.commerce.state.mn.us
www.aceee.org
The Connector
Sign up today for Elk River Municipal Utilities' free monthly Connector ecommunication. It's filled with great
information on ways to lower your energy use and save money. In addition to time relevant articles—this electronic
newsletter comes complete with a searchable eLibrary; a set of energy Quick-Tips; and HVAC, home energy use,
and carbon footprint calculators—all geared toward helping you better manage your energy.
The best part of the Connector is that it is delivered directly to your email inbox. We know everyone is looking for
ways to save a few dollars and minimize their impact on the environment; the Connector is the answer.
To sign up, visit our website at www.elkriverutilities.com, click on about us, newsletter, then click on residential
to get registered.
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