Heartland Launches Comprehensive Energy Efficiency Program: Power Forward
MADISON, S.D. – Heartland Consumers Power District is proud to announce Power Forward, a unique collection of both incentives and educational programs to advance efficient practices in customer communities as well as increase the awareness of the benefits of energy efficiency.
“Power Forward reaffirms our commitment to providing reliable, environmentally-sensitive, cost-based energy service,” said Heartland General Manager Mike McDowell. “We are dedicated to preserving our environment for future generations as well as reducing long-term pressure on consumer electric rates.”
The demand for electricity continues to grow due to many factors including rising population and increased use of electronic products. Energy efficiency can help meet this demand and Power Forward was created to take a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency. Goals include educating consumers about the importance and benefits of energy efficiency as well as the steps they can take to save energy and money and protect our environment. Plans are in place to increase the use of compact fluorescent light bulbs and Energy Star products among others.
In order to provide a first-hand account of the advantages of energy efficiency upgrades, Heartland will perform an “Extreme Energy Makeover” on a selected home in 2009. Residential homes in Heartland's customer communities will be eligible for the makeover and applications will be accepted through spring. After the winning home is selected, an energy audit will be conducted and improvements made based on the findings. Example improvements include attic insulation, Energy Star windows, Energy Star appliances and an electric HVAC system. Heartland will document the energy savings of the selected home and calculate payback periods for each improvement. More information on the Extreme Energy Makeover and application instructions will be available soon.
Heartland has also been working with Marathon Water Heaters to provide customers with special pricing and the opportunity to customize a program specific to each community's needs. Because Marathon produces the longest lasting and most energy efficient water heaters available, Heartland wants to further encourage their use in customer communities. Heartland is providing a $2,500 incentive to each customer implementing a Marathon program in 2009. The incentive will also be available to customers already implementing the program.
An energy efficiency page is in development on www.hcpd.com with efficiency tips as well as details of Power Forward. Heartland will also create educational brochures for distribution as well as seasonal newspaper inserts.
Heartland also seeks to increase the use of and improve load management systems in customer communities. They will evaluate each customer's load management program or potential and assist with a plan for enhancement or implementation. Heartland will provide assistance in the planning, implementation and maintaining of a functional load management system.
“Energy efficiency many times brings about a misconception of turning the heat down to uncomfortable temperatures and dressing warmer to accommodate,” said McDowell. “While conservation is an important piece of the puzzle, energy efficiency simply means using less energy to do the same or better job than conventional products or systems. Power Forward is designed to help customers increase their comfort while saving energy and money, essentially getting more from less.”
Heartland will be assessing potential savings of additional programs and plans in the coming year. More details on Power Forward will be made available as the program is implemented.
Heartland Consumers Power District, a public power utility, is a non-profit, public corporation headquartered in Madison. Heartland provides low-cost, reliable power as well as energy services and community development programs to communities and state agencies in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa.
Information provided by Heartland Consumers Power District.
January 2009