December 2014
Use Your Space Heater Safely
As temperatures drop this winter, many
will look for supplemental heating
sources for their homes. Space heaters
can be a good alternative for those who
want to warm one area of their home
without turning up the thermostat on the
central heating system. However, space
heaters are also responsible for 32 percent
of house fires, according to the National
Fire Protection Association.
Keep Meter Paths
Clear
Every month our meter readers
gather readings so we can produce
accurate electric bills. It is very
important that they are able to
locate and have access to your
meter.
If you are planning to use a space heater in your home this winter, keep you, your
family and your property safe with these tips:
• Materials – Parts like metal grating can be hot to the touch and may burn
anyone who gets too close. Make sure you purchase a heater that is cool to the
touch and has guards over the coils just in case little fingers get too close.
• Placement - While it can be tempting to place a small heater on a shelf so it
is not in the way of pets and children, it is safest to leave the heater on a level
floor on a nonflammable surface. Keeping the space heater on the floor can
keep it from falling over, preventing fire hazards. Also, remember that space
heaters and bathrooms are not a good combination, unless the heater is
designed for bathroom use. Moisture can damage the heater. • The most important rule about space heater placement is the three-foot rule.
Whether you are using the heater in the bedroom, living room or kitchen,
space heaters should always be kept three feet away from flammable materials
and out of the way of children and pets.
• Special Features – Does your space heater have an auto shutoff function
if tipped over? Auto shutoff can be a lifesaver. If you currently own a space
heater without auto shutoff, consider purchasing a heater with this important
safety feature.
Please keep the area around your
meter and the path to your meter
clear of snow and ice. In addition,
restraining your pets will help our
meter readers avoid danger. Even
the friendliest dogs can become
aggressive when a stranger is
around.
• Cords – You should never use an extension cord when plugging in a space
heater as it can cause overheating. The space heater should be plugged directly
into a wall outlet, and should be the only thing plugged in to the wall outlet.
Also make sure cords aren’t in a high-traffic area so they are not a tripping
hazard.
Having your meter easily accessible
will eliminate an estimated
reading and ensure accurate
billing.
• Use – Never leave a heater unattended while in use. If you are leaving your
home or going to bed, make sure to unplug the heater.
File Now; Current Incentives Will Expire December 31st
Linn County REC’s current energy
efficiency plan is ending December
31st. So now is the time to finish your
purchases and paperwork for this
year’s incentives.
LINN COUNTY REC 2015 RESIDENTIAL INCENTIVES
* Full criteria available on www.linncountyrec.com as of 1/1/2015
WATER HEATING
Heat Pump Water Heaters - integrated unit
$650
Solar Water Heaters - with electric auxiliary tank
$350
High Efficiency Electric Water Heaters - 50 to 55 gallon
$50
Desuperheater - 50 to 55 gallon
$150
Drainwater Heat Recovery Pipes$450
APPLIANCES
If you have installed equipment that
qualifies for a 2014 energy efficiency
incentive from Linn County
REC, send in your application by
December 31, 2014. All applications
received on/after January 1, 2015
will be evaluated by the new 2015
incentive plan criteria and incentive
levels.
ENERGY STAR Clothes Washer - electric water heater/dryer
- existing electric water heater only
$60
$30
APPLIANCE RECYCLING
Refrigerator - working$35
Freezer - working$25
Window Air Conditioner - working
$25
INDOOR LIGHTING
ENERGY STAR CFL, LED - hard wired fixture
50% of price/$15 max.
ENERGY STAR CFL, LED - screw in lamps
Be Bright instore rebate
To receive an incentive you must:
T8 and T5 Lighting Fixtures - ballasts and lamps 50% of price/$15 max.
• Download the incentive form with
all pages
OUTDOOR / SECURITY LIGHTING
• Fill in ALL required information
fields
ENERGY STAR CFL Fixtures$15
• Provide a copy of the dated receipt
HEATING AND COOLING
• Provide ALL additional required
verification
• Must be received within 6 months
of installation and qualify at time
of submission
High Pressure Sodium Fixtures - ballast/lamp replacement
Fixtures
ENERGY STAR or DLC LED or Induction up to $60
Geothermal Heat Pumps - closed loop
$350 per ton
- unit replacement$250 per unit
ENERGY STAR Air Source Heat Pumps
ENERGY STAR Central Air Conditioning
$75
- ECM fan motor replacement w/AC replacement
$50
If you have questions or need
assistance, please contact our office.
For a complete list of our incentives,
criteria and forms, visit www.
linncountyrec.com.
$10
$350 + $150/ton
Heat Recovery Ventilator$250
BUILDING WEATHERIZATION/INSULATION
Ceiling, Wall, Foundation, Infiltration, Duct
up to 60% of total cost
NEW HOME CONSTRUCTION
All - Star Home$500
Be Prepared And Stay Informed
During this time of year, power
interruptions can occur with ice and
snow storms. If a power outage occurs,
contact Linn County REC right away.
Don’t assume someone else has already
called. Every call helps us determine the
location and extent of an outage.
When a extensive outage occurs, Linn County REC enables
its automated phone outage system. This allows us to track
the outages and helps prioritize restoration efforts. It can
immediately recognize where the call is coming from using
caller ID. When you call, enter the telephone number
of the Linn County REC account where the outage is
occurring, NOT the cell phone or other phone number
you are calling from.
Give The Gift Of Efficiency
Here are some great ideas for
energy smart gifts:
• For Decorators: LED
Christmas lights ($15-$35) – These
energy-efficient lights are becoming
easier to find. They save on high
holiday electric bills and stay cool
to the touch. For a festive complete package, wrap in
a decorative stocking.
• For Gardeners: Solar garden lights ($15-$50) Available in endless colors, styles, and sizes, solar
garden lights can be a lovely addition to your favorite
green thumb’s garden. To up the green quotient,
wrap in a burlap bag.
• For Cooks: Toaster oven ($60 – $140) – Especially
great for the empty nester or those only cooking for
one or two, toaster ovens are a good choice to save
energy as an alternative to heating a large standard oven.
• For Movie Buffs or Sports Fans: ENERGY STARrated TV (price based on size) – Before you
give something that uses as much electricity as a
refrigerator, look for the ENERGY STAR label. It
offers the smallest impact on your electric bills.
Get outage information at linncountyrec.com from your smart phone
or any mobile device. Our outage map shows the total number of
confirmed outages per county and updates every 10 minutes.
Be prepared with these storm safety tips:
• Have emergency numbers, including Linn County
REC’s, posted by the phone and always have a corded or
cellular phone in your home. Cordless phones will not
work during a power outage.
• Keep a battery operated flashlight, radio, clock, and
extra batteries on hand.
• Disconnect electronic equipment and as many
appliances as possible. This will prevent damage from a
power surge that may occur during power restoration.
• For Techies: 1.) Smart strip ($20 - $40) – Not your
average power strip, smart strips sport designated
outlets that make it easy to power down certain
devices to save energy while not affecting others
plugged into the same strip. 2.) Solar cell phone
charger ($55 - $100+) – Unplug energy-sucking
chargers from the wall; solar chargers can be placed
in a window to charge a cell phone or other devices
(GPS, MP3) anywhere the sun shines.
• For everyone else: A Linn County REC gift
certificate. Available in any denomination.
2015 Calendars Available Now
Linn County REC is giving away free 2015
calendars.
Have You Signed Up?
Sign up for rEc-CONNECTION and receive an email
every month that is full of timely energy efficiency and
environmental tips. Register at www.linncountyrec.com to
begin receiving rEc-CONNECTION for:
• Energy conservation tips and recommendations
delivered right to your inbox.
• Non-promotional information and resources that can
save you and your household energy and money.
• Access to an easy-to-search “Energy eLibrary” — filled
with valuable resources, tips, and more.
• Access to heating/cooling and home energy use
calculators
• Link to Linn County REC incentives
Calendars are available for pick up anytime in our
Marion office from 8:00 - 4:30 while quantities last.
Due to postage costs, we are unable to mail them.
G
Grinch Punch
1/3 cup sugar
6 tablespoons plus 1-1/2 teaspoons
water
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
12 drops neon green food coloring
1 bottle (2 liters) lemon-lime soda, chilled
2 pints vanilla ice cream
In a large saucepan, combine sugar and water. Cook and
stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved; remove
from the heat. Stir in milk and extract. Transfer to a
bowl; cool to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate
until chilled.Just before serving, transfer milk mixture to
a punch bowl. Stir in the food coloring and soda. Top
with scoops of ice cream.
Yield: 4 quarts
Office Closed
Linn County REC offices will be
closed on December 24th and 25th.
The bill payment drop box in
Marion and kiosk in North Liberty
are available 24 hours a day.