By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer While demand for tankless water heaters continues to increase, more than 95% of homes have conventional storage tank heaters installed. About half use electric resistance or heat pump technology to produce hot water, while the other half uses natural gas or propane. If you’re like most, the only time you think about your water heater is when water fails to come out of the faucet or the tank starts to leak. Most homeowners overlook the importance of regular maintenance, which can lead to decreased efficiency, higher energy bills and premature replacement. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) estimates the average product lifetime for storage tank water heaters to be around 15 years. By annually doing the routine maintenance described below, you can help assure your water heater provides the efficiency and longevity you expect. Before starting, use a thermometer to identify your hot water temperature at the faucet located furthest from the hot water heater. Most water heater manufacturers preset thermostats at 140º Fahrenheit (F). The DOE recommends a setpoint of 120°F to optimize efficiency, slow mineral buildup and reduce corrosion. Temperatures lower than this can pose a slight risk of allowing bacterial growth, while temperatures above 140ºF significantly increase inefficiency from standby heat losses and create scalding risks. For every 10 degrees the temperature is lowered, you can expect to save up to 5% in water heating energy use. Next, take safety precautions. This should always be your top priority. Before beginning: 1. Turn off the power: For electric water heaters, switch off the circuit breaker. For gas-fired units, turn the gas valve to the “pilot” position. 2. Identify the cold-water line supplying the water heater and close it. 3. Wait a few hours after turning off the power to allow the water in the tank to cool. 4. Wear gloves and goggles to protect from hot water and debris. 5. If you have a gas water heater, ensure the area is well-ventilated to prevent the buildup of harmful gases. Now, perform the following maintenance steps: 1. Test the Temperature and Pressure Relief (TPR) Valve. The TPR valve is a critical safety device that releases internal pressure if it becomes too high. To test it: a. Place a bucket under the discharge pipe connected to the TPR valve. b. Lift the valve’s tab to release some water. c. If water flows freely and stops when you release the tab, the valve is working correctly. If not, the valve needs to be replaced. 2. For electric resistance and heat pump water heaters, inspect and replace the anode rod if it is less than half-inch in diameter. The anode rod attracts corrosive elements in the water, thus protecting the tank. 3. Flush the tank to remove sediment. Sediment buildup can reduce your heater’s hot water volume, require longer runtimes to provide hot water and corrode elements in electrical units. To flush the tank: a. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve at the bottom of the tank. b. Open the valve and let the water drain into a bucket and not a floor drain. Sediment could plug the floor drain, creating another problem. c. Once the tank is empty, briefly open the cold-water supply to stir up any remaining sediment. d. Continue flushing until the water runs clear. Close the drain valve, disconnect the hose, and refill the tank. Double-check to assure the TPR valve is closed to prevent flooding the floor. 4. If necessary, adjust the temperature setting. a. Locate the thermostat. While they are often installed on the bottom exterior of gas-powered units, they are usually located behind access panels on electric units. Also, electric units usually have two (top and bottom) thermostats. b. Adjust the dial in the direction you want your hot water temperature to be. You may need to use a screwdriver to adjust the dial. Most thermostats do not have markings that exactly correspond to the desired temperature. Therefore, small adjustments followed by waiting a couple of hours and checking the temperature at the faucet may be necessary to establish the desired temperature. c. Since electric hot water heaters usually have two thermostats, assure both are adjusted to the same setpoint. d. Remember to turn the water heater off or set the thermostat to its lowest setting if you’ll be away from home for more than three days. Southwest Public Power District, in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, wants to help keep you effectively and efficiently in hot water! For other ways you can save energy while running your household or business, contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com.

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer During this time of the year, many are switching their thermostats from “cooling” to “heating” mode. This is also a good time to check and change filters in heating and cooling (HVAC) systems. Some may have not been replaced since the start of the cooling season or longer. But how important could a filter be if your HVAC system still seems to provide adequate heating and cooling? Consider the following potential impacts: Inefficient heating and cooling The whole reason you have an HVAC system is to keep comfortable inside. Dirty filters reduce airflow and the system’s ability to condition the air in your home. According to the Department of Energy, a furnace or air conditioner with a clogged filter can use 15 percent more energy than one operating with a clean one. Higher cost of utility bills Every year, energy efficiency professionals start hearing concerns about the high cost of utilities after homeowners and renters receive their first bills after an extended cold period. An inefficient HVAC system only makes these bills higher. Uneven temperatures inside Most duct systems are designed with the assumption that, with a clean filter, the furnace or air handler will move an adequate volume of air to keep temperatures balanced throughout your home. Diminished air flows due to a dirty filter often result in a room or rooms not receiving the same amount of conditioned air as others. Short cycling or equipment failure Reduced air flow due to a dirty filter can cause your heat exchanger to overheat and shut off before your thermostat’s setpoint is reached. Over a relatively short period of time, the HVAC system will continue to cycle on and off. If this happens too often, the system’s electronic "limit switch" can fail, and the furnace won't fire up at all. Now, on top of higher utility bills, a HVAC technician will leave one for parts and labor. Of course, Murphy’s Law states this will occur on one of the coldest days of the year and after normal business hours to optimize the technician’s fees. A similar problem can occur in the middle of summer. A clogged filter can cause the evaporator coil to freeze up because not enough air is moving through it to remove condensation produced during the cooling process. This seems to inevitably occur to filter abusers over the Fourth of July weekend in order to once again, optimize the HVAC technician’s fees. Also, dirt that gets past a filter can also make its way into the fan motor and other parts, causing damage to those components. As if the repair bill didn’t cost enough! Puts the burden on your lungs Relying on your lungs to filter out all the contaminants that can potentially be in indoor air could mean you find yourself sick or feeling ill more often. Those contaminants might include: dust, mites, spores, mold, ash, pollen, pet dander, bug parts, hair, lint, tobacco smoke, food particles, pesticides, paint vapors or fumes from cleaning products. A clean filter helps remove these contaminants to create a healthier home. Changing your filter once a year is probably not often enough. However, if you’re not currently changing your filter at all, it’s a start. Some heating and cooling experts recommend replacing your filter every month. While this practice may ensure you never operate your system with a dirty filter, you may be throwing a good filter away prematurely if your indoor air is relatively clean. Instead, check filters monthly for one year until you understand how often needs to be replaced. Some do may require monthly replacement, but if your system operates very little, such as during mild months, you may get additional use from the same filter. Also note that some filters are designed to last multiple months. Only through observation and following manufacturers’ recommendations can you best gauge optimal replacement frequency. Not sure which filter to select? Visit with your HVAC technician or retail expert to assure your selection provides the best filtration possible without negatively impacting your system’s performance. Southwest Public Power District and Nebraska Public Power District want to help you make the most of the energy they provide you. That includes helping you keep your home’s heating and cooling system running efficiently. For other ideas on making your home EnergyWiseSM, contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.nppd.com.

By: Sustainable Energy Consultant Brandon Gardels Air compressors have been a versatile tool over the years and compressed air has been one of the driving forces of modern-day life. From simply airing up a tire to a plethora of applications in heavy industrial processes, compressed air has a wide range of uses. However, compressed air as an energy source is inherently inefficient. As much as 80% of the electric energy going into compressors is lost as heat during the compression process. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), a typical compressed air system requires approximately 7 8 horsepower (hp) of electric power just to operate a 1 hp air motor. In manufacturing and industrial facilities with intensive compressed air use, it is often referred to as the “fourth utility consuming 30% or more of all electricity used. Implementing variable speed drives with air compressors allows the compressor’s operating speed to ramp up or down to match the demand for compressed air. This yields very significant energy savings when compared to a fixed speed compressor that operates at a constant level regardless of the facility’s demand. Compressed air systems are usually complex and must be diligently operated and maintained to avoid excessive energy use. In many cases, even small adjustments can result in large energy savings. For instance, according to the DOE, lowering pressure settings by 2 Pounds per Square Inch Gauge PSIG results in 1% energy savings. Also, lowering the compressor’s inlet temperature of ambient air by 10° Fahrenheit results in a 2% savings. Cumulatively, adjustments like these can provide very significant energy savings, especially in facilities running hundreds or even thousands of compressor hp continuously. Further lowering efficiency, compressed air systems are also susceptible to leaking. The hissing of leaking air is the sound of energy wasted! Complex systems commonly include many couplings, hoses, fittings, pressure regulators, condensate traps, valves, pipe joints, etc., which can degrade or corrode and develop leaks in multiple locations. Therefore, it is very important to have a regular maintenance plan for continually fixing leaks in the compressed air distribution system. According to the Compressed Air Challenge, an advocate group for the efficient use of compressed air, a single 1/8-inch hole in a typical system cost around $2,095 in lost energy per year, assuming continuous operation and electricity at $0.05 per kilowatt hour. When compressed air is only occasionally used, the most practical method to save energy is to turn off the compressor after it is needed and disconnect or fix leaky air lines. In addition, replacing pneumatic tools with electric motor driven alternatives generally results in energy savings. Consider the portability of electric battery powered tools as another major advantage over pneumatic tools consumers may have relied on in the past. Large commercial and industrial facilities should work with a professional contractor or consultant to complete a compressed air system audit and baseline study. They may identify ways to save thousands of dollars through maintenance or new equipment. Compressed air projects that result in energy efficiency improvements may even qualify for the EnergyWise SM Industrial Process Incentive Program through local participating utilities. In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, Southwest Public Power District wants to help their customers gain the most benefit from the electricity they provide. For additional ideas on how to make cost-effective efficiency improvements to your home or business, contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com for more information.

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey indicates that homes in our part of the Midwest consume nearly 9% of their electricity completing laundry. In addition to providing energy savings, all-in-one washer/dryers might provide solutions to other modern life challenges, such as appliance space or electrical circuit limitations. They may even help those who don’t enjoy transferring wet, heavy clothes from the washer to the dryer! All-in-ones are hardly new. Bendix Home Appliances introduced the first combination washer/dryer in 1953. These single front-loading machines wash and dry clothes in a single, sealed drum. Washing and drying can either be done in tandem or individually. But it wasn’t until the start of the 21st century that heat pump technology was added to make these units highly energy efficient compared to separate washer and dryer pairs. Washer/dryer combos wash clothes no differently than traditional washers. But those that use heat pump technology for drying provide energy savings of at least 28% for ENERGY STAR®-certified models. Since this technology evaporates the water out of clothes, then condenses that vapor before sending it down the drain, most do not require venting to outside the home. In 2020, General Electric conducted a survey and found the average consumer leaves clothes in the washer 130 minutes after the final cycle before transferring them to the dryer. Since washer dryer combinations automatically switch between the two processes, clothes won’t linger between cycles because someone forgot to transfer them. Combination units require much less space than traditional washer/dryer pairs, not only by being a single unit, but also by containing drums 1.6 to 4.8 cubic feet in size. By comparison, traditional dryers may have drums sizing from 7 to 9 cubic feet. Apartment dwellers often appreciate having that extra space for something else. Some units connect to a standard 110-volt outlet. Though standard clothes washers require the same, an additional 220-volt outlet must be available for traditional electric dryers. Not to mention, traditional electric dryers may have a different plug configuration than an existing 220-volt outlet accepts. All-in-one washer dryers are easy to find on-line or at appliance and other big box stores. However, do they really make doing laundry easier? Because some of their benefits may also be drawbacks, that may be a wash (haha). In one test comparing a manufacturer’s all-in-one heat pump washer/dryer against one of their traditional washer and dryer pairs, the all-in-one machine only consumed half as much energy. While washing took about the same time to complete, the all-in-one washer/dryer took 3½ hours to dry the 12-pound laundry load. The traditional dryer dried the same size load in less than an hour. Sequencing laundry loads can also be more time consuming. Since washer dryer combinations require users to first wash, then dry loads, they cannot simultaneously start washing the next load until the first is finished with the drying cycle. This can create unending wash days in larger households especially considering combination units often have smaller drums. Another consideration is how washer/dryer combinations use heat pump technology to operate. While drying, they exhaust cool air as part of the process. This can have an effect similar to an air conditioner. While often appreciated in the summer months, that can be a different story in the winter. A final note to think about: combination units generally cost more to purchase ($1,000 to $3,500), although all-in-one units with heat pump technology may qualify for some tax rebates. Southwest Public Power District, in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, proudly provides the power you need to keep up with the laundry. For other ways you can run your home or business efficiently, Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com for more ideas.

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer As the heat of summer cranks up, so do the central air conditioners and heat pumps across Nebraska. In fact, approximately 90% of homes in our state have one of these central cooling systems. The vast majority have a compressor unit that buzzes outside as the system removes heat from inside. But what if that buzzing stopped on the hottest of days? The Air Conditioning Contractors of America states that about 85% - 90% of residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) replacements are performed on an emergency basis. This is to be expected since those days stress HVAC systems the most. Proper maintenance of your cooling system helps ensure a longer, more energy efficient life, and your local electric utility can provide an incentive when you have a professional HVAC technician perform a cooling system tune up. But inevitably, the day will come when you ask yourself, “Should I have it repaired again or replace it?” Rather than waiting until sweltering heat brings your unit down, start thinking today about the following: System age Most HVAC equipment manufacturers will say outdoor central air conditioning and air-source heat pump units should last around 15 to 20 years if properly maintained. Other factors influencing longevity include correct sizing, proper installation, temperature setting preferences, environmental exposure and geographical location. If your outdoor unit is more than 10 years old, start familiarizing yourself with replacement options and costs. Frequency of repairs Look back at your unit’s history to gain some insight of its future. Does it seem like your system has needed to undergo repair work in addition to maintenance year after year? Have a number of unforeseen problems popped up the past few years? If your cooling system has had a difficult life, it’s not likely to suddenly get easier as time goes on. The $5,000 rule Some repairs can easily cost more than $1,000. Try using the “$5,000 rule” when considering whether to replace the unit. Simply multiply the age of the outdoor unit with the estimated repair cost. If that amount is more than $5,000, it might be time to replace the unit. R-22 refrigerant Older air conditioners generally require R-22 refrigerant, which is known to cause damage to the environment. Also, the price for R-22 has increased astronomically! By January 1, 2010, the U.S. banned the production and importation of R-22. As a result, manufacturers of heat pump and air conditioning equipment redesigned their systems to accommodate R-410A, a chlorine-free refrigerant. Since 2015, R-410A has become the standard for residential air conditioning. Energy efficiency The U.S. Department of Energy began enforcing minimum efficiency standards for HVAC equipment in 1992. For cooling, residential heat pumps and central air-conditioners were required to have a minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) of 10. By 2006, that minimum efficiency level was increased to a SEER rating of 13. Just recently, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 (SEER2) testing procedure was developed to better reflect current field conditions. Effective January 1, 2023, new central air conditioners and heat pumps are required to meet or exceed a 13.4 SEER2 rating. Today, some units exceed a SEER2 rating of 27. In general, the higher the SEER2 rating, the better the efficiency. Southwest Public Power District, in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, recognizes the importance of keeping your home cool this summer. To help with those associated costs, they offer the EnergyWiseSM Cooling System Tune-Up and High Efficiency Heat Pump Incentive Programs. For further details, contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com for more information.

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer Of the more than one million food service businesses in the United States, the National Restaurant Association estimates more than 260,000 are full-service restaurants. Considering the average restaurant serves about 100 customers per day, that means a lot of dirty dishes! Not surprisingly, pre-rinsing, washing and sanitizing consumes the largest amount of hot water in commercial kitchens. Unlike most residential kitchens, commercial kitchens tend to use pre-rinse spray valves (PRSVs) to remove food waste from dishes prior to dishwashing. Their concentrated jet of hot water reduces the scraping and scouring necessary before sending dishes to the dishwasher. Food service establishments run nearly 53 billion gallons of hot water through PRSVs each year. Replacing an old, inefficient pre-rinse spray valve with a high-efficiency, DOE-compliant model can save a typical commercial kitchen more than 7,000 gallons of water per year. Commercial dishwasher design can vary greatly depending on how many employees, visitors, and/or customers are served. Smaller facilities serving fewer than 60 people per day often hand-wash dishes or use undercounter dishwashers similar to residential units. As the number of customers served increases, stationary door- or hood-type commercial dishwashers are selected by establishments serving 100 people or more per day. These may be manually front-loaded with racks or have conveyor belts that automatically run dishes through. The most efficient commercial dishwashers reuse water from one wash load to the next, using one or more holding tanks. This not only reduces water use, but also reduces the amount of energy required to heat additional water. Commercial dishwashers that have earned the ENERGY STAR® rating are on average 40% percent more energy and water-efficient than standard models. ENERGY STAR®-certified dishwashers have features such as advanced controls and diagnostics, improved nozzles and rinse arm design to save $1,300 annually and $16,000 over the product lifetime when compared to standard dishwashers. Restaurants can further improve dishwashing efficiency with the following inexpensive good practices: • Run fully loaded dish racks through the dish machine. Cutting the number of wash cycles can save hundreds of dollars annually in energy, water, and chemical charges. • Pay attention to the dishwasher’s pressure gauge—if it’s showing pressure above 25 psi, it’s likely using much more water than necessary. Most commercial dishwashers require only around 20 psi. • Conveyor-style dishwashers should be used in auto mode, which saves electricity by running the conveyor motor only when needed. • Install a booster heater for high-temperature dishwashers rather than turning the facility’s water heater up. • Use a commercial ventilation hood over high temperature washers and switch it off during idle periods or when washing is complete. • Replace any torn wash curtains or worn spray nozzles. • Repair leaks and perform regular maintenance. In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, Southwest Public Power District wants to help food service establishments make the most from the energy needed to clean and sanitize kitchenware and dishes. For additional ways on how you can make your home or business EnergyWiseSM,contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com for more information.

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer First introduced in the 1950s, recessed lighting or “can lighting” is still a popular choice for residential and commercial lighting. Traditionally, these fixtures consist of a cylindrical or square-shaped metal housing that extends above the ceiling so only the trim or baffle is visible on the ceiling surface. A lamp or bulb is screwed into a socket mounted inside the top of the housing. When switched on, the fixture provides a streamlined and unobtrusive appearance that complements various interior design styles. Despite these benefits, recessed can lights have a reputation for being inefficient. Though they can be fitted with an energy-efficient LED bulb, many still use less-efficient incandescent bulbs. Recessed fixtures with housing that is not sealed can also lose costly heated or cooled air from the space below. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, these energy losses can account for up to 50% of a ceiling’s total thermal loss. Though customers can install a more expensive, sealed can light or retrofit existing fixtures with seals, they now have another choice: canless recessed lights. Canless recessed lighting refers to a type of fixture installed directly into the ceiling. They do not have a recessed can or housing that extends above. Moreover, canless recessed lights are self-contained units that integrate the housing, trim, and light source into a single fixture. They are an ideal option for existing homes and facilities as they do not require any large holes in the ceiling and can be easily retrofitted to existing can lights. Compared to traditional recessed lights, canless recessed lights are generally more compact, allowing for quick and easy installation. This makes them suitable for installations in areas with limited space between the ceiling and other structures, like ductwork or pipes. They also have better energy efficiency since they eliminate the need for separate housing that is prone to air leakage and heat loss while utilizing solid-state LED lighting technology which produces the most amount of light per watt of electricity. Since LEDs produce very little heat compared to other bulb options, customers also save on cooling costs. Much like their predecessors, canless recessed lights offer multiple trim options, like baffle, pinhole or eyeball trim, to suit different design preferences. Perhaps the best surprise customers find is that canless fixtures typically cost 25% to 50% less when compared to their canned cousins. Like many other high-performing lighting products, manufacturers can submit their canless recessed fixture products for ENERGY STAR® recognition. Those displaying the ENERGY STAR® label on their packaging are the easiest way customers can assure they are selecting a quality, energy-efficient light. In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, Southwest Public Power District wants to help their customers gain the most benefit from the electricity they provide. For additional ideas on ways you can make cost-effective efficiency improvements to your home or business, contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com for more information.

By: NPPD Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is committed to working in partnership with local utility customers to maximize the value of their energy purchases in a cost-effective manner. To understand its importance in our future, we need to examine where energy efficiency began. As intelligence evolved, energy efficiency included finding easier ways to get work done. For example, the invention of the wheel was an early advance in energy efficiency. Fire is the oldest major source of energy controlled by humans. Its earliest uses began with and grew from cooking to heating of dwellings, clearing land, baking pottery and casting metal. Controlled fires required a considerable amount of effort for gathering fuel, so efficiency arose in the use of fuel. Around the start of the 18th century, fire powered the first steam engine. Its development was revolutionary since, for the first time, fire could produce mechanical work. It also gave rise to searching for ways to achieve higher efficiency. This scientific discipline eventually evolved into what we now call mechanical engineering. Only a few decades later, practical use of electrical power emerged, and by the end of the 19th century, humans began to produce more and more electricity to power incandescent lights and motors. Shortly thereafter, the invention of innumerable small machines and labor-saving devices made electricity a ubiquitous commodity. By the beginning of the 20th century, energy consumption per capita was accelerating. The 1973 "energy crisis" brought the realization that energy sources might not keep pace with mankind's ability to use energy. Energy efficiency as we know it today began and was called “conservation” with the concept of “Just Use Less.” Congress established the Department of Energy in 1977 to diversify energy resources and promote conservation. The electric industry began to see efficiency as an energy resource whose avoided cost is less than building another power plant or procuring in the wholesale market to meet customer demand. Efficiency programs began to yield market impacts beyond cost-effective energy savings. On March 15, 1992, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency launched the ENERGY STAR® brand to help customers recognize high efficiency options. Around the same time, performance contracting began to provide access to needed capital and services for building energy performance improvements. Recognizing that efficiency provided benefits beyond just saving energy, utilities began ramping up programs shortly after the start of the current millennium. Non-energy benefits such as managing electrical demand, increasing electric grid resilience and reliability, creating jobs, advancing technology and reducing greenhouse gas emissions became apparent. Electrification is also a form of energy efficiency. As cited in Forbes, on Nov. 9, 2023, “Transitioning from a fossil energy system to a fully electrified one could cut up to 40% of final energy consumption. In buildings, for example, Artificial intelligence-driven technologies can save up to 20% in a building’s energy costs by combining building, weather, and user data to predict heating and ventilation demand. Load-shifting can also be automated to cool supermarket freezers down to a much lower temperature than required outside the peak demand hours. When peak demand periods occur, refrigeration is switched off and the freezers effectively operate like a battery storing energy.” In homes, air-conditioning systems can be operated in a similar way to provide energy demand reductions during peak periods while still maintaining indoor comfort. Going forward, efficiency will be increasingly recognized for its financial and strategic value. There is a renewed focus on getting the most economic value from each unit of energy. Renewable generation will continue to grow, as well as energy storage, demand management and re-using waste heat. For years, Southwest Public Power District, in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, has been dedicated to safely generating and delivering reliable, low-cost, sustainable energy and related services, while providing outstanding customer service. For additional ideas on ways you can make cost-effective efficiency improvements to your home or business, contact Southwest Public Power District or visit www.energywisenebraska.com for more information.