1. 
   Refrigerator Recycling
2. Energy Tip
3. Generator Safety
4. Finances





Norris Public Power
606 Irving Street
Beatrice, NE 68310
402.223.4038
www.norrisppd.com

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Chances are, that old working refrigerator or freezer sitting in your garage is running up your electric bill. That’s because it can use up to three times as much energy as a newer model.

But now there’s an easy solution: JACO Environmental will pick up your older model for free, and you’ll pick up $35 in cold cash when you recycle it.

Beginning March 1st, JACO Environmental, an appliance recycler, will pick up and recycle refrigerators and freezers that are in working condition. This program is available to residential customers of Norris Public Power District and our wholesale power supplier, NPPD, on a first-come, first-served basis.
The program is partially funded through the waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Grant Program and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. Customers must own the unit(s) being recycled. Limit two units per residential address.

To schedule a Free pickup, call toll-free 1.866.444.9160 or sign up online at www.jacoinc.net .

One of the easiest ways to save energy is to install a programmable thermostat. Standard thermostats only save energy if the occupant remembers to turn them up or down, depending upon the season and his or her life-style. However, a programmable thermostat does the thinking for you — adjusting your home or apartment’s heating and cooling system to maximize comfort and efficiency, while saving money when possible.

With a programmable thermostat, the occupant programs the unit to control the temperature at various levels throughout the day. During the winter, for example, it is prudent to set back the temperature five to ten degrees when your home is unoccupied and while you are sleeping. Heat pumps utilize programmable thermostats with a special feature in them that allows the heat pump to gradually bring the home back to occupied setting to optimize your energy savings!

Likewise, during the summer, the thermostat’s temperature should be set five to ten degrees higher during unoccupied and sleeping hours. This efficient operation of your home’s heating and cooling system helps save energy and money, since the heating or cooling system runs less than if it were set at an unchanging temperature 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A programmable thermostat costs between $150 and $200, but has the potential to save about the same amount each year for the life of your heating/cooling equipment. The savings can really add up! Get the most value for your money, each and every day.

Portable generators are very handy to have during storm outages for keeping the lights and heat on. Proper use and connection of the generator will provide a safe environment for yourself and utility workers.

For yourself, make sure the generator is sized properly to power all of the appliances you deem essential. An undersized, overloaded generator can cause serious damage to itself or the appliances it is trying to power, putting you right back in the dark. Gas powered generators need good ventilation as the exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide. Running them outdoors or in an outbuilding or garage with the doors wide open is the best bet.

A danger for utility workers is connecting your generator to the main electrical supply of your house and backfeeding electricity onto the grid. Line technicians attempting to restore your power can come into contact with the unidentified power source you created and be injured or killed. To avoid backfeeding, a licensed electrician should install a double-pole, double-throw switch between the generator and utility power in compliance with all state and local electrical codes. Opening this switch when your generator is running will insure safe working conditions for our linemen.

2009 financial information will be available in the March issue of the Norris News. The District’s financial results for 2009 met expectations despite two major outages due to storms in November and December. The weather had an impact on operations as the year started out warmer than the previous year but finished colder than the previous year. Also, agricultural customers were affected by the weather as the District experienced higher revenues in 2009 versus 2008 for irrigation and grain drying. Full financial details will be available in the March Norris News.