Bills for electricity and natural gas are expected to be much higher this winter. Black Hills Energy, the natural gas company that serves the Eureka Springs area, estimates costs for natural gas will be up 46 percent this season. SWEPCO customers, already paying a fuel surcharge for the polar vortex in February 2021, are expected to see bills increase 17 percent on average if the Arkansas Public Service Commission approves a recent SWEPCO rate increase request.
About six to eight months ago, I received an email offer for a joint energy audit program of SWEPCO and Black Hills Energy. The service is free and includes energy upgrades such as attic insulation and weatherstripping.
Recently two technicians with E3 Solutions, a company contracted to do work for utility companies, showed up and, within two hours, they had cut by about half the amount of air infiltration that was making it harder to heat and cool my home.
I thought my house was in pretty good shape… in the late 1800s it was a horse stable but has been extensively remodeled and added onto over the years. There is insulation in the walls and in the attic. I was surprised by how many flaws the house had when it came to energy efficiency.
They found a mysterious hole over the bathroom cabinets that was venting hot air into the attic. It must have been a vent hole from a previous remodel. No wonder the bathroom has been so cold in the winter. There were gaps around where a ceiling fan had been installed. This is one of the higher points of the house, so it was allowing hot air to be vented into the attic in the winter and hot air from the attic could come into the home during the summer. The technicians quickly got that sealed with clear caulk.
They weather stripped the front and back doors in the home. Now, not only do I have tighter door seals, but the doors are easier to open and close. They foam-sealed the kitchen and bathroom plumbing penetrations from the interior. They climbed up in the attic and foam sealed plumbing, electrical penetrations, and top plates. They also clear caulked six window frames.
Ever been up in your attic on a hot summer day? A lot of how a home performs depends on adequate attic insulation. I had attic insulation, but it had condensed down over the years. It turns out it is now only rated at R-3.5 when R-38 is recommended. I’m going to be provided free attic insulation to bring it up to R-38. It may take six or eight months to get it installed depending on when the insulation contractors are doing work in our area, as they work around the state.
They gave me good marks for having all energy efficient LED lights, and high ratings for my gas heaters and woodstove.
For more information, see the website swepcosavings.com, call (888) 266-3130 or email info@SWEPCOsavings.com. The company also provides rebates for purchases of energy efficient appliances. There are similar programs for commercial businesses, industries, schools and government facilities.
Energy savings can help the company, as well as customers, by reducing peak electric demand and annual energy consumption, which could reduce the need to build new generation facilities and purchase energy when it is in highest demand. There are commercial incentives for lighting upgrades, heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades, air compressor system upgrades, and custom or process-related improvements.