Conservation
The Wells Hydroelectric Project is a tremendous asset for Douglas County PUD customers. It provides clean, renewable, low-cost hydropower to our area. Even though the power enjoyed in Douglas County is among the least expensive in the nation, it should not be wasted.
Save energy in the summer cooling season:
- Raise your thermostat by two degrees to reduce your cooling system load.
- Clean or change air conditioning filters regularly. Dirty filters cause air conditioners to work harder and use more energy.
- Remove dust from the coils of your refrigerator and freezer so they operate more efficiently.
- Close your blinds during the heat of the day and open your window during the cool evening to give your air conditioner a rest.
- Turn off heat producing indoor lights and home computers when not in use. Turn off unnecessary outdoor lights.
- Fire up the barbecue grill to move cooking outdoors.
- Adjust your dishwasher so dishes dry without heat.
Prepare your home for winter heating season
Here’s a list of things you should do to prepare your home for comfort and power savings:
- Foundation vents. Use a piece of rigid foam insulation or fiberglass insulation to plug vents. Keeping the crawl space warmer will protect pipes from the cold and slow energy loss.
- Furnace and heat pump filters. Replace or clean clogged filters to help increase the unit’s efficiency and life expectancy.
- Furnace duct work. Use caulking or duct tape to seal duct work around seams and joints where warm air may be escaping. Close the crawlspace providing access to the duct work so dogs or cats don’t disturb duct insulation or disconnect duct work.
- Windows, electrical outlets, baseboard moldings. To keep cold air from entering, seal cracks around stationary surfaces with caulking; use weather-stripping around sliding windows, opening doors, etc.
Clean Energy Transformation Act – CETA
The Clean Energy Transformation Act was signed into law in 2019. This new law commits Washington to an electricity supply free of greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
Douglas PUD is fortunate to own and operate the Wells Hydroelectric Project which can more than cover county load with clean, reliable, carbon free power. The law also expands energy assistance program requirements for low-income households with a high energy burden. Click here to learn more about our Energy Assistance Discount.
Douglas PUD is currently going through a process to identify and develop meaningful conservation programs for our customers. More information will be posted here on ways to participate in these new programs.
Douglas PUD’s approved Clean Energy Implementation Plan