For Your Home

An energy auditSaving money on your home utility bill is a simple matter of combining a little specialized knowledge with a lot of good habits. Look here for information on both!

Energy AuditCall SUB for a free energy audit for your home.  A SUB staff member experienced in conservation measures will inspect and make recommendations on your insulation and windows, as well as other aspects of your home that can affect energy efficiency and water usage.  Call SUB today at 746-0963 to schedule an audit!
Rebates and Loans
Appliance Rebates
SUB offers rebates on a wide range of appliances, including:

Qualifying energy-efficient water heaters ($25)
Energy Star clothes washers ($70)
Energy Star dishwashers ($25)
Energy Star refrigerators ($25)

Also, if you have an old refrigerator, click here for more information on how SUB will pay you to recycle it!

Call 746-0963 for more information on any of the above programs, or print out the Appliance Rebate Form [pdf] here.

Heat Pump Loans
Get a 0% interest loan or $500 rebate to help pay for the purchase of an energy-efficient heat pump. Heat pumps are 2-3 times more efficient than electric furnaces, and can save you money over time. Call 746-0963 for more information, or view and download the appropriate forms:
Insulation Rebates and Loans
SUB offers a 0% interest loan or a 50% rebate on the cost of insulating the walls, ceiling and floor of your home. To qualify, SUB will conduct an energy analysis, recommend improvements, help you through the loan or rebate process and then inspect the completed work. In addition, for income-qualified customers, SUB offers a 100% rebate on insulation. Call 746-0963 for more information or view and download the appropriate forms:

Super Good Cents Manufactured Homes Rebates
Purchasing a new manufactured home? Ask for a Super Good Cents upgrade to ensure the most comfort and savings out of your new home. SUB will even offer you a $600 incentive to help cover the costs! Call 746-0963 to find out more, or print out the Super Good Cents rebate form [pdf] here.

Tax Credits

You can get a credit on your Oregon income taxes for making your home more energy-efficient and helping preserve Oregon’s environment through the Oregon Department of Energy.

To find out more about qualifying energy-efficient appliances, heating & air conditioning systems, and water heaters, click here for more information.

Special Programs

Refrigerator decommissioning
If you have an old refrigerator, SUB will pick it up free of charge and will give you a $25 credit for letting us recycle it for you. Click here or call SUB’s Conservation Connection for more information at 746-0963.


Compact Fluorescent Lighting Programs (CFL)
Lighting your home can use a lot of electricity, so making energy-efficient choices can make a difference when it comes time to pay your utility bill.

Luckily, the advent of compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) technology has meant homeowners and renters have a variety of lighting choices to choose from. Best of all, CFLs take almost no time to install, last for years, and save you money all the while. For example, switching a traditional 60-watt incandescent lightbulb to a 14-watt energy-efficient compact fluorescent lightbulb gives you the same amount of light, but will save SUB customers more than $25 over the life of the bulb!

To help homeowners and renters reduce make the switch to more efficient lighting, SUB regularly offers rebates, coupons and other incentives.

Check out our current offers here:
Change a Light; Change the World
CFL Discount Coupon Program
CFL Recycling Program



Change a Light; Change the World
In addition, the following local stores will be selling specialty CFLs (dimmable bulbs, recessed can high-heat bulbs, three-way bulbs, globe style and others) at a reduced cost from September 15, 2007 to May 31, 2008, or while supplies last (stores are in the process of stocking, so call first to ensure the product you want is in):

  • Costco
  • Home Depot
  • Wal-Mart
  • Bi-Mart


CFL Discount Coupon Program
SUB customers can pick up money-saving coupons good for $2 off any ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent lightbulb. The coupons are valid on single and multi-pack CFLs. Coupons expire December 31, 2008 and can be found at these participating Springfield retailers:

  • Jerry’s Home Improvement Center
  • B&I True Value


CFL Recycling Program
Because fluorescent lights (CFLs and linear tubes) contain a small amount of mercury (less than in traditional thermometers and thermostats), they should NOT be thrown in the trash, but should be disposed of properly with other household hazardous waste products. One of the best options is to recycle them by taking them to one of many local retailers. Learn more about this convenient residential recycling program for used CFLs and linear fluorescent tubes.

Saving WaterOn any given day, only about three percent of tap water in Springfield is used for drinking. The rest is used for landscaping, bathing, household chores and recreation and other activities. Luckily, saving water is more a matter of habits than high-tech gadgets. Here are some tips to get you started:
Kitchen
  • Run a pitcher full of water and keep it in the refrigerator rather than running the tap to get cold water.
  • Run your dishwasher only when it's full. You use up to 12 gallons each time, whether it's full or not.
  • Scrape your dishes prior to loading them; rinsing dishes is not necessary with most dishwashers.
  • Don't run the water when washing dishes by hand. Fill a sink with soapy water and then fill the other side with clean rinse water. If you only have one sink basin, put the sudsy dishes on the counter until you're finished and then fill up the basin with clean water for rinsing.
  • Use faucet aerators on all faucets. Like the water-saving showerhead, the aerators give you the same water pressure without using as much water.
Laundry
  • Conserve water by only washing full loads. Most washers use from 32 to 60 gallons of water per load. Set the water level appropriately for the amount or type of clothing you're washing.
  • Look for front-loading washers when buying a new appliance. They use up to one-third less water than top-loading machines. Also look for models with a variety of water level and temperature settings to maximize water and energy savings.
  • Look for Energy-Star appliances, which spin out more water, thus decreasing the time your laundry spends in the energy-hungry dryer. Some models are available for rebate through SUB. Click here for more information.
Bathroom
  • Take showers rather than baths whenever possible. Showers consume less than half of the 60 gallons normally required for a bath.
  • Install a low-flow showerhead and reduce your water consumption from 30 gallons for an average shower to just 13 gallons.
  • Turn off the tap when shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your hands and face. You'd be surprised how the gallons add up.
  • Reduce the amount of water your toilet uses with each flush. Fill a plastic container with water and weight it down in the tank. It will take up the space normally filled with water and save water each time you flush.
  • Check your plunger ball for leaks. Place a couple of drops of food coloring in the tank and watch the bowl to see if the color is seeping in. If so, you need to check the ball and the gasket it controls to see where the leak is.
  • When replacing your old toilets, purchase the new water-saving models, which use as little as 1.6 gallons per flush.
Watering Your Lawn

Lawns and gardens account for the vast majority of summertime water use. Keep your bill under control by following these easy tips:

  • Water in the early morning. Mid-day heat will evaporate much of the water before it can get to the leaves and roots of your plants and grass. Watering at night can lead to damaging mildew growth.
  • Lawns need a total of about one inch of water per week. Place several coffee cans or other wide-mouthed containers on your lawn while you're watering to determine when you've watered enough (it should take just 30-40 minutes).
  • Check automated sprinkler systems to make sure they're not over watering or watering unwanted areas. Also check to make sure the system is not leaking and wasting water. If you see soggy areas along buried irrigation lines or near sprinkler heads, you may have a problem.
  • Position your sprinklers to avoid watering sidewalks, driveways, and other paved areas.
  • Set your lawn mower blades one notch higher since longer grass means less evaporation. In very dry weather, leave the grass clippings in your yard to retain moisture and protect your grass from the heat.
  • Check for leaks in pipes, hoses, faucets, fixtures, and couplings. A faucet leaking one drop of water per second wastes 60 gallons of water per week, or almost 200 gallons in a month.
Landscaping Tips
Along with the good outdoor watering and maintenance habits, another way to keep summertime water bills under control is to use native and drought-tolerant plants in yoru landscaping. Called xeriscaping (pronounced “zeriscaping”), this practice can help you save time and money in the garden. Here are some basic xeriscaping principles:

  • Replace water-intensive grass with bark or drought-resistant grass. Grasses that require little water include Zoysia, Maiden Grass, Indian Grass, Autumn Moor Grass, and turf-type Tall Fescue. Check with your lawn and garden store to see if they carry these varieties or can order them for you.
  • If you enjoy having a lawn, make it small and place it close to your house where you will get the most use of it. Then, water your lawn only as often and as much as necessary, using the tips described in the section above. Remember, if the grass springs back when you step on it, there's no need to water. Lawns grow better when they're watered deeply and less frequently.
  • Trees are excellent choices for xeriscaping because they require little water and help prevent evaporation by shading your yard. Here are some trees that are good candidates for a water-saving landscape: Flowering Magnolia, Weeping Larch, Mock Orange, and Vine Maple. (Note: When placing trees adjacent to city streets, please follow the City of Springfield's guidelines for appropriate species.)
  • Bushes and shrubs can be both attractive and practical. Look at the varieties that have been naturally successful in your yard and use those as a guide for adding new plants and removing water-intensive bushes. Some suggestions for good xeriscaping flora include sword fern, Blue Carpet Juniper, lilac, and Spring Flowering Heather.
  • Plant flowers not just for their attractiveness but for their ability to use water efficiently. Here are some good examples of flowers that will brighten your yard but keep your water meter quiet: Siberian Iris, lavender, Sunset Cosmos, and yarrow.
  • Check with local garden shops for additional xeriscaping options. Plant with a plan in mind to avoid replanting or invalidating the water-saving properties of the grasses, trees, shrubs, and flowers.
  • Group plants with similar water needs together to simplify watering and avoid using too much water.
  • Place plants with higher water needs in areas where water drains naturally, such as in depressions or at the bottom of a hill.
  • Place a layer of mulch around trees and plants. It slows evaporation and discourages weed growth.
General Conservation Tips
  • Use a broom, not a hose, to clean driveways and sidewalks.
  • Have your children play in the sprinkler only when it's time to water the lawn.
  • Don't run the hose while washing your car. Clean the car with a bucket of soapy water and use the hose just to rinse it off.
  • Use covers to cut down on water evaporation from outdoor pools and hot tubs.
  • Check for household water leaks on a regular basis. Next time your house is empty for the weekend, check your water meter before you leave. Check it again when you get back before anyone has a chance to use any water. If the meter has moved, you may have a leak.
  • You can also leave a piece of paper under your faucets overnight to check for leaks.
  • While you wait for hot water to come through your pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or in the garden.
  • And remember, your City of Springfield sewer/stormwater charges are based on how much water you use from December through April – so saving water in winter can save you money in summer!
Hot Weather Program
When the weather gets very hot, even good water management habits may not be enough. During those times, SUB implements programs designed to spread water use over the course of the day. This keeps well systems from gettting stressed, and allows us to keep from drilling more wells, which keeps rates low for everyone.

Water by the Numbers
From June 15 to Sept. 15, SUB asks customers to water only on odd- or even numbered days of the month, based on your address. (If your address ends with an even number, you'd water on even-numbered days, etc.) This voluntary program reduces "peak" flows during the hottest months and helps keep water rates low.

Water Advisories
If weather forecasts predict temperatures above 97 degrees over the course of several days, SUB will broadcast water advisories asking customers to spread their water use across the day, helping to decrease “peak” times that can stress water systems. On those rare occasions when Springfield has extended periods of hot, dry weather, SUB may ask customers to join together in limiting optional water use until the temperatures return to normal.

Saving Electricity

SUB customers enjoy some of the lowest electricity rates in the nation. That said, by being a smart electricity consumer, you can be sure you never get shocked by high electricity bills. Here are some simple conservation tips to get you started:

Space Heating

  • Keep your thermostat set to 68° and use sweaters and blankets to warm up in the winter. For every degree you raise your thermostat, your heating bill goes up three percent!
  • Turn your thermostat down to 62° at night and 55° when you're gone. This is especially easy using today’s programmable thermostats.
  • With zonal heat (ceiling, baseboard, wall), you can heat only the rooms you are using. Make sure to close off rooms not in use.
  • Maintain your furnace or heating system with a yearly check-up. Follow your service technician's recommendations.
  • Clean furnace filters monthly.
  • Keep heat vents and registers unobstructed by curtains or furniture.
  • Circulate heated air in your home. If the warm air stagnates by your fireplace or furnace, use ceiling or portable fans on a low setting to spread the heat around.
  • Seal air leaks in your heating system. Make sure ductwork is air tight.
  • Seal leaks around power outlets by installing an inexpensive foam gasket, found at any hardware store, between the outlet and the cover.
  • Prevent air leaks around your fireplace by closing dampers and fireplace doors.
  • Use drapes as another layer of insulation over your windows during cold weather.


Space Cooling

  • Maintain fans and air conditioners so they're running at the highest efficiency.
  • Use appropriately-sized air conditioning units for the area you're trying to cool. Supplement your cooling system with fans that circulate the cool air. Focus cooling efforts on rooms you use frequently; don't cool unused rooms or areas.
  • Look for the Energy Star ratings when you're shopping for a new air conditioner: Above 9 EER (energy efficiency rating) for room air conditioners and above 12 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) for central air conditioning.
  • Seal and insulate air conditioning ducts.
  • Reduce your need for air conditioning by insulating your home and tightening window and door openings.
  • Close window coverings during the day to block out the sun.
  • Use well-placed awnings to shade summer sun but allow winter light in to your primary windows. Check with SUB’s Conservation Connection [2.1.2.1] for details about how to size and place your awnings appropriately.
  • Open upstairs and downstairs windows at night for cross ventilation; fans can further maximize the cooling effect.


Lighting

  • Install energy efficient light fixtures, both indoors and outside. Motion sensors indoors turn off the lights when you leave the room and activate them as soon as you enter. A photosensor on your outdoor lights saves electricity by turning lights on when it gets dark and off when it gets light again.
  • Install compact fluorescent lights – they can save you up to 75 percent over the energy usage of incandescent lights. Compact fluorescent bulbs cost more up front but will last 8 to 10 times longer, saving you money in the long run.
  • Turn lights off when you're not in the room. For lights that are often turned on and forgotten, use a socket timer that fits in a lamp socket before a light bulb is inserted. When the lamp is switched on manually, the timer switches it back off after a fixed amount of time.
  • Dust off your light bulbs. Built-up dirt and dust can decrease the bulb's output by 10 percent.
  • Install plug-in timers on radios and lamps to turn them on and off at realistic times when you're gone, saving energy and protecting against break-ins at the same time.
  • Use light-colored lamp shades. Make sure you're not defeating the purpose of your lamp with a dark shade that absorbs most of the light that's produced.
  • Think light when painting or redecorating. Light-colored walls and carpet not only make your rooms look bigger, they reflect more natural light and reduce the need for artificial light.


Appliances

  • When purchasing new appliances, choose an Energy Star model. The up-front cost may be more, but these appliances will pay for themselves with the energy they save.
  • Set older water heaters to 120° and insulate them to save electricity. (Note, however, that insulating newer energy efficient water heaters may void the manufacturer's warranty.) If you place a new water heater in your garage, set it on an insulated pad.
  • Most water heaters have an anode rod inserted in the top that runs inside the tank and draws rust and corrosion away from the sides of the tank. By changing the anode rod before it rusts through, you prevent the tank itself from rusting and increase the life of your water heater. Check your owner's manual to see if this option is available on your water heater.
  • Avoid sediment build-up in your hot water tank by draining several buckets out of the bottom tank drain valve. If you do this twice a year, you'll improve your heater's efficiency.
  • Convert your water heater to solar power. Even in our cloudy climate, a solar water heating system can produce 40 to 60 percent of your household's yearly hot water. If you're considering a solar water heating system, call 1-800-221-8035 to determine your qualification for Oregon Solar Tax Credits.
  • Insulate hot water pipes to reduce the amount of time it takes to get hot water to your faucet.
  • When cooking, use a microwave, electric skillet, or toaster oven as much as possible. All these items use less energy than your oven does.
  • Pre-heat your oven for ten minutes or less, and turn off your oven several minutes before the food is done; it will cook even as the oven cools. Glass and ceramic containers cook food more efficiently than metal containers. Keep the oven door closed as much as possible, since heat is wasted each time the door is opened.
  • Boil only as much water as you need. Match pan size and burner size for stove-top cooking, and keep pans covered to save energy.
  • Don't use foil to wrap the drip bowls under your burners. The foil can block the oven vent, preventing air from circulating normally. This shortens the heating element's life span and decreases the oven's heating efficiency.
  • Open your refrigerator door as infrequently as possible. Cool air escapes each time, increasing your energy usage.
  • Clean the air intake by your refrigerator's exterior coils at least once a year.
  • Defrost your freezer often to maintain its efficiency. Test your freezer and refrigerator gaskets by closing the door on a small piece of paper. If the paper slips out easily, it's time to replace the gasket.
  • Freezers work most efficiently when they are full. Fool your freezer into thinking it's full when it's not by placing milk containers partially filled with water in the freezer compartment. Leave room at the top of the containers for the water to expand as it freezes.
  • Use "air-dry" and other power-saving settings on your dishwasher. If your model doesn't include these features, turn the dishwasher off after the final rinse and prop the door open to let dishes dry. Only wash full loads.
  • Use the cold water setting on your washing machine whenever possible, and only wash full loads.
  • Clean your dryer's lint trap after each load. Sort clothes into loads of quick- and slow-drying items to keep your dryer from running longer for a few difficult items. Line-dry as many of your clothes as possible.

In general

  • Call SUB at 746-0963 for an energy audit. A SUB energy expert will visit your home and recommend energy saving improvements. It's free, easy to do, and will put you on the right track to making energy saving changes to your home.
  • Be sure the insulation in your home is adequate: SUB recommends R-19 in the floor, R-11 in walls, and R-38 in attic spaces.
  • Caulk window frames and door frames to prevent air leakage. Compensate for ill-fitting doors by adding weather stripping.
  • Patch holes in your drywall. This takes only a few minutes and will keep heat from escaping.
  • Plant deciduous trees on your home's southwest side. The leaves will block heat in the summer and fall off in the winter, allowing winter sunlight to warm your home.
  • Plant evergreen trees (conifers) on the north and west sides of your home to block chilling winter winds and intense summer heat.
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