Residential Advanced Meter Volunteer List
Interested in a residential advanced meter? Click HERE to add your name to the volunteer list!
Landscaping: Saves Power, Reduces Costs
For many homeowners, spring is a time for landscaping. But did you know landscaping can save on power use and energy costs? According to the USDA Forest Service, properly placed landscaping can save 20 to 50 percent in energy used for heating, and the Arbor Day Foundation states creating shade with landscaping can reduce air conditioning costs by up to 35 percent.
Shade trees on the west side of a house can act as windbreaks if the lot is open, and trees with a large canopy can shade roofs - reducing cooling costs. Evergreen trees on the north and west sides can give protection year round, from the setting summer sun to cold winter winds.
The best locations for deciduous trees are on the south and east sides of a house. In the autumn and winter when the leaves fall, more sunlight can reach the house. If you open your drapes, you can let the sunshine heat your home for free.
Are you in the planning stages of landscaping? A tree that will reach a medium to large size should be planted about 15 to 20 feet from the side of a house and 12 to 15 feet from the corner.
With Arbor Day on Friday in April, now is the perfect time to enhance or start your landscaping. For help in tree selection, visit a local garden center or check out extension services such as Ohio State University, http://extension.osu.edu/, and Penn State, http://extension.psu.edu/.
Do be mindful about your tree selection and location. Be careful not to plant tall trees by power lines.
Shrubs or small trees can be used to shade air conditioning or heat pump equipment that sits outside. Before you plant, consider the size at maturity. Plants should not be closer than three feet to the compressor. While fruit and seed trees are beautiful, you might want to avoid them as their droppings can be messy and clog air conditioners. It is important to note, never plant anything in front of pad-mounted electrical transformers.
Source: AMP Public Power Connections Spring 2013 edition.
Power Supply Cost Adjustment
The Power Supply Cost Adjustment will be adjusted from the amount of $0.04188 per kilowatt-hour to $0.04619 per kilowatt-hour effective for bills with a due date after December 31, 2012. This adjustment is necessary and justified due to energy and/or transmission cost increases.
Help Prevent Copper Theft
Together with the Westerville Police Department, the Westerville Electric Division has provided THIS DOCUMENT to inform residents how to prevent copper theft and what information to report.