Smart thermostats: Worth it?

Late winter and early spring weather in Nebraska can range from devasting blizzard conditions all the way to higher temperatures that haven’t been reached since last fall. They can include high humidity or drought and dry conditions. Regardless of the timing, the weather in Nebraska is famous for changing significantly in a short period of time. During one spring week a customer reported 3 early morning outages over the course of 4 consecutive days. As a customer, it can be quite frustrating to call in over and over again. Especially after normal operating hours and waiting for a crew to respond before getting your own day started. It can be equally frustrating for a crew to respond to the same location multiple times without finding an obvious reason for the outage. But there are simply times that finding and repairing the cause can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Most of the time, crews are looking for something obvious that may have broken along the line. Poles, wires or insulators broken or out of place are easy to spot and usually indicative of the problem. However, it is not entirely unusual for a responding crew to arrive and find nothing out of the ordinary along the stretch of line believed to be the source of the fault. In our industry the events themselves are usually caused by one of three things: man, machine or environment. Weather, wild animals, heavy equipment and human interactions that may have caused this outage could be long gone by the time the utility crews arrive leaving no evidence of their activities. Large birds, critters, vehicles or even high humidity exposing an opportunity for a fault might not be visible during line patrol.  Such was the case as indicated by the pictures you see here. After the 3 rd call, lines were isolated and non-residential services were disconnected for about a week to allow for a pole-top to pole-top inspection of the area suspected to be near the source of the outage. An intact insulator that became dirty and corroded and a steel cutout that carried the fault searching for ground, the top of the pole was eventually determined to be the culprit. Without a broken insulator, hanging wire or electrical arcing visible from the ground line patrol at 3:00 am, this was a cause crews were simply unable to observe. The high humidity of fog or precipitation in the air was a contributing factor. However once the fog lifted and weather conditions were normal, this was not detectible. The burn mark on the outside of the pole seems insignificant, but to a trained eye, it signifies a problem.

By: NPPD's Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer In 1906, the Pennsylvania Railroad began using the first battery-powered industrial truck to move baggage between platforms, speeding the loading and unloading of passenger trains. Often nicknamed the "Electric Porter," this equipment became the original predecessor of today’s electric forklifts.  While the need for more lifting power led to the development of fuel-powered forklifts during World War I, recent developments and cost reductions in lithium-ion battery technology have led to electric lifts outselling fuel-powered by nearly 3 to 1 in the world market today. Distribution centers, manufacturing facilities and third-party logistics providers are heavily investing in electric forklifts and intelligent fleet management systems to improve productivity and reduce operational downtime. Here are a few more advantages electric forklifts have over fuel-powered lifts: Less maintenance – Upkeep is generally limited to brakes, tires, and basic battery care. Fewer moving parts – Unlike fuel-powered units, electric forklifts have no engine, transmission or radiator. No emissions – In addition to eliminating ventilation concerns, electric lifts are safer for food and pharmaceutical facilities. Lower cost – In addition to reducing battery cost and bringing initial purchase prices down to comparably sized fuel-powered forklifts, electric units boast lower maintenance and energy costs. Smoother, quieter ride – Without an internal combustion engine producing noise and vibration, electric forklifts provide a better user experience. Smoother acceleration – Since electric units do not have a clutch, operators do not experience the common “jump” of an open differential used in fuel-powered forklifts. Often lighter, smaller – Unless the weight is necessary for counterbalancing, owners can often select an electric lift that weighs less and has a smaller footprint than a fuel-powered unit. This makes it easier to maneuver in tight aisles, easier to transport and less likely to damage floors. Repowering – Batteries can be easily swapped in the same amount of time or less than refueling. Recharging batteries during off-peak hours allows large facilities to take advantage of certain utility rate programs. In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, your local public power provider wants to help you do the heavy lifting. To find additional ways electrical technologies can make it easier to complete the job, contact your local utility or visit www.energywisenebraska.com.

If you have your expensive electronic devices plugged into surge protectors, good for you! But if you bought surge protectors, plugged everything into them and forgot all about them, you could be overlooking a potential problem: Old surge protectors wear out and need replacing every now and then. Surge protectors do not last forever. The components that absorb electrical surges can wear out over time. After enough surges, a device may continue working as a power strip while providing little or no surge protection.. Check your surge protector occasionally. Many models have an indicator light that shows whether surge protection is still active. If the light is off, consult the manufacturer's instructions. It may be time for a replacement. Inspect the device’s cord and outlets. Replace the unit if you see scorch marks, cracks, frayed wires or other damage. A power strip that feels unusually warm should also be replaced. Experts often recommend replacing surge protectors every few years, especially in areas that experience frequent storms and power fluctuations.  A quick inspection takes only a minute. A stereo system or piece of home theater equipment that gets fried during a power surge ruins that investment forever.

Ceiling fans can make a room feel cooler. But they do not actually lower the temperature in that space. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, fans create a wind-chill effect that helps people feel cooler. The room itself does not become cooler. In fact, DOE says, ceiling fans may allow homeowners to raise the thermostat setting by about 4 degrees in the summer without reducing comfort. That means a fan saves energy only when people are there to enjoy the breeze. Running a ceiling fan in an empty room does not improve comfort and uses electricity unnecessarily. Also, did you know that you need to change the direction that your fan blades spin every spring and fall?  During summer, ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise. That pushes air downward and creates the cooling effect people feel. Running them in the wrong direction for the season won’t keep you comfortable.

Southwest Public Power District has an opening for the position of Journeyman or Apprentice power line worker for the Benkelman location. Duties include, but are not limited to, maintenance and construction of overhead and underground distribution and sub-transmission facilities. The District operating hours are a compressed work schedule with every other Friday off. After-hours and on-call duty are required. This position requires heavy lifting, pole climbing, and other strenuous activity and working well with other crew members. Must be able to complete associated written and electronic documentation. Must possess a valid Class B CDL and pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol test. Southwest Public Power District offers an excellent wage and benefit package, including paid vacation, sick leave, paid health insurance, and funded retirement plan. Southwest Public Power District’s headquarters office is in Palisade, Nebraska. The region’s schools, small communities, and recreational opportunities make it a great place to live and raise a family. Interested individuals must email a resume, including job training and three references to: jobs@swppd.com. Southwest Public Power District is an equal opportunity employer. Position will be open until filled.

When an electric bill suddenly rises, many people assume their electric cooperative raised its rates. Sometimes that’s the case. But more often, the biggest reason is simple: You used more electricity. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nearly 90% of U.S. households use air conditioning. During hot weather, cooling systems run longer and more often. Even if the price of electricity stays the same, using more electricity means a higher bill. Heat waves can have a bigger effect than you might realize. A few extra days of very hot weather may cause an air conditioner to run for hours longer each day. Refrigerators, freezers and dehumidifiers may also work harder during extreme heat. If your bill seems unusually high, compare your electricity use with the same month last year. Most utility bills show the number of kilowatt-hours used. That number can tell you whether the increase came from higher use, higher rates or a combination of both. You can also look for simple causes if you notice an unexpected jump in your energy use. A clogged air filter, a thermostat set a few degrees lower than usual or windows receiving direct afternoon sun can all increase cooling costs.  The next time your electric bill arrives, don't just look at the amount due. Check how much electricity you used. The answer to a higher bill is often hiding in that number.

By: NPPD's Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer According to Consumer Reports , 2018 was the first automotive production year when more new models were equipped with light-emitting diode (LED) headlights than halogen or high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. Today, all new electric and hybrid vehicles are equipped with LEDS, as are most internal combustion engine vehicles. However, in June of 2026, of the 297.5 million registered vehicles in the United States, more than two-thirds were manufactured before 2018. If you drive one of these earlier-model cars, you are likely to be using the older lighting technologies to see your way down the road at night. Should you upgrade your headlights? Consider these points: Brighter illumination The number of lumens a light produces is a measurement of the total perceived light emitted by a source. As an example, a standard 100-watt incandescent lightbulb produces about 1,600 lumens. LED headlights produce 3,000 to 12,000 lumens to provide impressive lighting ranges that can reach beyond 300 yards. In comparison, halogen or HID headlights only produce 1,000 to 1,500 lumens and have a shorter lighting range that only reaches up to 150 yards. Energy Efficiency Depending on which headlights are being compared, LEDs are four to ten times more efficient than halogen or HID headlights in converting electricity to light. This is one of the main reasons LEDs can produce so many more lumens on an automobile’s headlamp circuit than the older technologies. Better visual acuity and safety When describing “white” light, the term “Kelvin” (using the symbol “K”) is used to describe how “warm” or “cool” the color is; the lower the Kelvin level, the warmer and more yellowish the light is. Traditional halogen and HID headlights produce light around 3200K. LED headlights produce crisp, directional white light around 5000K to 6500K, which improves contrast and distance visibility to the human eye. Less eye fatigue Studies have shown that the sharper contrast described above allows drivers to spot road signs, lane markings and obstacles much earlier, thus reducing cognitive and visual load during extended nighttime trips. Longer lifespan and lower overall cost Drivers using halogen or HID headlights typically get about 1,000 to 2,000 hours of use before they replace them again at an average cost of $20 to $60 per pair. Even though LED headlights cost three to five times more at an average cost of $50 to $175 per pair, they will last 30,000 to 50,000 hours and save money and time through fewer future replacements. Your local public power provider, in partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, wants to help you make the most of the energy they provide. That includes helping you safely and comfortably travel from point A to point B at night. To find additional ways electrical technologies can improve efficient use of energy in our lives, contact your local utility or visit www.energywisenebraska.com.

Summer heat can be tough on people. It can also be tough on batteries. Many of the devices we use every day contain lithium-ion batteries. That includes phones, laptops, tablets, power tools, e-bikes and e-scooters. These batteries work best when they stay within a moderate temperature range. Excessive heat can shorten battery life and, in rare cases, create safety risks. One of the worst places for a battery-powered device is a parked car. On a sunny day, temperatures inside a vehicle can climb quickly. Leaving a phone or laptop in a hot car can damage the battery and reduce its ability to hold a charge. Watch for warning signs. If a battery becomes unusually hot, starts swelling, leaks fluid or gives off a burning smell, stop using the device immediately. Damaged lithium-ion batteries can become dangerous. A few simple steps can help: • Keep devices out of direct sunlight. • Do not leave them in hot vehicles. • Use the charger recommended by the manufacturer. • If a battery-powered device becomes very hot while charging, unplug it and let it cool.  A little heat awareness can help your devices last longer and operate more safely.

By: NPPD's Energy Efficiency Program Manager Cory Fuehrer If you have traveled from Nebraska’s panhandle towards the southeast in the middle of summer, you likely know it can be a long and hot road trip. However, the further south and east you travel, you will probably notice that it is not only the temperature that is rising: humidity. High humidity can make those summer days feel even sweltering. While air-conditioning systems are tasked with removing most of this excess indoor humidity, many homes and businesses in the eastern half of the state also require stand-alone dehumidifiers to achieve acceptable levels. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommend a humidity levels between 40 and 50% for most indoor environments. In addition to eliminating the muggy, clammy feeling, additional dehumidification can: Improve air quality Lessen allergy and asthma symptoms Inhibit mold growth Diminish musty odors Reduce airborne dust Suppress dust mites Protect a home or building’s structural integrity However, operating dehumidifiers can have a dramatic impact on summer utility bills. Even a medium-sized portable unit (50 pints per day) can add an additional $100 per month if the unit is set to operate continuously on its highest setting. If your home or business requires a separate dehumidifier to manage humidity level, here are some ideas of how to do it most efficiently. When shopping for a dehumidifier, purchase an ENERGY STAR®-certified model. Dehumidifiers that earn this certification use more efficient refrigeration coils, compressors and fans to remove the same amount of moisture as a similarly sized conventional unit but use about 15% less energy. Dehumidifier efficiency is measured with an Integrated Energy Factor (IEF), which is in the amount of electricity (kilowatt hours (kWh)) the unit consumes for each liter (L) of moisture removed from the air. To be eligible for certification, minimum IEF values are: Units rated up to 25 pints/day – IEF of =.70 L/kWh or greater. Units rated at 25.01 to 50 pints/day – IEF = 2.01 L/kWh or greater. Units at over 50 pints/day – IEF = 3.30 L/kWh or greater. Set the humidistat so the dehumidifier does not run continuously. For basements in the summertime, 50% relative humidity is recommended. In colder weather, relative humidity levels between 25 and 40% are advised to reduce condensation on windows. Tightly close all windows and doors to the area being conditioned to minimize humidity coming from outside air. Place the dehumidifier in the area with the highest humidity but avoid creating a safety hazard by placing it in or near water. Dehumidifiers are not the solution to standing water (or running water) in basements. Make sure the dehumidifier is connected to a properly grounded outlet. Position the dehumidifier away from the wall or furniture so air can freely circulate through the unit. Hook up a drain hose to the dehumidifier to eliminate the need to continuously empty the tank. Keep the dehumidifier clean. Wipe or vacuum dust and dirt from the coils and fan. If you have a choice of fan speeds, higher speeds are more efficient, though lower speeds are quieter. Reduce energy use during peak electric use periods. Put your dehumidifier on a timer to turn it on at 9 p.m. and off at 10 a.m. In partnership with Nebraska Public Power District, your local utility wants to help you stay cool, comfortable and healthy this summer. Contact them or visit www.enerywisenebraska.com if you would like more information on ways to improve your energy efficiency, as well as various EnergyWiseSM incentives that may be available to you for implementing energy efficient technologies.