by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
Representatives from the Sewanee Utility District, Elk River Public Utility District and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation were on hand at the Nov. 19 Sewanee Civic Association dinner meeting to offer timely advice on how to save energy and water.
Sewanee Utility District (SUD) provides water for the mountaintop regions of Franklin and Marion counties. SUD manager Ben Beavers offered tips on how to keep water bills low. Simple things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth and limiting the time you spend in the shower can add up to huge savings, Beavers said.
He recommended composting rather than using the disposal, using a rain barrel to catch water for gardens and yards, and running the dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Dishwashers and clothes washers using far less water are now available, Beavers added. He suggested using unsweetened Kool Aid to check for a leaky toilet flapper: pour the colored drink mix in the tank and wait overnight to see if colored water seeped into the toilet bowl. If a leak exists, get it repaired.
In preparation for cold weather, Beavers advised insulating pipes and making sure the water was turned off and spray nozzle removed from outside garden hoses. A burst pipe or hose can leak eight to fifteen gallons per minute, costing the customer $11 or more per hour.
Elk River Public Utility District (ERPUD) is a nonprofit business that supplies natural gas to Franklin and Coffee counties. Marketing representative Levoid Baltimore said the present abundant supply of natural gas has some very positive consequences.
ERPUD can buy one-third of its capacity in the summer when the cost is low and can lock in low prices with long-term contracts. On the commercial side, the low cost of natural gas is bringing companies that moved overseas back to the United States, creating jobs. Baltimore offered several tips for saving energy in the cold weather: set the thermostat lower; purchase a programmable thermostat that can be set to turn down the heat when no one is home; invest in energy-efficient windows and seal windows and doors with weatherstripping; install a dual-fuel heat pump; and buy energy-efficient appliances. A tankless water heater can save customers 30–50 percent on their natural gas bill. For customers struggling with paying their bill, financial assistance is available through numerous agencies, including South East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA), Good Samaritan and the Salvation Army.
Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative with more than 71,000 members in a six-county area. Patrick Hannah, manager of the Decherd/Sewanee district office, provided an overview of DREMC’s Beat the Peak program, designed to encourage customers to use less electricity during high-demand periods when the cost to DREMC is high. DREMC notifies participants of expected high-demand periods by text or e-mail, and the customer can take energy-saving measures like turning down thermostats.
Another DREMC program offers customers an opportunity to buy shares in the DREMC Community Solar Farm. Participants’ electric bills are credited with a proportion of the solar farm’s production each month, with the initial investment recouped in 10–12 years. DREMC energy advisor Pat Garrett announced a new rebate program beginning Dec. 1 that will help customers recover the cost of making energy-saving home improvements and purchasing energy- efficient appliances. See details online at <www.DREMC.com>.
In the business portion of the meeting, Civic Association President Kiki Beavers updated members on the Community Chest fund drive. Donations of $48,000 have been pledged toward the goal of $101,000.
Parks committee chair Stephen Burnett reported the committee had chosen a playground equipment company for the planned renovation of Elliott Park. The company is preparing a mock-up showing proposed equipment and facilities.
The Civic Association’s next meeting is Dec. 17.
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