Happy July and welcome to your monthly email on saving money through energy and water efficiency. My name is Ashley Cissna and I'm a Communications Specialist at EWEB. Each month, I'll be sharing information to help you or your business save money on your utility bills.
This newsletter is designed for you, and I'd love to hear your feedback. If you have any tips you'd like to share or ideas on how we can make the newsletter better, please email me at ashley.cissna@eweb.org. I look forward to hearing from you! |
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Keep your cool this summer |
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The summer heat appears to have finally found the Pacific Northwest. While other parts of the country have been roasting for the past few weeks, here in Eugene, we’ve been spoiled with relatively mild temperatures (compared to past year, at least). Things appear to be changing, however, with a forecast of mid-90’s temperatures next week.
When I first moved to Oregon, from Texas, I was shocked to learn that most homes didn’t have A/C, and I made some rookie mistakes when I experienced my first summer. Here are some tips that I’ve since learned and would like to pass along to help you stay cool.
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Windows – it’s all about the windows
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Open your home’s windows at night. I spent a whole summer with my windows wide open all day, I don’t recommend it.
- Take advantage of the naturally cool night air.
- Open multiple windows to increase cross ventilation and provide a cooling draft.
- Keep windows and doors closed during the hot part of the day.
- You don’t want all the nice cool air you collected overnight to escape.
- Close all your doors and windows before the day begins to warm up, so hot air doesn’t have a chance to enter your home.
- Shade the windows of your home.
- External shades and trees are best, but curtains and other window coverings also help prevent the sun from warming the inside of your home.
- Don’t underestimate the power of the fan
- Use a fan instead of air conditioning. You'll feel cooler when air is moving around you.
- Put a fan in an open window at night to draw cool air into your house.
If you have an air conditioner here are some specific tips for you:
- Make sure furniture and window coverings aren’t blocking vents to maximize the cool airflow.
- Install programmable thermostats, allowing you to control the temperature and avoid unnecessary cooling costs.
- Clean your unit. Clean filters regularly during high-use seasons and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for replacing your filter. Regular maintenance and cleaning help the cooling system operate more safely and efficiently.
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If you are looking into getting a cooling system, check out EWEB's rebates on ductless heat pumps.
- The oven or range can put off a lot of heat, so think twice before you decide to cook your pot roast in the oven. Consider an alternative cooking method, like a slow cooker or pressure cooker.
- Use a grill or camp stove to cook outside and avoid heating the kitchen altogether.
- Microwaves are more energy-efficient than a cooktop or oven and help keep the kitchen from getting warm.
- Refrigerators need to work harder with higher external temperatures and require regular maintenance to ensure they aren’t working overtime.
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Keep the front grill free of dirt, this improves airflow to the condenser.
- Clean the condenser coil with a brush or vacuum.
- Keep door gaskets clean to ensure a tight seal.
- Food right off the stove can dramatically increase the temperature of your fridge and cause the compressor to work harder, expelling more heat into the room. Cover food to minimize the amount of hot air inside the fridge.
- Only use your oven when you need to.
- Do food prep before preheating the oven to avoid warming your kitchen longer than necessary.
- Keep the oven door closed, open only when necessary, and as quickly as possible.
- Use the appropriate sized pot or pan so heat is warming the pan, not the room. Covering pots and pans helps heat food faster and contains heat.
- Use the exhaust fan in your kitchen.
- Don’t forget about the dishes.
- Run your dishwasher only when it’s full.
- Run it at night to avoid warming the kitchen.
- Let your dishes air-dry.
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What's the deal with wastewater and stormwater charges? |
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This month I'd like to take a step back from our energy and water use assessment and talk to you about Stormwater and Wastewater fees. You may have heard that the City of Eugene recently increased these fees. I want to take this month to discuss these fees and why they appear on your EWEB bill. |
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When you receive your EWEB bill, you'll see a breakdown of all your charges:
- EWEB: electric & water
- City of Eugene: wastewater & stormwater.
You'll also notice that your bill mentions the City of Eugene above wastewater and stormwater. A common question we hear is "why are City of Eugene charges appearing on my EWEB bill."
The City of Eugene owns and operates the stormwater and wastewater systems in Eugene. For efficiency, EWEB acts as the City's billing agent per City charter. The City of Eugene adopts and administers the stormwater and wastewater service fees.
For questions about these fees, please call the City Utility Administration Office at 541-682-4900.
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Under the recommendation of the City Manager, the City of Eugene has been authorized to issue a 7% increase in wastewater fees, a 3.5% increase in regional wastewater fees, and a 4% increase in stormwater use fees.
These increases went into effect on July 1, 2022, and will be reflected on your July bills.
Now, you may be wondering, what is stormwater and wastewater?
Stormwater is runoff from hard surfaces in urban areas that must be channeled to prevent flooding, protected or treated to remove contaminants, and finally returned to our rivers.
Wastewater is water that must be treated at the regional wastewater treatment plant to remove human waste, chemicals, grease, and other contaminants that are put into our sanitary sewer system. The regional wastewater treatment plan is vital to protecting public health and the environment.
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Need help with your utility bill? |
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EWEB offers a $280 bill credit annually to eligible customers. Applications for Customer Care open on the first business day of each month, and funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis until available funds are fully committed for the month.
Applications for August will open on August 1 at 9 a.m.
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If you are unable to apply online, you may apply over the phone with one of our customer service team members at 541-685-7000. |
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More news & events from EWEB |
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We love hearing from customers who have made the switch to and electric vehicle!
If you've made the switch to an EV, share your story today!
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EWEB recently launched our e-bike rebate program, and we love seeing how customers are using their bikes to get around town in new ways.
Eugene is a very bicycle friendly city, with miles of connecting bike paths within town and outlying areas.
Check out these maps of Eugene and Springfield bike routes. Both maps are also available in Spanish here. |
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New Car-Sharing opportunity at Santa Clara Station
The newest location is located at the LTD Santa Clara Station, right off River Road at 43 Green Lane. This location is perfect for those who may already be using the LTD bus station, but could benefit from occasional access to a car. This Nissan Leaf would be perfect for making a large grocery trip, carting your family around town on multiple errands, or even getting out of town for a day getaway.
The Nissan Leaf has a range of 150 miles, and only costs $4/hour or $35 for the entire day. Insurance, maintenance, roadside assistance and charging at the home station are all included in the rate.
Forth Mobility and EWEB will be launching a third location in partnership with the City of Eugene in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more information.
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