Energy costs are rising along with concerns for the environment. Conservation is something everyone can do to control costs and reduce consumption. When you understand how you use energy and the options available, your consumption becomes more cost efficient and the environment benefits as well.

The following information is provided to help you make the best informed energy decisions:

ENERGY ASSESSMENT TOOLS

Home Energy Saver Energy Audit Now Available!

Take control of your energy consumption with the new Touchstone Energy Home Energy Saver audit. This audit uses weather data from 350 weather stations across the United States to provide cooperative Members with a highly accurate and robust tool that enables them to:

• Analyze the energy consumption of their home's heating, cooling and lighting systems.
• Determine the energy efficiency of their home's construction.
• Estimate potential savings of various efficiency improvements.
• And much more.

Please note that our rates are now integrated into the audit's database! This means that the cost calculations are much more indicative of your real costs because the program uses our current rates. To be sure you are using our rates, under item 18 of the initial input page choose the option to "Select an electricity tariff" and follow the instructions from there.

To access this audit, click here today.

Touchstone Energy Light Bulb Energy Saver Calculator

After heating and cooling, lighting is the largest energy consumer in the average American home. With the prices of compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs coming way down and their light spectrum improved, how much could you save if you replaced all your incandescent bulbs with CFLs?

Well, satisfy this curiosity through the latest energy savings tool from Touchstone Energy, their Light Bulb Energy Savings calculator. Simply navigate to the calculator (click here), enter the number of incandescent bulbs you want to replace and viola! Energy savings are calculated!

Interested in where to purchase CFLs for your home? Practically every hardware store in the country carries these lamps today and prices have dropped tremendously. Walmart, Lowes and Home Depot all carry a large assortment and typically offer the best prices.

Today's CFLs come in a variety of colors to suit your personal preference and a variety of shapes and capabilities. You can use these energy efficient lamps in candelabra applications, recreate natural light or simply opt for an 8 year life where the lamps are hard to access for replacement.

Water Heater Energy Saver

This animated application features a boxing match between an electric and a fossil fuel water heater. During the match, you are given information and tips on how to minimize your cost for creating hot water.

Heat Loss Calculation Input Worksheet

If you are considering one of our energy efficient, low cost heating and cooling solutions or simply would like to know the heat loss of your home, this form is a handy way to collect the necessary information for that calculation. You can then mail, e-mail, fax or drop it by our office where we can perform the calculations. Feeling ambitious and simply want to run the numbers yourself? Use our room heat loss calculator to do a room by room analysis and then use the summary sheet to see the total loss.

Look for more tools coming to our site soon!

ENERGY EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS

High Efficiency Heating and Cooling Solutions Treat yourself and your family to the comfort, safety and environmentally friendly solutions now available for your home. And enjoy outstanding operational savings in the process. Better comfort and save money too? Check it out here.

Electric Thermal Storage (ETS) These electric heating systems can save you money by combining high efficiency with our low off peak rates.

Marathon Water Heaters The last water heater you will ever buy! Ultra high efficiency, environmentally responsible manufacturing process.

ENERGY EFFICENCY REBATES

Sussex Rural Electric does not currently offer rebates for the purchase of energy efficient appliances. However, many manufacturers do offer rebates and the Federal government offers tax credit for certain energy efficiency improvements and purchases.

This link takes you to the Energy Star page that helps locate potential rebates and this link takes you to the website describing the Federal tax credits that are available.

TIPS & TECHNIQUES

Touchstone Energy Savings House Tour

This animated virtual tour allows you to click and discover energy saving ideas for every room in the house in a graphic rather than text environment.

Energy Saving Tips

Sizing Room & Central Air Conditioners Choose the best size for your needs and maximum comfort and efficiency.

What uses Watts? How much energy do your appliances use? Find out here.

Weatherization Tips Save energy, save money and increase the comfort of your home.

Energy Conservation Tips for Renters and Tenants Everyone can benefit from energy conservation.