by ann | Nov 15, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
For something as ubiquitous as electric lighting, it may be hard to imagine a time when our homes were without it. However, using electricity for residential illumination only became common in the U.S. during the 1940s. Since then, we’ve been extending our days into...
by ann | Oct 11, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
While demand for tankless water heaters continues to increase, more than 95% of homes have conventional storage tank heaters installed. About half use electric resistance or heat pump technology to produce hot water, while the other half uses natural gas or propane....
by ann | Sep 13, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
During this time of the year, many are switching their thermostats from “cooling” to “heating” mode. This is also a good time to check and change filters in heating and cooling (HVAC) systems. Some may have not been replaced since the start of the cooling season or...
by ann | Aug 5, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
Air compressors have been a versatile tool over the years and compressed air has been one of the driving forces of modern-day life. From simply airing up a tire to a plethora of applications in heavy industrial processes, compressed air has a wide range of uses....
by ann | Jul 12, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey indicates that homes in our part of the Midwest consume nearly 9% of their electricity completing laundry. In addition to providing energy savings, all-in-one washer/dryers might...
by ann | Jun 14, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
As the heat of summer cranks up, so do the central air conditioners and heat pumps across Nebraska. In fact, approximately 90% of homes in our state have one of these central cooling systems. The vast majority have a compressor unit that buzzes outside as the system...
by ann | May 14, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
Of the more than one million food service businesses in the United States, the National Restaurant Association estimates more than 260,000 are full-service restaurants. Considering the average restaurant serves about 100 customers per day, that means a lot of dirty...
by ann | Apr 12, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
In June of 1752, Benjamin Franklin and his son, William, conducted the famous kite-in-a-thunderstorm experiment to demonstrate the relationship between lightning and electricity. By attaching the kite to a Leyden jar, which was an early type of battery invented seven...
by ann | Mar 18, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
First introduced in the 1950s, recessed lighting or “can lighting” is still a popular choice for residential and commercial lighting. Traditionally, these fixtures consist of a cylindrical or square-shaped metal housing that extends above the ceiling so only the trim...
by ann | Mar 18, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is committed to working in partnership with local utility customers to maximize the value of their energy purchases in a cost-effective manner. To understand its importance in our future, we need to examine where energy efficiency...
by ann | Mar 18, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
Can you think back to your childhood and remember the “magic” of icicles? While growing up in a century-old farm house, I remember wintry “No School” days when my mom would bundle me up in so many layers of sweatshirts, coats and overalls that I could barely move....
by ann | Mar 18, 2024 | Energy Saving Tips
Many Nebraska homes use an air-source heat pump (ASHP) to provide indoor comfort during the winter season. Considering 40% of average annual residential energy is used to keep homes warm, ASHPs provide higher energy efficiency than any furnace. As a result, owners...
