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- Part of Prairie Power’s Energy Efficiency Wall
Increasing energy efficiency is the most economical way to reduce energy usage and lower utility bills. In an effort to demonstrate practical ways to save energy through home improvements, Prairie Power, Inc. and its 10 distribution cooperatives developed the Energy Efficiency Wall in 2009.
Supplemented by Touchstone Energy’s “TogetherWeSave” program, the energy efficiency wall illustrates low-cost opportunities that cooperative members can take advantage of in order to reduce their energy use while improving the comfort of their homes. The display demonstrates different types of lighting and insulation materials, the benefits of proper caulking or air sealing, and other energy efficient construction practices, as well as the use of energy efficient products.
“We know we can reduce the energy costs on the vast majority of homes by 20 to 40 percent,” said Bob Dickey, manager of marketing and economic development for Paxton, Ill.-based Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative. Dickey was selected as one of the thirty recipients receiving the Touchstone Energy “2011 Brand Champion Award” for promoting the Touchstone Energy Brand and energy efficiency.
A blower allows for air to flow through the display and is used to demonstrate potential energy losses that could easily be plugged with proper caulking, insulation and various sealants.
“Energy costs are going to continue to go up,” said Dickey. “Many homes were built decades ago and they leak like sieves.”
The wall has proven to be beneficial to members as well as the general public. Once members see and experience the wall, they can utilize the concrete examples demonstrated and apply them to their own home.
“PPI took the concept of energy efficiency from an abstract idea and made it visible so members would understand that they had more control over their energy usage and utility bills,” said Dickey. “The wall gives members the confidence that they can reduce their energy bills immediately without a major investment.”
Prairie Power, Inc. has received two major awards in 2011: the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance’s “Inspiring Efficiency Marketing Award” and the Rural Electricity Resource Council’s “Silver Switch Award”. Eastern Illini received the 2011 Spotlight on Excellence Award of Excellence for “Best Total Communication Program” which featured the energy efficiency wall.
