NV Energy launches three-part ‘green’ strategy

NV Energy has embarked on a three-part strategy to meet Nevada's growing energy needs. A member and platinum sponsor of Nevada Energy Star Partners, a statewide coalition of developers, utilities, manufacturers, retailers and consultants committed to promoting energy conservation, NV Energy is launching its initiative that includes expanding energy efficiency and conservation programs, expanding renewable energy resources and adding new, more-efficient generating power plants.

According to Greg Kern, director of Customer Renewable Generation & Energy Efficiency, because of the utility's investments in renewable energy and new, traditional power plants, the state is less dependent on the volatile wholesale power markets to meet peak demand on the hottest summer days. "Over the long term, this means residential power bills should be more stable," he said.

"Especially good news to residential and business customers is the reduction of power demand and our ability to give our customers the power to control their usage and their expenses," he said of NV Energy's energy efficiency and conservation programs.

According to Kern, there is a long list of things consumers can do to conserve energy. Some are easy and free like setting the thermostat to 78 or higher degrees when you are home and leaving your blinds closed during the day. Others are relatively simple, like installing a programmable thermostat and landscaping in order to shade your home from the hot summer sun.

NV Energy also has programs in place to assist customers in saving energy at their home or workplace. With programs like the refrigerator recycling program, customers can even make money. NV Energy will pick up old, working refrigerator -- like the nearly empty unit in a garage that works hard to keep a can of soda cool. In addition, the utility will pay $30 to customers for old working refrigerators that they recycle.

According to Kern, the average refrigerator or freezer manufactured before 1990 consumes about 1,500 kilowatt-hours annually, costing up to $150 a year to run. Since 2001, federal codes called for more energy efficient refrigerators/freezers, which use about 450-500 kilowatt-hours a year.

In addition to recycling old refrigerators and freezers, NV Energy works to reduce electricity demand by offering Renewable Generations rebates for residential solar, wind and hydro systems. NV Energy also offers air-conditioning load-management programs and rebates for energy-efficient improvements to homes and commercial buildings.

At NV Energy.com, customers can access MyAccount and take advantage of tools to perform a comprehensive energy audit of their home. This allows them to compare their energy use against similar homes in their area, examine energy use over time, look at their billing history, and ultimately discover specific ways to lower their electric bill and pay online.

For more conservation tips and for additional information, visit NVEnergy.com.

Now in its ninth year, Nevada Energy Star includes partners representing utility companies, builders and developers, and manufacturers of energy-saving products. The partnership was recently recognized in April 2009 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. with its most distinguished award, Sustained Excellence. This is the seventh consecutive year Nevada Energy Star Partners has received this award - a feat accomplished by no other Energy Star partnership in the country.

Nevada Energy Star Partners encourages sharing tips on how to make a difference. For more information or to submit a story or tip, visit thinkenergystar.com.