We Want Our Members to Save Money! ECEC Partners with Focus on Energy Program Beginning July 1, 2007

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au Claire Energy Cooperative is proud to announce a money-saving partnership with Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Program beginning July 1, 2007. Now cooperative members can save money by participating in this energy-saving program. “We want our members to save money!” exclaimed John W. Luehrsen, chief executive officer of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative. “And, now they can because all of these energy-saving programs are available to them. More efficient use of electricity means less electricity used. That means lower energy bills for our members. Rather than paying more on their electric bill, our members can invest in energy efficiency and save money every month.” ECEC members will benefit from all of the business, residential, and renewable energy offerings under the Focus on Energy umbrella. These benefits include: ● Business Programs that help

manufacturers, commercial businesses, farmers, schools, and local governments reduce operating costs, increase their bottom lines, improve productivity, and employee and customer comfort. ● Wisconsin ENERGY STAR

Homes, Home Performance with Energy Star and Apartment & Condo Efficiency Services Programs that encompass new and existing homes and multifamily construction and remodeling projects for all types of residential dwellings. ● Lighting and Appliance Programs

that increase the availability of 4 • Wisconsin Energy Cooperative News

ENERGY STAR qualified products ranging from clothes washers to light bulbs to heating and cooling equipment. ● Renewable Energy Programs that

help residents and businesses turn sunlight, wind, and organic materials into electricity and energy. ● Low-Income Programs and Ser-

vices that reduce energy bills while increasing comfort and safety. For more information about Focus on Energy and its energysaving programs, call 800-762-7077 or visit them on the Internet at www.focusonenergy.com. Some of the information in this issue about Focus on Energy and the ENERGY STAR programs has been reprinted from Focus on Energy’s web site.

What is Focus on Energy?

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ocus on Energy is an innovative partnership of organizations in Wisconsin, including Eau Claire Energy Cooperative. The Focus on Energy program works to help all of us: ● Save money in your home,

business, or farm ● Improve energy efficiency ● Reduce the need for fossil

economic development, protect our environment, and control the state’s growing demand for electricity and natural gas. ECEC members are eligible to take advantage of Focus on Energy program incentives. Check them out at www.focusonenergy.com, or call 800-762-7077 for more information. Eligibility is based on your utility service area. Because Eau Claire

Energy Cooperative has enrolled in the Focus on Energy program, all ECEC member residents, businesses, and farms are eligible to take advantage of the electrical savings programs and incentives offered.

fuels ● Increase electric reliability ● Learn more about energy-

efficient ideas ● Improve the economy ● Lower cost of living and

operational costs ● Improve environmental health

Focus on Energy works with eligible Wisconsin residents and

“Rather than paying more on their electric bill, our members can invest in energy efficiency and save money every month.” —John W. Luehrsen, chief executive officer of Eau Claire Energy Cooperative

businesses to install cost-effective energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Focus information, resources, and financial incentives help to implement projects that otherwise would not get completed, or to complete projects sooner than scheduled. Its efforts help Wisconsin residents and businesses manage rising energy costs, promote in-state Eau Claire Energy Cooperative • 5

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative

Save Money Where You Work Focus on Energy Helps Businesses Make Smart Decisions

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ustomized Focus on Energy programs help farms, businesses, industry, schools and local governments to save money on energy programs. Work with energy experts who understand your business and they will show you practical ways to implement energy and cost-saving strategies that meet your organization’s particular needs. Agriculture — Dairy and crop farmers can work with Focus on Energy experts to discover ways to reduce energy use and save money on energy bills. Improve your productivity and cut costs at the same time. Commercial — Focus on Energy programs help commercial and industrial customers save energy and reduce costs, improve worker productivity and indoor air

quality, plus enhance customer and employee comfort. Financial Incentives — Focus on Energy offers financial incentives for cooperative business customers that help offset the costs of energy-saving improvements. Learn more at Focus on Energy’s web site at www.focusonenergy.com or call 800-762-7077 for more information.

Energy-Saving Tips These are easy tips you can do every day to save money!

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To save water and energy, let your dishwasher do the job it was built to do. Pre-rinsing dishes usually is unnecessary and the energy-saving features that come with the appliance, such as air drying, can have a significant positive impact on your utility bills.

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Leaky faucets waste a lot of water as well as energy and money. A leak that fills a cup in 10 minutes will waste more than 3,000 gallons of heated water each year. Repair them easily with help from your local hardware store.

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Insulate your hot water pipes.

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Add a timer or load controller to your electric water heater. See your friends at Eau Claire Energy Cooperative for more information on the water heater loadcontrol program — you can save $36 each year!

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By turning your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees from the standard 140–150 degree setting, you can save money on water heating.

Save Money with ENERGY STAR Qualified Clothes Washers ECEC Members Can Save Money With Cash-Back Rewards

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ant to save money on quality, name-brand, energy-efficient washers that save you money in loads of different ways? ENERGY STAR qualified clothes washers will:

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Save up to $110 per year on utility bills, compared to a model manufactured before 1994.

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Use 18 to 25 gallons of water per load, compared to the 40 gallons used by a standard machine. These savings equal enough water to fill a 10,000-gallon swimming pool each year.

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Use 50 percent less combined energy and water than standard washers.

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Spin your clothes drier, making your dryer cheaper to run.

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Save you money on clothes, because the tumbling action of a front-load washer is gentler on clothes than a top-load washer.

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Be quieter than a conventional washer operating on a normal cycle.

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative members are eligible for ENERGY STAR Cash-Back Rewards. Check them out at www.focusonenergy.com, or call 800-762-7077 for more information.

Eau Claire Energy Cooperative John W. Luehrsen, CEO Mary Kay Brevig, Editor 8214 Hwy 12 PO Box 368 Fall Creek, WI 54742-0368 Office Hours: 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon–Fri Non-emergencies: 715-832-1603 Toll FREE 888-832-1604 Emergencies & outages: Toll FREE 800-927-5090 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Diggers Hotline: 1-800-242-8511 Call 3 working days before you dig.

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