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TexasWi$e

TexasWi$e™

For more information about these TexasWi$e™ programs, call KPUB @ 257-3050 or 1-800-257-2883.

PowerHouse Education Program

Residential Energy Audits

Commercial Energy Audits

Weatherization

Powerhouse Education Program
The Kerrville Public Utility Board (KPUB) sponsors the POWERHOUSE™ education program. This Texaswi$e™ program is conducted in the local junior-high schools. Center Point ISD, Ingram ISD, and Peterson Middle School in Kerrville are currently participating. Students are provided access to computers, printers and software designed to teach the benefits of energy conservation. The classes also reinforce basic science, physics and energy classes. Designed to complement 7th grade curriculum, the POWERHOUSE™ program discusses the production, transmission and distribution of electricity from the power plant to the consumer. Differing sources of electricity are explored and the advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed.

Students use an energy audit worksheet to investigate their own home. Different aspects of the home are evaluated including: heating and cooling, water heating, lighting, recreational activities, water usage and transportation energy. Students can then determine their families' energy usage pattern and can target areas to be reduced. After collecting data at home, students use the computers to model an energy simulation of their house. Students can then see the effects of changes in usage habits or improvements to the home. As stewards of the environment, students learn that conserving energy helps to preserve and protect natural resources.
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Residential Energy Audits
The Kerrville Public Utility Board can help reduce your electric bill with a residential energy audit. This Texaswi$e™ program is a free service to our residential customers. A KPUB representative will inspect your home and with a written report, make recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the home. All aspects of the home are evaluated. Residential energy audits will be scheduled during normal business hours according to staff availability. KPUB staff does not make repairs to customer's equipment. An energy audit can be a valuable tool to help you understand your energy usage and resulting bill.
 
Some of the items inspected are:

Air Conditioning:
The number one energy consumer in the typical home is the heating and air conditioning system. Changing filters and using economical thermostat settings will save money!

Attic Insulation:
Recommended: R-38, approximately 12". Additional insulation can be added to existing insulation to save money.

Attic Ventilation:
Allows summertime heat to escape; reduces heat load on the house, ductwork and extends shingle life. Most homes need more ventilation.

Water Heating:
Lower thermostat settings to 120° F. Wrap exposed pipes and add a blanket to the tank.

Air Infiltration:
Seal drafty doors and windows with weather-stripping and caulking. Install double pane windows and treat with tinting or Low-E coating to reduce summer heat gain and winter heat loss.

Lighting:
Replace incandescent bulbs with more energy efficient florescent bulbs. Compact florescent lamps are now available for regular light sockets and save 50 to 75% of lighting costs.

Appliances:
Cleaning the coil under the refrigerator will help it run cooler and more efficiently. Disconnect the power first!

Miscellaneous:
Outside equipment, well pumps & aerobic-type septic pumps, can often be overlooked as they are seldom visible and can significantly affect the bill.
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Commercial Energy Audits
The Kerrville Public Utility Board can help reduce your electric bill with a commercial energy audit. This TexasWi$e program is a free service to our commercial customers. A KPUB representative will inspect your business and with a written report, make recommendations for improving the energy efficiency of the building envelope and equipment. Commercial energy audits will be scheduled during normal business hours according to staff availability. KPUB staff does not make repairs to customer's equipment. An energy audit can be a valuable tool to help you understand your energy usage and the resulting bill. Call today to schedule an appointment with a KPUB technician.

Some of the items we inspect are:

Building Envelope:
The commercial building may be unique in its design or structure but should still be energy efficient. Proper levels of insulation in the appropriate places will keep heat transfer to manageable levels. Large glass areas can be treated to control summer heat gain.

Lighting:
Existing light may not be the most efficient type currently available. Fixtures/lenses can be cleaned to restore diminished lighting levels. Older florescent fixtures can be upgraded with more efficient electronic ballasts and new tubes.

Process Equipment:
Maintain equipment properly for most efficient operation. In some cases, older electric motors can be replaced with newer more efficient motors at very little incremental cost.

Scheduling Usage:
Demand peaks can in some cases be lowered by proper scheduling. Duty-cycling, load-shed and demand-shaving are options for some customers with large seasonal demands. Energy management options vary according to the type of business.
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WEATHERIZATION Program
The Kerrville Public Utility Board sponsors a WEATHERIZATION program each fall. This TexasWi$e™ program is designed to assist customers in lowering their utility bills by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes. This program is aimed at our elderly, low income or handicapped customers. The program aims at reducing heat loss in the winter but also reduces summer cooling loads

The Weatherization program is funded by KPUB and is free to selected customers. All applicants to the program receive an energy audit to help identify areas of air infiltration. The homes selected will have additional attic insulation installed as they usually have little to no existing insulation. Caulking and weather-stripping are installed to reduce energy wasting drafts.

KPUB has been assisted by several insulation contractors in providing materials and/or labor to install the new insulation.

This successful program has benefited over one hundred homes for KPUB customers. If you are a KPUB customer and own your own home, you may qualify for the WEATHERIZATION program. Call for more information or fill out application online.
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