Change Your Shower, Save Some Power
The Community Conservation Challenge of the Week
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2001--The challenge to Northwest residents this week is to replace conventional showerheads with energy-efficient aerated showerheads.
This is the fourth of a series of 14 weekly tips that will be coming from the Community Conservation Challenge.
Challenge of the Week: Replace conventional showerheads with new energy-efficient aerated showerheads.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heaters are the second largest user of energy in a typical Northwest home. A family of four using a conventional showerhead uses about 700 gallons of heated water a week.
Aerated showerheads cost in the range of $10-$15 and use half of the water that conventional showerheads use. The showerheads reduce the amount of water in the flow but maintain the water pressure by mixing air with water.
``An aerated showerhead will pay for itself in the first year of use by lowering annual water heating costs by approximately $30 a year,'' said Ken Keating, public utilities specialist from Bonneville Power Administration. ``If there is anyone who has not completed this energy saving installation, the time to act is now.''
The Community Conservation Challenge will distribute a ``Challenge of the Week'' every week through the end of the year. The challenge of the week is designed to encourage Northwest citizens to take specific actions to conserve electricity.
Residents of Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington can pledge three actions to save electricity and be eligible to win a Honda Insight hybrid car. The Community Conservation Challenge electricity savings pledge-a-thon runs through December 1, 2001. Pledge cards are available through participating utilities' monthly bills, at state and county fairs, community events, newspaper inserts and via the Internet at www.bpa.gov/ccc. All pledge entries must be postmarked by December 1, 2001. For more information, visit www.bpa.gov/ccc or call 800/962-9731.
The Community Conservation Challenge is an initiative of the Bonneville Power Administration and its Northwest utility customers. The effort challenges people and businesses of the region to find smarter ways to use electricity and take actions that decrease consumption. The Community Conservation Challenge was created in response to the energy crisis and volatile electricity market. Conservation is a key component to controlling electricity rate increases and protecting the region's reliable service. |
