Energy Star partners with Nevada Power

Homeowners can save some money while cutting energy use in their homes, according to Greg Kern, director of energy efficiency and conservation for the Nevada Power Co., a member of Nevada Energy Star Partners.

Setting the thermostat to 78 degrees when at home, leaving the blinds closed during the day and installing a programmable thermostat and landscaping in order to shade the home are examples.

"Nevada Power Co. will pick up an old, working refrigerator like the nearly empty unit in the garage that has to work extra hard to keep a can of soda cool," Kern said. "In addition, Nevada Power will pay $30 to recycle dinosaurs like old and outdated refrigerators and freezers that consume a lot of energy."

"Many consumers overlook simple conservation measures such as these, but the demand for power in a home adds up where we least expect it," said Kern. "Quite often customers have more than one refrigerator, which accounts for some 20 percent of the energy used by the average Nevada household."

In addition to recycling old refrigerators and freezers, Nevada Power encourages consumers to reduce electricity demand by offering rebates for Energy Star-rated appliances, residential solar systems, air-conditioning load-management programs and energy-efficient improvements to homes and commercial buildings.

According to Kern, Nevada Power also partners with the building community to promote the use of quality building techniques and the use of Energy Star-rated building products and appliances.

"Existing homeowners can embrace these concepts as they improve their existing property," Kern said. "For example, replacing old windows with low-e windows lets short-wavelength sunlight pass through but blocks longer-wavelength heat radiation. Even the use of compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) can be a major step toward conservation since they use 75 percent less energy and generate 75 percent less heat. We are committed to aggressively pursuing energy efficiency and conservation and making these measures accessible to our customers."

Nevada Energy Star Partners is a coalition of Southern Nevada home builders, developers, retailers, mortgage providers, energy consultants and local utilities promoting energy conservation.

Energy Star-rated homes meet building guidelines for energy efficiency set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Energy Star-qualified homes can include a variety of energy-efficient features, such as effective insulation, high-performance windows and Energy Star-qualified lighting and appliances. These features contribute to improved home quality and homeowner comfort, in addition to lowering energy demand and reducing air pollution.

Energy Star, the national U.S. government symbol for energy efficiency, was created by the EPA originally for energy-conserving computers in 1992 and is now jointly implemented with the U.S. Department of Energy. Since its origins, the program has been expanded to include over 40 product categories that conserve energy and protect the environment -- from appliances, electronics, lighting, windows and office products to homes and even mortgages. For more information on Energy Star, visit the Web site at thinkenergystar.com or visit reviewjournal.com/realestate and click on the Energy Star link.