Conservation Gauge
Conservation Gauge
Itasca-Mantrap encourages members to save energy every day, but some days require extra energy-saving measures to keep electricity use and costs down. The conservation gauge informs members when increased demand for electricity drives up wholesale power costs. Taking extra energy-saving measures during these times can help keep future electricity prices lower for all members.
The conservation gauge is updated every afternoon to reflect conservation needs for that day. There are three gauge levels, normal use, peak use and critical use.
Normal Use
No special energy-saving measures are necessary. Still, Itasca-Mantrap encourages members to find ways to conserve energy in their homes every day. Following are some tips to get you started.
- Install a programmable thermostat
- Install ENERGY STAR® compact fluorescent light bulbs in as many light fixtures as possible
- Purchase ENERGY STAR appliances and home electronics
- Wash laundry in cold water using cold water detergent
- Turn off or unplug appliances you are not using
- Clean or replace furnace filters at least once a month
- Turn on your computer's energy-saving feature
- Sign up for Itasca-Mantrap’s energy saving off-peak or dual fuel programs
- Turn off lights when you leave a room
- Place child safety plugs in unused outlets to stop air flow through the outlet holes
- Seal doors with draft-reducing weather stripping and door sweeps
- Do not set your thermostat above the desired temperature. Your home will not heat up more quickly.
Peak Use
Electricity use is forecasted to be especially high today. As a result, Itasca-Mantrap is incurring high wholesale energy costs and promoting wise energy use to reduce the impact. By working together to reduce energy use, we can help keep power costs down; therefore, Itasca-Mantrap is asking members to voluntarily conserve energy from noon until 10 p.m. with the following tips:
- Delay running the dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer until 10 p.m. or the next morning
- Instead of using the oven to prepare meals, try grilling, making meals in the microwave or dining out
- Open your window shades and drapes to let the sun's natural warmth in during the day, and close them at night to prevent heat loss
- Turn off lights, appliances and other electric items that are not needed
- Set your thermostat at 65 degrees or lower
Critical Use
Itasca-Mantrap and regional utilities are in a rare and temporary period of critical electricity use, and Itasca-Mantrap is asking members to do everything they can to reduce electricity use. Critical energy use often results from unique circumstances such as prolonged periods of extreme weather or excessive transmission constraints. Working together, we can greatly reduce the economic impact of these circumstances.
- Instead of using the oven to prepare meals, try making meals in the microwave or dining out
- Turn off all unnecessary indoor and outdoor lights
- Turn off and unplug computers, home entertainment equipment and other electronic equipment, including chargers for cell phones and MP3 players
- Delay running your dishwasher, clothes washer and clothes dryer until after 10 p.m.
- Set your thermostat to 65 degrees
- Turn off appliances and other electric items that are not needed
- Open your window shades and drapes to let the sun’s natural warmth in during the day, and close them at night to prevent heat loss