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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (May 18, 2016)
Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, May 18, 2016 A9 GROW Save money by spreading energy use throughout the day Hardscaping can be easy Blue Mountain Eagle achieve your outdoor vision. Voluntary OTEC program rewards those who use less capacity Hardscaping doesn’t have to be hard at all. In fact, with a little creativity and sweat equity, hardscaping can be an enjoyable experience that adds serious style points to your home’s outdoor areas. So what is hardscaping? It involves all of the design el- ements on your property that aren’t plants, grass or lowers. This sector of your landscap- ing strategy includes retain- ing walls, ire pits, decks, fences, paved walkways and sculptures. Many hardscaping-specif- ic specialty stores and con- tractors have popped up in recent years, as the practice has become big business. And because so many proj- ects involve factors that can effect yard slope, water drain- age and electrical add-ons, it may be your best bet to hire an accredited professional to help safely and compliantly Do It Yourself If you’re feeling handy and conident in handling certain projects, you can certainly save some mon- ey in your budget by doing the work yourself. If you do decide to go the DIY route, there are some things to re- member as you prepare. Research is key. Watch tutorials, talk with trained professionals, ask your hard- ware specialist – feeling comfortable scouting out a project will help you cover your bases before you jump in. Also, check with your municipality to see if you need a permit and to ensure By Sean Hart Blue Mountain Eagle If you can keep from using a lot of electricity at once, you might be able to save money through a new alternate pilot program offered by the Ore- gon Trail Electric Co-op. OTEC is conducting a volunteer study to determine whether charging customers based on the capacity of en- ergy used, rather than just the total amount, will inluence energy usage, General Man- ager Werner Buehler said. The program charges a lower base monthly rate and about half as much for each kilowatt-hour used with an additional capacity fee based on how many kilowatts were needed during the highest 15 minutes of usage during the billing period. If people can spread their energy usage throughout the day to min- imize the amount needed at any given time, they would be rewarded with a lower bill. Buehler compared energy capacity to that of a vehicle engine: People pay a premi- um for an engine with the ca- pacity to quickly accelerate up to 80 mph when passing, even though most of the time at 65 mph that capacity is not used. Similarly, he said, it costs an electricity com- pany more to supply a high capacity to you — and your neighbor and the rest of the block during peak hours — because of increased infra- structure costs. By not running, for ex- ample, an air conditioner, a dishwasher and an elec- tric dryer at the same time, customers can reduce their needed capacity, which re- duces the capacity needed to energize the rest of the block and the need for expensive, new transmission lines. This program provides an incen- tive for users to reduce their capacity with a lower elec- tricity bill. “With this voluntary pilot program, there will be an op- portunity — other than saving kilowatt-hours — to separate demand for capacity into an optional rate schedule, giving members an opportunity to identify and shift their use of capacity and potentially save money on their electric, bill,” he said. The program will not be a great it for all households, however, so OTEC will work with customers to analyze their last 12 months of energy usage and model how the al- ternate program would affect their bill, he said. Knowing they are being charged for ca- pacity, customers can modify their electricity usage to save more. “We want them to be suc- cessful,” Buehler said. The program requires a 12-month commitment from customers and must be initi- ated in 2016. Only 100 cus- tomers will be allowed to participate in the study, and about half of the slots are al- ready filled. For more information about the program or to check whether it might be a good fit for your household, contact the local OTEC of- fice, 541-575-0161, 400 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day. Cater to the Space Do you live in a country setting with ample space for outdoor additions? Or is your living situation more sub- urban with a limited yard? Either option can be greatly enhanced with strategically added touches. Outdoor kitchens, family rooms, barbecue areas, ire pits and greenhouses can all be awe-inspiring additions, if space allows. Smaller quar- ters may require only a stone walkway or outdoor sitting area to spruce things up. Analyze your space to make an educated decision on your hardscaping plans. Build a Better Summer PREMIUM FLOORING FOR A MORE ELEGANT AND BEAUTIFUL HOME • Rugs & Carpets • Vinyl & Laminate • Hardwood & Tile • Cabinets • Counter Tops that you’re complying with local bylaws. Deck Lumber, Railings, Stain, Blocks & More Beats Home Depot’s prices on cabinets! The Floor Store 140 E Main St. John Day 541-575-1111 Mills Building Supply 751 W Main St. | John Day 541-575-1021 Come check out Gregg’s inventory of at Polaris Blowers, earth augers, pruners & much more 821 W. 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