Archive for Dave Britson
Where Are Your Energy Dollars Going?
The typical household uses more than 11,300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity each year. On average, that is an annual cost of $1,340, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Where
are all of these energy dollars going?
In most homes, air conditioning uses more energy than any other appliance. Add to this the significant amount of power used by a furnace blower—even in a gas-fired unit—and space conditioning is the first place to look for energy-saving opportunities. Have your furnace and air conditioner cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional. Make sure your home is properly insulated and weatherized around doors and windows. Consider installing a whole-house fan; they use far less energy than a central air-conditioning system.
If you use an electric water heater, the best way to reduce costs is to use less hot water. Taking shorter showers and installing low-flow fixtures on faucets and shower heads will help; along with waiting until you have a full load to run your clothes washer and dishwasher. Additional energy-saving tips include the following:
- Turn off lights when you leave a room and install energy-efficient, compact-fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
- Unplug devices such as stereo equipment or TV set-top boxes that continue to use power when switched off.
- Air dry laundry whenever possible; it saves energy and extends the life of clothing.
- Open windows during the summer to take advantage of natural cooling. Use ceiling fans to increase air circulation; making the house feel cooler.
- Use window treatments to reflect hot summer sun and insulate your home on cold winter nights.
When replacing home appliances and electronic equipment, purchase models that are ENERGY STAR certified for efficiency. ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which encourages the use of energy-saving practices and products.
In the following table, you can see the average monthly energy use for some of the most frequently used appliances and devices in your home. Armed with this information, you will be able to make better decisions when it comes to reducing energy use.
| Average Monthly Energy Use of Common Household Devices | |
| Central Air Conditioner* | 720 kWh |
| Electric Water Heater | 400 kWh |
| Dehumidifier | 230 kWh |
| Furnace Blower* | 105 kWh |
| Whole House Fan | 96 kWh |
| Clothes Dryer | 80 kWh |
| Clothes Washer | 75 kWh |
| Refrigerator/Freezer | 60 kWh |
| Lighting | 60 kWh |
| Flat Screen TV | 35 kWh |
| *Heating and cooling estimates apply only during summer and winter months and can vary depending on climate. | |
You can calculate how much it will cost to operate any type of electric equipment by using the following formula: Watts * hours of use / 1,000 * cost per kilowatt-hour = Cost of Operation
This means that if a 1,500 –watt electric space heater ran 24-hours at a rate of $0.0677 a kilowatt-hour, the cost would be $2.44 a day (1500 * 24 / 1000 * $0.0677). For a month that would add over $73.00 extra to your utility bill.
2023 Water Quality Report
Attached is the 2023 AMU Water Quality Report and the UCMR 5 Data.
2019 Electric Rate Comparison
The American Public Power Association (APPA) produces an annual rate comparison study, which compares electric rates of electrical utilities. These studies are broken down by three different rate classes, Residential, Commercial and Industrial. The Nationally, Iowa ranks as having one of the lowest average rates in the country. Locally, Atlantic Municipal Utilities remains as one of the 10 lowest average rates in the state. In fact, of the 181 Electric Utilities in Iowa, there is only one utility with an overall average electric rate lower than Atlantic. Here is how AMU compares to the average utility in Iowa for 2019, the latest year that has been compiled to date:
Residential :
AMU: 8.4 / kWh
Iowa Avg: 12.06 / kWh
Commercial:
AMU: 7.6 / kWh
Iowa Avg: 9.6 / kWh
Industrial:
AMU: 6.2 / kWh
Iowa Avg: 7.1 / kWh
To view the full report, click the link below.
Celebrate Public Power Week Oct 5-11
Atlantic Municipal Utilities is celebrating Public Power Week, October 5-11, along with more than 2,000 other community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 47 million Americans.
Reliable, safe, affordable electricity is what public power is about, and it’s what AMU delivers 24/7. Public power works because we are community-owned and governed by local decision-making, and staffed with 30 employees who care about the community and take pride in serving our friends and neighbors in Atlantic. Public Power Week celebrates AMU’s reliable, affordable electricity for our community and gives us the chance to emphasize the advantages of locally grown, locally owned power.
Knowing our community and its needs helps us keep homes, businesses, and public places powered year-round. As a not-for-profit public power utility, our loyalty is to our customers – not stockholders. We take pride in our appointed board of trustees, comprised of leaders from within the community. AMU has proudly served Atlantic and the surrounding rural area for over 124 years.
A Message from the Iowa Ground Water Association President – Jon Martens
The President’s Message
Jon Martens – President, Iowa Ground Water Association
First and foremost I need to thank the Atlantic Municipal Utilities (AMU) Board of Trustees, General Manager, and the water department employees for allowing me the opportunity to serve on the Iowa Groundwater Association (IGWA) Board. I have been working in the water business since March of 1981 and am currently the Director of Water Operations for AMU. I have been a member of IGWA for over 20 years and have also been very active in many other associations during the past several years.
As a utility that receives its water from groundwater, IGWA is a great source of information and has several members that are very knowledgeable in groundwater activities and groundwater protection. Over the last couple years I have attended my first IGWA meetings and have found them to be very informative. Like any other professional organization, the sharing of knowledge and networking are both a critical part of becoming a better professional for all of us.
The State of Iowa is making changes in the Iowa Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan. Even though compliance with the plan is not mandatory, we are taking small steps in the right direction to help reduce nitrate in groundwater as well as surface waters. Some of us would argue that this needs to be mandatory. We as an organization of groundwater professionals need to speak up and be heard about the concerns we have with this issue.
On March 11, 2014 IGWA and the Center for Health Effects of Environmental Contamination (CHEEC) hosted a symposium on the connection of groundwater and public health. The conference provided experts, informed presentations and networking opportunities to better understand the prevalence of groundwater contaminants (nitrate, pesticides, arsenic, etc.) and resulting health effects in Iowa. Recent statewide projects looking at private well arsenic levels and public well virus levels were highlighted, as well as presentations on similar projects from neighboring Midwestern states. The presentations are available on the IGWA website at www.igwa.org.
Employee Profiles – Mitch Burg
Employee Profiles – Our latest addition of employee profiles introduces us to Mitch Burg.
Name: Mitch Burg
Job Title: Water Service Technician
Where is your home town? Atlantic, IA
How long have you been with AMU? 2 years
What are some of your daily job duties?
Turn on and off water services, change water meters, locate water lines, repair fire hydrants and other water distribution work.
What do you enjoy about your job or working for AMU?
I like working with the guys in the water department. It’s nice working outside and doing different things daily.
What are some hobbies or activities that you enjoy outside of work?
I play slow pitch softball and I like fishing. I enjoy spending time with my family, my beautiful wife Megan and two daughters Tayler and Payton. And I love the San Francisco 49ers!!!
Employee Profiles – Kim Boes
Employee Profiles – Our latest addition of employee profiles introduces us to Kim Boes.
Name: Kimberly Boes
Job Title: Staff Accountant
Where is your home town? Carroll, IA, however I’ve lived in Atlantic for 17 years
How long have you been with AMU? Almost 2 years
What are some of your daily job duties? Payroll, accounts payable, daily banking, assisting with cashiering
What do you enjoy about your job or working for AMU? Working with public is always interesting, and my co-workers are fun
What are some hobbies or activities that you enjoy outside of work? Spending time with my family, helping Jeremy at the shop (Boes Repair, 12 N Linn Street), Camping, Riding Motorcycle, Off-Roading, Riding 4-wheelers
Employee Profiles – Travis Meyer
Employee Profiles – We continue our employee profiles this month by introducing, Travis Meyer.
What is your Job Title?
Combination Equipment Operator / Ground Man and Water Service Technician
Where is your hometown?
Atlantic, IA
How long have you been with AMU?
About 10 Months
What are some of your daily job duties?
It depends on the week. When with the water department I am doing locates, hydrant and water main repairs.
With the electric department I help install underground power lines.
What do you enjoy about your job or working for AMU?
I enjoy that it is not the same thing every day.
What are some of you hobbies or activities that you enjoy outside of work?
I enjoy watching sports.
2012 APPA Electric Rate Comparison
The American Public Power Association (APPA) produces an annual rate comparison study, which compares electric rates of electrical utilities. These studies are broken down by three different rate classes, Residential, Commercial and Industrial. Nationally, Iowa ranks as having one of the lowest average rates in the country. Locally, Atlantic Municipal Utilities has one of the 5 lowest averages in the state. Here is how AMU compares to the average utility in Iowa for 2012, the latest year that has been compiled to date:
Residential : AMU: 7.5 / kWh State Avg: 10.9 / kWh
Commercial: AMU: 6.7 / kWh State Avg: 8.3 / kWh
Industrial: AMU: 4.8 / kWh State Avg: 6.1 / kWh
To view the full report, click the link below.
