COUNTY News:

The Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities (DPU) and the American Public Power Association (APPA) are celebrating Public Power Week this week. DPU is among approximately 2,000 community-owned, not-for-profit electric utilities that collectively provide electricity to 54 million Americans.

In observance of Public Power Week, DPU offers a few tips on how to save energy and money in your home:

• According to the Alliance to Save Energy, the average U.S. home uses 70 light bulbs. Even though modern bulbs are energy efficient, you should still turn them off when they aren’t in use.
• Swap out old incandescent bulbs for new LED bulbs. Residential LEDs–especially ENERGY STAR-rated products–use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent lighting
• Heating and cooling your home can require a lot of energy. Set your thermostat lower in the winter and higher in the summer to save energy and money on your power bill.
• Unplug appliances when you aren’t using them. Even when they aren’t being used, they are sometimes drawing “phantom power,” which wastes energy. To see just how much, check out the Kill-A-Watt meter from the Library of Things through the Los Alamos County Library System.
• Your home’s water heater is a big energy user. Make sure to use cold water when you can and turn off the hot water while you are scrubbing your hands.
• Consider a do-it-yourself home energy audit. DPU offers tools and guidance for this through the Library of Thing, or find information online at ladpu.com/conserve.

DPU offers a variety of programs to help you use energy wisely and the following events are coming soon:

• 2nd Annual Ghost Hunt: Los Alamos Little Theatre, Oct. 26, 6:30-8 p.m.
• Heat Pump Panel Discussion: Los Alamos Nature Center, Oct. 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Insulate, Insulate, Insulate: A Talk on Insulation: Los Alamos Nature Center, Nov. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Home Energy: Innovations and Insights: Council Chambers at the Los Alamos Municipal Building, Nov. 18, 5:30-8 p.m.

DPU is on the web at ladpu.com/DPU. Follow DPU on social media for the latest information regarding upcoming programming! Facebook: @DPU1968; Instagram @lacdpu; Threads @lacdpu.