Update 2:30 p.m. Jan. 26: Because of the weekend’s winter storm, this meeting has been rescheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 2.
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Danville’s utility commission will hear a presentation about how to save energy and manage electric consumption during the winter at its regular meeting at 4 p.m. Monday.
Mauricio Rodriguez, the city’s utilities energy advisor who will give the presentation, also hosted energy-efficiency seminars for the public this fall, according to the staff report in the meeting’s agenda packet.
Energy-efficiency efforts reduce energy bills and are good for the environment, the presentation says.
Last winter, there were 134 customers in Danville with high energy usage. Of those, 32 had faulty equipment, it says. One customer had over $870 in wasted energy during the winter.
The most energy-intensive equipment failures include HVAC systems, thermostats, well pumps and water heaters, according to the presentation.
The presentation includes a list of the home equipment that uses the most energy: HVAC systems, which typically contribute to around 50% of an energy bill; water heaters; lighting; refrigerators; and laundry appliances.
There’s also a breakdown of typical monthly costs for different equipment. For example, a dehumidifier, when plugged in 12 hours a day, can contribute about $32.55 to a monthly bill.
Customers can save money by scheduling an HVAC tune-up, using ceiling fans spinning clockwise in winter, changing air filters regularly, and checking if unused items are plugged in, according to the presentation.
The presentation will also include common energy myths addressing misconceptions about energy efficiency, like the idea that windows are the biggest source of heat loss and that leaving the lights on is the biggest reason for a high power bill.
In reality, according to the presentation, “poor insulation in walls, attics and basements often contributes more to energy loss than windows.” And lighting in most homes only accounts for about 5% to 10% of the bill. HVAC systems, water heaters, laundry machines and refrigerators also contribute to power bills.
The presentation also debunks the idea that space heaters save money: “Space heaters can be efficient in small, occupied areas if the central heating is turned down. But using multiple space heaters throughout the home as your primary source of heating is usually more expensive than central heating.”
Also meeting in Danville this week is the city’s community policy and management team, at 10 a.m. Friday. There are no government meetings in Pittsylvania County scheduled for this week.