March 6, 2023 Home
Compared to most other areas of the US, those of us in Hancock County and the rest of the region served by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have low electric rates. Almost all of Tennessee gets their power from TVA. Tennessee ranked 41st out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (statista.com/statistics) in residential retail electricity price in September 2022.
Yet of course, all of us would like to save money on our electric bills. So what can we do to lower our bills – and make our home more comfortable and safe? We probably know where there are drafts and air leaks in windows and doors. We can look at our water heater and change temperature. Maybe our refrigerator or stove is not working well. Then – especially in older houses – more insulation will be helpful.
So, how to sort all this out?
FIRST STEP: TVA and Powell Valley Electric Cooperative offer a Home Energy Evaluation through the Energy Right program. This program is available at no charge. You can set up an appointment with an approved energy advisor for a home energy assessment. If you have wi-fi, the assessment can be done virtually.
The advisor will come to your home, spend about an hour looking at air sealing, ductwork, HVAC system, windows and doors, electric water heater, refrigerator, insulation, lighting, appliances, and electronics. The advisor will provide customized energy- and money-saving recommendations for your home. You will receive a gift pack of LED bulbs to get you started. You will also get a list of contractors approved by TVA to make the recommended energy savings improvements.
How to begin? go to energyright.com/residential or call 855/237-2673. Currently, scheduling a visit is about a month out from the time you call.
This is a good time to get a home assessment. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) will provide rebates for the purchase of high-efficiency electric appliances and energy efficiency improvements. Rebates are based on household income and can cover up to 100% of the cost if median income is 80% or less of area median income – 50% if between 80% and 150% of area median income ($29,650 in Hancock County). Listed below are some examples.
Everyone needs to learn more about our electric cooperative and its services. For more information, go to pve.coop.
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