“It was a no-brainer.”So says Brian Berls, the first recipient of Idaho Power’s new $300 incentive for customers who replace their existing electric water heater with an energy- efficient heat pump water heater. These water heaters use the same technology a heat pump uses to warm your home, absorbing heat from the air and transferring it to the water in the tank. The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance says this technology can save up to 70 percent on water-heating costs.

Brian and his family—wife Becca and their three young children—are committed to using energy efficiency measures to save money in their all-electric house. They have switched their lightbulbs to energy-efficient LEDs, and they use a heat pump to warm and cool their home.

When winter 2017 hit, it brought increased energy use due to frigid temperatures. “Last winter, our worst electric bill was almost $400,” said Brian.

“So, that started the investigation of finding even more efficient things.”

Brian, a particle accelerator engineer at the Idaho Accelerator Center for Idaho State University, began analyzing the family’s energy use and billing data from the spring and fall months. He discovered electric hot water heater costs accounted for about half the family’s electric bill during those months, when they didn’t need to heat or cool their home. Brian realized, “Well, if I can make that more efficient, then that just helps me altogether.”

Thus began Brian’s research on water heaters. He liked what he learned, and

CoverWater Heater Incentive Helps Customers Save

Page 2Alpine Automotive Saves Energy with Efficiency Upgrades

Page 4Idaho Power Supports Local Tiny House Project

Page 3Winners Announced for 2017 Smart-saver Pledge

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(continued on page 2)

ConnectionsConnectionsApril 2018

Savings That Really Add Up Idaho Power’s heat pump water heater rebate offers customers, like Brian Berls, another way to save energy and money.

Family Saves Energy and Money with New Water Heater, Earns Incentive

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Saving Energy and Money (continued from page 1)News FeedIdaho Power Celebrates Earth DayTo celebrate the 48th anniversary of Earth Day and our commitment to environmental stewardship, Idaho Power will be participating in the Portneuf Valley Environmental Fair in Pocatello and organizing the Hells Canyon Area River Cleanup on April 21.

Idaho Power provides customers with choices and offers several programs featuring green options, including paperless billing, which helps the company and our customers reduce our environmental impact. Visit idahopower.com/greenchoices to learn more.

Idaho Power Helps Alpine Automotive on the Road to SavingsWhen Alpine Automotive moved from a 2,000-square foot facility to one that was over 8,000 square feet, the company wanted to incorporate energy-saving measures to improve employee productivity and customer satisfaction. Alpine Automotive received a $4,557 incentive from Idaho Power for the installation of LED lighting, occupancy sensors, daylight photocells and evaporative coolers. These measures are expected to save 15,990 kilowatt-hours per year.

Businesses of all sizes can receive incentives for new construction and major renovations, retrofits and custom projects. Watch Alpine Automotive’s story on the Idaho Power Youtube channel.

youtube.com/idahopower

idahopower.com/greenchoices

vendors he talked to alerted him to the possibility of an Idaho Power rebate. That led him to Idaho Power Engineer Todd Greenwell.

“Fortunately, Idaho Power was investigating launching a heat pump water heater incentive when Brian got in touch in early 2017,” said Todd. “He was ahead of the curve, but we were already well down the road.”

Todd and Brian stayed in touch while Idaho Power finalized details of the incentive prior to its Jan. 1, 2018 launch. And when that day came, Brian was eager to get started.

He purchased and installed his new Rheem heat pump water heater the first week in January.

“I thought, ‘This is going to save me 30 or 40 bucks a month, so I wanted to jump on it.’”

Brian, who is pretty handy, installed the new water heater himself. But he points out someone less skilled should also be able to self-install, thanks to new piping, fittings and tools that are readily available. “You don’t need any specialty tools to do what I did, and installation was appropriate for any do-it-yourselfer with a moderate skill level.”

Operating and maintaining a heat pump water heater isn’t any different than a regular water heater. But Brian’s heat pump water heater does have one “fancy” feature: a touch-screen display.

“It’s like working a touch-screen on a fridge,” he said. “You can press buttons and it tells you modes: high-efficiency, high-demand, vacation.” And the unit is Wi-Fi enabled, with an app available for smart phones, to monitor it or change modes.

Even without the app, Brian said it’s easy to pop downstairs on a night when the family is doing laundry and taking showers to shift the water heater into high- demand mode. He can then switch it back to efficiency after energy-heavy activities are done.

“You can really nerd out on it,” he laughed.

The family’s heat pump water heater cost $1,099 on sale. But Brian pointed out that the investment was worth it. “It is a bit more, but when you look at the savings—almost $300 a year—it pays for itself completely in four years. And with the rebate it’s 2.5 years.”

Brian submitted his rebate request to Idaho Power at the

heat their home tapers off, he’ll be able to see the difference the new heat pump water heater is making in energy use and calculate what it’s saving.

“Just going off the Energy Guide sticker, my last one was $425 a year operating cost and this one is $150. So, it’s a significant savings.”

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idahopower.com/energy

end of January and said the process was straightforward. He submitted two forms from the Idaho Power website, along with his paid invoice for the water heater, and that’s all there was to it.

And what has the new heat pump water heater done for the family’s energy bills? Brian said that when milder spring temperatures roll around and the energy they use to

Christy Meyer

Idaho Power’s October Smart-saver Pledge contest encouraged customers to use energy wisely by pledging to do one of the following for 21 days:

• Clean the condenser coils on the fridge.

• Register for My Account and review energy use at least once a week.

• Wash clothes in cold water.

• Use a smart power strip to turn off multiple items at once.

• Use a slow-cooker or BBQ once a week instead of the stove or oven.

Customers who took the Pledge were entered to win an ENERGY STAR® appliance. In November, Idaho Power held a random drawing and Boise resident Lois Daniels, who pledged to wash her clothes in cold water, was the winner of a new electric appliance! Lois chose an ENERGY STAR refrigerator as her prize.

As a follow-up to the Smart-saver Pledge, Idaho Power asked participants to take a short survey and answer questions about their energy-saving actions. Survey respondents were entered into a drawing for a $100 prize. Lucky winner Michelle Koepnick of Kimberly received a $100 Visa gift card.

Idaho Power congratulates Lois on her new appliance and thanks everyone who made small energy-saving changes that add up to a big difference. Look for the Smart-saver Pledge again in October 2018.

Idaho Residents Win Big in Smart-saver Pledge Contest

Lucky winner Lois Daniels with her new ENERGY STAR® refrigerator.

“You can really nerd out on it.”

idahopower.com/heatingcooling

Recipes are selected for nutritional value and low energy use in preparation. They are approved by Registered Dietitian Erin Green from the Central District Health Department in Boise.

Connections is published monthly to inform our customers about services we provide, programs we offer and industry issues impacting our service area in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. Our goal is to engage and inspire you to learn more about Idaho Power and how we are working together to meet your energy needs today and tomorrow.

Comments or questions are welcome at idahopower.com/contactusor Corporate CommunicationsP.O. Box 70, Boise, ID 83707

Printed on recycled paper4

Coconut-lime Crusted Salmon1 pound salmon filet (3/4” thickness ideal)4 Tbsp olive oilJuice of one lime (approx. 2 Tbsp)1 egg, beaten1 Tbsp shredded, unsweetened coconut

1 tsp lime zest2 Tbsp all-purpose flour¼ tsp garlic powderDash of saltCilantro for garnish

In a shallow dish, whisk lime juice and 1 Tbsp of olive oil. Place fish flesh-side down in mixture and marinate for approximately 15 minutes. Heat remaining oil in frying pan over medium heat. Meanwhile, combine coconut, lime zest, flour, garlic powder and salt in another shallow dish. After fish is done marinating, dip flesh-side down in egg, then immediately flesh-side down in flour mixture to coat the flesh. Place flesh-side down in frying pan and cook until golden crust forms (approx. 10 minutes). Once golden, reduce heat to medium low, cover and cook until desired doneness (approximately 10–15 minutes more depending on thickness of the fish). Garnish with cilantro. Makes 4 servings.

Dinner

April 2018From The Electric Kitchen

Dietary information per serving:

Calories: 206Fat: 2.5 gCarbohydrate: 28 gProtein: 15.5 gSodium: 613 mgPotassium: 370 mgFiber: 5.8 gCholesterol: 21.7 mg

Idaho Power is getting in on the tiny house craze! Our Customer Relations and Energy Efficiency group is supporting Metro Community Services and the Canyon-Owyhee School Service Agency to help students build a tiny, energy-efficient home.

Project Tiny House provides educational opportunities for students to enhance their building skills while offering a chance for them to give back to senior citizens in their communities. The students enrolled in the school’s residential construction program build a house designed by the lead designer on the reality TV show “Tiny House Nation.” The materials for the tiny house are provided by Metro Community Services. For the second consecutive year, Idaho Power will support the purchase and installation of a ductless heat pump to efficiently heat and cool the space.

All proceeds from the sale of the tiny house will go to Metro Community Services and its programs that assist senior citizens in Ada and Canyon counties. To purchase raffle tickets, which cost $100 each, contact Metro Community Services in Caldwell at 208-459-0063 or Metro Meals on Wheels in Boise at 208-321-0031.

Idaho Power Supports Energy-efficient Tiny House Raffle

Coming from Mike