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Know the impact of appliances with interactive energy house

Ohio’s residential utility consumers are always looking for ways to save money on their monthly utility bills. And this summer will be no different. Whether it is taking measures to conserve energy or making sure energy is used efficiently, reducing the amount of money paid for utilities is becoming more and more of a priority. But what else can be done to keep bills under control?

To help answer this question, the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) has created a Smart Energy House that takes consumers on a room-by-room tour providing estimated costs to run large appliances. With this information, consumers can better understand how the use of appliances and other items can impact their monthly electric and natural gas bills. Two of the goals of this interactive tool are to reveal the potential savings of owning energy efficient models and provide tips to help customers control energy usage in each room of their house.

To get started, consumers need to answer a few simple questions related to the size of their house, the region of Ohio in which they live and the names of the electric and natural gas companies that provide their service. The submitted answers will provide a cost analysis of various home appliances along with tips that could result in savings on utility bills. Consumers will learn:

• How small adjustments to appliances can increase energy efficiency
• How to better protect a house from the summer heat
• How much energy efficient appliances can save on energy bills
• How to save energy when using items that still use power while in stand-by mode
• What the projected annual operating costs are for common household appliances

This online interactive house is yet another tool the OCC has developed to give consumers the choices they need when faced with high utility bills. There are many tips throughout the house that, if followed, will set consumers on their way to using less energy throughout the year. A complete section devoted to the smart use of energy, which includes the interactive Smart Energy House, is on the OCC’s website at www.pickocc.org/smartenergy.

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OCC is in your corner

• Cincinnati Bell and AT&T received permission by state regulators, last November and December respectively, to impose annual rate increases on many of their residential customers with basic local telephone service and basic Caller ID. Based on an AT&T request, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) allowed the company to annually raise its monthly rate for basic local service by up to $1.25 in 136 Ohio exchanges – approximately 70 percent of its total territory in the state. It also wanted to be able to annually increase the price of basic Caller ID by 50 cents per month in those areas.
  
  Prior to the AT&T decision, the PUCO allowed Cincinnati Bell the same pricing flexibility for its two largest exchanges, which are in and around the cities of Cincinnati and Hamilton. In January, Cincinnati Bell used the PUCO’s decision to increase its monthly basic local service rate by $1.25.
  
  The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) opposed the ability for both companies to increase their basic rates, citing that they had not shown their exchanges were open to competition, as required by Ohio law to receive the ability to raise their basic rates each year. The OCC also argued the companies did not show that alternatives to basic service were available, as required by the PUCO. The local telephone companies will be able to impose these increases each year without a review by the PUCO to ensure that prices are reasonable and the increases are justified.

• The OCC issued a biennial report on electric choice to the Ohio General Assembly and proposed ideas to provide our state with a bright energy future.
  
  The OCC reported that since the beginning of electric choice, the regulatory construct failed to create a level playing field for alternative suppliers and, instead, allowed the electric utilities to continue their market power. Ohio lost opportunities that could have potentially saved customers money had competitive markets been properly structured.
  
  The report also highlighted obstacles that must be addressed at the wholesale level. The OCC is committed to working with other Ohio stakeholders and consumer advocates from other states to resolve these issues and to bring benefits to residential consumers.
  
  Likewise, the OCC looked to the potential for a positive future and to helping “carefully steer the state back on course.” The OCC wants to partner with the legislature, Governor’s office and other stakeholders “to craft a policy that creates a win-win for Ohio’s consumers and the future of the state.”

• The OCC also issued its 2006 Annual Report, highlighting its activities and accomplishments. The year was significant to the history of the OCC as it marked the agency’s 30th anniversary. Created in 1976 by the Ohio General Assembly, the OCC has seen many changes in the utility environment and remains steadfast in its efforts to advocate for fair and reasonable rates, ensure that consumer protections are in place, and support the development of choices for residential consumers. To view the OCC annual reports from the past decade, visit www.pickocc.org/annualreports.

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SOLAR 2007 Conference

This summer, the eyes of the nation’s solar industry will be focused on our own city of Cleveland as the 36th Annual National Solar Energy Conference (SOLAR 2007) is held July 7 through 13. The conference will be presented by the American Solar Energy Society and Green Energy Ohio. This year’s theme is “Sustainable Energy Puts America to Work.”

The national SOLAR 2007 conference will be held at the Cleveland Convention Center and, according to the co-presenters, feature “a technical conference, hands-on workshops, tours of renewable energy sites, consumer-oriented presentations and a ‘Renewable Products and Services’ exhibit featuring more than 100 national and regional companies.”

Some of the workshops and events will likely include:

• Ohio Amish Country tour (solar energy is used by some of our state’s Amish communities)

• Women’s Solar Installation seminar

What’s in it for you?

Residential consumers who would like to learn more about renewable energy are encouraged to attend SOLAR 2007’s Public Day on July 8. On Public Day, free consumer-focused presentations will be given and access to the conference’s exhibit hall will be free of charge.

Attendance at all other SOLAR 2007 sessions and workshops require paid admission. Consumers interested in developing and implementing their own residential solar project or with special interest in certain topics may want to explore the SOLAR 2007 agenda and consider attendance at some additional events.

For more information

Interested in attending SOLAR 2007 in Cleveland? Be sure to visit the conference’s website at www.solar2007.org for more details and updates. For events that will serve to educate consumers, click on “Public Events.”

If you have questions or are planning to attend SOLAR 2007, contact the Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel’s Linda Walls-Rominski by calling (614) 466-9571 or by e-mail at rominski@occ.state.oh.us.

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Telephone service fees

Q. I went to make a call on my home telephone and there was only static on the line. How can I tell if the problem is with the wiring inside or outside my home?

A. The easiest way to determine the source of the problem is by using a Network Interface Device, or NID. The NID is a gray box located outside where the telephone line enters the house. Open the NID cover and plug a working corded telephone into the test jack. If you hear a dial tone the problem is inside your home and caused by a faulty telephone, jack or inside wiring. If you hear static or no dial tone, then the problem is most likely in the outside wiring. Repairs to inside wires can be fixed by the consumer, an independent contractor or the telephone company. Any outside repairs are the responsibility of the telephone company.

Q. Will I be charged if the telephone company has to make a repair?

A. It is important to check your service at the NID before calling the company because if the problem is inside the home and you do not check the service at the NID first, the company can charge you for coming out to determine the problem. Any actual repairs inside would be charged in addition to the trip charge.

Q. Should I subscribe to my local telephone company’s inside wire maintenance plan?

A. Most local telephone companies offer inside wire maintenance plans, although problems with inside wiring are infrequent. To decide whether these plans, which are similar to insurance policies, are right for you, be sure to ask your telephone company exactly what the plan covers, what charges apply and how much a typical repair costs if you are not on the plan.

Q. Who should I contact for more information on the telephone service or inside wire maintenance plans?

A. For information on telephone service fees or inside wire maintenance plans, you may contact the Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel (OCC) toll free at 1-877-742-5622.

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