Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel

April 2009 - Ohio American Water customers in Franklin County now have a payment center available to them to pay their water bills in person. Located at the OAW Franklin County District Operations Office, 5481 Buenos Aires Blvd, Westerville, the payment center will be open 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. A nighttime deposit box is available to drop off payments at all other times. The center is only able to accept cash and checks for water bill payments.

April 2009 - Green Energy Ohio has been selected by the Sierra Club to administer a solar rebate program in Ohio. The program allows residential Ohioans who install a solar water heating system to receive a rebate of up to $2,400 for systems installed after April 1, 2009. Ohioans with qualifying systems can submit an application to Green Energy Ohio. For more information, including applications and how to participate, visit Green Energy Ohio online or call toll-free, 1-866-473-3664.

April 2009 - Do you know how much water you use on a daily basis? What about all of the water needed to grow your food or make the products you use regularly, like clothing or a computer? With more people concerned about the amount of freshwater systems available, the Water Footprint Network, a Dutch non-profit organization, has created a tool that will allow people to know their water footprint. A water footprint is not only the water you use directly for drinking, bathing and cooking but is also the water used indirectly such as what is needed to create any goods and services consumed. You can calculate your water footprint with an abbreviated or extended calculator.

January 2009 - Residential water heaters have become the final piece to the ENERGY STAR puzzle after the U.S. Department of Energy announced their availability to consumers in January. Now, every major appliance has an ENERGY STAR alternative for most homes.

The ENERGY STAR label will be available for five models of water heaters: high-efficiency gas storage water heaters; gas condensing water heaters; whole-home tankless water heaters; heat pump water heaters; and solar water heaters. Water heating is the second largest use of energy following heating and cooling, according to the DOE. Using one of the five ENERGY STAR-rated water heaters can reduce water bills from 7.5 percent to as much as 55.5 percent.

Certain ENERGY STAR water heaters qualify for federal tax credits. For more information about ENERGY STAR water heaters and to find one that fits your needs visit the ENERGY STAR Web site.