THE INNOVATOR
Denison Municipal Utilities
January, 2014
MESSAGE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER
2013 was another very exciting, challenging and successful year at DMU. All the DMU employees worked very hard to continue to provide the excellent electric, water and wastewater
services you have come to expect in Denison. Below is a small list of some of our activities:
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Refinanced the DMU SRF water bonds to a lower interest rate, saving $132,100 in interest expenses
through 2021.
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Completed a hydrogeological study of areas surrounding Denison to find new sources of water. Contracted for exploratory drilling of three sites.
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Implemented a more-aggressive use of the DMU load management system to offset the monthly electric peak demand. Savings over the winter and summer seasonal peak demand costs was an estimated
$245,000.
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A new capacity study was completed of the DMU wastewater treatment plant to determine how much,
if any, capacity can be provided to local industries through higher Industrial Treatment Agreement limits.
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Together with the City and County completed a fiber-optic system that delivers a high-speed Internet
signal to each entity.
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Installed a new pumping station to provide improved water service at the southeast connection point
with WCIRWA.
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Installed a new 10” water main on 13th Ave. S.
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Awarded contracts for the painting of the 18th St. and 24th St. water towers.
Replaced the digester heat exchanger equipment at the wastewater treatment plant. New boiler will
be dual-fuel to potentially use methane gas as a fuel supplement.
Contracts awarded for the installation of a $2.1 million IDNR-mandated disinfection system at the
wastewater treatment plant.
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Hired David Malone, Chris Kunze and Matt Bissen at the wastewater utility and Neil Schumann at the
electric utility.
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Arranged for a leak detection survey be performed on the water distribution system.
Executed a new 30-year firm-electric wholesale contract with WAPA to maintain the current level of
hydroelectricity allocations through December 31, 2050.
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Executed a new reserve capacity agreement with MRES to maintain the current level of capacity payments through December 31, 2029.
On behalf of the DMU Board and employees, I want to say that it has been a pleasure to serve
you in 2013 and we look forward to another very good year in 2014. Please let me know if you
have any questions.
Mark Ramthun
2014
NEW YEAR SAVINGS
DMU is embracing the latest technology, being one of the first u li es in Iowa to deploy a mobile customer access app. The app provides an extensive measure of conven‐
ience for DMU customers. The DMU app is safe, secure, and easy to install. Download the DMU app by searching for “DMU” in the Apple or Google App Store. Download the free app now for your smartphone! • View Account Status • View Statements • View Payments • View Usage • Pay Your Bill • Receive Important Messages 2014
The New Year is a time for resolutions– a good time to make a fresh start. Developing an energy-saving strategy provides a real opportunity to cut costs and save you money. Here are some
New Year Resolutions “Energy Savings Tips”:
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Check Out Our New DMU Mobile App! Use compact fluorescent light bulbs
Turn off your computer and monitor when not in use
Lower the thermostat on your hot water heater to 120° F
Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes
Check the insulation levels in your attic, exterior and basement walls
Make sure your appliances and heating/cooling systems are maintained
Caulk and weather –strip doors and windows that leak air
It’s the 100 year anniversary
for the electric and
wastewater utilities and the
130 year anniversary for the
water utility in 2014.
Watch for more
information on the
anniversary celebration.
Denison Municipal Utilities
Denison Municipal Utilities
P.O. Box 518
Denison, Iowa 51442
Phone: 712-263-4154
Fax: 712-263-8767
Email :
[email protected]
We’re on the
Web!
www.dmuonline.com
Community owned
electric, water, & sewer
Fact or Fable?
Smartphones Use More Energy
Than a Refrigerator
A number of recent headlines have suggested that a smartphone uses more
energy than a home refrigerator. It seems hard to believe that a tiny mobile
device can gobble up more than the big refrigerator sitting in your kitchen.
So, is it true?
From the standpoint of your home energy consumption, it is no contest. It
takes only about 3.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year to charge an iPhone 5,
according to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), while an
ENERGY STAR rated high-efficiency refrigerator has an annual energy use
of 322 kWh, nearly 100 times more.
If you consider the entire energy footprint, according to researchers, the picture becomes less clear. While each device requires a certain amount of energy to manufacture, your refrigerator operates as a standalone device once it is
plugged in. A smartphone, however, requires an energy-using support network of cell towers, data centers and other equipment. When you factor in
wireless connections and data usage with battery charging, the total energy
footprint of an average iPhone is 361 kWh, according to a new study by Mark
Mills, CEO of the Digital Power Group.
While your smartphone may not use more energy than your refrigerator, its
energy and environmental impact goes beyond the charger. That might give
you something to think about the next time you send a text or look up a piece
of trivia.
Take the first step to
Save Energy and
Save Money
in your home
Making your home more energy
efficient can help to reduce high
energy bills, improve comfort, and
help protect the environment. When
it is time to upgrade equipment in
your home, choose qualifying
equipment to get a Bright Energy
Solutions® rebate and save all year
long. Incentives are available for
the following:
ENERGY STAR Qualified
Products:
Clothes washers—$50
Dishwashers—$25
Refrigerators—$50 (with recycling of old, working unit)
Ceiling fans—$25
Room air conditioners—$15
Dehumidifiers—$10
LED light strings—$3.50
Participating is easy! Just visit:
www.dmuonline.com
The Truth About Electric Space Heaters
You may have heard claims that purchasing a “magic” space heater will slash your electric
bill by up to 50 percent, or that you can heat your home for pennies a day. What is not said
is how many pennies it will take. We advise you to be cautious of such claims and investigate fully before purchasing a potentially costly space heater.
To achieve the savings these “magic” space heater advertisements claim, you must turn the
temperature in your house down to between 50 and 60 degrees and move the heater with you
from room to room. Not only is this a potential safety hazard, you also sacrifice convenience
and comfort in the rest of your home.
In addition, electric plug-in space heaters are not more efficient than other electric heating
sources, and all electric space heaters are equally efficient. An electric space heater rated at
1,500 watts will put out the same amount of heat regardless what you pay for it. You would
be better off to take the money you would spend on a space heater and put it toward weatherization improvements to
your home, such as adding
Keep Safety in mind………..If you do use a space heater,
insulation and caulking.
be sure to:
Keep the heater at least 3 feet from flammable items
Consider the operating
Keep children and pets away from heaters
cost before you purchase
Be sure the heater has an automatic shut-off switch if it tips
and electric plug-in space
heater that claims to lower over.
Select a space heater with a guard around the heating eleyour heating bill. The cost
ment.
to operate depends on the
Never leave a space heater unattended.
type of heater and the size
of room you are heating.
Using energy wisely will help you keep your utility bills as low as possible while maintaining comfort.