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To encourage energy conservation and help customers reduce their power bills, Sierra Pacific Power Company is partnering with JACO Environmental to recycle old refrigerators and freezers. The utility will pick them up for free and pay you $30 for each appliance that is recycled.

The program runs through September 15 or until funds are exhausted.

Refrigerators and freezers that are at least 10 years old use two to three times more energy than newer, more efficient models, according to John Hargrove, project manager for energy efficiency and conservation at Sierra Pacific.  In fact, refrigerators manufactured before 1985 consume about 1,500 kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually compared with approximately 450 kWh a year for newer models, representing a difference of $150 to $200 in electricity costs, Hargrove added. 

All of Sierra Pacific's residential and small commercial electric customers in Nevada and California are eligible to participate in the program, with a limit of two appliances per household.  The refrigerators and freezers must have a capacity of between 10 and 27 cubic feet, be empty at the time of pick up, and should be plugged in to demonstrate that they are in working order.

The JACO Environmental recycling process received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Stratospheric Ozone Protection Award in 2004 for its efficiency, effectiveness and safety.  Through this process, at least 90 percent of the old refrigerator or freezer will be recycled.  JACO also safely disposes of toxins and ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbon gasses that come from oils and foam insulation. Based in Snohomish, Washington, JACO has operations in six western states.   

"It is our goal to educate the public about the need for energy conservation and to help them with programs and rebates,"Hargrove said."The Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program is an easy and convenient way for customers to dispose of old or spare appliances in a safe and environmentally-friendly manner, to save on their electric bill and earn a rebate."

Sierra Pacific's customers recycled 1,273 refrigerators and freezers in 2005, Hargrove said. Customers earned $38,000 in rebates and saved 1,959,147 kilowatt hours of energy or enough to power 450 homes for one year. He said the utility hopes to recycle 1,174 refrigerators and freezers in 2006. Thus far, 604 appliances have been collected. 
 
Hargrove said the program is an important component of Sierra Pacific's summer energy conservation plans since the reduction in energy consumption helps reduce the amount of electricity that has to be produced at the company's power plants or purchased from other suppliers.

To receive more information on the Sierra Pacific Power Company's Refrigerator and Freezer Recycling Program, the JACO Environmental recycling process or additional conservation tips and programs, log on towww.sierrapacific.comor call toll free, (877) 289-8260.