Customers Margaret and Warren Torkelson make extraordinary efforts to be environmentally conscious, starting with their participation in Alliant Energy's Second Nature voluntary green pricing program. As Second Nature customers, the Torkelsons help purchase earth-friendly wind power and biomass energy.
The Torkelsons believe that environmental stewardship begins at home. At their Garner, Iowa, house, they've installed energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs; taking advantage of Alliant Energy rebates for those bulbs, as well as for their furnace, air conditioner, insulation, and windows.
Home improvements with the environment in mind are an ongoing process at the Torkelson home, purchased in 1987. Improvements include:
- Built a roof over the patio to shade the west doors from the summer sun
- Added six inches of insulation to their attic, and inside of their garage including doors
- Added more vents and a wind turbine to their roof
- Replaced windows and doors with energy-efficient models Updated to energy-efficient kitchen appliances
- Converted their conventional fireplace to natural gas.
The Torkelson's lifestyle also reflects their environmental stewardship. They run their electric dryer and dishwasher at night and turn the thermostat down until they come home from work. They keep the bathroom door closed when they go to bed, too, so that the room is warm in the morning.
Outdoors, they've added trees to boost afternoon shade and a new spruce to lengthen the windbreak on the lot's northwest edge. Heavy clothes are dried on a clothesline in summer and a wooden rack in winter. To learn more about Alliant Energy's Second Nature program, visit alliantenergy.com/secondnature.
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