Truckee Donner Public Utility District

TDPUD’s electric infrastructure is built to withstand winter weather, but high winds and dense snow bring challenges. The wetter and heavier the snow, the higher chance of damage to our electric equipment. The possibility of power outages increases during and after snow storms, so we urge TDPUD customers to be prepared for potential power loss:

• If you heat your home with electricity or gas, make sure you have an alternative heat source or a plan for keeping warm
• If you plan to use a generator in an outage, take a few minutes to brush up on our generator safety tips (tdpud.org/generator)
• Sign up for real-time outage text alerts in your SmartHub account to stay informed during an outage (tdpud.org/outage)
• Prepare coolers to store refrigerated foods in the event of a prolonged outage
• Please be patient! Hazardous road conditions and inclement weather can create obstacles for our crew when responding to outages

It’s critical for homeowners to keep their meter, electrical panel and weatherhead free of snow, especially in an extreme winter like this one. TDPUD electric crews say that the majority of the meters in our system are currently inaccessible due to snow. This creates a number of issues not only for our operations and our ability to serve our customers, but for your safety. While TDPUD maintains snow clearance of power lines due to the hazards they pose, it’s the responsibility of homeowners to keep their meter, electrical panel and weatherhead free of snow, and provide an accessible path from the road or driveway to this equipment.

Having this equipment blocked by snow not only impedes TDPUD in the work it needs to do, but it can also damage equipment, jeopardize your safety and affect outage restoration times. Read the below FAQ for more information on why it’s important to keep this equipment accessible at all times, and how to do so safely.

What residential equipment are homeowners responsible for clearing snow from?

Meters, electrical panels and weatherheads.

• Your meter and electrical panel are located on the exterior of your home, usually a few feet off the ground.
• Your weatherhead is an extension of your electrical panel and can usually be found adjacent to your roof. It is where the secondary power line meets your home’s electrical equipment. Customers should approach this equipment safely, and make sure to stay away from power lines. If the snow buildup around your home is such that you would need to be standing near power lines to clear your weatherhead, then do not attempt to clear it, and call or email TDPUD for assistance. We can help determine the best course of action for your home.
• To cut down on buildup, customers should make sure they are not removing snow from their driveways or roofs in the direction of this electrical equipment.

Why are homeowners responsible for this?

Current construction standards state that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain a safe passage to access this equipment at all times. This equipment is attached to your home, and TDPUD can not risk injury to its staff or damage to your property to shovel out equipment that is part of your home. TDPUD also doesn’t have the ability to do snow removal for the more than 15,000 homes and businesses it serves.

What residential equipment is TDPUD responsible for clearing snow from?

In specific cases, the secondary power lines that connect the home to the main service.

Why is TDPUD responsible for this?

It is dangerous to have anyone but trained linemen near power lines. If power lines on a residential property are touching snow or are in danger of being buried, we ask customers to call TDPUD to assess the situation and we will send staff out to clear the lines if necessary.

Why do I need to keep my meter, electrical panel and weatherhead clear of snow?

It is in your best interest to maintain an accessible path and clearance of your meter and electrical panel not only for TDPUD utility workers, but for yourself and other crucial personnel, like gas company workers and firefighters, and for your safety.

• Heavy snow loads can damage this equipment, and can also create a serious fire hazard.
  •  if your electrical panel is even partially buried in snow and ice, water can get inside and cause the panel to fail, which creates a fire hazard.
  • Snow unloading from roofs can pull the weatherhead off its anchor, and subsequently can pull the electric panel off your house. . The weight from snow and ice buildup on your panel can also damage it. You will need to have an electrician repair your electric panel before TDPUD can restore power to your home, which may take days depending on electrician availability.
• Not being able to access this equipment can create a safety issue. When utility workers and firefighters need to get to your electrical panel, it is usually for an urgent purpose. Having snow blocking their access delays their response and can be dangerous.
• Residents also need access to their electrical panel for various reasons.
• When utility workers can’t access certain ground level electric equipment, it can affect outage response time. It could even cause a larger outage if crews need to de-energize a larger portion of the system to fix an issue if they can’t get to the more acute equipment needed.
• It is TDPUD policy that that it is the responsibility of the homeowner to maintain a safe passage to access this equipment at all times

Cold temperatures can cause frozen or even burst water pipes. Here are some tips for how to prevent frozen pipes, what to do if you think your pipes are frozen, and how to respond if your pipe bursts:

Preventing Frozen Pipes:

• Close any exterior vents on your house, especially openings to your crawl space, to keep cold air out.
• Insulate your pipes.
• Drain your irrigation system.
• Keep adequate heat on in your house.
• Locate your house’s main shutoff valve, and keep it clear of snow and ice and readily accessible.

Thawing a Frozen Pipe:

• Check your house vents and make sure they are all closed, and there are no openings to your crawl space. 
• If you're able to access your crawl space, use an electric space heater to warm up the area around your pipes. Be careful not to place the space heater near insulation or anything flammable, and monitor the area and frequently check on the progress. 
• If you can’t heat the pipe directly, turning up the heat in your house can also help. 
• Leave your faucet open with the water on. When the pipe does thaw out, the water will be able to start running and break through any ice buildup in the pipe or faucet.
• It’s difficult to estimate how long it will take to unfreeze your pipe because it depends on how frozen they are. It will likely take a few hours, so be patient and don’t give up if you don’t immediately see results. 
• You need to stay home to monitor the situation while you are trying to unfreeze your pipes. If you leave and the water starts flowing it could cause flooding in your house. If you cannot stay home, turn off the main shutoff valve to your house when you leave to prevent flooding.
• If you’re unsure whether your pipes are frozen or don’t feel comfortable attempting to unfreeze them on your own, call a licensed plumber.

Responding to a Burst Pipe: 

• Freezing can sometimes result in pipe bursts. If you can hear water running but don’t have any faucets on, that might be an indication that you have a burst pipe.
• You may see water damage or leaks if the pipe is in an internal wall.
• If you think you might have a burst pipe, turn off your water at the main shutoff valve and call a plumber.
• Make sure TDPUD has your up-to-date contact information, including your phone number. When our smart meters register out-of-the-ordinary water flow (like what would happen if your pipe bursts), we will try to contact you to alert you to the situation. If we don't have your best contact information, we can't reach you as quickly. Log in to your SmartHub account to verify your contact information.

During big winters, it’s not uncommon for power and communication lines to be buried under snow, most often due to snow removal. If this happens to power lines on your property, here’s what you should do:

• If your power line is close to becoming buried, stay away and do not attempt to shovel it out yourself. Call TDPUD at 530-587-3896 or email service@tdpud.org and we will send someone out to assess and clear the power lines if needed. Take a picture and attach it to the email and provide as much information as possible. This will help our crews determine how to respond.
• Do not snow blow or shovel in the direction of power lines. If you utilize a plow service, ask them to avoid throwing snow towards power lines. This is the most common way that power lines get buried.
• Know the difference between power lines and communication lines. Communication lines are thicker and are usually located lower on the pole. If your communication line is in danger of being buried by snow, you may need to contact your phone or internet provider for assistance.

• Use window coverings: Insulating blinds or curtains can dramatically reduce heat loss from your home at night, making your home more comfortable and reducing the amount of electricity, gas, and/or wood needed to heat your home.

• Check for cracks around windows: Make sure to fill any obvious cracks around your windows. This can help seal heat in and keep the cold out of your home and reduce energy bills at the same time.

• Check your weather stripping: A simple piece of weather stripping around your exterior doors will eliminate cold drafts coming into your home, making it more comfortable and reducing heating costs.

• Insulate your wall sockets: Did you know that a lot of cold air can sneak into your home through your wall sockets? Check to make sure that all sockets on exterior walls have an insulating gasket installed behind the socket plate. They are inexpensive and easy to install and they will reduce heating costs for you this winter!

• Service your heating system: Make sure that your heating system is in tip-top shape and can work as efficiently and safely as possible this winter! If you have a central furnace, make sure that there are no leaks in the ductwork around your home.

• Close the damper on your fireplace: When not using your fireplace close the damper or class door. This will stop heat from escaping from your living space up the chimney. 

• Let the sun in during the day: Use the sun as a natural heater for your home. When it is shining, make sure that your window covings are open. Your windows will let light in and trap it inside your house, helping it to naturally heat up.

• Wear warm clothes indoors: Drop your thermostat to 68F degrees and make up the difference with warm clothes and blankets.

• Turn thermostats down at night time: Set thermostat to a lower temperature than daytime setting when people are sleeping or away from home. No need to over heat space when it is not needed and save money on your energy bill.

• Replace your air filter: Remember to replace your filter when it gets dirty. Consistent maintenance will improve your indoor air quality and help your central furnace not have to work as hard to pump air through the house.

• Uncover those hidden heater vents: Remove furniture and carpeting from heater vents to allow proper circulation of heat.

Check out our rebate programs and upgrade your home today!

EXPLORE NEW REBATES TO SEAL YOUR HOME!

Most homes in Truckee are “leaky”, especially if they were built prior to the 1980s. This means that heat escapes outside through cracks in the winter, and smoke pollutes indoor air in the summer. Home leakage gobbles up energy bills and threatens your health. Luckily, you can do something about it! 

Truckee Donner Public Utility District and the Town of Truckee are excited to offer money back to residents who test the leakiness of their homes and make improvements. This is called “weatherization,” which when properly done can reduce energy bills up to 30%.

What is Weatherization?  

Weatherization means reducing the amount of building leakage. This can be done by sealing cracks around windows, doors, fireplaces, ducts and other spaces where air can find a pathway from outside to inside. Installing efficient windows is also a weatherization strategy.

Why Weatherize?

• Reduce Energy Bills: When your home is not properly weatherized, heat can escape through cracks and cause your heating system to work harder to keep up. This means wasted money on energy bills. Properly sealing your home could save you up to 30% on energy bills.
• Keep Smoke Out of Your Home: In 2022, Truckee experienced hazardous levels of smoke for the third year in a row. Wildfire smoke is harmful to human health, and researchers have linked wildfire smoke exposure to increased rates of lung cancer and brain tumors. With the increasing prevalence and intensity of wildfire smoke in the Truckee region, it is more important than ever to protect your home’s air quality. Pairing weatherization measures with use of an air purifier will ensure that your home air stays pure.  

How Do I Weatherize?  

1. Test for leakage. This can be done with a specialist called a HERs rater or BPI specialist, who will conduct a blower door test to determine how leaky your home is. They can also perform tests on your ducts to identify duct leakages. Your specialist can then provide you with recommendations for how to weatherize. Please note, you will need to test again after completing weatherization improvements to determine the effectiveness of the measures and to qualify for rebate.
2. Your energy auditor will recommend measures based on your audit. It may be possible to complete some of the simple improvements yourself. Otherwise, you will need to hire a contractor for the more complicated ones. Improvements may include:
   • Weather seal leaky doors and windows. Window and door drafts make your home uncomfortable and cause your HVAC system to work harder. Usually, window and door sealing is a simple DIY project. You can simply apply adhesive barrier tape around window and door frames to fill the taps that are letting outside air through. For doors with large bottom gaps, you can attach a door sweep
   • Seal your HVAC ducts. Over time, the ducts that deliver heated and cooled air into your indoor spaces can develop leaks, resulting in lower efficiency and higher utility bills. Home renovations can also lead to damage. If you have easy access to your ducts and are willing to DIY, duct sealant can fix any leaks that have developed. Most HVAC contractors also provide sealing services – if you’d rather not DIY, call your contractor and ask for a quote.
   • Insulate and seal attic spaces. Though the TDPUD does not currently offer rebates for insulation, this is ultimately a very important component of weatherization. Insulation is measured in terms of R-value; the higher the number, the better its insulating properties. If you have a home that was constructed prior to the 1980s, you may only have R11 or R18 insulation, whereas it is recommended to have at least R60 in this climate. The Inflation Reduction Act will provide rebates for insulation beginning in late 2023.
   • Install external storm windows or solar screens (or upgrade windows). If you have single pane windows, installing low-E storm windows can provide enormous energy savings at a fraction of the cost of replacing single panes with modern double- or triple-pane windows. Low-E windows are typically installed externally, mounting to the frame outside the existing window. They provide nearly as much insulating performance as double-pane low-E windows for far lower investment of time, money and labor. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory found through testing that low-E storm windows can achieve 10-15% energy savings over uninsulated single and double pane glass. The Department of Energy estimates these savings can be as high as 30%.

Apply for rebates here, and get more information on the program here.

The TDPUD available rebates are listed below.