Rainie Torrance
Utility Manager
Email Rainie Torrance
(760) 326-2115 ext.140
Address
817 Third Street
Needles, CA 92363
Office Hours
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The Needles Public Utility Authority (NPUA) is responsible for managing all the City’s utility services, including electricity, water, and wastewater. The City of Needles took a major step in 1991 when it purchased the electric company from CP National, bringing electric services under local control. Since then, the NPUA has overseen the management of all utilities in the City.
The NPUA operates with guidance from the Utility Board, which makes recommendations to the City Council. The City Council members also serve as the managing body of the NPUA, ensuring that utility services are efficiently provided to the community and meet the city’s needs.
Related Documents
Utility Tips for Cost-Savings
- Ensure your attic is well-insulated. If your insulation is less than R-22 (7 inches of fiberglass or 6 inches of cellulose), add more.
- Most homes should have R-22 to R-49 insulation in the attic.
- If your attic is adequately insulated, but your home remains hot, consider adding insulation to exterior walls.
- Seal seams, cracks and openings with weather-stripping and caulking. This can save 10% or more on your energy bill by reducing air leaks.
- Use an outdoor grill to avoid heating the kitchen.
- Use a microwave, crock-pot, or toaster oven to keep kitchen heat down.
- Don’t preheat the oven unless necessary, and turn it off 5 minutes early to use residual heat.
- Avoid opening the oven door frequently, as each opening loses 25-50 degrees.
- Cook during cooler times of the day and use flat-bottom pans to minimize heat loss.
- Run your dishwasher only with full loads, and air-dry dishes if possible.
- Run your dishwasher at night during off-peak hours to avoid adding heat during the day.
- Replace old electric heat systems with energy-efficient heat pumps for potential savings of 30-40% on cooling costs.
- Check the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER); a higher SEER means more efficiency.
- Ensure your heat pump is the right size—an oversized unit wastes energy.
- Replace air filters monthly to keep the system efficient.
- Wash clothes in cold water to save on heating costs and keep the home cooler.
- Wash and dry full loads to maximize energy use.
- Use the cool-down cycle to finish drying clothes with residual heat.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) in high-use areas.
- CFLs use 75% less energy and last 6–10 times longer.
- Turn off lights when not needed.
- Install a programmable thermostat to save 20-30% on heating and cooling costs.
- Set temperatures to automatically adjust throughout the day.
- Replace old refrigerators (12+ years) with Energy Star models for significant energy savings.
- Test door seals by closing a dollar bill in the door; if it pulls out easily, replace the seal.
- Clean refrigerator coils periodically to ensure efficiency.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers full but not overcrowded for optimal performance.
- Set your water heater temperature to 120°F (140°F if you have a dishwasher).
- Insulate the hot water pipe and consider an insulating blanket for older heaters.
- Repair leaking faucets and ensure taps are fully turned off.
- Install solar film, sunscreens, or awnings on sun-exposed windows.
- Plant desert-friendly trees and shrubs to reduce heat and lower energy costs.
- Use a timer for your pool pump and run it at night during non-peak hours.
- Maintain proper chemical balance to avoid longer pump operation.
- Operate the filter at night when chlorine is most effective.
