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ELECTRIC NOTES
ARE YOU UP TO SPEED ON POWER CORD SAFETY?
Are lamp, extension, telephone and other cords placed out of the flow
of traffic?
Cords stretched across walkways may cause someone to trip-and the wear and
tear could expose wires in an electrical cord, creating a dangerous shock hazard.
Whenever possible, arrange furniture so that outlets are available for lamps
and appliances without the use of extension cords.
Extension cords should not be used as a substitute for permanent wiring. If
you must use an extension cord, place it on the floor against a wall where people
cannot trip over it.
Are cords out from beneath furniture and rugs or carpeting?
Furniture resting on cords can damage them. Electric cords that run under carpeting
can overheat and cause a fire. Remove cords from under furniture or carpeting.
Replace damaged or frayed cords.
Are cords attached to walls, baseboards, etc., with nails or staples?
Nails or staples can damage cords, presenting fire and shock hazards. After
disconnecting the power, remove nails and staples from cords. Check wiring for
damage. Use tape if necessary to attach cords to walls or floors.
Are electrical cords in good condition, not frayed or cracked?
Damaged cords may cause a shock or fire. Replace frayed or cracked cords.
Do extension cords carry no more than their proper load, as indicated
by the ratings labeled on the cord and the appliance?
Overloaded extension cords may cause fires. Replace No. 18 gauge cords with
No. 16 gauge cords. Older extension cords using small (No. 18 gauge) wires can
overheat at 15 or 20 amps. Change the cord to a higher-rated one or unplug some
appliances if the rating on the cord is exceeded by the power requirements of
the appliances plugged into the cord.
SOMETHING FOR NOTHING
Free Ways To Lower Your Electric Bill
• Place lamps in corners to reflect light from two walls instead of one. Light-colored
walls reflect more light than dark walls, so less light is needed. Use task
lighting, focused where you need it, rather than lighting an entire room.
• Shiny reflector pans under your stove burners help focus the heat more efficiently.
Tight-fitting lids on pots and pans produce results faster by not letting heat
escape, allowing you to use less heat and less water. You can turn the heat
off earlier and allow food to finish cooking with the residual heat, since the
heat is retained longer.
DON'T LET CLOTHES DRYER SHRINK YOUR WALLET
Give your dryer—and your clothes—a longer life by treating your
appliance with care on laundry day. Here's how:
• One simple chore can speed up drying time, cut your dryer's energy use, prevent
a fire and prolong the life of your machine: Clean the lint filter after every
use. Simply remove the lint. Tip: If soap and fabric softener have built up
on the screen, wash it with soap and water. Occasionally vacuum the chute that
houses the filter.
• Use rigid, not flexible, duct work to help your dryer vent efficiently and
to comply with building codes. Unfasten the duct from the dryer once a year
and vacuum it.
• Lubricate the flap of the exhaust vent on the outside of your house once
a year. Use a vacuum or lint brush to clear the vent so air can easily pass
through it. A clogged vent can cause a fire.
• Cut down on drying time if your clothes constantly come out wrinkled. That
means you're overdrying.
• Add dryer sheets before turning on the dryer. Tossing them in after clothes
are warm can stain the clothes.
• And don't forget “solar” clothes drying-hang them on a clothesline and let
nature do the work.
APPLIANCE TAX HOLIDAY ON HORIZON
If you have an appliance purchase in your future, you might want to hold off
until Memorial Day weekend. From 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, to 11:59 p.m.
on Monday, May 26, certain energy-efficient products will be sold without the
state sales tax.
You could realize a substantial savings, especially on larger products such
as air conditioners or refrigerators-that is, if they qualify under the Energy
Star program.
Energy Star is a joint effort of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental
Protection Agency. Earning the Energy Star means a product meets strict energy-efficiency
guidelines set by the agencies.
The products qualifying for the exemption are:
• Air conditioners priced under $6,000 (room and central units)
• Clothes washers (but not clothes dryers)
• Ceiling fans
• Dehumidifiers
• Dishwashers
• Light bulbs and fixtures (compact fluorescent)
• Programmable thermostats
• Refrigerators priced under $2,000
Qualifying products will display the Energy Star logo on the appliance, the
packaging or the Energy Guide label. Energy Star does not rate clothes dryers
because there is little difference in energy use among all models.
There are no limits on the number of items that may be purchased during this
new sales tax holiday, and an exemption certificate is not required.
The tax-free holiday also applies, with certain provisions, to Internet and
catalog sales of eligible products. Layaway plans can be used to take advantage
of the sales tax holiday, within certain parameters.
You can see lists of products that qualify for the tax holiday at www.energystar.gov.
WHAT TO DO IF THE LIGHTS GO OUT
When severe weather causes power outages, employees of your electric cooperative
begin working immediately to restore service as quickly as possible. Primary
lines serving hundreds of customers are serviced first, and then the secondary
lines serving just a few customers are serviced. Medical facilities and individuals
on life-support systems are given top priority.
When your lights go out, look outside and see whether your neighbors are also
in the dark. If they're not, check your fuse box or circuit breaker to see if
you can locate the problem.
If the outage has affected your neighbors, call your electric cooperative.
Don't assume that others have reported the outage.
Outages that occur in severe weather, or that last for an extended period of
time, can place a heavy burden on the system at the moment power is restored.
To prevent an overload and possibly another outage, take these steps:
• Leave only one inside light on.
• Turn off your thermostat.
• In cold weather, close windows and drapes to save heat. Gather your family
in one room on the warm side of the house. Close the doors to the rest of the
house and use blankets to insulate the windows.
• Make sure your kitchen range is off, both the surface and the oven. Never
use it for heat.
• Turn off all unnecessary appliances.
• Avoid opening the freezer door. A full, freestanding freezer will keep food
at freezing temperatures about two days; a half-full freezer about one day.
• If you see a downed power line, STAY AWAY! And call your electric cooperative
at once!
Leave your front porch light switched on so co-op employees will know when
your power has been restored.
When power comes back on, slowly switch your appliances and lights back on
and gradually return your thermostat to its normal setting.
THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR THERMOSTAT
Your home's thermostat controls how long your heating or cooling system operates.
You can save energy and money by learning how this simple device operates.
One common myth is that the higher you set your thermostat when you return
home, the faster your furnace will heat up your house. This isn't true since
most furnaces deliver heat at the same rate no matter how high the thermostat
is set. So just set your thermostat at the temperature you'd like, and your
furnace will heat your home as fast as it can.
Another myth regards the efficiency of setting your thermostat down when you
don't need heating or cooling, such as at night or when no one is home. This
myth states that a furnace works harder than normal to heat your home back to
a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, resulting
in little or no savings. This is not true, as has been proven by years of research
and field observations. The longer your house stays at a reduced temperature
when heating-or at an increased temperature when cooling-the more energy and
money you'll save.
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