Tip of the Week 11-17-2011

It's important to install the proper type of light bulb based on the usage patterns. Compact Florescent (CFL) bulbs are not designed to be turned on and off more frequently than once every 3 hours and have the longest life when used this way. In fact, the life of a CFL bulb can be reduced by as much as 40% if they are turned on and off too often. LED bulbs by contrast can be turned on and off as frequently as needed without affecting the life of the bulb. In areas where the lighting is turned on and off more frequently an LED bulb is a better fit than a CFL, and in areas where the lighting is left on for longer durations either bulb would be appropriate. So, the next time you go to replace a bulb think about how the lighting in that area is used and with what frequency it is switched on and off. By doing this you can save yourself a lot of hassle and money.

Did You Know? 11-03-2011

You can report your own electric meter reading to the utility each month. Your monthly electric utility bill isn't based on an actual meter reading every month. Actual meter readings are not performed every month unless there is a smart meter installed at your location. The mechanical electric meters that have been used for decades require a utility to send out a meter reader to your location to get a reading. Due to weather conditions and a variety of other circumstances the utilities are unable to send out a meter reader to check every meter each month. So, the utilities estimate your consumption based on past usage in those months. Sometimes the results are shocking when you get a large bill the next month in which an actual reading is performed if the estimate was inaccurate. Eliminate those shocking bills and report your own readings each month to ensure your bill is always accurate.