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Protecting Your Electronics• Use a surge protector, or suppressor, which absorbs unusual

voltage levels, to prevent surges from damaging your electronic equipment.

If you’d like more information on conservation, safety or PWC services and programs, visit our website at www.faypwc.com.

PWC encourages you tostop … think … conserve electricity …

and put safety first.It makes sense.

Electrical Safety Tips• Turn off lights when you are not using them.

• Always disconnect appliances by pulling the plug, not by

yanking the cord.

• Obey all DANGER and safety signs.

• Avoid putting too many plugs into one outlet.

• Extension cords should only be used as a temporary solution; never run them under rugs or furniture.

• Check appliance cords to be sure they’re not worn or frayed. If they are, replace the appliance, or have someone who’s qualified replace the cord. Don’t patch a broken cord.

•Don’t attempt to do “amateur” repairs on appliances.

• Never insert metal objects like knives or forks into your toaster.

• If you have doubts about appliance grounding, cord sizes, or other electrical questions, check with a licensed electrician.

• Be sure to keep space heaters clear of anything flammable, such as curtains or bed linens.

• Purchase heaters that have automatic shut-off devices when knocked over. Always unplug them when not in use.

• Cover seldom-used outlets with tight-fitting plastic safety plugs. Keep floors clear of small metal objects that children could poke in outlets.

• Never leave light bulb sockets empty. Replace burned-out lights immediately.

• Keep fans and portable heaters out of children’s reach.

• Certain heat producing appliances – such as hair dryers, curling irons, electric fryers, irons, toasters, power tools, hot plates, heating pads, heat lamps and sun lamps – should always be unplugged when not in use.

• Don’t use electric appliances near a tub or sink. Be especially careful in the bathroom.

• If an appliance falls in water, unplug it immediately; NEVER try to grab the appliance.

• Before using an appliance or electrical switch, make sure your hands are dry and that you are not touching a faucet or standing on a wet floor.

• Consider having ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) installed. They’re designed to detect electrical faults and shut off the power before trouble occurs.

• Never place a ladder where it can fall into a power line. When working near power lines, use wooden or fiberglass ladders instead of metal.

• Never use an electric mower when the grass is wet.

• Power tools should be properly grounded, and use only heavy-duty extension cords rated for outdoor use. Use

the safety release to prevent accidental starting.

• Keep tools clean, and use and store them in a dry place. Protect cords from heat, chemicals, gases, or oil, and coil them loosely when finished.

• Make sure outdoor electrical outlets are grounded and have weatherproof covers.

• Large appliances should have their own circuit and be grounded with a three-

pronged plug.

•Don't locate a swimming pool under power lines.

Staying Safe around electricity Electrical Emergencies – What to Do• If someone is being shocked by live electricity source

indoors, shut off the power if possible. If not possible, use a dry wooden stick, dry rope or dry clothing to move the victim away from the power source. Call 911 for an

ambulance.

• If someone is in contact with a live, outdoor power line, the only safe thing to do is to call the electric

utility (in PWC’s service area, call our emergency number – 1-877-OUR-PWC1), and have them

turn the power off. Call 911 for an ambulance immediately! DO NOT attempt to move any

outdoor electrical equipment or the victim.

• If a power line or broken wire is down near your house, DO NOT touch it! NEVER assume the wire is dead. Contact your electric utility so they can make necessary repairs.

• If a power line falls on your car, stay inside unless the car catches fire. If it does, jump clear of the car without touching metal and the ground at the same time.

• Don’t play (or let children play) near electrical equipment such as utility poles, meters, transformers, or substations.

Electrical Fires• If an appliance catches fire, unplug it if possible.

• If you see smoke coming from wires or electric motors, turn your power off at the main source.

• If a fire is small, use a fire extinguisher rated specifically for electrical fires or dry baking soda to put it out. Never use water to put out an electrical fire.

• If a fire is too big for you to put out, get everyone out of the house, and call 911 immediately.

• Whenever you’re in doubt, call 911 for the fire department. Be sure to specify that it’s an electrical fire.

Think Savings.Think Safety.

energy conServation& Safety guide

Your Guide to Saving Energy,

Saving Money, & Preventing Accidents

Saving energy

Even Landscaping Can Help• Planting deciduous trees (those that lose their leaves in

fall) on the southern and western sides of your home will provide summer shade for natural cooling, which will lower your cooling costs.

• In winter, these same trees will allow the sun to shine in, providing natural warmth and light.

• Planting evergreen shrubs and trees on the northern and western sides of your home creates a natural windbreak in the winter months, which will help keep your home “naturally” warmer and cut heating costs.

• Before planting trees and shrubs, you should know where your underground utility lines are. Call NC One Call at 800-632-4949, and they will mark utility line locations for free.

Lighting•Choose energy-efficient

lighting. Replace incandescent bulbs with Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). They use about 75% less energy and last up to ten times as long!=CFL’s are now available in many sizes, shapes and types

for a variety of uses.

=They also produce 75% less heat than incandescent bulbs, so they’re safer to operate - and help save on cooling costs.

=Compared to traditional fluorescent bulbs, CFLs don’t have problems such as humming, flickering and color appearance.

=Check CFL packaging to determine the “lumen” output equivalent to the watts of the incandescent bulb you want to replace.

=Consider this! If every household in America replaced just

Laundry•Use cold or warm water (not hot) to wash all but the most heavily soiled clothes. Using cold

water will save the energy (and cost) needed to heat about 17 gallons of hot water per load.

•Always use cold water rinse.

•Match the water level to the load size.

•Clean your clothes dryer lint filter after each load.

•Don’t over-dry – it wastes energy and can actually harm clothes.

•Use the automatic setting on your dryer (if you have one). It’s efficient and prevents over-drying.

• Don’t forget the clothes line. It’s the most energy-efficient dryer of all.

• Run your dryer during the morning or evening hours, when it’s cooler.

• Check dryer exhaust ducts for leaks or plugging, and make sure they’re vented outdoors.

• When installing or replacing vents, use materials recommended by the manufacturer of your dryer.

Kitchen & Bath•Run your dishwasher only when it

has a full load – and run it in the cooler morning or evening hours.

•When you’re not cooking a big meal, use lower-energy appliances such as a microwave, toaster oven or electric skillet – or cook outdoors on a grill.

•Turn off your oven or electric burner 1-5 minutes before cooking is finished. They will still be hot enough to finish cooking.

• Position your refrigerator away from heat sources and make sure the coils have room to breathe (leave at least 4 inches of space between rear coils and the wall). And keep refrigerator coils clean. Dust and pet hair can cause significant energy loss.

• Consider replacing an older refrigerator with a new ENERGY STAR model; it can use up to three times less energy than the old one.

In the bathroom, the same tips that help you save water also help you save energy.• Install flow controllers on your shower heads. (These devices

are available at hardware/home improvement stores.)• Take short showers, rather than baths. However, if you

take long showers, a bath may use less water (don’t fill the tub too full).

• Fix water leaks.

Water HeaterNext to heating and cooling, the water heater is your home’s largest energy user.

•Lower the temperature on your water heater to 120 degrees, or the “Medium” setting. Water will still be hot, while you save energy – and reduce the risk of accidental scalding.

•Don’t pay for hot water you don’t use. Turn the water heater thermostat down when you’re away from home. However, if you’re gone

Heating & CoolingHeating and cooling your home probably account for the largest portion of your electric bill over the course of a year. These tips can help.

•You’ll find you can still be comfortable if you set your thermostat higher (in summer) and lower (in winter).

=In cool weather, consider setting your heat at 65-68° when you’re home during the day and lowering it to 60° at night or when no one is home. For every degree you turn down the heat, you’ll save about 2% on your electric bill.

=In warm weather, 78° can be comfortable during the day; at night, 84° may be low enough. For every degree you turn up the thermostat, you can save 3-5% on your bill.

•Use fans – even with air conditioning. They can make a room feel about 4° cooler.

•Thermostats function based on the temperature around them, so make sure the temperature around your thermostat is consistent with other areas of your home. Cold drafts or warm lamps nearby can cause thermostats to “work harder” than they have to.

•Close off unoccupied rooms and shut vents in those rooms. •Clean or replace filters regularly (following manufacturer’s

directions). • Make sure that air intakes and condenser coils are free

of debris. •If you use window air conditioners, be sure to place them

where they provide the best circulation throughout your home. •A whole house fan can circulate air all throughout your home. •Close blinds, shades or awnings when the sun is shining in. •Consider installing a programmable thermostat to

automatically adjust heating and cooling according to your schedule.

•Air leaks make heating and cooling equipment work harder than necessary. There are a

number of things you can do to stop leaks.=Check for leaks in air ducts when your

furnace or air conditioner is on. Pay special attention to the cold air return ducts. Seal leaks with “Mastic” tape, which is more durable than duct tape. Some ducts may be difficult to access. Contact your local equipment contractor for advice or assistance.

=On a windy day, feel for leaks around windows, air conditioners, and door frames. Also check areas where

wiring or plumbing goes through floors, ceilings, or exterior walls. Use weather-

stripping around air conditioners, doors, and window frames. Use silicone caulk

where window frames meet the wall or where wiring or plumbing cuts through ceilings or walls.

•If windows need replacing, consider energy-efficient ENERGY STAR windows.

•If you’re building, be sure to use insulation that meets or exceeds the recommended “R-value” for our area. (Look

for CFC-free insulating products; CFCs [chlorofluorocarbons] found in some foam insulation can harm the ozone layer.)

•Insulate air ducts that pass through unheated/uncooled areas, such as attics, basements and crawl spaces.

•If your heating or cooling equipment is more than 10 years old, you can reduce your energy use significantly with a new high-efficiency ENERGY STAR unit.

•Consider an electric heat pump, which for moderate climates is the most efficient way to heat and cool with one system.

during cold weather, don’t turn the temperature so low that your pipes might freeze.

•Insulating blankets can boost the efficiency of older water heaters. Available at hardware/home improvement stores, they’re inexpensive and easy to install. (Follow installation instructions carefully.)

•Insulate the first five feet of water pipes leading from your water heater.

•If your water heater is more than five years old, consider replacing it with a more energy efficient model. Check the Energy Cost label for the most energy efficient model in your price range.

•Choose the size water heater that is right for your needs – too big is a waste and too small will be overworked.

one incandescent bulb with a CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than 3 million homes for a year and reduce our nation’s annual energy costs by more than $600 million.

•Use “task lighting” to concentrate light where you need it. Halogen bulbs are a good choice for situations that require bright, focused light over a small area.

•Turn off lights when you are not using them.

•Keep bulbs clean. Dust can cut light output by as much as 25%.

All this information, together, may seem overwhelming. But every small step you can take – and make it a “habit” – will add up to a big advantage when it comes to saving resources and helping to protect our environment. It will also add up to smaller bills!

Conserving energy makes sense for several reasons. In addition to conserving the valuable resources used to generate the electricity we use, it protects the environment by reducing emissions. And, it saves you money on your utility bills. Consider all the things you can do to be more “energy efficient,” in all these areas, and imagine how the savings will add up!

Heatingand

cooling44%

Waterheating14%

Refrigerator9%

Lighting,cooking,& other

appliances33%