4 minute read
Just say no to hand washing dishes
By LCEC
The days of hand washing dishes are long gone and for good reason. Not only is hand washing dishes time consuming, it wastes water and contributes to your energy consumption. According to ENERGY STAR, using a dishwasher can save you more than $40 a year verses washing dishes by hand. Below is the dish on the benefits of using your dishwasher:
Saves times:
If you’ve ever washed and dried a load of dishes you know it takes time and patience. In fact, ENERGY STAR estimates that you could be spending nearly 230 hours (almost 10 days) of personal time handwashing dishes in just one year!
Cleans better:
Dishwashers these days have all sorts of bells and whistles to sanitize even the dirtiest dishes while using minimal water and energy.
Saves water:
Using a dishwasher can save nearly 5,000 gallons of water per year in comparison to hand washing!
Here are some tips from the LCEC energy experts on how to use your dishwasher in the most energy efficient way:
∫ Use the energy-saving cycles whenever possible. ∫ If your dishwasher has a booster heater, turn your water heater thermostat down to 120 degrees. Most dishwashers have built-in heaters to boost the water temp up to 140-145 degrees. ∫ Resist the temptation to pre-rinse dishes. Dishwashers today do a thorough job of cleaning. Just scrape off the excess food and let the dishwasher do the rest. Dishwashers use between 8 to 14 gallons of water per load so save water and electricity by not prerinsing. ∫ Wash only full loads and refrain from hand washing dishes throughout the day. It’s cheaper to put the
dishes in the dishwasher and wash them all at once. ∫ Load the dishwasher according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Remember to fill the racks to maximize energy and water use, but make sure you leave enough room for the water to circulate. Visit lcec.net for more ways to save.
LCEC: Use caution around pad-mounted transformers
By LCEC
The big green boxes that reside in residential neighborhoods are called pad-mounted transformers and caution must be practiced around them, according to LCEC.
What is a pad-mounted transformer?
Pad-mounted transformers work in the same capacity as the transformers (gray cans) on the top of electric poles do. In essence, they convert higher-voltage electricity to a lower voltage so that it is safe and useful for your home. The only difference is that pad-mounted transformers work with underground power lines while transformers on the pole work directly with the overhead electric lines.
How can I stay safe around pad-mounted transformers?
Pad-mounted transformers are locked and marked as dangerous. These big green boxes should never be used as benches. Kids should not play on or near them. Landscaping should not be planted around these boxes since power linemen may need to access them safely and easily, and any roots could interfere with underground wires. Never dig anywhere near a pad-mounted transformer. It is just as important for people to be safe around underground power lines and pad-mounted transformers as it is to be safe around overhead power lines.
For more ways to stay safe around electricity, visit lcec.net.
(StatePoint) “Think globally, act locally” is a motto that everyone should take to heart. It emphasizes the importance of real actions you can take at home and in your community, while stressing the fact that every creature on planet Earth is connected. With that in mind, here are three great ways to save the planet in your very own backyard this fall: 1. Save the lives of birds: Bird populations are in decline due to a range of threats, including habitat loss and climate change. In fact, North America has lost more than one in four birds in the last 50 years, according to the Audubon Society.
Amid this alarming trend, you can make the skies safer for birds by mitigating the chance of window strikes, one of the more common threats birds face. In the United States each year, 350 million or more wild birds are killed when striking windows. Research shows that applying decals that reflect ultraviolent sunlight to your home’s windows can substantially reduce the likelihood of this occurring. Check out the bird decals from WindowAlert, which feature patterns that give the appearance of slightly frosted translucent glass, but glow like a stoplight for birds. The brand also makes WindowAlert UV Liquid, a high-tech liquid that offers even greater protection when applied between decals.
Remember, wild birds migrate in fall, making it an especially important season to take this step. From hummingbirds to eagles, learn more about the beautiful birds you love and how to protect them by visiting WindowAlert.com. 2. Start a compost bin: Composting food scraps and yard waste is one action you can take with multiple benefits. It’s not just an excellent way to reduce the amount of trash you send to the landfill, your finished compost can be added to your lawn and garden to help plants thrive without chemical fertilizers. While it sounds simple since time does most of the
PHOTO SOURCE: (C) JILLIANCAIN / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS
See HELP SAVE THE PLANET, page 13
