Springer Electric Cooperative Energy Saving Tips As American families and businesses transition to remote-work, they may see a surge in home energy use and in upcoming electric bills. Simple money-saving steps can help lower monthly electric bills without jeopardizing safety or comfort. Recommended energysaving tips include:
Summer Electrical Safety Tips for Kids 1. Instruct children to stay away from all utility lines, especially playing with a fallen line.
2. NEVER play or hang around electric utility boxes or substations. If a toy gets stuck inside any substations, transmission equipment, or electrical equipment, forbid them from entering to retrieve the toy.
3. DO NOT climb trees that are near power lines, even if the branches are touching. If the branches touch, you could end up electrocuted.
• Program your thermostat to maximize energy savings. Setting your thermostat one degree lower when heating or one degree higher when cooling can reduce energy use by up to 5 percent. • Do full loads of laundry and wash with cold water. Using warm water instead of hot can cut a load’s energy use in half, and using cold water will save even more. For extra savings, hang clothes to air dry.
4. Fly kites and toy planes far away from power lines, and leave anything if it lands on a wire.
5. Stay at least 40 feet away from all power lines and call 911 immediately. The ground can be energized up to 35 feet away or through any water that is in contact with a downed line.
6. Summer showers can bring more than tempting puddles for kids to splash in, they can also leave electric hazards behind. Flooded areas are never safe spots to wade or play in, and may be in contact with energized electrical equipment or fallen power lines.
7. Make sure children know how to read and recognize signs that read “high voltage,” “danger,” “keep out,” and “caution.”
8. Teach children they should alert the authorities to a downed power line or other potentially “live” electrical equipment and stay far away (at least 40 feet away).
• Air dry dishes. This step can cut your dishwasher’s energy use by up to 50 percent. • Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use. Small appliances and electronics use energy even when not in use. When powered on, game consoles, televisions and similar electronics are responsible for up to 12 percent of energy use.
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