I just completed our newsletter after our October snow storm. It covers some of what happened and reminds people to review their power needs. We continue to update our web site with information about generators and other ideas.
A-1 web site or go directly to the newsletter 2011 November Newsletter
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Storm response
The overwhelming number of emergency calls has tested our ability to respond and help people. While helping one person on the phone, 2 or 3 other calls come in.
We're telling everyone to use our 'normal' message process so Cyndy can keep track of the calls. The 'emergency' process by-passes Cyndy to trigger my phone, but I couldn't handle those calls while working in the field to help customers.
We're doing things as simple as reattaching downed wires, to replacing the entire service wiring and meter box.
For people with simple portable generators for plug-in cords, we've temporarily converted furnace wiring so it can be plugged into the generator. (When utility power comes back on, we change the wiring back to normal.)
A lot of people are asking about generator options for the future. We'll add more info in the Helpful Hints section of our web site, and in our next newsletter.
We're telling everyone to use our 'normal' message process so Cyndy can keep track of the calls. The 'emergency' process by-passes Cyndy to trigger my phone, but I couldn't handle those calls while working in the field to help customers.
We're doing things as simple as reattaching downed wires, to replacing the entire service wiring and meter box.
For people with simple portable generators for plug-in cords, we've temporarily converted furnace wiring so it can be plugged into the generator. (When utility power comes back on, we change the wiring back to normal.)
A lot of people are asking about generator options for the future. We'll add more info in the Helpful Hints section of our web site, and in our next newsletter.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Making Light Work
As nightfall starts earlier and earlier, we again notice how much we depend on light to live our normal lives. Light changes what we can do and how easily we do it.
Simply having brighter bulbs can make a life brighter. Light fixtures have ratings for the maximum wattage bulbs they can handle. The issue is heat. A 60 watt bulb creates 60 watts of heat. Too much heat can 'cook' the electrical insulation to where it gets brittle and causes a short circuit.
However, CFL (Compact FLuorescent or my description: Curly Fluorescent) bulbs give you more light with less wattage. A "60-watt-equivalent" CFL bulb may only use 13 watts of electricity and therefore generate only 13 watts of heat. You could put in a 75-watt equivalent CFL bulb, save energy, not overheat the fixture and still have more light.
Simply having brighter bulbs can make a life brighter. Light fixtures have ratings for the maximum wattage bulbs they can handle. The issue is heat. A 60 watt bulb creates 60 watts of heat. Too much heat can 'cook' the electrical insulation to where it gets brittle and causes a short circuit.
However, CFL (Compact FLuorescent or my description: Curly Fluorescent) bulbs give you more light with less wattage. A "60-watt-equivalent" CFL bulb may only use 13 watts of electricity and therefore generate only 13 watts of heat. You could put in a 75-watt equivalent CFL bulb, save energy, not overheat the fixture and still have more light.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Aftermath of the flood
Since the flood a month ago, there have been a lot of requests for generators and battery backup sump pumps. The materials for these jobs have been hard to get since so many people are interested in them.
One little-discussed aspect of choosing a generator is the maintenance issue. One major brand has you check/set the valve clearance after 50 hours of use. Another had hydraulic lifters that are self-adjusting. This makes a difference in the life of the generator but I doubt shoppers are aware of it.
One little-discussed aspect of choosing a generator is the maintenance issue. One major brand has you check/set the valve clearance after 50 hours of use. Another had hydraulic lifters that are self-adjusting. This makes a difference in the life of the generator but I doubt shoppers are aware of it.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Trying to help
With the 'flood' of calls, you soon realize that you can't help everyone. We worked to have answers for as many people as possible, as quickly as possible. Our emergency line was overwhelmed. We'd be on one call, and be getting 3 more. A few times, I would be helping people, but I'd actually say "I'm going to rush to solve your problem quickly so I can get to the next call. I'm know I'm being brusque and not listening to your full story but I need to help more people". I am impressed with how most people understood the need for priorities and the lack of firm scheduling
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Got fans?
Most people know if their ceiling fans work. But if your roof fan isn't working, sometimes you only notice that you're hotter and the a/c is running more. You should be able to hear it running quietly on a hot sunny day.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Shut-off switches and breakers
We've had several calls about problems we were able to solve by phone.
Partial power out in the house: We have details in the Helpful Hints section of our website: How to check and/or reset circuit breakers. With the hot weather, people have overloaded their circuits. Resetting all the individual breakers often solves this. (It it makes noise and trips again, you have a serious problem for us to fix.)
No central a/c working: Again in our Helpful Hints section, A/C checklist: check all the shut-off switches: thermostat, top of the basement stairs, on the furnace/air handler.
Click here to go to the Helpful Hints page.
Partial power out in the house: We have details in the Helpful Hints section of our website: How to check and/or reset circuit breakers. With the hot weather, people have overloaded their circuits. Resetting all the individual breakers often solves this. (It it makes noise and trips again, you have a serious problem for us to fix.)
No central a/c working: Again in our Helpful Hints section, A/C checklist: check all the shut-off switches: thermostat, top of the basement stairs, on the furnace/air handler.
Click here to go to the Helpful Hints page.
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