A-1 Newsletter, this month: The Savings Issue

Our latest newsletter is out - "The Savings Issue". Tips on how to automatically save every month on your utility bills, as well as do-it-yourself service help, and saving your own time when waiting for a service call. Click here to read  (it's a link on our web site.) And you can sign up with your email address by clicking here.

So far, so good. We made it through Spring without any major storms. Get ready for summer by testing your a/c http://ping.fm/KjhrU and check/listen for the attic roof fan http://ping.fm/vnoiu

Generator backlog

With so many people interested in generators, we're backlogged and the manufacturers are backlogged.
The good news is that there are more options than before.

• Dry basements are major concerns.  We have a new approach we're investigating the uses a plumber instead of an electrician.
• For  portable generators, we have some new options that cost less and give more choice.
• For standby generators, there are options to automatically shut off large power users (such as a/c) to keep the vital circuits powered.

2011 October/November Snow Storm Newsletter

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

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.

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. 

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.