Season’s Greetings Season’s Greetings


Scrooges to save money on lighting and festivities this holiday season. By following some simple energy efficiency and safety tips, customers can benefit from a more environmentally friendly, safe, and cost-effective season.


Save Big on Lighting Over the past few years, new lighting


alternatives have become available that may cost more initially, but cost much less to maintain and operate. Energy-efficient miniature or light- emitting diode (LED) lights use considerably less energy than traditional lighting technology. The list below provides customers with the potential costs associated with each type of lighting. • Traditional Lights: These lights use about 10 watts per bulb. A typical residential customer with a rate of 10 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) will pay $37.50 a month to operate 10 strings of 25-bulb traditional bulbs.


• Miniature Lights: The average miniature light uses 0.4 watts per bulb. Operating 10 strings of the bulbs, at 100 bulbs per string, will cost the typical residential customer $6 per month.


• Icicle Lights: Icicle lights use the same amount of energy per miniature bulb as miniature light strands, but a string of icicle lights with 100 bulbs will cover a much shorter distance than a straight string of miniature lights. Adding additional strands of lights will increase the typical residential customer’s electricity usage.


• LED Lights: LED lights use only 0.04 watts per bulb, or 1/10 the amount of miniature bulbs. Due to their solid-state construction, these bulbs are safer and more durable. Ten sets of 100 of these LED bulbs will cost the typical residential customer 60 cents per month to operate.


• Regardless of the lights you choose, additional energy and cost can be saved by turning lights off and unplugging before going to bed or installing an automatic timer that can reduce power usage by turning the lights on at dusk and turning them off at a desired time. Also, consider using fewer lights and more decorations that do not use energy, such as wreaths or poinsettias.


Additional Energy


Saving Tips • Yard Inflatables: Yard inflatables range from simple blow-up cartoon characters to 8-foot-tall globes with rotating figures, blowing snow, and lights. Large globes consume about 150 watts per hour, while rotating carousels consume around 200 watts. At 16 hours per day, the total cost of electricity could be $10 per inflatable, per month.


• Holiday Cooking: Using the smallest appliance for the job while cooking during the holidays will always save energy. For example, microwave ovens use less than half the energy required by a conventional oven. Use the smallest pan and burner needed for the job. Cook with lids on your pans. For example, cooking pasta without a lid on the pot can use three times as much energy.


• Smart Baking: To improve oven efficiency, keep the doors closed as much as possible and bake several dishes at the same time and temperature. Every time


the door is opened, heat escapes. If the oven self-cleans, turn it on just after taking out the holiday cookie cut-outs while the oven is still hot.


• Storing the Feast: Keep extra beverages and holiday leftovers cold by storing them in your garage or on the porch if temperatures permit. Unplugging that second refrigerator saves $23 per month on the electricity bill. Also, defrosting frozen food in the refrigerator helps keep the refrigerator cold.


Decorating Safely • Avoid Overhead Lines: Overhead power lines are not insulated and carry enough energy to cause serious injury or even death. Never use an aluminum ladder within 10 feet of power lines, and keep yourself and holiday decorations at least 10 feet away from residential electric lines and equipment.


• Approved Lighting: Make sure your lights have a safety listing from a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as the Underwriters Laboratories (UL). A safety approval seal means the lights have been tested and are safe to use. Use lights only as intended. Always unplug your lights before going to bed or leaving home.


• Outdoor Connections: Plug outdoor lights into Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs), which are available at hardware and electrical supply stores. If there is an electrical fault with a light string, GFCIs will automatically shut off the electricity well before any electric shock could occur. Also, cover outdoor plugs and connector joints with a water-resistant layer of plastic wrap and electrical tape.


• Christmas Trees: If you have an artificial tree, make sure it’s been tested for flammability by the UL. To prevent electrical shock, never


use electric decorations on artificial trees with metallic needles, leaves, or branches. Instead, place colored spotlights above or beside the tree—never attached to it. Keep your natural tree well-watered to prevent bulbs from igniting dry branches. Keep extension cords and light sets away from the tree stand.


• Don’t Overload: Don’t overload your electric circuits. Check your fuse or breaker panel to see how much your home can handle and stay well within limits.


• Avoid Shock: Make sure there’s a bulb in each socket. If a bulb has burned out, leave it in until you have a replacement. National Grid has a 20-year track record


of partnering with its customers to provide successful, award-winning efficiency programs in its U.S. service territory. These programs have helped save customers nearly 565 million therms of natural gas, representing approximately $876 million in savings on their heating bills. To find out more about the energy efficiency programs in your area, including details of potential incentives and forms for installing additional energy efficiency measures, visit National Grid’s energy efficiency Website at www. powerofaction.com. In addition, now National


Grid has issued a specific energy efficiency challenge to its customers: Pledge to use three percent less energy every year for the next 10 years. The cornerstone of the three percent less campaign


Pelham - Windham News December 10, 2010 - 7


National Grid Offers Energy and Money Saving Tips for a Safe and Bright Holiday Season National Grid customers don’t have to be


powerofaction.com, where visitors can sign a pledge, participate in a free energy evaluation, and learn ways to reduce their energy consumption. National Grid is an international energy


delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.


Sunday, December 12th Sunday! Santa 1Oth Annual


All proceeds will benefit One Tail At A Time Rescue


Pet Photos with Santa! Complimentary food and drink. Raffle tickets on sale NOW! Complete list of raffle items posted on www.mainstreetanimal.com


603-893-1646 159 Main Street, Salem, NH


3.99%


APR*


FIXED FOR THE FIRST 6 MONTHS Smart holiday shopping begins with a Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union VISA® . . We offer


no annual fees, no balance transfer fees and low, fixed rates. In fact, our extremely low introductory rate applies to ALL purchases, ALL cash advances and ALL balance transfers. After six months, rates are as low as 7.99% APR**


We are committed to helping you make smart financial choices. We are Jeanne D’Arc Credit Union, your holiday buying power behind the shield. Contact us today.


is www.


2011ALL-DAY PASSES $


Give the holiday gift of summer fun & $AVE!


Now on sale for only EACH!


Lowell | Dracut | Chelmsford | Tyngsboro | Methuen 978-452-5001 | 877-604-5328 | JDCU.com


*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. **After the first six (6) months from the account opening date, your rate will be based on the program you choose and your credit worthiness subject to a maximum APR of 15.99%. Rates as of 3/01/10 and are subject to change. Other fees and charges may include; Cash Advance Fee of 2% of transaction or $5.00 minimum, $50.00 maximum; Minimum Interest Charge of $.50; International Transaction Fee with currency conversion is 1% of the amount of your transaction in U.S. Dollars. Without currency conversion fee is 0.8% of the amount of your transaction in U.S. Dollars. A $5.00 Membership Account required.


Equal Opportunity Lender SAL EM, NEW HAMP SHIRE $9.00 savings off regular price! 22.99


Each pass good for one person for any one day during the 2011 season.


Available at Canobie’s booth thru 12/24/10 at:


Rockingham Park, Burlington Mall & The MallofNew Hampshire


Shop


JAGwear for the Holidays


The Windham School Booster Club has a great selection to please every Jaguar fan.


Best Sellers!


•Cozy "Windham Athletics" Hooded Sweatshirts, Navy Blue or Vegas gold


•JAGwear Warm-up Pants, Navy Blue •Plaid Flannel pajama pants •Long Sleeve t-shirts •"Spirit Pack" Shorts and t-shirts •"Class of..." t-shirts •Jaguar Blankets •Jaguar Rhinestone Pins Gift Certificates and much more!


from 5-7pm or shop online at www.windhamjaguars.org


Orders need to be in by December 17th Shop at WHS Dec.13 & 17


Questions? Contact Bridget at swifts15@comcast.net All proceeds go to WHS Jaguar Booster Club supporting all athletic teams


•Poinsettias Stunning Varieties


BUY EARLY, SAVE MORE!* Valid after 1/11. Check balance & add value at theCman.com


We’re offering a daily discount on gift cards through Christmas Eve! The discount rolls back 1% each day, so buy early, save more!


Gift cards can be used at all Common Man family locations.


On sale at all locations and at thecman.com. *


Visit thecman.com to see today’s discount.


Holiday Coupon Books ON SALE NOW! $10 each – benefit The NH Food Bank!


•True


•Amaryllis •Cyclamen


Christmas Cacti


Wreaths, Boughs, Kissing Balls, Garlands, Memorial Baskets,


Gift Certificates & Gifts for Gardeners


37 LAKE ST., SALEM, NH • 603-893-5858 www.lakestreet.com


Hours: Open Everyday 9-5 Green Houses Open Year Round New Hampshire’s Common Man Family


Our Holiday Gift Card COUNTDOWN IS ON!


NH Grown Fraser Fir JUST CUT


for excellent needle retention canobie.com


You can also buy tickets online at


(GREAT STOCKING STUFFERS!) The Mall at


BEFORE YOU SHOP FOR PRESENTS,


SHOP FOR A BETTER CREDIT CARD.


coming in 2011


Christmas Trees The Colors & Beauty


of the Season


❄ ❄ ❄


❄


NEW COASTER


Greens Fresh


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