August 2014
YARD SIGNS. WHAT THOSE COLORED FLAGS AND PAINTED LINES IN YOUR YARD MEAN.
Let’s say you come home to discover that yards in your
neighborhood have been adorned with various colored flags and/
or spray painted lines. Don’t panic. It’s not the work of vandals, or
the markings of an alien space ship.
It simply means that utility operators who maintain the
underground pipes and wires that serve your home or
neighborhood are doing some work in your area. It could also
mean a neighbor is planning a digging project, knows the law
and called to have their underground utility lines marked. The
color codes identify where existing underground utilities are
located to protect the individual while they are digging.
Here’s what the colors mean:
• Red – Electric
• Yellow – Gas/petroleum pipe line
• Orange – Communications, telephone/CATV
• Blue – Potable (drinking) water
• Green – Sewers/drainage
• Purple – Reclaimed water
• White – Premark site of intended excavation
While the paint used is not your typical spray paint, these
markings are temporary and will not cause damage to your lawn.
If you’re planning a digging project - whether it’s a major
undertaking such as putting in a pool or something small like
planting a tree - pick up the phone and call before you dig. In
some areas, a call to 811 will prompt a request for KU to mark
any underground electric lines in the area. However, there are
some areas where you need to call KU directly. Visit our website
at lge-ku.com/BeforeYouDig and enter your county to see if you
need to call KU or 811 to have your underground electric
lines marked.
QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR BILL
Your KU bill does more than tell you how much you owe and
when it’s due. It offers detailed information on your account —
from how many kilowatt hours of electricity you used for the
billing cycle, to the average temperature compared to the same
period last year and when your meter will be read next.
Maybe you’re wondering why your bill is a bit higher one month.
Your statement could give you some clues. Factors include the
number of days in the billing cycle, or hotter temperatures than
normal (colder than normal temperatures in the winter). Given the
fact we’re in the middle of summer, the hotter temperatures have
been driving increased usage which can lead to higher bills.
If you’re interested in seeing graphs or charts
comparing your current usage to previous
months or in making bill paying easier than
ever, be sure to register at lge-ku.com.
Once you’re signed up or signed in, you can:
• View your current bill or previous bills
• Make a payment
• View your billing history, including charts
and graphs showing how your current usage compares to
previous months
• Perform a home energy analysis
RECIPE FOR A COOLER KITCHEN
In summer, your air conditioner is
already working overtime. And the
hottest room in the house is usually
the kitchen – especially if you’re
preparing a meal with the range oven.
Here are a few easy tips for lowering
the temperature in the kitchen without going hungry:
Don’t use the oven: Instead, cook/heat your food using the
microwave, crockpot, toaster oven or electric skillet. Better yet,
use the barbecue grill. (It’s grilling season, after all.)
Serve it cold: A great meal doesn’t have to be served hot. Cold
cut sandwiches, marinated vegetables, cool salads and cold
soups can be delicious summer treats without requiring any
cooking appliances.
Keep the air moving: Installing a kitchen ceiling fan is a great
way to cool down the cooking area.
Cover those pots: If you’re using the stovetop, put lids on the
pots so you can turn the burner down and get the same cooking
power.
Air-dry the dishes: Run the dishwasher at night when
temperatures drop and turn off the heated drying feature.
Clean the refrigerator coils: This makes the refrigerator run
more efficiently and generate less heat.
Let someone else do the cooking: Eat out or order in.
Sign up for paperless billing when you sign in or register your account at my.lge-ku.com.
FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY
Is your home as energy-efficient as it could be? What about
what’s parked in your garage?
In 2010, KU launched a low-emission vehicle (LEV) pilot program
for residential customers that offers a special rate structure. The
rate encourages LEV owners to charge their vehicles during
off-peak hours so they won’t use more energy during peak hours.
The program includes:
• Hybrid vehicles or battery electric vehicles that are recharged
through a charging outlet.
• Natural gas vehicles that are refueled through an electricpowered refueling appliance at your home.
If you’ve purchased an LEV, you can sign up for the Low-Emission
Vehicle rate and receive a special meter to calculate your monthly
bill. For more on our LEV program or to sign up, visit our website
at lge-ku.com/LEV.
DO IT YOURSELF WITHOUT HURTING YOURSELF
The home improvement shows on television make it all look so
easy. Design and build a home theater in the basement? No
problem. Add a sunroom off the kitchen? Nothing to it.
The truth is, for most of us, major home
improvement projects require the expertise
of professionals. But there are many things
you can handle with little or no outside help.
Just remember to always put safety first.
Beware of lead-based paint: If you live in a house built before
1978, there’s a good chance you’ve got some lead-based paint. If
you’re working on a surface you believe may have lead paint, it’s
best to hire a professional contractor with experience in working
safely with lead removal.
Keep children away: Construction areas are no place for small
children. Make sure power tools and other dangerous objects are
well out of reach.
Here are a few simple tips to help you avoid
injury during your project:
Wear a mask: If you’re sanding wood or wallboard joint
compound, wear a dust mask.
Know yourself: Not comfortable with doing
electrical work or plumbing, or being up on
a ladder? Call a professional.
Just in case: Have a fire extinguisher handy, as well as a good
first aid kit.
Dress the part: For any kind of construction
work, you should be wearing long pants,
work boots, safety glasses, hearing
protection and gloves.
And it’s always a good idea to hire a reputable professional.
Check your prospective contractor’s credentials by contacting the
Better Business Bureau. Here’s to safe and successful projects!
DOWNED POWER LINE? STAY SAFE. STAY AWAY.
Our area gets its share of severe storms and high winds. And that
can result in downed power lines. What should you do if you see
a broken or downed line? Rule #1: STAY AWAY. And be sure
others steer clear as well. Getting near it could cause serious
bodily injury or even death.
Electricity can travel through trees, so be extra careful when
clearing fallen limbs and debris after a storm.
Call us immediately at 800-981-0600 to report a downed line.
If the situation is an emergency, call 911.
Consider all wires to be energized and dangerous. DO NOT
attempt to remove a tree limb or other object from a power line.
KU
Contact
Information
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Self-Service by touch-tone phone or
web:
Anytime day or night
Full Service:
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Eastern Time)
For Hearing- or Speech-Impaired
Dial 711
By Phone
1-800-981-0600
Visit our website:
lge-ku.com
Editor
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