January 2013
In this issue:
• energy for safety
January: Carbon Monoxide At
Its Worst
• energy efficient
& money smart
New Hampshire
news
!
energy for safety
January: Carbon Monoxide
At Its Worst
In the United States at least two
people die each day from carbon
monoxide poisoning in the month
of January—three times the fatality
rate recorded in July and August.
– 2008 Study by the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
It comes as no surprise that carbon monoxide
deaths are the highest in winter, since cold
weather tends to increase the use of risky
alternative heating and power sources during
power outages. Don’t let the New Year bring
new dangers to your home. January is an
excellent time to re-educate yourself and
your family, because while carbon monoxide
is completely odorless and impossible
to see, it is entirely possible to prevent!
1. Be alert for symptoms:
- Flu-like illness, headaches, nausea or
vomiting, cherry-red lips
2. Be alert for indicators:
- Excess humidity or condensation or
stale indoor air
- Soot/water collecting around
appliances or vents
3. When using a generator, make sure it properly vents outside.
4. Never use a charcoal or gas grill indoors.
5. Have all fuel burning appliances, flues,
vents, and chimneys checked regularly.
6. Install and maintain carbon monoxide
detectors.
If you do experience symptoms, open
windows and doors to get fresh air. Seek
medical attention. Later, call your fuel
supplier or licensed heating contractor for
an emergency inspection.
Energy Efficient & Money Smart
Shedding Light On Light Bulbs
These days, choosing a light bulb can be
a little overwhelming. The good news?
Things are about to get easier. In January,
many lighting companies will begin putting
“lighting facts” on light bulb labels. When
these labels come out it’ll help you to know
what all of that lingo means, so here’s a
little guide to get you on your way!
New Hampshire Gas News | January 2013
What Fixture Are You Filling?
Are you looking for a bulb for a bathroom
sconce or a table lamp in the bedroom?
Bathrooms do best with diffused light—a
mixture of compact fluorescents and
halogen bulbs that give off a low contrast
and soft lighting. LED bulbs are good
for areas where bright, focused light is
necessary—like prep areas of the kitchen.
continued on back…
Shedding Light On Light Bulbs
• Just ask!
Monthly Payment Plans
• Weather Wise
Numbers In An Emergency
NH GAS 30384-I-0394
Just Ask!
Q: My family is on a tight
monthly budget. Can
you help me arrange a
payment plan so I have
consistent monthly
payments?
A: Yes! Our residential customers can
enjoy the convenience of fixed monthly
payments throughout the year with
our Budget Billing Program. Energy
bills fluctuate during the year as your
energy usage keeps pace with changes
in the weather. Paying more some
months and less other months can be
troublesome to families with a fixed
income. Distribute your payments
evenly throughout the year by enrolling
in our Budget Billing Program by visiting:
myaccount.unitil.com
If you have a question you’d like us to
address in an upcoming Newsletter,
just ask! Email us at:
[email protected]
Lisa Desrochers
Manager, Customer
Relations
Ask yourself: What kind of light do I want in
the room? Then, how can I achieve that mood
while using the least amount of energy?
Light Bulb Options
Incandescent bulbs: These inexpensive
bulbs are probably what you’ve been
buying for years, but they’re about to
undergo some changes. While consumers
can still purchase incandescent bulbs,
federal law requires that they be produced
using 30 percent less energy. They’ll emit
the same warm light, but even with the
federally required changes, these bulbs will
still use more energy than some of their
greener counterparts.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs):
These bulbs are good for the environment
and your wallet. They often last 7 to 10
times longer than incandescent bulbs and
experts say they use 75 percent less energy.
These bulbs generally cost more up front,
but you can break even quickly, thanks to
the energy savings. The downsides are you
can’t use them with dimmers and they take
a few seconds to power on. These bulbs are
particularly effective when used in places
where the lights are left on often, like a
hallway, porch, or kitchen.
Halogen bulbs: Halogen lights are
incandescent bulbs, but they use much less
energy than standard bulbs do. They emit a
yellowish glow, like incandescent bulbs, but
they’re more expensive than incandescents
and don’t last nearly as long as CFLs. These
bulbs cast light all around a room, making
them a good choice for lamps or chandeliers.
Light-emitting diode light bulbs (LEDs):
These bulbs may outlive you; manufacturers
say they can last between 20 to 25 years
if used for just a few hours a day. They
come in a wide variety of colors and work
with dimmers. The light can be a bit harsh
though since they’re unidirectional (cast
light in one direction), so you want to
use them in areas where focused light is
important, like over artworks or in kitchen
prep areas.
Wattage vs. Brightness
Wattage doesn’t tell you how bright a
light is—it only tells you how much energy
the light bulb is using. For example, if
you’re replacing a 60-watt incandescent
bulb, you’ll want to use a 13- to 18-watt
CFL. In essence, a CFL produces more
light with less energy. But the wattage
doesn’t necessarily impact lumens, which
measures the amount of light emitted. This
can be helpful when comparing a 100watt incandescent bulb producing 1690
lumens with a 23-watt compact fluorescent
producing 1500 lumens—they’re nearly
identical in how much light they cast, but
one uses much less energy.
Understanding Light bulb Color
Light bulbs come in a variety of shades,
from bright white, to bluish, to yellowish.
Put simply, the color temperature of light
is rated in degrees Kelvin. The lower the
Kelvin number (between 2700K to 3000K),
the more yellow the light.
Things to Consider
Make sure that you don’t choose a light
bulb with a higher wattage than your
lamp allows. It can be tricky with the
lower wattages to know what is the right
wattage in CFLs or halogens. If you’re
choosing a light bulb for outdoors, make
sure that it’s in a fixture that protects it
from getting wet. Many CFLs and LEDs can
be used outside, but they can’t get wet.
Weather Wise
In An Emergency, It’s All About
The Numbers
Do You Have Our Number?
If you have general questions we can
help you with, it’s good to have the right
number on hand. You can reach us at
1-866-933-3820. Your call is important to
us and we're here to help.
Gas emergencies are serious! If you
suspect a leak or have a Gas Emergency,
call our Hotline immediately at 1-866900-4115.
Have We Got Your Number?
It is also very important that we have your
New Hampshire Gas News | January 2013
home and cell phone number on file in
case we need to contact you. If you have
recently changed your telephone number,
or are not sure if we have the correct
number, please contact us to update the
information or update it online at:
www.unitil.com/sharemynumber
Is Your House Number Visible?
It’s also very helpful to us if you post your
house number in an easily readable spot.
Only one home in six actually has their
number posted, and many are too small, or
in a place that’s hard to see. An easily
continued in sidebar…
In The Community
Need Help With Energy Bills?
Neighbor Helping Neighbor (NHN)
is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) charitable
corporation created in 1986 to help
utility customers who experience some
sort of emergency or financial hardship
but are unable to qualify for other
government-funded energy assistance
programs. Grants are awarded up to
$300 once every two years.
For many families, NHN is the lifeline they
need when hit by hard times. If you are
facing a crisis, please don’t hesitate to
pick up the phone. NHN is there to help.
To apply for NHN assistance, call your
local Community Action Agency:
1-603-436-3896 (Seacoast Area)
1-603-225-6880 (Capital Area)
Weather Wise
continued…
readable house number helps us find
your home quickly in case of an outage.
It’s also vital for emergency workers
responding to a call. In fact, enhanced
911 requires that your house number
be posted, and of a certain size. To find
out more, contact your town hall for
requirements.
1-866-933-3820
Gas Emergency Hotline
1-866-900-4115
www.unitil.com
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restoration progress and more.