GOING GREEN 
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Page 1 How can we live lightly on the Earth and save money at the same time?
Climate change and energy consumption is in the news. It seems like everyone's "going green." We're glad you want to take action, not only for the enivrnment but for your pocket as well. Luckily, many of the steps we can take to stop climate change can make our lives better. Our grandchildren-and their children-will thank us for living more sustainably. Let's start now.
Click on the buttons at the top of this page to see some tips on how you can save some energy and money in your home or business.
Save energy to save money.
Page 2 
Lighting Tips
Making improvements to your lighting is one of the fastest ways to cut your energy bills.
An average household dedicates 11%-20% of its energy budget to lighting. Using new lighting technologies can reduce lighting energy use in your home by 50% to 75%
Compact Fluorescent Bulbs—A Bright Idea!
ENERGY STAR qualified lighting provides bright, warm light and uses about 75% less energy than standard lighting, produces 75% less heat, and lasts up to 10 times longer.
Always turn off lights in a room when no one is in it. Leaving the lights on wastes energy for no reason. Get in the habit of walking through your home before bed or before leaving for the evening and turning off any lights that were left on.
Set outdoor lights on a timer so they are only on during the hours you need them. Timers are also useful inside, especially if there is a light you often forget to turn off.
Visit www.energystar.gov or click the light bulb logo below for more information on saving enegy and money by making good lighting chocies.
Page 3 A/C - HEATING ENERGY TIPS
As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home's heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills and your comfort
Set your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter and a few degrees higher in the summer to save on heating and cooling costs. Your own comfort will determin your costs but the normal temps are 72 degrees in summer and 65 degrees in winter
Check your air conditiong filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. Some filters are made for 3 months.
If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR
For more information on how you can save money and
energy by using your A/C and heating system effiently
and effectivly please click on the " energy saving recommended logo between the videos on this page
- Summer Energy Savings Tips
- Do Your Winter Bills Give You Chills?
Appliances 
Appliance tips
A significant portion of energy expenditure in the home goes into running appliances. Making sure appliances run efficiently can reduce waste and make for a more environmentally friendly home.
Unplug appliances when you're not using them. Or, use a "smart" power strip that senses when appliances are off and cuts "phantom" or "vampire" energy use.
Unlike many other appliances, refrigerators run around the clock. They often consume more energy than any other household appliance. It is not feasible to save energy with a refrigerator simply by turning it on less often. The best way to save energy with a refrigerator is to purchase an energy efficient model, such as those qualified by Energy Star. your new appliances may qualify for a cash rebate from the us dept of energy and state related programs. click the energy star logo at the bottom of the page for more information.
To conserve energy when using a washing machine,
always run as large a load as possible. This cuts down
on both water and energy use. Front-loading washing
machines use less water than top-loading models and
can significantly save on energy, so replacing an old
model can save money in the long term. Wash clothes
in cold water whenever possible. As much as 85 percent
of the energy used to machine-wash clothes goes to
heating the water. Use a drying rack or clothesline
to save the energy otherwise used during machine
drying. If you must use a dryer, consider adding dryer
balls to cut drying time.
ff 
Electronics Tips
Many appliances continue to draw a small amount of power when they are switched off. These "phantom" loads occur in most appliances that use electricity, such as VCRs, televisions, stereos, computers, and kitchen appliances. These phantom loads can be avoided by unplugging the appliance or using a power strip and using the switch on the power strip to cut all power to the appliance. Avoid leaving transformers and charging units for appliances and battery-operated devices on (such as cell phones and tools) when they aren’t being used.
Turn televisions off when not watching them. A TV left on for eight hours a day or while you sleep will cost you about $41 to $102 per year.
When you shut down your computer, don't forget to turn off the monitor it can use twice as much energy as your computer. Use an advanced power strip for convenience; that way all of your computer accessories are turned off by one switch (even in sleep mode, your computer may cost you $105 a year).
Use the power management feature on your computer monitor; it will turn off the monitor when idle for over 15 minutes when you leave your computer on.
Consider a multifunction device, which combines printing, copying, faxing and scanning and look for the ENERGY STAR label to further increase energy savings.
Click on the enegy star logo for more tips info. Click on the Home Electronics ideas for home electronics information.
Copyright - Constant Electrical Service Inc. 2011 - All Rights Reserved
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FAQ 
Fequantly Asked Electrical Questions
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Page 1 Here at Constant Electric Service Inc., we hear a lot of questions about electricity, and were more than happy to answer. If you dont find what you are looking for here, feel free to contact us. We ar more than happy to help.
For Questions please click on the button above ( Pages 1-4 ) for 20 Common Electrical Questions
The questions will appear here and the anwsers to those questions below on the bottom of the page.
Page 2 1. What is the difference between 3 phase and single-phase electricity?
2. Do I need a surge protector for my computer?
3. What is the difference between a surge protector and a UPS?
4. I have many appliances with two prong plugs, and my outlets are made to
accept three prong plugs, is using 2 prong plugs in the 3 prong outlets dangerous?
5. I am told that using my air conditioner for heating costs less
than using regular electric room heaters. Is this true?
Page 3 6. Should I turn off my electric service when I go on vacation?
7. What is a kilowatt hour?
8. What is the average cost to run my household appliances for a month?
9. One part of my house has no power. What should I do?
10. How can I save energy and reduce my electric bill?
Page 4 11. What is a GFCI outlet?
12. How do I know my GFCI outlet is working?
13. Why can't I use extension cords long-term to run
my lights and electrical items?
14. Can I use extension cords outside for my pool or hot tub?
What about for Christmas lights in the winter?
15. Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping? Why do my fuses keep burning out?
Page 5 16. We still have the round fuses instead of circuit breakers. Is this a safety issue?
17. Are our 2-prong outlets still ok to use in our home?
18. How do we keep our pets safe from electrical hazards?
19. Why does my florescent fixture make a humming sound?
20. Can I get electrocuted by batteries?
Page 2 1. What is the difference between 3 phase and single-phase electricity?
I suppose the textbook definition would be something like this:
A phase is the factional part of the period of a sinusoidal wave, usually expressed in electrical degrees.A single-phase circuit is an alternating-current using only one, sine wave type, current flow.A three-phase circuit consists of three different sine wave current flows, different in phase by 120 degrees from each other.
Now let's have the more practical, "down to earth" definition - something that the average homeowner would at least have a chance of understanding:
Single phase: a circuit that consists of three wires live, neutral, and ground (earth). The main breaker in a single phase system is a single pole breaker, resembling the others in the panel, only with a higher capacity.
Three phase: a circuit where the main breaker switches off three poles. For most home owners this is the equivalent of having 3 separate main breakers that are divided among the circuits of the home. There are 5 wires that normally constitute a three phase line, although in many homes the three phases simply supply the main and sub panels, but continue throughout most of the home as single phase lines. In most homes there are not many devices that run on three phase electricity. However, examples may include a three phase central air conditioner, a three phase oven, a 3 phase swimming pool pump, or a large 3 phase hot water boiler.
FAQ 2. Do I need a surge protector for my computer?
Most people are well acquainted with the normal surges that cause permanent damage to appliances in a blink of an eye. But few people are aware of the smaller surges that are going on all the time. Unlike the larger surges that wreck havoc all at once, these smaller surges can slowly wear out the wiring insulation and electronic circuitry in your appliances, causing them to operate improperly and wear out prematurely. A good quality surge protector can do a lot to protect your computer as well as other appliances. I personally recommend buying a UPS for your computer. They may be slightly more expensive, but afford your computer much more protection.
FAQ 2 (1) 6. Should I turn off my electric service when I go on vacation?
If you cut off power to your home by turning off the main breaker, none of your automatic appliances or lighting will work. That makes it impossible to use outdoor security lighting or timers on room lights to make your home appear occupied while you are away. Your refrigerator and freezer will defrost and, if you have an electric water heater, you won't be able to take a hot shower when you arrive home! These factors should be weighed against any possible savings on your electric bill by turning off the power while you are gone.You may want to turn off and unplug small kitchen appliances, TV sets, computers, chargers, and other non-essential items while you are away.
FAQ 2 (2) 7. What is a kilowatt hour?
A kilowatt hour (kWh) is the amount of energy required to provide 1 kilowatt (1,000 watts) of electricity for one hour. A 100-watt light bulb burning for 1 hour uses 0.1 kWh. When the same bulb burns for 10 hours, it uses 1 kWh.
FAQ 2 (3) 8. What is the average cost to run my household appliances for a month?
Freezer (15 cu. ft.), frostless: $12.00 Freezer (15 cu. ft.), conventional: $7.20
Refrigerator/freezer (15-16 cu. ft.), frostless: $11.20 Blender, used once a day: negligible
Refrigerator/freezer (15-16 cu. ft.), regular: $8.00 Coffee Maker: 70¢
Microwave, used 20 minutes a day: $1.20 Toaster, used 48 times a month: 21¢
Oven, used 30 hours + self cleaning: $3.44 Dishwasher, used once a day: $9.60
Room air conditioner, 1 ton, continuous use: $63.76 Clothes dryer, 20 loads: $4.80
Room air conditioner, 2 ton, continuous use: $81.04 Portable heater: $31.80
Washer, 140 hot wash/warm rinse, 20 loads: $11.04 Radio, 3 hours a day: 90¢
Water heater, 52 gallons, 140 (3 people): $45.60 TV, 5 hours a day: $2.88
Lighting, 8 hours, 100 w incandescent bulb: $1.92 Water bed heater: $12.00
Lighting, 8 hours a day, 40 w fluorescent bulb: 77¢ Hot tub, 300 gal. fiberglas: $44.80
FAQ 2 (4) 9. One part of my house has no power. What should I do?
Inspect the circuit beaker panel to determine if any of the breakers are tripped (open).
If a breaker is tripped, open it all the way, then reclose it.
If none of the breakers in the panel are tripped, or resetting does not restore power, call Constant Electrical Service Inc. for repair.
FAQ 2 (5) 10. How can I save energy and reduce my electric bill?
Use flat bottom pans that match the size of the burners on your stove.
Cook several dishes at once in the oven. Clean the oven when it's still warm from cooking.
Use a microwave oven when it will work just as well as another
method. Microwaves use less electricity than conventional cooking because they cook faster at lower wattage.
Run the dishwasher only when full.
Don't open the refrigerator or freezer repeatedly. Keep the refrigerator's condenser coils clean.
Use the washer and dryer only when you have a full load. Use warm or cold water to wash and rinse.
Turn off appliances and lights when you aren't using them. (Except for security lighting.)
FAQ 3 (1) 11. What is a GFCI outlet?
GFCI outlets are commonly known as the outlets “with a button”. GFCI stands for Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. The outlet monitors itself for an electrical current imbalance. (Those imbalances are what can give you a nasty shock!) If it recognizes an imbalance, it will “trip” or shut itself off. The national electric code requires that GFCI outlets are installed anywhere near water including bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and outdoors. If you have a GFCI outlet that is constantly tripping, you should have it looked at as that may be an indicator of a more dangerous problem.
FAQ 3 (2) 11. How do I know my GFCI outlet is working?
There is a test button on all GFCI outlets. The outlets should be tested from time at time – at least yearly. Press the “test” button to trip the outlet. Press the “reset” button to fix it. If nothing happens when you press the test button or if the outlet will not reset, that could indicate a dangerous situation. The outlet needs to be inspected by an electrician to ensure it safely operating and there is no underlying electrical issue.
FAQ 3 (5) 15. Why does my circuit breaker keep tripping? Why do my fuses keep burning out?
This is usually caused by three things. The first reason could be there are too many electrical items plugged into the circuit. Circuits are designed to only handle so much electric demand. The second reason is there could be a short in the wiring, or the third reason is the breaker or fuse could be faulty. It is recommended that an electrician evaluate the problem to ensure there are no safety issues. Your electrician can also talk with you about adding more circuits to your home so that your electrical system can support all your needs.
FAQ 4 (1) 15. We still have the round fuses instead of circuit breakers. Is this a safety issue?
No, it is not a safety issue unless the fuse box is damaged or deteriorating. Fuses are actually more sensitive than circuit breakers; therefore they are safer than circuit breakers. The problem with circuit-breakers is twofold. 1. After a fuse protects your home from an overloaded circuit, you have to throw it away. Therefore you may go through many fuses. Secondly, the majority of insurance companies now require that fuse boxes be replaced with circuit breakers.
FAQ 4 (2) 15. Are our 2-prong outlets still ok to use in our home?
Most appliances and electrical devices today come with 3-prong plugs. The third prong is for grounding purposes. For safety issues, it is advisable to have everything in your home properly grounded; therefore, you should change them.
FAQ 4 (3) 18. How do we keep our pets safe from electrical hazards?
The same frayed electrical cord that delivers an electrical shock to an adult, may have enough voltage to kill a dog or cat.
*Keep electrical cords away from puppies and kittens.
*If you have difficulty getting your pet to stop chewing on the cord, you may want to wrap the cord in a thick plastic sleeve.
*Keep Halogen lamps away from play areas for pets and children. Some Halogen bulbs can reach temperatures of 1,000 degrees. A fire can easily begin, if the lamp knocked over during play.
*Discourage pets from curling up for a nap behind warm computer equipment.
FAQ 4 (4) 19. Why does my florescent fixture make a humming sound?
The ballast in florescent fixtures often causes a humming sound while the fixture is on. There are a number of possible causes for this. One cause could possibly be loose laminations in the core. However, manufacturers claim that this is not common.
Another, more likely cause, can be magnetostriction. Magnetostriction is the deformation of a ferromagnetic material subjected to a magnetic field. In other words, when the magnetic field produced by the ballast slightly changes the positions of the molecules in the metal, this creates a constant cycle of shrinkage and expansion that produces an audible hum.
Another possible cause, (or at least may contribute to the cause) is the way the ballast is mounted onto the surface. A simple fix is to install vibration-isolation pads between the ballast and its mounting surface to dampen the noise.
FAQ 4 (5) 20. Can I get electrocuted by batteries?
You sure can, but you would need a lot of batteries to accomplish this. Regular everyday batteries are safe because they have such low voltage.
You need a high enough voltage in order to get the current flowing through your body. Human skin is not a good conductor. It takes about 40 volts, or more, of electrical pressure to penetrate your skin and create an electrical current inside your body dangerous enough to harm you. Most of the batteries we use are 12 volts or less. On the other hand, if the current finds a way to penetrate the skin (through a cut or other opening), then even a 12V battery could be dangerous.
