Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) November 28, 2011

Pittsburgh Electricians, South Hills Electric Heating Cooling, restores power to 18 families in a Pittsburgh suburb just in time for Thanksgiving.

South Hills Electric Heating Cooling announced today that they have completed their electrical restoration of service to 18 families in the Emsworth area. ?We pride ourselves on being able to complete emergency electrical services to our clients.? said Pat Cray, owner of South Hills Electric Heating Cooling.

Mr. Cray added, ?Any time is a tough time to be without power, but when you add the holidays into the equation, it becomes mission critical to get the job done as fast as possible.? Power was lost when a faulty water heater released water and saturated the electrical meters installed in the utility room of an 18 unit apartment complex. Duquesne Light was forced to cut power to the apartment building when an unsafe situation arose damaging all the electrical components beyond repair.

According to current electrical codes, the electrical meters had to be relocated to an accessible location on the outside of the building and portions of the electrical service redesigned to accommodate these changes listed here:

?For any service wiring changes for which the Company has not specified a new meter location, the Customer shall comply with the following general guidelines:

(a) Residential meters located indoors shall be moved to outdoor locations as specified below and in Section 4.2.3(d).

(b) Meters other than residential may be required to be moved outdoors.

(c) New meter locations shall be chosen to eliminate house to house connections and service drops over roofs, awnings and

other structures.

(d) Meters shall be readily accessible to Company representatives. The best location is on the side of the building at the front corner nearest to the Company’s service pole or underground service point.?

~ Duquesne Light Electrical Service Installation Rules

Grounding and connections had to be updated as well to comply with the National Electrical Code. New Electrical panels were installed for all the units in the building as they were damaged by the water as well.

When asked how South Hills Electric Heating Cooling was able to pull off such a large job so quickly, the owner stated, ?This is the nature of our business. We specialize in coordinating efforts to resume electrical services to our customers as fast as we can. This requires actionable plans to contact and inform the electrical service provider, the owner, our suppliers, our employees, electrical inspectors, and any other third parties of interest. Also South Hills Electric Heating Cooling would like to give special thanks to Bill Hertrich of The Hite Company and Schneider Electric for all their assistance in procuring the necessary electrical equipment. Some of it right off of the manufacturing floor. Without which the service installation would have taken weeks not days.?

?Codes and Regulations are in place for a very good reason; to protect homeowners and tenants from dangerous situations that can arise from dealing with electricity and electrical equipment failures.? ~ Mr. Cray

As a result the families were able to return to their residence and enjoy Thanksgiving as they should.

About South Hills Electric Heating Cooling:

South Hills Electric Heating Cooling is located at:

South Hills Electric Heating Cooling

930 Glass Run Rd

Pittsburgh, PA 15236

(412) 537-0687

on the web at http://southhillselectricheatingcooling.com

and by email: patcray(at)southhillselectric(dot)com

South Hills Electric Heating Cooling provides first class electrical, heating and air conditioning services to the greater Pittsburgh area. Since 1993, we have installed furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, electrical systems and hot water heaters. We are licensed, registered certified and insured to work in your home or business. We carry an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and are registered with the PA Attorney General License #PA012126.

###











London, UK (PRWEB) November 29, 2011

Carbon-investments.co.uk today released an article claiming that carbon trading can help national governments cope more effectively with their struggling local economies. Compliance cap-and-trade schemes, states the carbon investments portal, can provide valuable revenue streams and economic opportunities.

The article comes in response to a recently published study by Boston-based research company, Analysis Group. Over the past three years, the study closely followed the performance of the U.S. RGGI?a compliance emissions trading scheme implemented in 2009 across 10 Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic states (Vermont, Rhode Island, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and New York).

Carbon-investments.co.uk explains that, under RGGI, an annual emissions cap of 188 million tons of CO2 was imposed on power plants across the 10 participating states. This limit will be in effect until 2015, when the carbon quota will gradually go down by 2.5 per cent each year until it reaches its target rate of 10 per cent CO2 emissions reduction by 2018.

Under RGGI, the article further says, power plants compensate for their emissions by purchasing allowances via an auction process and retiring them at the end of each three-year compliance phase (the first one being 2009-2011). Carbon-investments.co.uk reports that, so far, the revenue that state governments generated through auctioning off carbon credits has amounted to about $ 912 million. The money was utilised differently in each of the 10 states, but some of the programs funded were related to energy efficiency, renewable power initiatives, assisting low-income families with paying their utilities bills, education and job training.

The carbon investment article also states that some of the key findings from the Analysis Group study prove that, since its implantation, RGGI has enhanced local economies by: (1) producing a net present value (NVP) of $ 1.6 billion (about $ 33 per capita if spread across the population of all 10 participating states), which led to more purchases of goods and services in the economy; (2) saving businesses, individuals, governments and other energy consumers about $ 1.1 billion over the three-year period (the article does note that, although initially prices of electricity went up to compensate for the cost of carbon credits, over time, RGGI led to less energy used and lower utility bills); (3) reducing the dependency and costs on outside fossil fuels (the 10 states saved a combined $ 765 million on imported fossil fuels); (4) creating 16,000 new jobs.

The RGGI study, states carbon-investments.co.uk, is a poof that when compliance cap-and-trade schemes are properly conceived and implimented, monitored effectively and utilised creatively, they can provide invaluable benefits to local economies, especially in countries facing serious financial challenges. Carbon trading brings in much-needed funding and leaves room for innovative approaches as to how the funds can be best spent, so they can bring positive long-term results for industries, consumers and governments alike.

?Cap-and-trade programs may hold the key to the economic recovery of nations-in-crisis,? says Tonka Dobreva of Dezz, the UK digital media group operating carbon-investments.co.uk. ?Governments can — and should — take advantage of these new revenue streams and the flexibility spending they offer,? she adds.

You can read the full article and learn more about carbon trading at http://www.carbon-investments.co.uk/how-carbon-trading-can-help-struggling-economies.php

About Dezz

Dezz is a UK-based boutique digital media company providing original and reliable up-to-date information in the area of carbon credit trading and sustainable investments to large investment company decision makers, NGOs and to eco-minded individuals. Dezz Limited, 843 Finchley Road, London, NW11 8NA. Registered in England and Wales as a Limited Company. Company Number: 07376661

###











Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) December 01, 2011

Hanging Christmas Lights Can Be Fatal, Toltek Services, LLC (Home of the Maintenance Guru) Provides Home Ladder Safety Tips

Ladder accidents are responsible for 90,000 emergency room visits each year. For many, the annual ritual hanging Christmas lights will result in a trip to the emergency room and some falls may be fatal. Toltek Services, LLC helps home owners and business men and women prepare for a safe Christmas light hanging project anywhere ladders are used.

Have you every driven past someone working and thought to yourself, that doesn?t look very safe? Toltek Services? Maintenance Guru has seen the results of improper ladder safety first hand. As a small boy, he was working with his dad (a plumber) building the new retail store in Douglas, Wyoming. The basement walls and slab had been poured and an aluminum ladder was being used to exit the basement area. Unfortunately, the ladder had no rubber feet to keep it from sliding out across the smooth cement slab. Making matters worse, between the ladder and the wall was a sawhorse. The Maintenance Guru?s dad was leaving the basement area and had nearly reached the top of the wall when the ladder began to slid out, and on the way to the ground, his forearm hit the sawhorse resulting in a separated shoulder and a trip to the emergency room.

Ladder accidents injure Professionals daily and the sad part is most of the injuries could have been prevented. The National Association of Home Builders reports that 135 fatalities occurred during 2003 and 2006. These statistics represent professionals who use ladders daily and do not take into account casual home users. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that more than 90,000 people receive emergency room treatment for ladder accidents each year. There are countless more accidents that go unreported.

Safety begins with planning and each plan should include an inspection of the equipment being used. Not only should your lights be tested before you begin hanging them, but the ladders you are using should be inspected as well. The Maintenance Guru recommends inspecting ladders before every use by implementing following checklist.

Ladder – Portable

If the answer is “yes” to any of the questions below, make repairs before using the ladder.

General Inspection (all ladders)

1. Are there loose steps or rungs (should not be able to move a rung by hand)?

2. Are there loose fasteners such as nails, screws, bolts, or other materials?

3. Are there cracked, split, broken, rust or decayed uprights or rungs?

4. Are there slivers (metal or wood) on uprights, rungs, or steps?

5. Are there rungs missing?

6. Is grease, oil, or slippery material on steps or rails?

7. Do movable jam or scrape when operating?

8. Is the base (non-skid) material missing?

Stepladders

1. Is the ladder wobbly or does it appear to be asymmetrical (not sit squarely on the ground)?

2. Are the hinge spreaders loose or disconnected at both ends on all rails?

3. Is the hinge on each spreader fastened loosely or missing in the center creating a wobbly or loose connection from rail to rail?

Extension Ladders

1. Are the extension locks missing or not functioning properly?

2. Are the extension locks missing or seated improperly on the desired rungs to lock the ladder securely in place?

For every four feet in height the ladder should be placed one foot out away from the wall as demonstrated in the picture above.

Other Helpful Ladder Safety Hints:






Article by Isla Campell

Electricity is an essential requirement for modern homes, and we rely on its power for everything from basic lighting and food storage to entertainment systems such as televisions and computers. However, just because you’re filling your house with ever more electronic gadgets doesn’t necessarily mean your electricity bills need to increase too – you simply need to use moderation and common sense to avoid wasting electrical power.Some people are extremely cautious when it comes to electricity, switching off the mains every time they leave the house to avoid accidents occurring, however this is not a practical option for all households – especially as it would mean fridges and freezers defrosting and burglar alarms being deactivated. You don’t have to take such extreme measures to save money on your electricity bills, though avoiding leaving devices such as televisions and computer monitors on standby is a good way to reduce wasted energy.If you’re concerned that it’s your own forgetfulness or bad habits that may be contributing to your steep electricity bills, there are ways to remedy this problem – including fitting timers to systems such as your lights, which will switch them off if you leave a room for a certain period of time. These automatic timers are inexpensive, and can soon pay for themselves in terms of electricity saved, as lighting is one of the biggest contributors of household electricity bills.The type of lighting you use can also play its role in this, with fluorescent lighting strips using less electricity than standard bulbs. If you prefer standard bulbs however, you don’t have to get rid of these entirely – simply make the switch to specialised energy-saving light bulbs, which produce the same level of illumination at a significantly lower wattage.If you’re committed to the idea of reducing your reliance on standard electricity sources, you may wish to investigate renewable energy, such as wind and solar power. However, at present these generators can be quite costly and inconvenient for many households, though government incentives should see solar PV panels becoming a more affordable option in the coming years.Electricity saving measures aren’t limited to homes, of course, but are also suitable for business premises, where rising energy bills can present an even bigger problem. Even if you operate a large business, there are many ways you can reduce the amount of electricity you use – such as replacing escalators with stairs and air conditioning with fans, and replacing old, inefficient equipment with Energy Star rated devices designed to save electricity.Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.

Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.















Article by Aster Brittan

With a little diligence we can easily lower our electric bill. We all want to save money everywhere we can. By doing so we reduce our carbon footprint to make Mother earth happy and reduce our utility bill to make our own Mothers happy.

Because of a recent law passed by Congress, all light bulbs sold will be replaced by compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). Whether you like CFL’s lighting or not you will be forced to save on electric by using these very efficient bulbs. I argue, why wait until the moratorium, start today by replacing all the bulbs in your house or office.

The one downside to CFL’s is after years have gone by, when they expire, they require special care of disposing them. They hold very small amounts of Mercery that simply can not be thrown into a landfill. The original concern of reducing a carbon footprint will not be achieved unless the CFL’s are disposed safely.

Here are at least 5 ways to save on your electric bill and please Mother.

1. Reduce Your Consumption – Duh? I know you have heard that one before. But it needs to be said because it is a great practical way to get started. Turn off all lights and appliances when they are not in use. Become aware of all the power eaters that continue to suck energy when they are off (e.g. TVs, computers, multimedia equipment even your cell phone charger).Use power strips that you control, remember to turn those off when not in use. If you have air conditioning set the thermostat a few degrees warmer, set your heating unit a few degrees cooler. Use natural cooling whenever possible in summer and put on more layers of clothes in winter.

2. Invest in Energy Saver Appliances and Equipment – The Energy Saver label means that this appliance meets federal standards for energy efficiency. Talk to your cpa about the tax incentives the government provides for energy saving appliances and equipment.

3. Look Into Interruptible Electric Service Rates – Your local utility supplier may offer discounts on your electric rates if you sign up and agree to interruptible service. During peak electric load times (such as hot summer) your electric company can reduce its load by interrupting your electric service. Check into this option with your electric company to see if this option is right for you.

4. Time-of-Use Rates Offered by Your Power Company – This may work with households that are home mostly on weekends or in (off-Peak) evening times. Be sure you completely understand the terms before signing up. By not understanding what you are agreeing to you could end up paying more than if you did not sign up a all.

5. Convert to Solar Energy and Wind Power – The resource is clean and completely free. But installing the systems professionally are costly. There are federal and state tax incentives for converting to solar and wind which will help. The good news is that you can build a small system yourself with plans you purchase. If you enjoy doing things yourself, it is a match made in heaven. You could learn to create enough energy to run a small home, garden or workshop appliances. It will be fun to learn how to save electricity and it serves a great cause to reduce our carbon footprint.

Visit www.HowToSaveElectricity4u.com to learn more about how to save electricity. You can also view many free videos demonstrating power saving devices.










Related How To Save On Electricity Bills Articles






Irving, Texas (PRWEB) November 16, 2011

First Choice Power today announced that it will award more than $ 61,000 in Reduce Your Use Grants? to nonprofits, schools and medical centers to fund energy-efficient programs and upgrades. The recipients applied for grants in the fall grant cycle which ran from September to October.

?This grant program allows First Choice Power to help build the communities we?re apart of in a more energy efficient way,? Catherine Carlton, community relations manager for First Choice Power, said. ?By helping nonprofits and schools afford environmentally friendly upgrades, we are able to help reduce their energy usage and at the same time lower their bill.?

Grant recipients include food banks, museums, charitable organizations and many others; they will use their grants for projects such as installing new air conditioners and fans, adding energy-efficient doors and door frames and installing EnergyStar






There are lots of ways on how to save money on electricity bill. All it takes is a little effort and some plain common sense on our part. For starters, the best way to save on electricity is to focus on the biggest energy users in your home, which are the air conditioner, the refrigerator and your home lighting fixtures. Optimize the use of these appliances and you’ll see a noteworthy drop on your electric bill.

Click Here For Magni Work Instant Access Now!

Air conditioner – Install an aircon that is suited for the space that requires cooling. Talk to your local appliance technician to know the right specifications for you. Whenever possible, turn the aircon off and simply open the windows and use an electric fan to circulate the air in your room and reduce the heat.

Refrigerator – The location of your fridge can make a difference in how energy efficient it is.

Make sure it is out of direct sunlight and not close to the oven. It is best to keep it against an outside wall so that the heat it generates can escape easily, and always make sure that there is a few inches space all around the fridge so that air can circulate.

Home lighting fixtures – In most homes, about 10-15% of the electricity bill is for lighting, and so energy saving light bulbs can cut your costs considerably. Traditional bulbs waste a lot of energy by turning it into heat. Energy saving bulbs, on the other hand, work in the same way as fluorescent lights in that the tubes coating glows brightly as an electric current passed through gas in the tube.

Another way on how to save money on electricity bill is to unplug your appliances when not in use, especially televisions, computers, and VCR’s. Simply turning them off is not enough because these items still use electricity when on standby mode. In other words, do not leave electrical appliances on standby.

Click Here For Magni Work Instant Access Now!

This author writes about Home Made Electric Generator and Magni Work.

Related How To Save On Electricity Bills Articles






Angry at that monthly electric bill. Are the numbers too outrageous? Do you wish that you could considerably lower your bill? Well, I have compiled a list of tips to help you cut down your bills which can save you a ton of money. So lets get started:

1. Everyone knows about this one. Turn off all electronics and lights when not using them. This includes computers, lights, radios, etc

2. Unplug all electronic devices such as computers when not using them.

3. You can use your curtains . During cold months you can keep them open to absorb light for heat. During warm months you can keep them closed for less heat.

4. Don’t launder your clothes in heat. You shouldn’t launder them in heat because it wastes energy. 90% of the energy a washer uses is to heat clothes.

5. Use solar panels for cheap heat. Though the problem with this method is that many people can’t afford solar panels since installing a decent solar panel costs at least 00.

This is too much for many families and many can’t afford them.

6. This is a much cheaper solution to tip #5. You can actually create your own solar power generator! Many people might think this is not very viable, but it is actually much easier then people think. You can actually create your own generator for less then 0. The supplies aren’t too difficult to get either. They can be bought from your local hardware store or online. This saves you lots of money from your electric bill as you will be generating free electricity in an eco-friendly way. To find out more about creating your own solar panel, visit the link below:

http://reducingelectricbill.wordpress.com/

Akash Lohia has been building his own solar panels for a year now. Did you find those tips on how to reduce your electric bill useful? You can learn a lot more about how creating your own solar panels can help you reduce your electric bill at my blog below:






(PRWEB) October 28, 2011

The smart grid is, in many cases, still experimental. At the same time, there are deployments and certainly many pilots to learn from. Gathered in one document for the first time are over 50 detailed, one-on-one talks with industry leaders making the smart grid a reality today.

In this 100+ page report, Smart Grid Today’s experienced energy journalists interview the electric industry leaders, luminaries, gurus and field captains who are creating the new digital energy industry.

These exclusive interviews reveal insights, analyses, cautions, tips, tricks, predictions, fears, hopes and realizations about the new frontier in energy technology — and are now available in “Smart Grid Pioneers,” an exclusive industry report from Smart Grid Today – the independent journal of the digital energy industry.

No other source offers the wealth of useful knowledge and experience that Smart Grid Today works to compile every business day — and no other report offers the very best examples of that exclusive reporting over the last 12 months.

Smart Grid Today’s ?Smart Grid Pioneers? special report features exclusive insight and perspective from these industry leaders making the smart grid a reality today:






Renewable power sources have become an excellent replacement for our dwindling fossil fuel supplies. By turning to a source of energy that isn’t finite, we’ve begun reducing the chance of a global electricity-shortage and the issues that would follow afterwards. For homeowners, they can begin their own trek into the renewable energy court by having their own systems installed. Here is how to save on electric bill with a couple of renewable energy power systems.

Wind Turbines

Simply miniature replicas of the giant wind turbines up on the hills, home turbines can produce a good deal of power, depending on the model. Roof-mounted turbines are less productive at a maximum of 2kW, whereas mast-mounted turbines can produce up to 6kW.

This huge production of power in comparison to others, such as solar panels, is great and they can even be connected to the power grid so you can sell the electricity back to a electrical company.

However, there are a number of disadvantages. The first is that it has multiple moving parts and therefore requires regular maintenance. This means downtime and maybe a considerable amount if it breaks and needs replacement parts. Furthermore, there may be noise and for many homeowners, or their neighbors, turbines look unsightly. Permission of anyone affected might be necessary before having one installed.

Solar Panels

Utilizing the sun’s rays, solar panels provide usable electricity without the hassle of moving parts or regular, expensive maintenance. It’s completely silent and has a low profile, meaning there’s very little in the way of aesthetic issues. Additionally, the lack of moving parts and with regular maintenance, solar panels can last for decades and are productive even on cloudy days.

However, they produce a lot less electricity than a wind turbine and can be very expensive towards the high-end and for larger panels. I have personally managed to build my own home DIY renewable energy system by following an online system which you can find out more about at my website link below.

Do you want to save on your electric bill with Renewable Energy Systems? Do not do it because the author has found many useless guides online. Download the Best Step-By-Step Home Energy Guides at http://www.renewableenergysystemreview.com/download.htm!

More How To Save On Electricity Bills Articles