To report a power outage between 8:00 am - 5:00 pm please call 773-7407, after hours please call 773-7410.

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Consumer News: 

CFLs |Seasonal Tips | New Hardware 

 

True and  False Facts about CFL's: 

 

True: CFL’s contain Mercury.

 

True: Mercury is safely contained in the bulb as long as it is not broken.

 

True: A broken CFL bulb needs to be handled carefully with certain procedures.

 

False: The amount of Mercury in a CFL poses a grave danger to the inhabitants of a  home.

 

Why should people use CFLs?

Switching from traditional light bulbs (called incandescent) to CFLs is an effective, simple change everyone in America can make right now. Making this change will help to use less electricity at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change. Lighting accounts for close to 20 percent of the average home’s electric bill. ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs use up to 75 percent less energy (electricity) than incandescent light bulbs, last up to 10 times longer, cost little up front, and provide a quick return on investment.

Do CFLs contain mercury?

Mercury is an essential part of CFLs; it allows the bulb to be an efficient light source. CFLs contain a very small amount of mercury sealed within the glass tubing – an average of 4 milligrams (mg). By comparison, older thermometers contain about 500 milligrams of mercury – an amount equal to the mercury in 125 CFLs. No mercury is released when the bulbs are intact (not broken) or in use.

How do CFLs result in less mercury in the environment compared to traditional light bulbs?

Electricity use is the main source of mercury emissions in the U.S. CFLs use up to 75 percent less electricity than incandescent lights, so less usage means CFLs reduce the amount of mercury into the environment.

 

What should I do if I break a CFL bulb?

 

Don't panic! Take these simple steps recommended by the EPA  to safely clean up a broken CFL bulb.

http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html

 

What should I do with my old CFL bulbs?

 

Recycle them! Recycling prevents the release of mercury into the environment.  Additionally,  virtually all components of a fluorescent bulb can be recycled and reused.

 

The City of Pierre recycles CFL’s for $.50/bulb at the Landfill recycling center at 2800 E. Park. Click here to learn more about the City of Pierre Solid Waste Department's electronics recycling program.

 

Many retailes such as Home Depot and Lowes accept CFL's for recycling.

 

Visit http://earth911.com/  to find out about other recycling services near you.

 

 

 

 

•  Use your range hood fan to vent hot air outside after cooking.

 

 

• Use heat generating appliances like dishwasher, washing machines and dryers early in the day or later in the evening. 

 

 

• Keep heat generating things like lamps, televisions and computers away from thermostats, they can cause your AC to run longer.

 

 

• When landscaping avoid using heat reflecting rock, concrete and asphalt on south and west sides of the house because they can increase your home's temperature.

 

 

 

• Line drying clothes can cut your monthly electric bill by as much as $25/month. It also increases the life of your clothes by saving them from your dryer's damaging heat.   

 

Winter -

This winter, save money and stay warm. Keep your energy bill and your pollution output low this winter by taking a whole-house approach to heating.
 

·         During the heating season, keep the draperies and shades on your south facing windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.

 

   

 

·       Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when home. By resetting your programmable thermostat from 72 degrees to 65 degrees for eight hours a day (for instance, while no one is home or while everyone is tucked in bed) you can cut your heating bill by up to 10 percent.

 

 

·       Weatherize your home-caulk and weatherstrip any doors and windows that leak air. 

 

 

·        Properly maintain and clean heating equipment. Replace furnace filters regularly.

 

 

·        Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if it meets the levels recommended for your area.