Wildfire Season: NV Energy May Shut Off Your Power
It’s wildfire season. Dry, hot weather for weeks on end all across Southern Nevada increases the danger of a wildfire starting in our region. In addition, with amateurs setting off Fourth of July fireworks this weekend, there is an even bigger threat of a wildfire starting.
NV Energy May Shut Off Your Power For Safety Reasons During Wildfire Season
The NV Energy website outlines all of the precautions being taken in order to ensure safety for the residents of Southern, and Northern Nevada. Those who live in a high fire risk zone may have their power shut off if certain dangerous conditions are met. However, NV energy reminds you that this action will be taken only as a last resort.
They refer to this last resort action as “emergency de-energization.” According to their website: “It is enacted when an active wildfire gets too close to NV Energy equipment.” In the event this happens, they will monitor the situation closely. If it looks like the fire may get too close to their power equipment, they’ll shut it down to avoid further fire risk. This is also done to protect first responders.
In addition, during wildfire season in Nevada, NV Energy may undertake other safety precautions to protect residents, homes, and power equipment. Their website states that their meteorologists and company management team will activate more sensitive settings on their power equipment to help negate the chance of starting a fire should an animal or some debris come in contact with a power line.
How To Prepare Your Home If Power Shuts Down During Wildfire Season
You can also check out the NV Energy website for safety tips and instructions on how to prepare your home in case there is a power outage during wildfire season. This is especially important for residents who are dependent on electricity for life-saving medical equipment or refrigeration of medicines. They advise these “Green Cross members” to have a backup power source in place in case of emergency.
In addition, they recommend that you make sure your correct phone number is listed on your NV Energy account. You can also sign up for outage alerts on their website.
Furthermore, they advise that you have a “waterproof outage kit with items for emergency situations.” You can include bottled water, ready-to-eat foods, a flashlight, a battery-operated radio and clock, blankets, a first-aid kit, and plenty of batteries.
You can get more power outage safety tips by clicking here. Now, feel free to scroll down for more content which may interest you.
7 Ways To Cut Those High Nevada Energy Bills
1. Check Your Seals
This homeowner is putting fresh caulk on his windows. Not only can this lower your energy bill, but it will ensure little critters stay out as well.
Check the seals on all your windows, doors and on your fridge and freezer. Just a small crack in the seal can let air out and waste energy. Sometimes just some caulking can do the trick. Other times you’ll have to purchase a replacement seal. Both quick fixes with money-saving results.
2. Change Your Lightbulbs
Replacing your incandescent bulbs for more energy-efficient ones is something you can do today to lower your energy bill.
One of the quickest ways to save on your energy bill is to swap out your incandescent light bulbs for more energy-efficient ones. Nerdwallet says that doing this in just your five most-used lights can save you $75 a year on your bill. Imagine what swapping them all would do! Look for compact fluorescent or LED bulbs that have the Energy Star label.
3. Get Your Ducts In A Row
There are many companies in Nevada that will do an inexpensive, or even free, inspection of your ducts. A good first step to repairing or replacing any parts that are contributing to your high energy bills.
Leaky ducts can let a lot of hot and cold air escape, raising your energy bills all year long. Check your heating, air conditioning and ventilation ducts and repair any leaks for a more efficient system and a lower power bill.
4. Get Smart Power Strips
Smart power strips are very easy to get these days. Amazon or the local home improvement stores will have them.
Electronics, particularly those with a remote control, still use power when they’re off, mostly because they’re in standby mode waiting for your command. Plugging these devices into a smart power strip will cut the circulation of power when the machines aren’t powered on.
5. Install Dimmer Switches
The brighter your lights are, the more power they take. Installing dimmer switches on any lights possible can help reduce energy bills.
If you have lighted areas that you don’t need full power for, put them on a dimmer switch. Lower levels means you use less power. An electrician can do these switches rather quickly. And the investment will pay off in the end.
6. Make Your Showers More Efficient
This is one project that a handyman at home can easily do. Switch out the shower heads in your home with more water-efficient one.
There are a couple of ways to save money in the shower. Taking a shower that’s just two minutes shorter than your norm can lead to lower energy bill. Since your water heater doesn’t need to work as hard. The other way to save money in the shower is by replacing your shower head with one donning the WaterSense label will ensure it meets the efficiency criteria set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
7. Change How You Use Your Washing Machine
Your washing machine is a big source for your high energy bills. Fortunately there are lots of ways to make them more energy-efficient.
If you’re washing underwear, socks, or bedding that has been used by a sick person, hot water washes are most-effective. For almost everything else (unless the fabric specifically mentions hot water), use cold water in the washing machine. It will lower your energy bill significantly by not having to heat that water.
Another way to save money in both the washing machine and the dishwasher is to never run a load that isn’t full. Whether you have one item or fifty, the same amount of water is used. So wait until you have a full load to hit that start button.
For a longer-term solution, look for a washer with the EnergyStar label the next time you’re shopping for new appliances. If you want to start on your home’s efficiency before you need to, start replacing your appliances that you use most often. Over time, you’ll start to see the savings really add up. Here’s another place Nevada Energy might be able to help you out. Their Power Shift program offers these appliances for free to costumers who qualify. Get more info here.
Larry Martino is the long-time afternoon drive personality on 96.3 KKLZ. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are those of Larry Martino and not necessarily those of Beasley Media Group, LLC.
