How to keep your food safe during a power outage
Food in the refrigerator will be safe for up to 4 hours without power. Any longer than that and perishables such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and any leftovers should be discarded. Along with the perishables, toss anything that has been above 40 degrees for over 2 hours, according to federal food safety guidelines.
Freezers will stay cold for up to 48 hours if it is full and 24 hours if half full (just another reason to get that extra ice cream!) As long as the temperature does not go above 40 degrees for more than two hours food should be useable; even partially thawed food can be refrozen.
The key things to keep in mind:
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer closed – each time you open the door precious cold air is lost.
- NEVER taste food to tell if it is still good – it is safer to just toss it.
- Discard anything that has come in contact with raw meat or its juices.
- 40 degrees is the magic number – if it is 40 degrees discard it.
Sources:
FoodSafety.gov, Refrigerated Food and Power Outages: When to Save and When to Throw Out
FoodSafety.gov, Frozen Food and Power Outages: When to Save and When to Throw Out
CDC, What You Need to Know When the Power Goes Out Unexpectedly
The power has already gone out a few times this summer, were you prepared?
Here are 10 power outage tips from Realgy Energy Services to help you prepare for the next time the lights go out.
1. If you lose power, report the outage to your local utility
Many utility’s now have mobile apps that you can use to report your outage.
2. Stay away from downed power lines and call 911 to report them
Always assume electric lines are live and treat them with caution and respect. Even low-voltage electric lines and cords can be hazardous if damaged or improperly handled.
3. Set your refrigerator and freezer to their coldest settings before the storm hits
Be sure to return the settings to their normal position as soon as electricity has been restored.
Use Ice to keep your perishable food cold
4. Get extra ice to help maintain the temperatures in your freezer and refrigerator during the outage
Use plastic bags filled with ice (or water, if you have enough time to freeze it) in the freezer. Use block ice, if possible, in the refrigerator. And should the ice melt, you can drink the water.
5. Set aside water
Sanitize and fill spare containers with water for drinking. Fill your bathtub with water for use in the toilet. A bucket of water poured in the toilet bowl is all that’s needed for flushing.
6. Be prepared to cook outside
It is possible that your stove will not work, so you may wish to use your backyard grill for cooking. Do not use your grill indoors, without proper ventilation it can be deadly.
7. Stock up on batteries and easy-to-prepare food
Don’t forget flashlights (one for each person in your family), batteries and a manual can opener.
8. Unplug sensitive equipment
Voltage irregularities can occur for any number of reasons during or after a storm, especially if there has been damage on or near your home. Unplug any sensitive electrical devices such as your television, DVD Player, stereo, microwave, computer, iPod, answering machine, and garage door opener to name just a few.
9. Fill your car’s gas tank
It is important to fill your tank before a storm, since gas stations may not be operating during an outage.
Example of a “Lights out” kit
10. Prepare a “lights out” kit
Your kit should contain a flashlight, battery-operated radio, fresh water, prescription medicine, prepared foods and any other items you may need when the lights go out. It’s also a good idea to have some extra cash on hand and to fully charge your mobile phone.
Before the power goes out again make sure you are prepared!
Sources:
American Red Cross, Power Outage Checklist
FDA, Power Outages: Key Tips for Consumers About Food Safety
Get creative with your answers to the $50 Energy Efficiency Contest
“How would you use $50 to make your home or office more energy efficient?”
If you are having trouble answering this question we have some low cost and even no cost energy efficient updates that can be made to your home or office for less than $50.
| What you can do | Average Cost |
| Lower your thermostat in the winter | Free |
| Wash your cloths in cold water | Free |
| Raise your thermostat in the Summer | Free |
| Toss that second Refrigerator (your Utility may offer rebates and most will even haul it away for free) | Free |
| Lower your water heater temperature | Free |
| Close your blinds during the summer | Free |
| Clean your air conditioner filter | Free |
| Use a ceiling fan instead of A/C | Free |
| Installing a faucet aerator | $5 |
| Change your furnace filter | $10 |
| Upgrade to CFL light bulbs | $15 |
| Dry clothes on a drying rack or clothesline | $20 |
| Insulate your water heater | $25 |
| Upgrade to a low-flow shower head | $25 |
| Install a programmable thermostat | $50 |
These are just a few of the ways you can make your home or office more energy efficient, take our advice and get creative with your answers when you enter the $50 Energy Efficiency Contest. You could win a $50 Home Depot or Lowe’s Gift Card to make your energy efficient dreams a reality.
If you are looking for even more energy savings enroll with Realgy Energy Services to lower your Natural Gas and Electricity Bills.
GOOD LUCK!
Sources
Energy Impact Illinois, Energy-Saving Actions & Incentives
U. S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy – Your Home
Does your home have what it takes to be awarded the Silver Certificate for energy savings?
The homes of Georgene Jaback and Bob Woods of Joliet, and Janet Jaback of Elmwood Park did.
(Office of Will County Executive Larry Walsh, Handout / July 5, 2012)
The Joliet couple improved their 50-year-old home with air sealing in the attic, basement and perimeter walls and insulation on the attic floor and in the conditioned basement. Their upgrades will reduce their air leakage rate by 35 percent, according to a press release issued by Will County.
Check out the article Joliet homeowners receive silver certification for energy savings to find out how they did it.
And if you are looking for even more energy savings check out Realgy Energy Services Natural Gas and Electricity rates, and lower your energy bills in a few minutes.
Enter the $50 Energy Efficiency Contest
Summer is here, and so is the heat! Stay cool this summer and win a cool $50 by entering the $50 Energy Efficiency Contest on the Realgy Energy Services Facebook Page.
Tell us how would you use $50 to make your home or office more energy efficient?
Tell us how you would use $50 to make your home or office more energy efficient and you could win a $50 Home Depot or Lowes gift card to put your ideas to the test. If you need some inspiration, make sure you check out our regular blog posts on how you can save money on your energy costs.
One gift card will be given out each month (July and August) by the Realgy Energy Services Team. Let us know your ideas and plans to get in on the energy and money saving action now.
Your plans do not have to stay within the $50 budget; just tell us what kinds of things you could do to your home to save money while making your home use less energy. Some ideas may include keeping the thermostat set higher, or installing a new ceiling fan. Get creative, and you could win a $50 gift card to help you on your way toward some real home improvement.
Realgy Energy Services has qualified for the Connecticut Small Business Express Program
Last Thursday May 24, 2012 Governor Malloy announced that five Connecticut small businesses had qualified for assistance through the state’s Small Business Express Program. The program was created as a part of the Jobs Bill passed last year, to encourage Connecticut business expansion and job growth.
“I am very pleased to announce that Realgy Energy Services was one of the five Connecticut businesses that qualified for assistance under this bill.” Stated Michael Vrtis President of Realgy Energy Services “I would like to give credit to the state of Connecticut for making this program available. It is competitive to programs in other states and has encouraged Realgy Energy Services to stay in Connecticut and continue to grow and expand.”
Realgy Energy Services is combining company funds of $309,800 and a matching grant of $59,500 to invest in computer software and equipment, employee training, marketing and contractual services. Realgy will also hire 7 new employees, which will more than double the existing work force of 13.
“Realgy’s plan to increase its workforce by 50 percent with the help of this state grant is proof positive that Connecticut is committed to helping local businesses grow and thrive,” State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford) said.
“This is the result of our jobs bill walking the talk,” State Representative Joe Verrengia (D-West Hartford) said. “Not only are we saving existing jobs in West Hartford, but we’re creating new jobs and providing the training and infrastructure to make these jobs last.”
Read the official Press Release from the State of Connecticut
Are vampires sucking your electricity?
Standby or vampire power as it is most commonly referred to, wastes $10 Billion of Electricity Annually in the United States alone. The average US household has about 40 electronic devices that constantly draw small amounts of power.
Top 10 Energy Vampires in Your home
- Laptop computer chargers
- answering and machines
- Computer printer
- TVs and cable boxes,
- VCRs, DVD players, DVD recorders, digital video recorders,
- phone and iPod chargers
- hubs and routers,
- video camera battery charger
- plugged-in electric toys
- night lights
Check out the Vampire Power Sucks website for tip on how to reduce vampire power.
Edit: January 2013 this website is no longer available. If you would like to learn more about Vampire Energy check out the Energy Star site:
Energy Star, Standby Power and Energy Vampires
Researchers are generating power using viruses
This might sound weird but researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a method to generate power using a virus.
The harmless M13 bacteriophage virus converts mechanical energy into electricity, and is the first generator to produce electricity by harnessing the piezoelectric properties of a biological material.
Testing the generator produced enough current to run a small liquid-crystal display. Image courtesy of Berkley Lab
This new technology will one day make it possible to charge your smartphone as you walk, thanks to a paper-thin generator on the sole of your shoe. Can you imagine all the other great uses for this type of generator.
Learn more about this amazing technology and even watch a video on how it works at the Berkeley Labs website
The Easiest Way To Save Money On Your Energy Bills
Great post by Energy Saving Tips The Easiest Way To Save Money On Your Energy Bills.
So what is the easiest way to save money on your energy bills, switch to a supplier like Realgy Energy Services.
Check out Realgy Energy Services electric rates
ComEd Outage Alert Map and Mobile App
ComEd has announced two new ways it is utilizing technology to improve communication with their customers. The first is an interactive online outage map and the second is a mobile application for smartphones.
“These new features are just two of many improvements ComEd has made in recent months as part of our focus on delivering greater value to our customers through enhanced customer service,” said Terence R. Donnelly, executive vice president and chief operations officer of ComEd.
ComEd’s interactive outage map allows customers to report and view current outages. The color-coded triangle icons illustrate how many customers are affected by each incident, as well as pinpointing the outage location.
Zooming in on a specific area gives more details such as Customers Affected, Estimated Restoration and Crew Status. The map is updated every half hour, and a mobile version is in the works as well.
When you zoom in on the ComEd Outage map more details are shown
The interactive outage map can be found on the ComEd website www.comed.com under the Customer Service tab, along with other useful outage information or by clicking here www.comed.com/map.
The new ComEd Mobile App like the outage map will allow customers to report power outages and check restoration status. ComEd residential customers will also be able to use the app to view account information such as:
- Account balance
- Account history
- Manage payments, including budget billing, automatic and one-time payments
- Report meter readings
The ComEd mobile app is free and available for download on iPhone and Android devices on the ComEd website www.comed.com/app or by searching for “COMED” in the application store on your smartphone.
Have you tried the ComEd Outage Map or Mobile App let us know what you think?