Fort Pierce Utilities Provides

Important Safety Precautions for Customers Making Eco-Friendly Decisions

"Whether it is through conservation, efficiency, renewable energy or other green principles, FPUA is making a commitment to provide electricity in a more environmentally friendly manner," said Bill Thiess, FPUA director. "I am pleased to see customers incorporating earth-friendly practices into their own lives, but the first priority must always be safety."

FPUA compiled the following list of safety tips and precautions to keep in mind when working to decrease your carbon footprint:

Proper Disposal of Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFLs): CFL light bulbs use up to 75 percent less energy than incandescent bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer, but special care needs to be taken when disposing of the bulbs, which contain mercury.

· Recycling CFLs reduces the chance that mercury ends up in the environment. Locally, residential customers should dispose of CFL's at the Saint Lucie County Solid Waste Bailing and Recycling Facility located on Glades Road in Fort Pierce and Commercial customers may contact the Solid Waste Department for a list of locations that will accept used CFL's from businesses.

· If a CFL breaks, ventilate the room, place larger glass pieces in a sealed plastic bag and use sticky tape to pick up any remaining small glass fragments and powder. Avoid using a vacuum which can disperse glass or trace amounts of mercury into the air.

Inspecting Insulation: Adding extra insulation will keep the "cool" inside and reduce the amount of electricity your home consumes. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that homeowners with less than seven inches of fiberglass or rock wool insulation in the attic should install additional insulation. Homes with less than six inches of cellulose insulation in the attic require additional insulation for maximum efficiency. When measuring the insulation in your attic, make sure to follow safety precautions.

· Wear protective clothing, long sleeves, long pants, gloves, a hard hat to protect your head and a disposable respirator mask.

· Certain types of insulation will irritate skin; avoid direct contact.

· When in the attic only step on joists, and never walk on the plaster ceiling.

Maintaining the Clothes Dryer and Other Large Appliances: Proper care and maintenance of dryers and other large appliances will not only ensure the appliance is running efficiently, reducing the amount of energy needed to operate, but also prevent electrical hazards. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 15,000 fires are caused by clothes dryers annually. Other appliances requiring regular upkeep and maintenance include HVAC systems, refrigerators and water heaters.

· Clean the lint trap after each load and periodically vacuum the lint caught behind the trap.

· Disconnect, clean and inspect the dryer duct run on a regular basis, or hire a professional company to clean the dryer duct. A properly ventilated dryer duct will ensure the clothes dryer is running as efficiently as possible.

· Have a qualified HVAC contractor inspect your heating and air conditioning system annually to ensure that it is working properly without any wiring or leaking hazards.

· Periodically replace air filters to reduce allergens and ensure the HVAC is working properly.

· Regularly clean refrigerator coils.

· Set your water heater temperature to 120 degrees to reduce energy use and prevent accidental scalding or severe burns.

For more energy saving tips, visit our website at www.FPUA.com.

About FPUA: Fort Pierce Utilities is a municipal utility whose mission is "to provide our customers with economical, reliable and friendly service in a continuous effort to enhance the quality of life in our community." Fort Pierce is one of more than 2,000 communities in the United States served by a community-owned electric utility, and one of very few who also provide water, wastewater, natural gas, and Internet services. Public utility systems are owned by the people they serve. All benefits from our locally controlled utility remain right here in the community.