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Protect your electronic equipment!
H E C O V O L U M E X X V N O . 1 1
C O N S U M E R L I N E S
N O V E M B E R 2 0 0 6
e live in an
increasingly
electronic world.
Our homes and businesses
depend more than ever on
electronic devices that
contain sensitive circuitry
and microprocessors easily
affected by power quality
disturbances, such as power
surges, sags, or interruptions.
A disturbance may be aggra-
vated by conditions inside your
home, by external factors such
as the weather, or by situations
affecting
HECO
s power lines
and equipment. In the past,
brief power uctuations were
hardly noticed, but because of
todays sensitive electronics, it
is important that you protect
your electronic equipment.
What should you do?
x
Unplug your sensitive elec-
tronic equipment during
rainstorms, thunderstorms,
and if the power goes out.
This will help prevent damage
from potential disturbances
during the storm and when
power is restored.
x
Properly ground your cable
TV
, telephone, and utility
service lines. Power surges can
enter your home through these
lines. If you are unsure if they
are grounded properly, consult a
qualied electrician.
x
Use different circuits for
sensitive electronic equip-
ment. Electronic equipment
can be affected by appliances
that cycle on and off, as this
cycling can cause power uctu-
ations. For example, your
computer should not be on the
same circuit as your refrigerator.
x
Use a quality surge
suppressor. Use plug-in surge
suppressors to protect indi-
vidual sensitive equipment,
even if you have installed a
panel-mounted surge suppressor
or lightning arrestor at your
main circuit breaker panel.
Low-cost multi-strip outlets
commonly incorporate surge
suppressors that may provide
inadequate protection for
todays electronics. Look for
the
UL
1449 seal (2nd edition),
which indicates the product
meets minimum safety and
effectiveness standards.
x
Get an uninterruptible
power supply (
UPS
). A
UPS
lters incoming power and
isolates electronic equipment
from power disturbances. A
UPS
also provides additional
power, which is stored in
batteries, when the electric
power sags or is interrupted
altogether.
W
Protect your electronic equipment!
See the light, make the change!
Switching the standard
light bulbs in your home to
compact fluorescent lights
(CFLs) is a small change
that can keep your home
cooler, lower your electric
bill, and save you money.
CFLs typically use 60% to 70%
less energy than standard incan-
descent bulbsand they last
three to four times longer.
Look for the CFL display at
your local retailer and take
advantage of the discount
coupons that are being offered
to you by HECO in partnership
with retailers City Mill, Don
Quixote (formerly Daiei),
Foodland, Longs Drug Stores,
Marine Corps Exchange
Hawaii, Marukai, 7-11, and
Times Super Markets. The
retailers are offering coupons
valued at $1, $2, $3, and $5 on
spiral bulbs, specialty bulbs
(including A-line, globe, chande-
lier, reflector, and 3-way), and
dimmer bulbs.
CFLs come in a variety of
sizes and shapes. Be sure to read
the label to purchase the bulb
that is right for your application. RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Live energy lite was the message that attendees
received from Dan Sakamoto at
HECO
s annual
Live Energy Lite event, which took place October
7 at Pearlridge Shopping Center. The festivities
included live entertainment by the Na Hoku
Hanahano award-winning group Hookena, zany
science games by Mad Science of Hawaii, and
interactive exhibits on energy conservation and
environmental awareness.
You may have a small gener-
ator that serves as a backup to
the electric utility system.
Normally these generators are
intended to supply power to
only a few household appliances.
Before using any generator,
be sure to read the manufac-
turers manual carefully and
follow all instructions. Keep
the following safety tips in
mind when operating small
generators.
q
Generators should be prop-
erly grounded in accordance
Be safe if you
use a portable
generator!
with the instruction manual
provided by the manufacturer.
q
Ventilation of the gener-
ators exhaust and cooling
systems must be well designed
to minimize the impact of
noise, dangerous fumes, and
excess heat.
q
Reserve fuel must be stored
in a safe place away from the
generator or from any other
equipment that might ignite
the fuel. Use containers
designed for fuel storage.
q
To avoid possible damage to
your appliances or generator,
use only those appliances that
do not exceed the generators
capacity.
q Warning:
Do not plug the
generators power into a house-
hold outlet because the power
can backow into the utility
lines, creating a safety hazard to
utility workers who may be
working on the lines.
To determine the size gener-
ator that will best t your
needs, consult with the prod-
ucts dealer. It will be helpful if
you know the wattage of each
appliance you plan to power
with the generator.
If you have questions regard-
ing installation of a small
generator, contact a licensed
electrician or the manufacturer
of the generator.
HECOs float lights up
holiday parades
ECO
s holiday oat,
featuring candy canes,
oversized Christmas lights,
and giant owers, will light up four
holiday parades.
HECO
volunteers
put up the oat, which features
employees as musicians and
employees children dressed as
soldiers and ballerinas. Look for
the oat at the following parades:
2 1/2 cups mochi rice
2 1/2 cups water
6 large dried mushrooms, soaked
3 slices bacon, chopped
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 lb. diced lup cheong
In a rice cooker or 2-quart saucepan, rinse rice; drain. Add water; soak for 1
hour. Cook rice until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove stems from mushrooms,
chop caps. In a large saucepan, fry bacon until crisp; stir in onions, green onions,
lup cheong, and mushrooms. Cook until onions are clear. Add remaining ingredi-
ents to cooked rice and mix gently. Recipe makes enough stuffing for a 12- to
14-pound turkey.
M
Moocchhii R
Riiccee
S
Sttu
uffffiin
ngg
1 cup chopped water chestnuts
2 tablespoons chopped Chinese parsley
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Dash of pepper
Live Energy Lite!
H
NOVEMBER 25
- Waianae Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 2
- Honolulu City Lights Parade
DECEMBER 3
- Pearl City Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 9
- West Oahu (Kapolei) Holiday
Electric Light Parade