Money Saving Cold Weather Tips
January 8, 2015
Gulf Power Company is offering some cold weather energy savings tips for everyone, including customers of other utilities. Gulf Power offers the following tips to stay warm, safe and conserve energy.
Things you can do right now to save money and energy
- Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower to conserve energy.
- Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans so they rotate clockwise as you look up at them. This will force warm air down from the ceiling.
- During the middle of the day, open blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house. Also, where possible, reduce the traffic in and out of the house.
- Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most important, it’s not safe.
- A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney removes the heated air. When using the fireplace, close all doors and warm air ducts to the room where the fireplace is located. Glass doors on a fireplace will reduce the outflow of warm air. And a fireplace with a blower system is ever better because it actually blows the warm air around the firebox back into the room.
- An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
- Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Buy models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least three feet from items that could catch fire like curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
- Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
- Use “draft stoppers” or towels/blankets to block drafts at foot of door.
- If you should lose power, go to your thermostat and turn off your heating system. Please wait 10 to 15 minutes after power has been restored before turning it back on. This prevents a power surge from shutting down electricity again.
- If you should lose power, please do not connect portable generators to your household electrical wiring. This can cause serious injury to you and to Gulf Power employees who are restoring electricity. Instead, plug appliances into the generator. Never use a generator in enclosed or partially-enclosed spaces because of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Things you can do to prepare your home for the whole winter season
Temperature settings
- Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter. Did you know that you can decrease the amount of energy you buy for heating by three percent or more for every degree below 68 degrees you set your thermostat?
- Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Installation and meter-based surge protection are both free with Energy Select. Only $4.95 per month.
Heating and cooling equipment
- The system heating the home is extremely important. If it’s an older, less efficient unit, upgrading to a geothermal heating and cooling system — or a high efficiency air-source heat pump may be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 for a free Energy Check-Up.
Routine maintenance
- A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 and more, but this is a very worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are a convenience if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
Ductwork
- Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed up should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
- Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures. Different types of insulation material have different R-values. The recommended level is R-38 in the attic.
Weather-stripping and caulking
- Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
- If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can’t be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
Humidifier
- Use a humidifier to keep your home more comfortable. Adding moisture allows you to reduce the thermostat setting without feeling colder.
Cold Weather: Schools Open As Usual On Thursday
January 7, 2015
Thursday will be a normal school day in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties despite the anticipated cold weather.
The school district announced that all schools will be open regular times, and all bus routes will run as usual. The district is asking parent to make sure their children are dressed in layers and at their bus stops on time. Parent drop off times will be as usual.
Santa Rosa County School have also announced that it will be school as usual on Thursday.
“We know it will be cold, but they are not predicting ice, so our schools will operate as usual,” said Escambia County School Superintendent Malcolm Thomas, “We know many families do not live right next to their child’s bus stop. Parents are asked to be extra vigilant to minimize the amount of time students are exposed to the cold before school or while waiting for their bus to arrive.”
The school district offered the following additional reminders:
- Dressing in layers will allow children to remove the extra layers after they get inside so they can be comfortable in their classrooms.
- Physical Education teachers will monitor temperatures and the wind chill and keep classes inside as necessary. PE classes, as well as any team practices, scheduled later in the day will most likely continue as usual. For elementary schools, recess will also be held indoors until the temperatures rise.
- If your child has a special health concern affected by cold weather, sending a note or calling the school to remind them, is recommended.
Additionally, all soccer games scheduled for Wednesday night will continue.
Man Charged With Escambia Shooting
January 7, 2015
An Escambia County man has been charged with shooting what he believed to be a burglar outside a Lanettt Drive home Tuesday.
Shortly before 1:00 p.m., deputies responded to the 4000 block of Lanett Drive in reference to a shots fired disturbance. They located victim Christopher Lee Russell, 25, on the ground suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Russell was transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Trey O’Neal Johnson, 21, was taken into custody at the scene and an extensive investigation was conducted. According to Johnson, while he and his brother were checking property belonging to their father on Wickford Drive, they observed Russell running from the area behind the residence. Johnson, believing that Russell had broken into the building, fired a warning shot from his pistol in his direction.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office said Russell was not an imminent threat at the time that Johnson fired his weapon. Johnson was arrested and charged with aggravated battery and firing a weapon.
Century Man Charged With Aggravated Battery With Deadly Weapon
January 7, 2015
A Century man has been charged with placing a gun to forehead of a mentally disabled woman and threatening to kill her.
John Andrew McClain, 45, was charged with aggravated battery using a deadly weapon and criminal mischief property damage. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Wednesday morning with bond set at $110,000.
The 44-year woman met deputies at the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Century Precinct to report the incident. She told deputies that she is mentally disabled, unable to read or write, and had been involved in a “dating relationship” for several years with McClain.
She told deputies that on January 2 she was riding in a vehicle with McClain when a man called her cellphone. Later that night, she said McClain pressed the barrel of a handgun against her forehead and told her that he would kill her. According to an arrest report, the victim had a small wound on her forehead, apparently from the gun barrel.
He also allegedly grabbed her and held her in a “bear hug”. Over the next few days, she said McClain continued to drive past her house to make sure that she was home, but she was so afraid that she did not immediately report the gun incident.
A few days later, she said McClain drove her to the grocery store in Century and left her there, taking her vehicle back to her residence and sabotaging it so that it would not crank. McClain later allegedly grabbed her flip-style phone and broke it in half.
When deputies arrested McClain, spontaneously said he does not own any guns and that the victim is crazy, according to an arrest report.
Century Gets Big Break On DEP Permit Fee
January 7, 2015
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is giving the Town of Century a big break on needed permit.
The dredge and fill permit, part of the north Century drainage improvements project, has a normal fee of $5,000 based on a 3-10 acre impact area, according to town consultant Debbie Nickles
But Century qualified for a $4,900 discount, for a permit fee of just $100, due to lower than average income and property values in the town.
GED Classes Beginning At Molino Community Center
January 7, 2015
GED classes will being Monday, January 12 at the Molino Community Center from 6-8 p.m. each Monday and Thursday evening in Room 124.
New students will need to take the TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) before registration for the GED classes. The test will be given free only at the Molino Community Center on Thursday, January 8 at 6 p.m. for new students 18 or over with a photo identification.
Students under 18 will need to take the TABE and get an age waiver in person at George Stone Technical Center. Returning students may register online at www.georgestonecenter.com. For more information, call George Stone at (850) 941-6200 or (850) 516-4451.
For more information on the Molino GED class, call the Molino Library at (850) 435-1760.
Hill Proposes Help For Disabled Kids In Military Families
January 7, 2015
A Northwest Florida lawmaker Tuesday filed a bill that could help clear the way for developmentally disabled children in military families to get services from the state.
The bill filed by Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola Beach, focuses on active-duty military members who get transferred to Florida, members of the Florida National Guard and members of the military reserves who are based in Florida. Under the proposal, the state would be required to provide what are known as “home- and community-based services” to developmentally disabled children whose parents or guardians are in the National Guard or reserves.
Also, it would be required to provide the services to children of active-duty military members transferred to Florida if the children were receiving such services in other states. Florida has long had a waiting list in the home- and community-based services program.
The bill will be considered during the annual legislative session that starts in March.
Northview’s Lett Named All-State First Team; Two Jay Players Make Second Team
January 7, 2015
One player from the Northview Chiefs and two from the Jay Royals have been named to the Class 1-A all-state football team.
Senior running Keondre Lett (5-9, 170) from the Chiefs was the only North Escambia area player named to the first team offense. Lett finished the season with 1,234 yards for the Chiefs, along with 13 touchdowns and 121 carries on the ground. He also recorded 114 yards and two touchdowns on 14 receptions, and four kick off returns for 151 yards and the final of his 16 touchdowns.
Running back Braden Cross (5-10, 170) from Jay was named to the second team offense, as was senior Tucker Harrington (6-2, 280).
NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Northview Boys Beat Freeport
January 7, 2015
Northview 64, Freeport 56 (Boys)
The Northview Chiefs beat the Freeport Bulldogs Tuesday night in a district game in Bratt, 64-56.
The Chiefs were coming off a Monday night 72-60 road win over the Baker Gators. Cameron Newsome had 26 for the Chiefs Monday night.
The Northview Chiefs (6-6, 4-1) will travel to Holmes County on Friday before hosting Escambia Charter on Monday and Tate on Tuesday, January 13.
Freeport 63, Northview 30 (Girls)
In girls’ basketball action, Freeport defeated Northview Tuesday night 63-30. The Lady Chiefs were coming off a Monday road loss to Baker, 50-34.
The Northview Lady Chiefs (1-7, 0-4) will headto Holmes County on Friday.
Freezing Cold — Protect Pets, Plants, Pipes And Other Tips
January 7, 2015
It is time to take necessary precautions to protect pipes, pets and plants, and check on elderly friends and neighbors.
For tonight’s latest forecast, click here.
Here are ways to stay safe during this year’s first round of cold temperatures, courtesy of the American Red Cross:
- Wear layers of lightweight clothing to stay warm. Gloves and a hat will help prevent losing body heat.
- Know the signs of hypothermia – confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. If someone has these symptoms, they should get immediate medical attention.
- Watch for symptoms of frostbite including numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness or waxy feeling skin.
- Bring the pets indoors. If that’s not possible, make sure they have enough shelter to keep them warm and that they can get to unfrozen water.
- Avoid frozen pipes – run water, even at a trickle, to help prevent them from freezing. Keep the thermostat at the same temperature day and night to help avoid freezing pipes.
- Do not use a stove or oven to heat the home.
- Space heaters should sit on a level, hard surface and anything flammable should be kept at least three feet away.
- If using a fireplace, use a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.
- Turn off space heaters and make sure fireplace embers are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
And here are a few extra details and tips from ECUA on protecting pipes against the freeze:
- Insulate pipes or faucets in unheated areas: Pipes located in unheated areas of your house, such as a garage or crawl space under the house or in the attic, are subject to freezing. If you have time to do this before freezing temperatures arrive, wrap these pipes with insulation materials made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers.
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses: Detach all hoses from faucets and allow them to drain. This action guards against the water in the hose or pipe from freezing and bursting the faucet or pipe to which it is connected.
- Run a trickle of water: When forecasts call for sustained and / or severe freezing temperatures, run a thin trickle of water from the faucet furthest from the water line coming to your house. Usually this is in a room at the back of the house or outside, in the yard. Allowing the water to circulate through your home’s plumbing helps to keep it from freezing. Some consider this a waste of water but the cost of the water used is extremely slight compared to repairing broken pipes and the resulting water damage.
- Remember the backflow preventer: Residents and business owners who have backflow preventers on their properties for water lines, fire lines, irrigation systems, and swimming pools need to protect their backflow preventers from freeze as well. Extended freezes can burst the body of the backflow assembly, rendering it useless. Wrap these pipes with insulation materials, made especially for this purpose. These materials can be found in most hardware stores or home improvement centers. If the device and the water line are not in use at this time (i.e., irrigation system or swimming pool lines), shut off the water supply line and drain the backflow device.