FAQ
What products and services does Peninsula Light Company offer?
Peninsula Light offers surge protectors, 3-day emergency kits, compact fluorescent lighting, water heater rebates, and free workshops for members. For more information you can click on the
PLC Cooperative Store or
Save Energy, Save Money Rebate Programs, or call the Products and Services Line at Peninsula Light at (253) 857-1530.
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What is Green Power?
'Green Power' is power that is generated from the renewable resources of the wind, water and sun. When these resources are used to generate electricity, we get power that is clean and kind to the environment. This is called renewable energy. PLC's Green by Choice program invites you to choose to use more of this environmentally friendly power from wind, solar, low impact hydro, biomass, and geothermal sources.
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What is a surge?
A surge occurs when the power line voltage goes higher than nominal, and stays there longer than 10 milliseconds. The three main forms of power interference include: voltage dips, electromagnetic interference and surges.
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What causes power surges?
Most surges occur when devices with motors - hair dryers, refrigerators, water pumps - shut off. Suddenly the energy these devices were consuming is diverted elsewhere in the form of excess voltage. Surges also happen when the electric company switches power from one geographic area of the grid to another as supply and demand in the region changes. Thunderstorms and lightening are the most dramatic and destructive causes of power line problems.
Only 40% of the problem is generated outside the home or office by events such as lightening, utility grid switching, line slapping, mis-wiring, etc. 60% of all electrical surges or transient voltage activity is generated within the home. Surges are caused by elevators, air conditioners, vending machines, copiers, large computers, even lights turning on and off will cause rushes of power and transient voltages back up the line.
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Can surges cause damage?
Yes. Today's computerized appliances and electronics can be damaged or destroyed by over-voltage surges or spikes. This includes computer equipment and peripherals; electronic equipment such as stereos, TVs and VCRs; household appliances including washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwave ovens, food processors, blenders, and can openers; and other electronic devices such as fax machines, telephones, and answering machines. Any electronic device that contains a microprocessor is susceptible to damage from transient voltages.
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Can a surge harm my equipment if I am not using it?
Yes. Many electrical devices have electronic timers, clocks, or remote controls (TV, VCR) which remain in operation even when it is not in use. Also, some appliances cycle off and on at random like air conditioners, water heaters, pumps, or refrigerators and they could be on during a surge.
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Why do I need surge protection?
There are several reasons why power quality has become such an important issue: (1) Today's computer chips are far more dense than they were even a few years ago, and subsequently, much more sensitive to even slight surges. (2) Clock speeds, or operating frequencies, have increased and reached the frequency range of high-voltage transients. Slower processors ignored them, but high-speed processors may actually interpret a transient as a command sequence. (3) Most homes and offices are using more pieces of equipment than ever before. Each time an electric device is turned on, transient voltages may be generated. (4) More microprocessor technology is being used than ever before. Microprocessors are showing up in personal computers, TVs, stereos, VCRs, refrigerators, washers, dryers, microwave ovens, dishwashers, etc.
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Won't my circuit breakers protect my equipment?
No. Circuit breakers are only designed to protect against over-current, not a voltage spike or drop.
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How do surge suppressors work?
Suppressors work by absorbing some of the electrical surge and diverting the rest to ground. The top brands use sophisticated components that allow them to react quickly (surges often last just millionths of a second) yet endure high voltages. Surge suppressors are not lightening arresters. They may not survive direct lightening strikes or sustained line over-voltages (broken neutral).
The first line of defense against incoming high-energy, high-voltage transient surges is the Whole House surge protector. These devices shunt away the energy of the initial surge and reduce it considerably before it reaches electrical appliances. In many cases, this level of protection is enough to protect hard-wired appliances such as dishwashers, heating systems and florescent lighting.
The Point of Use surge devices supply the second line of protection by further reducing the surge to an acceptable level for sensitive electronic devices to which they are connected. The combination of Whole House and Point of Use surge protection provides the best possible protection.
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Why do I need one?
The problems caused by disturbances in the power line may not surface immediately. They can cause the gradual breakdown of electronic circuitry. Any piece of electronic equipment that behaves in an erratic fashion may need a surge protector. However, new equipment should be protected when installed.
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Do these suppressors handle all voltage problems?
Maybe, though they do handle the most frequent and destructive ones. More sophisticated technologies, i.e. hybrid power conditioners and uninterruptible power systems are available to handle complex power problems.
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What is the purpose of the phone jacks on surge suppressors?
Some of the surge suppressors incorporate protection circuitry for the telephone line. There are two sockets on these products. By plugging a phone line through the sockets, you can minimize the effects of a surge coming into your equipment through the phone line. Facsimile machines, cordless phones and answering machines are especially sensitive, and computers with internal modems can be completely destroyed by spikes on the phone line.
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What is the difference between a Point of Use and a Whole House surge protector?
The Point of Use surge protectors are designed to protect sensitive electronic equipment and major appliances in the home. Point of Use suppressors are usually devices that plug into the wall outlet and can handle surges up to 6,000 volts. To encourage members to purchase quality surge protectors, Peninsula Light Company offers Leviton surge protectors at less than the suggested retail price. The Leviton product line offers eight various Point of Use surge protectors. The devices are either in outlet or strip form and come in basic, phone, or cable options. Additionally, there is a satellite surge protector and a heavy duty strip protector. The outlet surge protectors are ideally suited for use behind a refrigerator or microwave where accessibility is limited.
The Whole House surge protector is designed to protect homes again transient surges that enter through the home's service entrance, but does not protect from surges created internally in the home when motors turn on and off. Whole House protectors are devices that are installed at the service entrance (meter or electrical panel) and can handle surges up to 20,000 volts. There are two Whole House products offered through Peninsula Light: the meter socket surge protector (for 200 amp services) and the panel-mounted surge protector (for services with 320 amps or greater).
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How much should I spend on surge protection?
Ten percent of the purchase price of a solid state system is a good value for insurance against power disturbances.
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How big is the problem?
According to one of the country's largest casualty loss insurers, over 63% of all loss-pay-outs on electronic equipment are due to power problems. Consumers can guard against these problems and prevent costly repairs only through the use of good quality surge suppressors.
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What kind of warranty is available on surge protectors?
The Point of Use Leviton products carried by Peninsula Light Company come with a warranty of up to $5,000 on sensitive electronic devices properly protected. The Whole House protectors are warranted for 15 years and up to $10,000. The Whole House warranty covers only the "white appliances" in the home: washer, dryer, stove, refrigerator, freezer, dishwasher, and HVAC unit.
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Where can I find more information on surge protectors available through Peninsula Light Company?
Peninsula Light has a year-round lobby display on surge protectors and their uses. Workshops are also conducted for members on surge protection in the home. If you are interested in receiving surge protection information in the mail or would like to know of our upcoming workshops, please call our Products & Services line at (253) 857-1530.
Other considerations:
- Ensure the outlet that the surge suppressor is plugged into is properly wired, with a good ground.
- Check your surge suppressor regularly to make sure it is working.
- Coordinate the clamping voltage with other surge suppressors at the service entrance and in the equipment.
- Do not plug a surge suppressor into an extension cord.
- Do not plug one surge suppressor into another one.
- Do not use a surge suppressor if it smells hot or burned.
- Do not plug a surge suppressor into a circuit protected by a ground fault current interrupter (GFCI).
- You can further protect your appliances by making sure all the appliances you use on the same electrical circuit are compatible. For example, do not use your hair dryer on the same breaker or circuit as your personal computer. Because computers are so sensitive, you might want to reserve a circuit just for the computer.
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How do I apply for employment with Peninsula Light?
Please call the JOB LINE at (253) 857-1531. Applications are accepted at all times and are kept active for six months and on file for one year. To keep your application in the active status, please send a letter at the 6-month interval requesting to keep your information in the active file and updating your experience. Applications are available at the receptionist counter or by mail. Please leave your name and address on the Job Line. Due to the large volume of applicants, you will be called only if you are selected for an interview. We regret that we cannot personally notify you of the status of your application.
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I was gone for two weeks last month. Why didn't my bill go down?
This is a very confusing situation. The fact is, an empty house can consume as much energy as a full one. An empty house kept at 55 degrees will not use much less energy than an occupied house kept at 68 degrees. Clothes drying, cooking, baths and even body heat all contribute heat energy.
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Why is my bill so high? My neighbor's bill is $25 per month less than mine.
It could be due to differences in electric lifestyles. Your neighbor's home may have fewer occupants, less square footage or more insulation.
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Does Peninsula Light offer a budget payment plan?
No. However, you are allowed to create and manage your own budget payment plan using our online automatic payment system. Be sure to watch your actual balance due on your bill to ensure that your budget amount is correct for the amount of energy you use.
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Do you accept VISA, MasterCard or American Express?
Yes. We also accept debit cards, and you can also sign up for the automated credit card payment program. American Express is only available through our Pay by Phone system. If you would like to pay with American Express, please call (253) 853-1388.
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Do you know where I can get help paying my electric bill?
Yes. We sponsor Project Help, a community funded energy assistance program for local low-income residents. We can also supply you with other agency phone numbers.
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I am set up with auto payments. How do I stop getting paper statements?
Click on the Manage Your Bill Here button and Login to your account. Click on the link to access your Account Info and check the active box to allow your bill to be viewed online. If you have more than one account check each account you would like to view online and click submit to save your changes.
Check the "Bill Suppress Enabled" Box to no longer receive a paper bill. If you have more than one account, check each account you no longer want to receive paper bills for and click submit. If you ever decide you would like to receive your paper bill again; return to this page, uncheck this box and click submit to save your changes.
You will receive a confirmation email outlining the changes you have made.
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How do I get the information I need to get started?
All new construction projects, including new service hookups, are initiated through our Engineering Department. The Engineering Department will release all new construction projects to the Operations Department once all the requirements are met. Service hookups are automatically scheduled unless the Engineer has noted other types of arrangements, such as Customer to coordinate, pre-construction meeting required, etc.
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How do I schedule a new service hookup?
All new construction projects, including new service hookups, are initiated through our Engineering Department. The Engineering Department will release all new construction projects to the Operations Department once all the requirements are met. Service hookups are automatically scheduled unless the Engineer has noted other types of arrangements, such as Customer to coordinate, pre-construction meeting required, etc.
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What do I need to do to relocate or to increase the size of my electrical service panel?
Call the Engineering Department to discuss your plans. All new and modified services are required to be placed underground. We will work with you to determine the size of panel you need. The typical electrical service panel is now rated at 200 amps and is suitable for most customers.
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Why are all new and modified services required to be placed underground?
In 1993 the Board of Directors approved the requirement that all new and modified services are required to be placed underground. Surveys of our membership have supported this requirement in an effort to provide more reliable and aesthetically pleasing service to our membership. The majority of service related outages have been attributed to trees falling on the service drops; when they are underground this can't happen.
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How deep should my service trench be?
Minimum required cover is 24 inches.
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Can phone and TV cable go in the same trench?
Yes, with a minimum of 6 inches of horizontal and vertical separation.
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Can I put my sewer tight line in the same trench as my service cable?
Yes, but there must be a minimum of 4 feet separation.
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Can I install my own electrical service?
Yes, but all work must be approved by a licensed electrical contractor.
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Can I directly bury my underground conductor?
Yes, however PLC recommends all service conductor to be in gray wall, electrical approved conduit.
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Can I have my meter base installed on the back of the house?
NO...That is not accepted. Please contact the Engineering Department with regards to approved meter base locations.
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If the power lines in my area are being converted from overhead to underground, do I have to convert (underground) my overhead service to my house?
No, you are not required to. However, we are currently offering incentives to encourage our members. PLC will provide the necessary conduit and wire while waiving the trip fees if the service is converted within six months of our system conversion in your area. The member is responsible for hiring an electrician, providing the trench and arranging any necessary permits and inspections. The Engineering Department can provide trenching specifications, and information on state permits and inspection requirements.
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What size wire should I run for my service?
The meter base size determines which size service conductor you need to purchase. Typical service conductors include:
Service Rating Maximum Distance Conductor
200 amp 220 feet 4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum (1 run)
200 amp 250 feet 250-250-3/0 Aluminum (1 run)
200 amp 340 feet 350-350-4/0 Aluminum (1 run)
320 amp 220 feet 4/0-4/0-2/0 Aluminum (2 runs)
320 amp 250 feet 250-250-3/0 Aluminum (2 runs)
320 amp 340 feet 350-350-4/0 Aluminum (2 runs)
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Can I buy my service wire from PLC?
No, PLC does not sell underground service conductors, wire or meter bases.
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Do you have a locator service? We are building a garage and don't want to disturb any utilities.
To locate underground utilities call 811.
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I want to request a street light for my road, who do I talk to?
Contact PenLight's Engineering department at (253) 857-1547 or email at
dawnm@penlight.org.
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I would like to request a cable locate.
Peninsula Light Company subcontracts the locating of our underground power lines. In order for the contractor to be notified that a cable locate is needed, customers must call the Utilities Underground Location Center (also known as Call Before You Dig) at 811. This is a free service to our customers, but state law requires two business days notice (48 hours).
Locates can be requested for our underground power lines and for the power source feeding a customer's residence to the customer's house. Peninsula Light Company does not provide locates beyond the customer's primary residence.
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My lights are flickering.
If you notice that your lights are going bright and then dim, turn your main breaker off and call our Operations Department at (253) 857-1565 for further assistance.
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I only have partial power. What do I do?
If you notice that you're having problems with your appliances (microwave, oven, TV, or furnaces are the most common) or you've lost power to part of your house, turn your main breaker off and call our Operations Department at (253) 857-1565 for further assistance.
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What is a UPS?
An Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) is a device that sits between a power supply (e.g., wall outlet) and a device (e.g., computer) to prevent undesired features of the power source (outages, sags, surges, bad harmonics, etc.) from adversely affecting the performance of the device. A UPS provides a conditioned and reliable source of power to your electronic equipment when the main power source fails. The better units protect against surges and spikes in the power source, as well as provide a continuing source of battery power.
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What types of UPSs are available?
Double Conversion UPS - Double conversion systems are characterized by their topology (physical design). In these systems the incoming line is converted to DC and is provided to the input side of the inverter. The inverter then converts to AC, which is used to power the load.
Standby or Off Line UPS - This type of UPS allows a transient break in the output (called transfer time) while a load is detected and the inverter is turned on. The transfer time for most standby UPS' is in the 2-4 ms range; however, some units have much longer transfer times. Both standby and line interactive topologies can exhibit off-line characteristics.
On Line UPS - This type of UPS provides a continuously filtered, no-break output to the protected load. By definition, an on-line UPS has zero transfer time; the output to the protected load never sees an interruption.
Single Conversion or Line Interactive UPS - For this UPS, the line power is not converted into DC but is fed directly to the critical load through an inductor or transformer. Regular, continuous power to the critical load is achieved though the use of inverter switching elements in combination with inverter magnetic components such as inductors, linear transformers or ferroresonant transformers. This UPS filters, isolates, and regulates output power at all times with continuous battery charging. The Single Conversion UPS usually provides a higher operating efficiency at a lower cost than Double Conversion UPS at a comparable system reliability.
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What are the advantages of using a UPS?
A UPS has internal batteries to guarantee that continuous power is provided to the equipment even if the power supply stops providing power. Of course the UPS can provide power for a while, typically a few minutes, but that is often enough to ride out power company glitches or short outages. Other advantages include:
- Computer jobs don't stop because the power fails.
- Users are not inconvenienced by computers shutting down.
- Equipment does not incur the stress of another power cycle.
- Data is not lost due to machine shut down.
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What is the function of a UPS?
A UPS performs the following functions:
- Absorb relatively small power surges.
- Smooth out noisy power sources.
- Continuously provides power to equipment during line sags.
- Automatically shuts down equipment during long power outages.
- Monitoring and logging of the status of the power supply.
- Display the voltage/current draw of the equipment.
- Restart equipment after a long power outage.
- Display the voltage currently on the power line.
- Provide alarms on certain error conditions.
- Provide short-circuit protection.
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How long will equipment on a UPS keep running after the power goes out?
For most computer workstations, one might have a UPS that was rated to keep the machine alive through a 15 minute power loss. If you need a machine to survive hours without power, you should probably look at a more robust power backup solution. Even if a UPS has a very small load, it must still operate a DC (battery) to AC converter, which uses power.
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How much back-up power do I need?
Within reason, there is never 'too much battery' available. More batteries cost more, take up more room and weigh more. But the more battery power, the longer the UPS can operate without an external source of power. One solution is to have 2 to 4 hours of back-up battery available and have a generator that can be used to recharge the batteries and run your systems after the batteries have been depleted. For larger installations, it is sometimes more economical to use automatic starting generators rather than using more batteries.
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How do I know what size UPS to use?
Sizing a UPS is relatively simple. All you need to do is total the VA (Volt-Ampere) rating of all the devices you want to connect to the UPS. For the best results, size the UPS to approximately 130% of the average load, but no less that 110% of the maximum load. Peninsula Light Company has a Best Power UPS display located in the lobby of the main building at 13315 Goodnough Dr NW in Purdy. A computer workstation is connected to a Patriot UPS where customers can use the PC to size a UPS based on the power consumption of their equipment. The computer also displays Check-UPS software, which illustrates the current status of the incoming and outgoing voltage and the condition of the UPS battery.
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UPS Reminder:
REMEMBER: Using a UPS can help you avoid power problems before they happen. Sensitive electronic systems are expensive to repair, and downtime can be even more expensive. A properly designed and installed UPS system will make your installation safer and more reliable. For more information visit the Best Power UPS display at Peninsula Light or call our Products and Services line at (253) 857-1530 to request information or find out about upcoming UPS/Surge Protection workshops.
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UPS Glossary:
Alternating Current (AC) - An electrical current that reverses direction periodically, usually many times per second.
Ampere - The quantitative unit measurement of electrical current.
Backup Power Supply - A power supply used to provide alternate system power in the event the primary power source fails or is unable to continue providing adequate system power.
Battery Capacity - The amount of stored energy available from a battery. The battery capacity is expressed in ampere-hours or watts per cell.
Circuit - The complete path of an electric current. It usually includes the source of electrical energy and the load.
Current - The flow of electricity in a circuit as expressed in amperes.
Ferroresonance - The property of a transformer design in which the transformer contains two separate magnetic paths with limited coupling between them. The output contains a resonating tank circuit and draws power from the primary to replace power delivered to the load.
Inverter - A machine, device or system that changes direct current (DC) to alternating current (AC) power.
Line Conditioner - A circuit or device designed to improve the quality of an AC line.
Load - Any electrical device which consumes power when connected to a power source may be called by the general term of load.
Transformer - A device that converts variations of current in a primary circuit into variations of voltage and current in a secondary circuit.
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) - A system designed to automatically provide power, without delay or transients, during a period when the normal power supply is incapable of performing acceptably.
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My trees are getting close to the power lines. Can I get them trimmed?
Trees are trimmed so they do not interrupt safe, reliable service to customers. During normal tree maintenance operations, trees are trimmed so they will not interrupt normal service within 3 to 4 years. Trees under the power lines such as locust, cherry and maple are removed when young because they are fast growers and do not make the normal trim cycle.
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Can I trim my own trees away from the power lines?
No, Federal law states that in order to do any work within 10 feet of any energized primary power lines, you must be line-clearance qualified.
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I have a tree that is leaning toward the power lines. Will you remove it for me?
Peninsula Light Company's contracted tree crews trim and remove trees within the 10 ft. radius of the power lines. If a homeowner needs to remove a tree that is outside the 10 ft. area, a determination will be made by the Staff Certified Arborist on a safe removal plan. Most trees outside the 10 ft. area can be safely removed by a qualified tree service. If not, a line drop may be necessary.
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Can I receive wood chips from the tree crews?
Yes, presently there is a high demand for wood chips to be left on homeowner's properties. You can ask to be put on a permanent chip list so that every 3 to 4 years, when the crews are in your area, you can get them dumped at your property. In order to apply for a permit for a wood chip debris site, just call (253) 857-5950 ext. 571, and a form will be sent to you.
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Why does water sometimes look cloudy when first drawn from a tap?
The cloudy water is caused by tiny air bubbles in the water similar to the gas bubbles in carbonated soft drinks. After a while, the bubbles rise to the top and are gone.
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Should I buy bottled water?
Public drinking water is one of the most regulated industries in the US today. If you want a drink with a different taste, you can buy bottled water, but it costs about 1,000 times as much as tap water. Remember that the US bottled-water industry is less regulated than public drinking water systems. The US Food and Drug Administration only requires that the bottled water be clear and safe for human consumption. The quality of the finished product is not monitored (i.e., the FDA imposes no specific water quality requirements on bottled water). Certain bottlers simply fill their bottles with city drinking water, thus producing "bottled water." Studies have shown that microbes grow in the bottles while on grocers' shelves. Bottled water is popular; its use in the United States has doubled in the last six years!
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What activity in my home uses the most water?
Toilet flushing is by far the largest single use of water in a home. Most toilets use from 4 to 6 gallons of water for each flush. On the average, a dishwasher uses about 50 percent less water than the amount used when washing and rinsing dishes by hand.
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Should I put a brick in my toilet tank to conserve water?
Toilet flushing uses a lot of water, but a brick in your toilet tank is not a good idea. A brick tends to crumble and might damage the toilet's mechanism. A glass jar or plastic jug filled with water works well. After any changes, be sure to test the toilet to make sure it's still working properly. Flow restrictors in showerheads and faucets are another good way to conserve water.
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You must have read the meter wrong. I couldn’t have used this much water!
You can check your water meter. Just open the box and compare the reading to the one printed on your bill. It should be a bit larger. If it isn't, we have misread. Please call us at (253) 857-1510 so that we can get the situation corrected. If the reading checks out, you may have a water leak. The next time your house will be empty for two or more hours, record the meter reading as you leave. Repeat this as you return. If the reading has changed, you have a leak somewhere.
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I like a green lawn, but I don’t water this much!!!
Do you have an underground sprinkling system? They are notorious for leaks. The way to tell is to turn the timer off for a few days and watch for "green spots" (or turn the timer off and follow directions in the first question)
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There is no way my meter was read. I just looked, and the box is full of dirt, same as last week. Do you ever read them or just estimate?
Your meter is read every month. The reader shovels out just enough dirt to see the register and a mole can cover it back over in just a matter of minutes.
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I know I waste water. How can I quit using so much and keep my bill down?
PLC has several brochures on ways to save water, both indoors and out. They are entitled, "Guidelines 1 - 4" and are located in the community information center in the lobby.
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How do I know my water is safe to drink?
PLC employs three State Certified Water Distribution Managers. They are responsible to see that each water system owned or managed by PLC is in compliance with all water quality standards. Your water is tested regularly by a State Certified Laboratory. If any health risks are detected, you are notified directly and given instructions on what to do.
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I have a water leak and can’t find a shut-off valve. What do I do?
Contact your water supplier. They will explain their policy.
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What is AMR?
AMR stands for Automated Meter Reading, a state-of-the-art technology that enables PLC to read your electric meter remotely without having to physically visit and manually read your electric meter. This technology will allow data to be shipped back and forth between your meter and PLC.
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How does AMR work?
The meter data is sent from a module inside your AMR enhanced meter to a substation on the existing power lines. From the substation the data then travels to the corporate data center via communication lines, where the meter data is then integrated with PLC's customer information and billing systems, resulting in the production of a timely, accurate bill.
Note: Existing meters will need to be replaced with a new AMR enhanced meter that contains an integrated AMR transponder. This will be done throughout PLC's entire service area at no cost to members. The AMR system that PLC is adopting is called the TS2 Turtle® System, from Hunt Technologies.
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How will an AMR system benefit me?
By deploying AMR technology, PLC will be able to provide our members (you) with more frequent, timely and accurate electric meter readings without the need for meter readers to come to your property. As a result, the need for estimated bills will be virtually eliminated, leading to greater accuracy on your monthly bill. Another benefit of AMR is a more accurate and efficient way to monitor reported outages.
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Will I still see meter readers occasionally?
Yes. Although the new meters will be read automatically, they will still need to be inspected, monitored and serviced. As a result, you will still see a meter reader from time to time.
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Will AMR reduce the number of estimated electric bills?
Yes. You will see the number of your estimated electric bills reduced. Eventually estimated bills will be eliminated.
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How long will it take for the new AMR meter to be installed?
A typical single AMR system installation will take about 20 minutes. During this time, you will experience a minimal power outage as we install the new meter.
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Do I need to be at home for the meter change?
No. It is not necessary for the member to be at home. We will send out notices that we will be changing meters in certain areas prior to the meter change. We will also leave a notice that we changed the meter, in case the member is not at home.
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What does the new AMR meter look like?
The meter's exterior appearance is just like a typical electronic meter. The only difference is that an AMR transponder is installed inside the meter by the meter vendor prior to shipment to PLC.
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How much will this cost?
There will be no additional costs or charges for our members with the installation or operation of the AMR system.
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Will AMR service interfere with my radio, telephone, computer or other equipment?
No, the meter information will be transferred over your existing PLC power line, and will not interfere with any of your equipment.
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Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
If you have additional questions about Automated Meter Reading (AMR), you may call (253) 857-5950 or email us at
penlight@penlight.org.
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Is it now possible to access current meter usage data online? I would like to occasionally review usage when I am not home. If not now, will it ever be possible?
Viewing meter data online is currently not available but PenLight plans to offer this feature in the near future.
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Which CFL should I buy?
Because CFLs come in many shapes and sizes, with many designed for specific applications, there is no single answer. The best formula to follow when addressing which CFL will work best for you is to first determine how much light you will need. Next, depending on the location (indoor / outdoor) pick the CFL that best fits your needs. Remember that some CFLs do not perform well in enclosed areas, or on a dimmer switch. By first determining the role of the CFL, you are sure to save yourself many repeat trips to the store.
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I put a CFL outside and it burnt out in a day! What happened?
Most CFLs are not rated for outdoor use and will not perform properly when placed outside their intended environment. Ensure that you purchase a CFL that is rated for outdoor use, or wet applications. PenLight carries the Greenlite Outdoor Par Applications 18 watt (60 watt) bulb for exactly this reason.
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Do CFLs come in different shapes?
For many people the aesthetics of their light bulbs is of primary concern. Today CFLs are not only available in twist shapes, but also in many other shapes. Specialty bulbs include: reflector, globe, candle, dimming and 3-way.
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How do I recycle my spent CFL?
When your CFL finally burns out, place the spent bulb in a safe place until you make your next trip to the Purdy Transfer Station. Because they contain trace amounts of mercury CFLs are considered Household Hazardous Waste by the EPA and are treated like oil base paints, and used car batteries. Starting in December '07, the Purdy Transfer Station will begin collecting spent CFLs from the public.
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What do I do if a CFL breaks?
Here are the facts and recommended clean up procedure as maintained by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a trusted source of information and staunch supporter of CFLs. If a CFL breaks, you are more at risk from broken glass, than from the trace amounts of mercury. (5 milligrams, less than you can fit on a pin head, and 100 times less than what was used in thermometers.) If you do break a CFL, the Environmental Protection Agency says play it safe:
First, open a window, and leave the room for a little while. Next, put on some plastic gloves and clean up the pieces with a wet paper towel. (You may use a vacuum as long as you discard the bag afterwards.) Last, place the broken bulb in a plastic bag and seal it, before recycling it correctly.
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About Mercury:
Coal-fired power plants are the largest manmade source of mercury emissions in the United States. By using CFLs, you use less power and thus cause fewer mercury emissions from the plant. According to the EPA, coal-fired power plants emit four times more mercury to power an incandescent bulb than to power a CFL: emitting 13.6 mg of mercury compared to just 3.3 mg for a CFL. Converting just one conventional light bulb to a CFL can save up to $30 in electric costs over its lifetime, prevent more than 110 lbs. of coal from being burned, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 450 lbs.
Recently, several major companies have joined with ENERGY STAR a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, that aims to help people save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices to design and manufacture CFLs that operate well below the NEMA (National Electric Manufactures Association) level of 5 mg per unit. These companies include: GE, Philips, Sylvania, and Lights of America. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has led the push in retail announcing recently that they will only sell ENERGY STAR qualified CFLs. If every American household replaced just one incandescent light bulb with a CFL, we'd prevent 800,000 cars' worth of greenhouse-gas emissions. The common sense choice is obvious.
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What are Lumens?
Lumens are a measure of the perceived power of light. In consumer context, lumens are most often measured in 'lumens per watt'. For example, when the consumer is comparing a CFL with an incandescent bulb they would calculate efficiency by calculating lumens/watt. A 60 watt incandescent bulb that shines a brightness of 450 lumens would have a lumens/watt of 7.5. A CFL by contrast that operates at 15 watts and shines with a brightness of 450 lumens would have a lumens/watt of 30. By this calculation, CFLs produce the same amount of light and operate on only a third of the power.
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What is the Color Rendering Index?
The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colors of various objects being lit by the source. It is a method devised by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE).
The best possible rendition of colors is specified by a CRI of one hundred, while the very poorest rendition is specified by a CRI of zero. For a source like a low-pressure sodium vapor lamp, which is monochromatic, the CRI is nearly zero, but for a source like an incandescent light bulb, which emits essentially black body radiation, it is nearly one hundred.To put it another way, low CRI causes colors to appear washed out and perhaps even take on a different hue, and high CRI makes all colors look natural and vibrant.
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What is Color Temperature?
Have you ever wondered why some lights seem to be whiter than others? You might be surprised to know that the brightness and color of a bulb doesn't depend entirely on the watts!
"Color temperature" is an important characteristic of visible light and the way we perceive it. The color temperature of a light source is determined by comparing its hue with what scientists call a "heated black-body radiator". The Kelvin temperature at which the heated black-body radiator matches the hue of the light source is that source's color temperature.
Visible light sources at different light temperatures radiate in different colors. For example; when you look into a fire, you can easily distinguish between orange flames, and red flames. The following scale relates how heat measured by the Kelvin scale, directly relates to the colors emitted.
The flames that appear the reddest in the fire are actually the coolest parts! Likewise, the brightest parts of a fire are the flames that appear light yellow. You can see that the hottest parts of a fire only reach around 4000 Kelvin on the scale.
Understanding the brightness of a light bulb can be determined in similar fashion. Most compact phosphorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that you buy today operate at only at a temperature of 2700 Kelvin. As you can see on the scale, this produces a very yellow light. PenLight is proud to be the only source locally offering CFLs that shine with the brightness of 4100 Kelvin.
Because these lights are CFLs, they still operate at nearly 1/3 the operating cost of standard incandescent bulbs, and have virtually ten times the life span! The fact that they have a Kelvin temperature of 4100 means that they shine whiter, and brighter than ever; providing the most reliable quality light available.
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What is PenLight’s residential rate?
PenLight's residential rate for power is 6.85500 cents per KWH.
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How can I get involved?
PenLight encourages its members to write their members of Congress about how electric rates are impacting their family budget or business. You may also want to join PenLight's Ambassador Program, which is a grassroots effort to influence state and federal policies that impact electric rates.
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