· Deck the Halls with LEDs
· Decorate Safely
· Powered by the Sun
· OUC Has a New Look
· Medical Alert
· Water Utility Award
· Save Energy-Laundry Tips

 

   
 

News and Information from OUC –The Reliable One | DEC 2009
 
 
 
 

Deck the Halls with LEDs

You don’t have to be Scrooge to save money during the holidays. Brighten up the season with energy efficient LED (light-emitting diode) strands instead of traditional lights to save money, reduce hassles and lessen the risk of fire.

LED light strings might cost a bit more to buy but they’ll use less energy and last longer than standard incandescent holiday lights. LED bulbs are shatterproof and shock resistant and last more than 50,000 hours when used outdoors or more than 100,000 hours indoors. And since they produce almost no heat, LED lights also are safe to touch and greatly reduce the risk of fire.

For even more savings, put your lights and decorations on a timer so they turn on and off automatically. And while those giant inflatable decorations look harmless enough, they’re actually “energy hogs” that can drive up your electric bills.

 

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Decorate Safely This
Holiday Season

Keep your holidays happy and safe this season by following these safety tips from OUC:

  • Don’t overload extension cords or
    electrical outlets.
  • Before stringing outdoor lights, check
    for overhead power lines.
  • Make sure lights used to decorate the outside of the house are approved for outdoor use.
  • Check all light strands for cracked or broken plugs, frayed insulation or bare wires. Worn cords can cause fires.
  • Discard damaged sets of lights.

Powered by the Sun

Located in our parking garage, the 16-panel solar array provides a total of 2.8 kilowatts of power to charge up to two plug-in vehicles.

Electric vehicle owners can recharge at the public charging station in the customer parking area at Reliable Plaza. Drivers simply plug into the station with their own electrical cord and then swipe their key fob to activate the station and make payment. 

The charging stations are the first of their kind in Central Florida and part of a growing network popping up across the country. Users can go to mychargepoint.net to locate available charging stations like the one at Reliable Plaza. 

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OUC has a New Look

To make it easier to find the information you need when you need it, OUC recently launched our new redesigned website, www.ouc.com. The site still has the same great online payment options, energy and water conservation tips, safety information and job postings it always has just with an updated, streamlined look. So stop by www.ouc.com and let us know what you think..
 
  

 

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Special Reminder
for Medical Alert Customers

For customers who use heart monitors, oxygen concentrators or other life-sustaining equipment, uninterrupted electrical service is critically important. By enrolling in OUC’s Medical Alert Program, customers can receive special consideration for their accounts.

It’s important to remember that unforeseen circumstances, such as severe weather, can result in the temporary loss of power. Customers using medically necessary devices are reminded to have an alternative plan such as relocation, backup battery power or a generator available for unexpected outages.

Call Customer Service at 407.957.7373 to learn more.

OUC Earns Water Utility
Excellence Award

The national Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) awarded OUC with its top utility management award, the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence, for outstanding achievement.

OUC, which serves more than 200,000 customers and maintains more than 1,700 miles of pipe throughout Orlando and Orange County, is dedicated to providing reliable, high quality and affordable water service to customers while also ensuring a safe supply for future generations.
   

 
Energy Saving Laundry Tips

Don’t get taken to the cleaners when washing your laundry at home. These simple energy saving tips can help keep your utility bills down while you keep your clothes clean.

  • Run your clothes washer only when you have accumulated a full load. You'll save on the electricity that heats the water and runs the appliance.
  • Wash clothes in cold water.
  • Reduce drying time by making sure excess water has been removed from clothes before transferring them to the dryer.
  • Do not overload the dryer.
  • Vent dryers externally or at least have doors open to let moist air out of the laundry room.
  • Use the sensor setting to make sure clothes are not over dried.
  • Clean the lint filter after each load to maintain full air flow and maximize drying efficiency.
  • Dry clothes in consecutive loads when possible. The dryer will be warm already and you will save on initial energy consumption.
  • Make sure the outside dryer exhaust vent is clean and that the flapper on the outside hood opens and closes freely.
  • Consider hanging clothes outside to dry in good weather.
 

 

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ORLANDO UTILITIES COMMISSION
Reliable Plaza
100 W. Anderson Street
Orlando, FL 32801
Tel: 407.423.9018