As temperatures rise, energy costs usually follow suit.

With temperatures soaring into the 90s this week (with heat indices moving past 100) and summer around the corner, Kinston residents are looking to find ways to stay cool without paying outrageous power bills.

One resident, Bertha Moore, said she was going to make adjustments anywhere she could.

Im literally going to have to go with the A/C at times, unplug and turn off appliances that arent being used, Moore said. Any way we can, we should put in the effort.

Kinston resident Amber Jones said she planned on using alternative methods to keep her home cooler and save energy.

Im probably going to cut off the air conditioner, use ceiling fans and raise the windows. Jones said.

Gary Jones, store manager of Big Blue, said he receives plenty of questions from concerned customers during the summer about ways to bring power bills down while still being able to live comfortably.

One of the main things they can do is to change the filters in the air conditioner every 30 days, Jones said. Another thing is using insulation around doors and windows to keep hot air outside. We also sell foam insulation to fill up cracks and crevasses, which can help.

Kinston Public Services Director Rhonda Barwick said during the summer, the ideal temperature to set the thermostat should be 78 degrees.

Each degree below 78 percent increases energy costs by 3 percent, Barwick said. We just try to make people aware of that, and some people are more comfortable below 78 degrees. One issue is when citizens drop the temperatures very low. For example, if the outside temperature is 90 degrees and your thermostat is 70, the unit has to work that much harder to drop 20 degrees, which can cause bills to rise.

Read more from the original source:
Summer energy-saving tips essential in lowering monthly bills

By Katie Krall | Published 06/15/14 11:04am | Updated 06/16/14 3:46am

Westphalia, Mich., resident Brian Arens assembles a grid system to construct a ceiling June 11, 2014, in the School of Packaging. Brian has been working with MSU Facilities for 16 years. Corey Damocles/The State News

May through August are busy months on campus forInfrastructure Planning and Facilities, or IPF, with maintenance projects scheduled throughout the summer.

An overnight cleaning at Ramp 5 near Trowbridge Road last week was one of many projects to take place this summer. Crews are responsible for power washing the stairwells and cleaning the decks in each ramp.

Gum and graffiti are removed as needed throughout the year, but deep cleaning happens when most students leave for the summer.

Crews cleaning the decks of a ramp start from the highest level and work their way down, first street sweeping the concrete and then putting down environmentally-friendly products to break up oil stains and other chemicals left by parked vehicles throughout the year.

An oil separator is hooked to the drains in the ramp and the crews come back through with a power washer to rinse each level.

Project manager Adam Lawver said each ramp takes at least five full working days to clean and crews have to adjust their schedules from day shifts to shifts that start around 3 a.m.

Were really fortunate we have a good, dedicated crew thats willing to work those hours, Lawver said.

Crews are made up of full-time staff and seasonal staff, all employed by IPF. Lawver said while it used to take six employees to clean a ramp, new procedures have been put in place for efficiency, leading to the number now being two employees.

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Crews work begin work at 3 a.m. to maintain campus

UK may have to take 'last resort' measures to keep the lights on this winter The UK's spare energy capacity could decrease to two per cent next year World Cup win could see the highest ever energy surge

By Rachel Rickard Straus

Published: 08:48 EST, 10 June 2014 | Updated: 09:24 EST, 10 June 2014

Television sets and household lighting will not cut out if England wins the World Cup this summer, the energy secretary has assured the country, despite a predicted power surge as millions tune in to watch the match.

Ed Davey said he has been assured by National Grid that the UK can generate enough electricity to meet what would likely be the highest domestic energy surge ever if the England team made it to the final of the football World Cup in Brazil.

If England were to reach the World Cup Final - listen, just stay with me for a minute - if that were to happen, Grid's data suggests it's possible we could see the highest domestic electricity demand surge ever, he told the Economists UK Energy 2014 conference.

Blackout fears allayed: If England wins the World Cup again, National Grid is confidence we will all be able to watch it on the box without risk of a blackout

Now you've got the picture: can you imagine what would happen if, at a crunch moment, perhaps when England are beating Brazil three nil, and our brave boys trot off for half-time, there was a mass blackout?

The peak of all peaks, ever, arrives, and our electricity system falls over.

He added that he had spoken to National Grid about this: And I can report that National Grid have assured me that the UK has enough electricity generating capacity ready to meet any World Cup spike - through the group stages and beyond to history.

Original post:
The lights won't go out if England wins the World Cup, says Ed Davey

Long Island, NY (PRWEB) June 14, 2014

New clients will receive 15% off their current cleaning contract when they sign with ABC Janitorial. A full-service cleaning company, the firm has provided residential and commercial, green and specialty cleaning services throughout the Tri-State area for over 25 years. Sound business practices, exceptional customer service, as well as a wide range of cleaning services have made them stand out in a highly competitive field.

We are pleased to offer our new clients a discounted rate off their previous cleaning contract," states Steve Palma, President, ABC Janitorial Discounters, Inc. However, paying less will not mean receiving lesser services or slipshod work. The company has long been known for cleaning corners, not cutting them,' Palma concludes. To learn more about this exceptional offer to new clients only, please call 1-888-252-5523.

The company has proven indispensable to a broad array of businesses and homeowners for several reasons. Chief among them is the range of services that the firm offers. These include but are not limited to:

Office Cleaning Trauma Scene Cleanup Carpet and Rug Cleaning Biohazard Disposal Construction Cleaning Services Junk Pickup Gutter Cleaning Power Washing

About long-island-cleaning-service.com/ABC Janitorial Professional Cleaning Service Family owned and operated since 1986, ABC Janitorial is a leading cleaning company that provides reliable, professional cleaning services on Long Island and the surrounding areas. We pride ourselves on our business longevity, even during difficult economic times. We feel this proves that ABC Janitorial/http://www.long-island-cleaning-service.com offers value and integrity to our clients.

For an estimate without cost and the opportunity to save 15% off your current cleaning contract, please call us today!

For More Information: Customer Service 1 (888) 252-5523 http://www.long-island-cleaning-service.com

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Long Island Based Firm, ABC Janitorial Discounters, Inc. (long-island-cleaning-service.com), Introduces Special Offer ...

Infosys CEO designate Vishal Sikka with cofounder Narayana Murthy. Photo: PTI

Vishal Sikka is equally comfortable designing cutting-edge software as he is negotiating in the boardroom, skills the new chief executive of Infosys Ltd will need to turn around a company that was once the poster child of India's $108 billion IT services industry.

Sikka, a former senior executive at German software giant SAP AG, takes over as India's second-largest IT services exporter struggles to retain staff and market share.

Some investors blame its outgoing risk-averse management for blunting the innovative edge of a company that was once the employer of choice for young IT workers.

Employees at SAP and business associates said Sikka was seen as the bridge between the "brains" - the IT engineers that helped him create the flagship HANA programme and the besuited executives that spearheaded product sales globally. He was also SAP's first chief technology officer.

"He was on the board at SAP and he ran all development on the technology and application side. That says it right there," said Donald Feinberg, a US-based executive at IT consultants Gartner who used to be the lead analyst for SAP and who has known Sikka for five years.

Sikka's skills will come in handy as investors expect him to move Infosys towards high-margin, high tech services like cloud computing and away from the low-margin, labour intensive outsourcing contracts that it battles for against peers Tata Consultancy Services Ltd and Wipro Ltd.

Colleagues say he is a demanding but communicative manager whose persistence helped bring HANA to life. The programme, which took several years to develop, analyses large amounts of data quickly and clients include Unilever PLC, Lenovo Group Ltd, Lonmin PLC, Deloitte & Touche and Procter & Gamble Co.

"Vishal's a visionary and one of the smartest guys in the Valley," said Vivek Ranadive, CEO of U.S. firm Tibco Software who has been friends with Sikka since meeting him at an airport seven years ago. They hit it off by talking about surfing in Hawaii. FRESH BLOOD

Sikka, 47, is an American citizen who was born in Vadodara in Gujarat. He currently lives in Los Altos, California with his wife and two boys and has said he plans to travel to India for the new job.

See the article here:
New CEO Sikka to revive Infosys with tech, boardroom savvy

WATERLOO -- The city will hold its cleanup Buck Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Waste Management Services site, 3505 Easton Ave.

The program is open to all Waterloo residents, but identification will be requested.

To defray costs, the driver of each vehicle entering the site must pay $2. Dropping off major household appliances will cost $1 each with a limit of three.

Tires will cost $3 per tire for the first four; five to eight tires will cost $5 each. Nine and more will be charged $10 each.

Residents should bring exact change.

The public can bring:

Appliances: limit three per household, including air-conditioners, dehumidifiers, freezers, refrigerators, clothes dryers, washing machines, dishwashers, stoves, microwave ovens, furnaces, thermostats and water heaters.

Tires: for automobiles and pickups, with or without rims.

General bulk trash: televisions, computers, furniture, lawn furniture, clothing, bedding, scrap lumber, carpet, housewares, toys and bicycles.

Gas powered equipment: lawnmowers, string trimmers, tillers and snow blowers. Power equipment must be drained of gas and oil.

Link:
Waterloo Buck Day cleanup is Saturday

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) June 06, 2014

Home Exterior Systems has been one of the premier home improvement companies in the Houston metropolitan area for the past 10 years. And now, the Houston-based company is introducing a brand-new patio service for residents who wish to expand their backyards for the summertime.

Traditional untreated wooden patios are generally less expensive initial to install, but degrade quickly under inclement weather and harsh sun. They are subject to dry rot and sloping if improperly installed. Adjoining the back of the house and stretching into the backyard, the patio usually consists of a stone or concrete pavement. Some customers can opt for a roofed structure made of wood for protection against the sun, especially during really hot days.

Outdoor wooden structures are exposed to the outdoor elements, such as rain, snow, and insects, all of which can wear them down over time. Home Exterior Systems can chemically treat the wood used to construct the patio, so that it becomes more durable. However, there's also the option of getting a stone or concrete roofed structure instead. Not only does that option eliminate chemical-based wood treatment, but it also presents much greater durability.

An alternative to the patio is the deck: a wooden, slightly elevated extension of the house's backyard. Home Exterior Services can construct one for customers who want a less expensive option and wish to cut down the expense of patio maintenance.

Home Exterior Systems consists of a team of experienced home improvement professionals who can advise potential customers on the best patio or deck solution for them. Homeowners who are interested can call the company, or send an email by using the contact form or email address at the company's Contact Us webpage.

About Home Exterior Services: Founded by 15-year veteran Jay Sanchez in 2003, Home Exterior Systems has been providing the Houston metropolitan area with a vast array of home improvement services for the past decade. Products and services include roofing, windows and doors, decks and patios, gutter repair and replacement, power washing, and HardiePlank lap siding. Home Exterior Systems recently won a 2014 Best of Houzz designation for service. The company is also a recipient of the 2013 Super Service Award from Angie's List and an Award of Excellence from the Better Business Bureau. Jay Sanchez himself received the prestigious Service Magic 2010 Home Pro Award for his years of outstanding service in the Houston area. For more information, customers can call 281-542-9577.

See original here:
Home Exterior Systems Announces New Houston Patio Cover Services

Burlington Post

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Due to our uncommonly high standards, we offer every one of our customers an unprecedented level of satisfaction. We carry full liability insurance and offer a three-year, no-fine-print warranty. We provide fully equipped crews that show up on time with the tools necessary to complete your job. While in your home, we try to create as little disruption as possible, allowing you to continue with your daily activities. Click here to view some of our customer testimonials.

New environmental regulations, coupled with consumer demand, have led to low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) paints and finishes. These new paints are durable, cost-effective and much less harmful to human and environmental health. Benefits include little or no odour; maximum performance; the ability to paint occupied areas with no disruption; and long-term durability.

We thank our past and existing clients, while welcoming new potential customers to contact us to arrange a visit to your home or business. Most of our assessments are free without cost or obligation. Our first impression will assure you that youve made the right choice with Perfect Painting. As professional painters, we stand behind our guarantee. Perfect Painting is located at 1110 Heritage Road, Unit 1 & 2, in Burlington, ON. For more details, visit http://www.perfectpainting.ca.

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Perfect Painting

A Denver City Council committee Tuesday signed off on Mayor Michael Hancock's request for an extra $1.8 million this year to beef up downtown's police presence.

City officials are reacting to long-standing problems connected to the homeless in the Ballpark neighborhood and other issues, including public pot smoking on the 16th Street Mall and late-night revelry in Lower Downtown.

The money initially will cover overtime for the equivalent of 10 more police officers, with hiring of that many eventually. It also will pay for anticipated arrest and detention costs for the Denver sheriff.

Hancock announced the policing increase last month as part of a plan focused on downtown safety. Separately, the Public Works Department is spending $35,000 to $40,000 out of its budget for more frequent junk hauling, graffiti cleanup and sidewalk power-washing to address problems in growing Ballpark that stem, in part, from its concentration of homeless shelters and services.

The Government & Finance Committee approved the policing request 5-0, sending it to the full council. Councilwoman Robin Kniech abstained, in part because of a concern that the focus on Ballpark is treating symptoms rather than solutions for homelessness.

Councilwoman Judy Montero, who represents the area, responded that it's getting needed help from the city.

Jon Murray: 303-954-1405, jmurray@denverpost.com or twitter.com/JonMurray

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Money for more downtown cops gets OK from Denver City Council panel

The Inverness Courier

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Friday 6 Jun 2014 1:52 PM

The city's renowned Raining Stairs is being improved

Work to undertake 20,000 of improvements to the Raining Stairs in Inverness will start on Monday 9th June.

Atemporary closure will be in place on the whole or parts of this popular walking route to and from the city centre from 9th June until the works are completed. The closure of the footpath is to ensure the essential maintenance and improvement works can be carried out safely.

The project, which is expected to last 3-4 weeks, will include the reinstatement of drainage channels, repairs to steps and their under pinning, the painting of railings, graffiti removal, power washing and weed removal.

The Central Ward Discretionary Fund is contributing 6,500 to the costs. Ward Councillor and Vice Chair of The Highland Councils Community Services Committee, councillor Bet McAllister said: "Its great that this work is being done as the Raining Stairs are not only well used by people walking onto the High Street but they are a feature of the city centre. The improvements will ensure they will be used for many more years to come."

Continued here:
Revamp for Raining Stairs