USING ENERGY WISELY
Surge Suppressors for the Home

Energy Efficiency in the Home
  • Standby Power


    • Calculating Your Energy Usage
  • Fluctuations in Energy Use


    • Reading Electrical Meters
    Surge Suppressors For The Home    

    Power Surges are brief disturbances in your electrical service which may have a damaging effect on electrical equipment.

    Common causes of power surges are:
    • Lightning, ice and wind storms.
    • Vehicle accidents involving power poles and lines.
    • Animals contacting electrical equipment.
    The following have also been found to cause power surges at home:
    • Faulty wiring.
    • Appliance motors cycling on and off.
    • Improper or faulty grounding.
    • Neighbours using large electrical equipment
    Whatever the cause, it is important to remember that the sophisticated circuitry found in today’s electronics, such as televisions, microwaves, video equipment and computers can be irreparably damaged by power surges. This damage can occur all at once or slowly over a period of time.


    Devices that protect sensitive equipment from damage are called Surge Suppressors.

    Surge Suppressors are often confused with Power Bars. Power Bars are simply multiple-outlet extension cords. Some may have a circuit breaker but they do not normally suppress electrical surges, therefore they do not provide protection. Protecting your valuable equipment is important.

    Check existing devices to see if they provide you with the protection you need. To purchase a reliable plug-in Surge Suppressor you can expect to pay from $30 to $80.


    Identification - When purchasing a Surge Suppressor consider only those models that meet the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 1449 standard for Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS). TVSS and 1449 are both recognized symbols of acceptable standards for Surge Suppressors.

    Make sure that the suppressor provides protection for each of the three wires: Line to Ground (L-G), Line to Neutral (L-N) and Neutral to Ground (N-G).

    Surge Suppressors ‘let-through’ certain voltages and are rated accordingly. A level of 330 volts is the standard.

    Choose a model with a voltage peak of no higher than 330 volts. Remember that power surges can enter your home through telephone and cable lines. It is important to provide protection for these entrance points as well.

    For further information about Surge Protection, contact your electrician or local retailer.



    BACK
    Energy Efficiency In The Home  

    LIGHTING
    • Switch off lights when leaving a room.
    • Replace incandescent bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent bulbs.
    • Keep bulbs and fixtures free of accumulated dirt.
    • Use task lighting (lights close to the point of use).
    • Install motion sensors.
    APPLIANCES
    • Follow manufacturer’s instructions on use and servicing of appliances.
    • When purchasing new appliances base your selection on energy efficiency.
    • Natural Resources Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency can help you make energy efficient choices. Visit their website at oee.nrcan.gc.ca/appliances or phone 1-800-387-2000.
    REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER
    • Ensure the freezer is the proper size required; an oversized unit will waste energy.
    • Set thermostats to 4° C for refrigerators and -18° C for freezers.
    • Allow no more than a 6 mm frost accumulation.
    • Clean refrigerator coils of dust regularly to allow efficient heat dissipation.
    • Ensure there is sufficient space around the unit to permit heat to escape.
    • Locate the unit away from any heat source such as a radiator or stove BUT avoid cold environments such as an unheated porch or garage.
    • Ensure that door seals are intact and airtight.
    • Open the door only when necessary.
    • Avoid overloading the unit which may prevent internal air circulation.
    STOVE
    • Ensure that pot sizes match the burners used.
    • Place aluminum reflectors below stove elements to reflect heat.
    • Keep oven and stove elements and reflectors clean.
    • Ensure the oven door seals tightly.
    • When baking, open the oven only when absolutely necessary; 20 percent of the heat is lost from the oven each time the door is opened.
    • Use an electric kettle rather than a stove-top model.
    • Use a microwave oven, pressure cooker, slow cooker or steamer.
    CLOTHES DRYER
    • Purchase a dryer that shuts off automatically when the clothes are dry.
    • Be sure that your dryer is vented to the outdoors.
    • When removing clothes from the washer, separate and shake before loading them in the dryer.
    • Avoid over-drying clothes and set the air temperature as low as possible.
    • Clean the lint filter after each load. Remove lint from the dryer motor, drum and pipes yearly.
    • Don’t overload the dryer.
    DISHWASHER
    • Clean the dishwasher screen regularly.
    • Use dishwashers only for full loads and eliminate the drying cycle.
    GENERAL
    • Use cold water when doing the wash and always do full loads.
    • Use timers on devices like block heaters, supplementary electric heat and outdoor lighting. Block heaters only require a couple of hours to do their job.
    • Lower the setting on your thermostat.
    • If an appliance, TV, VCR or computer does not have to be on, turn it off.

    Each fall have your heating system checked by a qualified technician. Check and insulate your attic, walls, ceilings and seal holes and cracks. It is especially important to caulk windows, seal outlets and weatherstrip around door frames.


    For more information about Maritime Electric and the services available to its customers continue to view our website or call us at 1-800-670-1012.

    TOP OF PAGE    HOME PAGE