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When we say “vampire,” we don’t mean the white-fanged Transylvanian or the Cullens from Forks, Wash. We mean the electricity that home electronics and appliances suck out of the power grid when they’re not being used. (Of course, we realize that the television has a certain hypnotic, vampirish power over us, but that’s a different problem.)
We’ve all learned from our parents to turn things off when we’re not using them. However, many electronics don’t actually go all the way off — they continue using “standby power.”
Some electronics, such as entertainment center equipment, use electricity when they are off to support features including “instant-on,” remembering channel settings, recognizing the remote control, and telling time. To stop these electricity leaks, the equipment must be unplugged.
If the idea of reprogramming the DVR every day makes you feel a little sick to your stomach, unplugging the entertainment center is probably not an option. A better option for is to look for equipment with the Energy Star logo when it’s time for the old equipment to be replaced. Energy Star appliances leak less electricity than other models. Another option is to plug the appliance into a power strip or surge protector with an on/off switch and turn the switch off when not using the appliance.
Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities highly recommends that all electronic equipment be plugged into a surge protector because of possible lighting strikes and electrical surges from the power company.
Next, look around the house for those black “wall pack” boxes (DC transformers) that are powering the cell phone charger, cordless phone, hand-held vacuum, hair dryer and even the electric toothbrush. As long as those boxes are plugged into the wall they are drawing 2-6 watts of power, even after the appliance is fully charged. Don’t believe it? Put your hand on one if it’s warm, it’s wasting electricity. So unplug the wall packs for appliances that are not in use.
Holiday decorations are encouraged at Fort Leavenworth. However, within the last decade, many have decorated yards with inflatable items such as a snowmen and pumpkins. A recent addition are snow globes that blow tiny foam fragments around on the inside. The blower’s air jet picks up the fragments, pushes them through a tube to the top, and they fall down inside the clear vinyl front. How do these holiday inflatables work? An electric blower constantly forces air into the figure, replacing air lost through its fabric and seams. Usually, they are internally lit by small incandescent light bulbs, like those used in nightlights, which are covered by translucent plastic snap-on globes to protect the fabric from the heat if they should rest against it. Inflatables come in various sizes.
One of the disadvantages to this kind of yard decoration is it consumes large amounts of electricity, which is needed to keep it inflated. For one eight-foot inflatable decoration running constantly, a family living off post can expect to pay roughly $6.50 per month more for electricity. Keep this in mind during the upcoming holiday season. If using these decorations, turn them off in the daytime.
For more energy saving tips, check out Conservation Corner in the FLFHC monthly newsletter located on the website at www.ftleavenworthfamilyhousing .com. Also, be sure to watch for the Upcoming Events flyer with the Minol utility bill. Details of FLFHC’s annual “green” holiday decorating contest will be published soon.
Office contest
Stop by the FLFHC offices at 549 Kearney Ave. by Oct. 27 to participate in the Halloween office contest. Guess how many Halloween treats are in the jar and have a chance at winning it. The winner will be announced Oct. 29.
Halloweenie Roast
Join FLFHC and the Fort Leavenworth Fire Department for the fifth annual Halloweenie Roast. This free event is 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Fire Station No. 2 on Biddle Boulevard across from Trails West Golf Course. Bring the little ghosts and goblins and enjoy free hotdogs, chips, drinks and a costume contest. Pets will also have an opportunity to participate and win some treats.
Costume contest schedule
Ages 0-3 — 4:15 p.m.
Ages 4-7 — 4:45 p.m.
Ages 8-14 — 5:15 p.m.
Ages 15 and older — 5:30 p.m.
Pets — 5:45 p.m.
Post-wide trick or treating is 6-8:30 p.m.
“Sweet” Baking Class
FLFHC’s last cooking class of the year is 6-8 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Hunt Lodge. The evening will feature presentations and samples provided by Fou Cakes of Leavenworth and Lansing Liquor and Wine. Members of the Fort Leavenworth Community over the age of 21 are invited to attend. Seating is limited, RSVP to Camri Yates at cyates@mmhusa.com
Residents meeting
All residents are invited to attend the FLFHC quarterly residents meeting at 5 p.m. Nov. 3 in the FLFHC office conference room.
Village Food Drive Contest
FLFHC is having a village food donation contest Nov. 1-30. All donations must be non-perishable and can be taken to village mayors or dropped off at the FLFHC office at 549 Kearney Ave. The village that collects the most non-perishable donations will receive an additional $50 in village social funds. All donations will be taken to a local non-profit organization to help feed the hungry during the holiday season.
Don’t forget to stay updated with the latest news and other important information by adding FLFHC on Facebook and following on Twitter. Visit the FLFHC website at www.ftleavenworthfamily-housing.com for downloadable forms and other useful information.
For more information on any FLFHC upcoming events, contact Camri Yates at (913) 565-9806 or cyates@mmhusa.com.
Utility tip
Winter will be arriving soon. FLFHC asks all residents to start their heating systems to verify they are working before the cold weather season. If there are problems, contact the Maintenance Department at (913) 651-3838.
Editor’s note: Katie Grindel is the FLFHC operations coordinator and utility specialist.
When we say “vampire,” we don’t mean the white-fanged Transylvanian or the Cullens from Forks, Wash. We mean the electricity that home electronics and appliances suck out of the power grid when they’re not being used. (Of course, we realize that the television has a certain hypnotic, vampirish power over us, but that’s a different problem.)
We’ve all learned from our parents to turn things off when we’re not using them. However, many electronics don’t actually go all the way off — they continue using “standby power.”
Some electronics, such as entertainment center equipment, use electricity when they are off to support features including “instant-on,” remembering channel settings, recognizing the remote control, and telling time. To stop these electricity leaks, the equipment must be unplugged.
If the idea of reprogramming the DVR every day makes you feel a little sick to your stomach, unplugging the entertainment center is probably not an option. A better option for is to look for equipment with the Energy Star logo when it’s time for the old equipment to be replaced. Energy Star appliances leak less electricity than other models. Another option is to plug the appliance into a power strip or surge protector with an on/off switch and turn the switch off when not using the appliance.
Fort Leavenworth Frontier Heritage Communities highly recommends that all electronic equipment be plugged into a surge protector because of possible lighting strikes and electrical surges from the power company.
Next, look around the house for those black “wall pack” boxes (DC transformers) that are powering the cell phone charger, cordless phone, hand-held vacuum, hair dryer and even the electric toothbrush. As long as those boxes are plugged into the wall they are drawing 2-6 watts of power, even after the appliance is fully charged. Don’t believe it? Put your hand on one if it’s warm, it’s wasting electricity. So unplug the wall packs for appliances that are not in use.
Holiday decorations are encouraged at Fort Leavenworth. However, within the last decade, many have decorated yards with inflatable items such as a snowmen and pumpkins. A recent addition are snow globes that blow tiny foam fragments around on the inside. The blower’s air jet picks up the fragments, pushes them through a tube to the top, and they fall down inside the clear vinyl front. How do these holiday inflatables work? An electric blower constantly forces air into the figure, replacing air lost through its fabric and seams. Usually, they are internally lit by small incandescent light bulbs, like those used in nightlights, which are covered by translucent plastic snap-on globes to protect the fabric from the heat if they should rest against it. Inflatables come in various sizes.
One of the disadvantages to this kind of yard decoration is it consumes large amounts of electricity, which is needed to keep it inflated. For one eight-foot inflatable decoration running constantly, a family living off post can expect to pay roughly $6.50 per month more for electricity. Keep this in mind during the upcoming holiday season. If using these decorations, turn them off in the daytime.
For more energy saving tips, check out Conservation Corner in the FLFHC monthly newsletter located on the website at www.ftleavenworthfamilyhousing .com. Also, be sure to watch for the Upcoming Events flyer with the Minol utility bill. Details of FLFHC’s annual “green” holiday decorating contest will be published soon.
Office contest
Stop by the FLFHC offices at 549 Kearney Ave. by Oct. 27 to participate in the Halloween office contest. Guess how many Halloween treats are in the jar and have a chance at winning it. The winner will be announced Oct. 29.
Halloweenie Roast
Join FLFHC and the Fort Leavenworth Fire Department for the fifth annual Halloweenie Roast. This free event is 4-6 p.m. Oct. 31 at Fire Station No. 2 on Biddle Boulevard across from Trails West Golf Course. Bring the little ghosts and goblins and enjoy free hotdogs, chips, drinks and a costume contest. Pets will also have an opportunity to participate and win some treats.
Costume contest schedule
Ages 0-3 — 4:15 p.m.
Ages 4-7 — 4:45 p.m.
Ages 8-14 — 5:15 p.m.
Ages 15 and older — 5:30 p.m.
Pets — 5:45 p.m.
Post-wide trick or treating is 6-8:30 p.m.
“Sweet” Baking Class
FLFHC’s last cooking class of the year is 6-8 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Hunt Lodge. The evening will feature presentations and samples provided by Fou Cakes of Leavenworth and Lansing Liquor and Wine. Members of the Fort Leavenworth Community over the age of 21 are invited to attend. Seating is limited, RSVP to Camri Yates at cyates@mmhusa.com
Residents meeting
All residents are invited to attend the FLFHC quarterly residents meeting at 5 p.m. Nov. 3 in the FLFHC office conference room.
Village Food Drive Contest
FLFHC is having a village food donation contest Nov. 1-30. All donations must be non-perishable and can be taken to village mayors or dropped off at the FLFHC office at 549 Kearney Ave. The village that collects the most non-perishable donations will receive an additional $50 in village social funds. All donations will be taken to a local non-profit organization to help feed the hungry during the holiday season.
Don’t forget to stay updated with the latest news and other important information by adding FLFHC on Facebook and following on Twitter. Visit the FLFHC website at www.ftleavenworthfamily-housing.com for downloadable forms and other useful information.
For more information on any FLFHC upcoming events, contact Camri Yates at (913) 565-9806 or cyates@mmhusa.com.
Utility tip
Winter will be arriving soon. FLFHC asks all residents to start their heating systems to verify they are working before the cold weather season. If there are problems, contact the Maintenance Department at (913) 651-3838.
Editor’s note: Katie Grindel is the FLFHC operations coordinator and utility specialist.
