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PSE&G Advises Residents to Test Their Heating Systems Before Chilly Weather Arrives

(August 22, 2011 – Newark, NJ) –– Public Service Electric and Gas (PSE&G) is recommending that its gas heating customers test their gas heating systems now, before the chilly weather arrives.  If there’s a problem, PSE&G will come out to start the unit — at no charge — through September 11, 2011.

“Chilly weather will be here soon, and one of the best things customers can do now is to check their heating system to ensure safe and efficient operation before the colder weather arrives,” said Joe Bassolino, manager of business development at PSE&G. “By testing their heating systems early, customers will be prepared for the upcoming cold weather. In addition, PSE&G will be able to respond more quickly now if there is a problem.”

PSE&G customers are advised to first inspect their gas-fired heating systems to ensure the units start and run properly.

How to check your heating system:

Verify that the area surrounding the unit is free of combustible items like boxes, paper, clothing, paint, etc.
Make sure that the flue pipe is connected and in good condition.

If you have a hot water boiler, verify that the indicator on the pressure gauge falls into the normal range (12-15 psi cold).
If you have a steam heating system, check the water level in the sight glass. If it is low, turn on the water supply valve to bring the water level up to the half-way mark. Turn off the valve.

For warm-air furnace systems, check and replace dirty air filters. Verify that the blower door is closed tight and correctly secured.

Verify that all controls, valves, and electrical switches are in the “On” position.
How to start up your heating system:

If the unit is equipped with a pilot, confirm that it’s lit.  If the pilot light is out, follow the instructions on the heating unit to relight it. Let the pilot light burn a few minutes before continuing.

Many heating units use a form of automatic ignition.  Review the starting instructions located on the unit before continuing.
Set each thermostat mode to “heat” (if equipped) and raise the setting five degrees above room temperature. The heating system should start within a minute or two.

Let the unit run a few minutes to ensure it’s operating normally and then return all controls to their previous settings.

If you’re having problems:

Need help lighting the pilot? PSE&G will perform this service free-of-charge through September 11, 2011.  PSE&G will charge $25 for this service from September 12 through October 31.

Not working properly? PSE&G customers can call 1-800-350-PSEG (7734) or go to www.pseg.com to register their account and schedule repair services online for assistance from our appliance service technicians.

The utility also is asking customers to keep their homes and yards safe, well lit, and free of clutter so that our workers can safely access the meters and their equipment. Customers are asked to:

Warn PSE&G workers of any hazardous conditions on your property, such as loose steps or railings.
Make sure the path leading to your meters is clear and properly lit – especially stairways.
Keep dogs and other pets secured away from our workers and service areas.
Keep the area around your furnace, meter and appliances free and clear of clutter. Trim bushes and shrubs in the vicinity of meters located outdoors.

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>Gov. Andrew Cuomo  seeks spotlight at  9/11 event

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A second set is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the George Washington Bridge Administration Building in Fort Lee, NJ, the Holland Tunnel Administration Building in Jersey City, the George Washington Bridge Bus Station in Washington Heights and the PA Administration Building at Kennedy Airport.  (Margolin and Fermino, NY Post)

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Understanding the Cost of Solar Energy
August 13th, 2007 · 10 Comments

In comparison to conventional hydrocarbon fuels such as coal or oil in generating electricity, the cost of solar energy is significantly higher. To compare energy cost, a common equivalent is required. Back in our previous post, Coal: Fueling the American Industrial Revolution to Today’s Electric, we developed a framework to measure energy costs by converting costs to kilowatt-hours (KWH).

In our example, a ton of coal on the average produces approximately 6,182 KWH of electric at a cost of about $36 per short ton (2,000 pounds). Under this measure coal cost less than$0.01 per KWH. In comparison, a barrel of oil at $70/barrel produces 1,700 KWH at a cost approximately $0.05 per KWH. Let’s provide some measures to understand energy costs.
Energy Units and Conversions KEEP

Energy Comparison
1 ton of coal = 6,182 KWH
1 barrel of oil = 1,699 KWH
1 cubic foot of gas = 0.3 KWH

Energy Costs
1 ton of coal costs $36 = $0.006 per KWH
1 barrel of oil costs $70 = $0.05 per KWH
1 cubic foot of gas $0.008 = $0.03 per KWH

In comparison to solar energy, the hydrocarbon fuel costs are significantly lower without rebates, tax benefits nor the cost of carbon emissions. A two–Kilowatt (KW) solar energy system costs about $45,000 and covers roughly half of a typical American household’s energy needs. At $45,000, a solar energy system equates to $9,000 a kilowatt. The $9,000 per KW for solar is not very helpful in comparing electric generation costs to other fuels like coal or gas. Since coal, oil, and gas can be measured on a cost per KWH, we should measure solar costs on a KWH basis.

Some of the considerations for a solar energy system include the 20-to-30 year lifespan of the system and the hours of available sunlight. The hours of available sunlight depends on latitude, climate, unblocked exposure to the sun, ability to tilt panels towards the sun, seasonality, and temperature. On the average, approximately 3.6 peak sunlight hours per day serves as a reasonable proxy to calculate the average annual output of electric from solar energy panels.

Solar Energy Costs
Average system costs = $95 per square foot
Average solar panel output = 10.6 watts per square foot
Average solar energy system costs = $8.95 per watt

In order to compare the solar energy costs to conventional hydrocarbon fuels, we must covert the $8.95 per into KWH. Let’s make two calculations to measure the total electric energy output over the lifespan of the solar energy system. The first adjustment is to convert solar direct-current (DC) power to alternating current (AC) power that can be used for household appliances. The conversion of DC to AC power results in an energy loss of 10 percent for a solar energy system. The second calculation is to approximate total electric output by multiplying the average peak hours of sunlight (about 3.63 hours per day) times 365 days times 20 years (the product lifespan).

For our 5-KW solar energy system costing $45,000, the conversion to KWH is as follows:

5 KW times 90% = 4.5 KW – (Conversion of DC to AC power)
4.5 KW times 3.63 hours = 16 KWH per Day
16 KWH x 365 = 5,962 KWH – (Average Annual Output)
5,962 KWH x 20 years = 119,246 KWH – (Total output over 20 year lifespan)

So a $45,000 5KW solar energy system produces about 119,246 KWH of electric over its lifespan meaning the average cost equals $0.38 per KWH. ($45,000 divided by 119,246 KWH)

Figure 1 Cost of Energy

The relatively high solar energy costs in comparison to conventional fuels should improve with utility rebates and government tax incentives. In addition, solar panel prices should continue to decline as volume production increases. Solar cell manufacturers employ similar production methods as semiconductor suppliers and benefit from economies of scale.

https://greenecon.net/understanding-the-cost-of-solar-energy/energy_economics.html

>I’m writing these comments because I don’t want the discussion of the Village Manager’s increase to end.

Several points that have emerged so far from the discussion are (1)the faulty justification for the increase by members of the VC was the Manager’s achieving substantial saving for the Village. This I assume was the result of his firing of a large number of Village employees two years ago and his negotiation of new contracts with the Police and Fire Department Unions. However, after the firings it was so obvious that the Village wasn’t functioning that many of those jobs had to be filed in the following year. The Union contracts which the Village manager negotiated was used as justification for giving him a raise by the Mayor, who said: I don’t believe that in the present state of the economy anyone should get increases, but if the Union guys get them, then everyone should. The fact is that the Village Manager negotiated an unwarranted increase for the Police and Fire Unions, when instead he should have insisted in reductions in the Police Depatment staffing and the restrucuring of the Fire Department and as a minimum substantial contributions to their health and pension plans. If the Manager did such save the Village thousands of dollars, why are out taxes going up by 7%.

(2) A 12% increase, under no circumstances, can be justified. Even if the Village manager was doing a great job, there is no basis for raising his salary retroactively to an amount that is completely out of line with what other public employee earn. One blogger suggest that this may have been promised to him when he was hired.

(3) The attitude of certain members of the Village Council must be addressed. Several of the newer members have suggested that they were not required to take into consideration what the public might have said in making the decision as to the Manager’s increase. Yet, at the last meeting, the Council backed down when it heard the outcry from the public in regard to a cell tower at the Fire House. Or stated another way, you can’t have selected hearing.

>I’m confused! So please explain to me the reasoning for Dr. Gabbert’s increase.

1. Did he do a wonderful job and save the Village thousands of dollars? If, so, why are our taxes going up by 7%? Where are the savings? The initial termination of employees last year, was followed this year by substantial rehirings! The budget this year is substantially greater than last year! Essential services have been reduced. Snowplowing, street paving, the Library, etc…

2. What is the rational: That he is entitled to a raise, since union employees got raises (as a result of his negotiation of the their contracts)? If so, then the more of a raise in the Union contract the more he should have gotten! Even by this irrational logic, is he entitled to a 12% raise rather than the 4% the Union’s got?

3. Why is he, the Village Manager of Ridgewood, entitled to a greater salary than the Governor of the State of New Jersey, the Mayor of Newark or the Village Managers of Paramus and the other Bergen County Towns and Villages?

4. If the Deputy Mayor draws an analogy to the private sector (as he did when he supported incentive raises for management employees) can he justify giving the Chief Executive (our Village Manager) a raise when the Village is losing money? In the private sector, the Chief Executive of a losing business many times takes a substantial reduction, until the business begins to make money?

5. Shouldn’t more light be shone on the strange coincidence that last year Dr. Gabbert got an additional $20,000 as the CFO, (until a shift in internal positions was made, not a new hiring) and this year he got a raise of $20,000? This appears to indicate that there may have been promises made to him that were never disclosed to the public when he was hired?

6. All this aside. Even if Dr. Gabbert was the absolute best Village Manager ever to walk the Earth, he should be fired if the outragous remarks attributed to him are accurate. Greater men than he have been discharged for tasteless remarks that were less offensive than his! He is an insensitive (you fill in the blank)!

7. Finally, every person who is offended by what the Village Council did, has an obligation to attend the Village Council meetings and during the public comment portion, express their anger at the Council for this dastardly deed!

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Summer Sizzles at A Mano:  Mozzarella Making and Homemade 
Pasta Demonstration – August 18th
Delivery to Ridgewood Residents Begins August 15

Ridgewood New Jersey’s authentic Neapolitan trattoria A Mano, will host a delicious demonstration featuring the tasty techniques of preparing fresh pasta and mouthwatering mozzarella, from traditional ingredients to classic methods.  Taking place on Thursday, August 18th, 2011 at 6:00 PM by reservation only, the demonstration will reveal some of the savory secrets behind A Mano’s key dishes.Guests will take an up close look at the art of making fresh egg pasta, from dough making and rolling, to pasta cutting and other expert techniques used to create favorite homemade pastas featured on A Mano’s menu which includes:  Homemade Lasagna  Bolognese, Vegetable Lasagna, Pappardelle ai Funghi (wide ribbon pasta with assorted wild mushrooms),
Tagliatelle Bolognese (ribbon pasta with classic meat sauce) and Gnocchi alla Sorrentina (gnocchi with fresh tomato sauce, basil and homemade
mozzarella).

Also to be demonstrated, is the craft of making melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, including stretching, forming and setting the cheese.  In addition to topping A Mano’s authentic Neapolitan wood fired pizzas with mozzarella that is made on site daily,  the fresh cheese also appears in recipes of signature dishes such as the Mozzarella Pinwheel (handcrafted mozzarella roll with proscuitto and grilled vegetables), Caprese Salad (mozzarella, vine-ripe tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil) and more.The cost of the demonstration is $10 per person, which will be credited towards dinner immediately following the event, should guests choose to enjoy a meal at A Mano.

In other news, soon A Mano will bring the taste of Naples to the door steps of Ridgewood residents.  Mondays through Thursdays beginning August 15th,  A Mano will deliver it’s authentic Neapolitan cuisine to homes in the Village, with plans to expand delivery in the future.
                                                                                               
What: Educational homemade pasta and mozzarella making demonstration ($10  per person) at A Mano, in Ridgewood, NJ
When: Thursday, August 18th, 6:00 PM, by reservation only
Where: A Mano – 24 Franklin Avenue, Ridgewood, NJ 07450
Telephone: 201.493.2000
Website:     www.amanopizza.com
           
Reservations Required:  Limited engagement.  Please call A Mano for reservations.