METERS TO SAVE MONEY, OFFER OPTIONS
 Your electric meter will be getting "smarter," and that means you'll be able to make smarter decisions about making your home more energy-efficient.
SMUD will soon be installing the next generation of electric meters. These "smart meters" provide two-way communication between your meter and SMUD, saving money and improving customer service. The new meters will also lay the foundation for the future, when a "smart grid" will make the power system even more efficient.
For you, the benefits of the new meters will be both immediate and long-term.
Smart meters allow the automatic transmission of energy-use data, eliminating manual meter-reading. Eventually, you will be able to track your energy use almost as it happens, giving you more control over your use and your bill. In the future, you will make adjustments to your thermostat and even control your appliances remotely through a cell phone or computer.
Approximately 50,000 customers will be first to get the new meter, beginning with installations in the downtown area and eastern Sacramento County. Following this first wave of installations, SMUD will thoroughly test the system.
SMUD and its contractors will then begin installing up to 60,000 new meters a month, with the project set for completion in 2011. Each customer will get a notification letter from SMUD in advance of the meter change. The work takes only a few minutes, and customers won't even need to be home as long as the technician can get to the meter.
The new system is designed with information security in mind, so you will be protected even as managing your interactions with SMUD gets easier and "smarter." For more information, visit SMUD.org/smartmeters or call 1-888-742-SMUD (7683). |
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A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION LIGHTS UP OLD SACRAMENTO
 Sacramento has a new holiday tradition to celebrate: "The Theatre of Lights – Old Sacramento Holiday Lightshow."
The event is story-telling at its best. Through the use of lights, sounds and visual effects, you'll be transported back to what it felt like to be here when "The Night Before Christmas" was first introduced in Sacramento.
The first tree lighting of the "Theatre of Lights" is set for 6 p.m. Nov. 25, at Front and K streets in Old Sacramento. After that, shows will run at 6:30 and 8 p.m. through Jan. 3, with the exceptions of Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
For more information, visit oldsactheatreoflights.com and click on Events and Activities or call 916-442-8575. | |
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BRIGHTEN THE SEASON WITH SAFETY, SAVINGS
 Sparkling lights are a part of the season that everyone seems to enjoy. To help you enjoy your own lights safely, follow these electrical safety tips:
- Inspect decorations as you unpack, looking for broken or cracked sockets and frayed or bare wires. Damaged lights should never be used.
- Only use Underwriter's Laboratory (U.L.) or Factory Mutual (F.M.) approved electrical devices, extension cords and lights. Use one long extension cord instead of linking several shorter ones together. Follow the manufacturer's instructions when stringing lights.
- Keep ladders away from overhead lines when hanging outdoor lights. Always unplug lights and electrical cords before stringing and hanging.Make sure outdoor electrical outlets have shock-protecting Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI).
- To help prevent falls, keep extension cords off of walkways.
- To help prevent fire, keep paper and ribbon away from hot lights. Unplug or turn off all decorative lights before bed or prior to leaving home.
Your best bet for the holidays: LED lights. These come in a variety of shapes, colors and clusters, and because they give off almost no heat, they are much safer to use. The first LEDS you buy may be the last ones you'll ever need because they last up to 25,000 hours. Since LEDs use only about 20 percent as much electricity as incandescent lights, you can save about $4 a month on each 200-light string.
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MAKE BEST CHOICE ON ELECTRONICS
 Home electronics such as big-screen TVs always seem to be big sellers at this time of year.
If you're looking for a big-screen TV – or a computer or monitor – make sure you're making the best choice when it comes to saving energy – and that always means saving money.
This season, SMUD is working with manufacturers and local retailers to make it easy to find electronics that use up to 30 percent less electricity.
Look for ENERGY STAR® electronics with the "SMUD save" or "save more" labels for greater energy savings at participating retailers. You won't see the difference on your screen, but you'll enjoy the savings on your monthly bill.
Whether shopping for your home, business or the perfect gift, energy saving electronics will help save today and save tomorrow. For a list of participating retailers, visit savewithsmud.org. | | |
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IN THIS ISSUE
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TROUT DERBY SET FOR DEC. 12-13
For those who love to fish, the holiday season wouldn't be the same without SMUD's semi-annual Trout Derby at Rancho Seco Lake. This year the winter version (there's another in the spring) will be held rain or shine on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 12 and 13. Gates open at 6 a.m.
Cash prizes from $10 to $50 will be awarded to children 15 and under (places 1-6), and from $20 to $100 to adults 16 and over (places 1-14). The lake will be stocked with fish so everyone has a good chance of catching one – and an even better chance of having a good time.
The entry fee is $3 per person, with a $5 per car entrance fee to the park ($4 for seniors). Call 916-732-4913 for details or visit SMUD.org.
THANKS, PEAK CORPS
Thank you to the 100,000 customer volunteers of Peak Corps. You helped SMUD maintain system reliability during time of peak demand.
Not a member? Sign up today to save on summer bills. Call 1-888- 742-SMUD (7683), or go to SMUD.org/peak. | |