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Fengshui expert Wilfred Leu tells us how to improve our health and relationships in the Year of the Metal Ox and how to obtain more luck from the luckiest zodiac this yearWhen it comes to setting goals and wishes entering into the new year, improving our love and health tend to rank high among our priorities. We can all agree that last year also known as the Year of the Metal Rat was probably not the best for either.As we usher in the Year of the Metal Ox on Feb 12, we thought we would seek a little help in improving our prospects in both departments with fengshui, which literally means wind and water. Detractors may write off fengshui as superstitious mumbo-jumbo but the concept, also known as Chinese geomancy is derived from thousands of years of observations by the Chinese, who as an early agricultural society has to understand both the land and seasonal weather. Fengshui is thus practiced to allow people to live in alignment with their surroundings.We speak to fengshui practitioner Wilfred Leu, who uses the principles of established by the Chinese imperial palace in the Ming and Qing dynasties particularly in the following books, The Imperial Complete Books of the Four Repositories, The Complete Collection of the Imperial Encyclopedia and The Yongle Encyclopedia. The good news is those born in the Year of the Rooster are in for an excellent year. Fengshui practitioner Wilfred Leu is a best-selling author who consults for institutions in Singapore as well as international celebrities. Photo: Wilfred LeuOptions: What should people generally look out for in the Year of the Metal Ox in terms of health? Wilfred (WL): This year, people should look out for their health in the following areas, the urinary tract, kidneys, and sexual organs. This is due to the Number two star, which represents illness, being in the North this year. The North represents the Year of the Rat. Typically, the zodiac sign of the previous year is also known as the illness element. Together, the Rat and the number two star represents ill health twice over, which means people should be careful overall.The North also represents water, which means any health-related issues could arise from your sexual organs, kidney, or urinary tract. At the same time, this year continues to have a strong metal element. Metal cuts wood, which is why people also must be careful of hurting their limbs. For those who are physically active, you have to pay attention to safety.Metal, which carries over from the Year of the Rat, also represents both large intestines and respiratory organs. As such, we would continue to see Covid-19 lingering until the summer; I would then expect things to begin to get better sometime after the Dragon Boat or Dumpling Festival.The travel industry would only be in the position to recover in 2022, which is the Year of the Water Tiger. Both elements during that year represent both movement and travel.To combat this, put a calabash or gourd, and tie three Qing dynasty coins from the reign of the Emperor Kangxi (also known as Kangxi coins), with a yellow string together in the direction of the North. Why Kangxi? The Chinese word, Kang represents health, and Kangxi sounds similar to the words healthy and blissful. Kangxi also lived to 68, which is considered quite a ripe old age during his time. The calabash is used to absorb the sick elements from the north and the pronunciation of the calabash, hulu, also sounded like fortune and money, another reason whyit is considered auspicious. The number three also represents the wood element, which mitigates water. A yellow string is used as yellow is earth, which will strengthen the metal element, which is the coin. How does this help? If you find yourself feeling unwell, you will end up finding the right treatment and doctor.What about love? WL: Love isnt that hot either partly because of Covid-19 from last year. For instance, people who are in relationships from last year will face two possibilities due to the pandemic you either grow closer due to the amount of time spent during the lockdown, or you may find yourself drifting apart due to the distance. It could go two ways.That said, those who are born in the Year of the Ox may not have good luck in love this year because the animal clashes with the Grand Duke.There are ways to mitigate this if youre looking to enter into a relationship this year, or get closer to a significant other. What you can do is to put auspicious flowers such as peonies and peach blossoms in four (for example, four in the direction of the South, where the number one star that represents luck in relationship and social skills, is at).If you are single and have a particular type youd like to attract, you can put a picture of your ideal man or woman in the same direction, along with the flowers. Dont use roses though, as they come with thorns, and could represent a thorny relationship.For those who are not averse to putting a Chinese lucky mascot, you may also put a picture of a monkey on a horse at the South location of your living room, with the head of the horse pointing towards your main door. This could help to enhance your career opportunities. Even if you dont have a Chinese compass, you may use a regular compass to find the direction too.To prepare for the Lunar New Year, is there anything we can do to boost our luck? WL: If your luck is not very good in 2020, you may want to take the opportunity to clear your house of messiness and clean the house thoroughly, typically about a week before the Lunar New Year. I think this is more important now as more people work from home.If youre a big believer in fengshui,you can also put a picture of Zhong Kui, a Tang dynasty scholar-turned-Chinese deity that is believed to be the vanquisher of ghosts and demons, in the direction of the South or Southeast. That direction represents the Snake zodiac. This year, the star of the Five Ghosts will be in that general direction, hence a picture of the Chinese ghost catcher deity who catches evil spirits will help mitigate any bad luck that may flow that way. In the Qing Imperial palace, it is recorded that they would put up Zhong Kui during the lunar New Year Celebrations. Typical painting of this person is usually seen with a bat or bats, which represents good fortune. Zhong Kui also represents wealth and intelligence, which means putting a picture of him is likely to bring in luck in that department. Who are the luckiest in the Year of the Metal Ox? WL: That would be those born in the Year of the Rooster. If youre born between Sept 6 to Oct 5, which is the month of the Rooster, you will also enjoy plenty of blessings and luck this year. Roosters seeking love should don more flowery clothes, or brighter colours to attract more luck in love this year. If youre not used to flowery clothes or brighter colours, you should essentially be neat in your clothing, and include a bit of red in your outfit.You may boost your luck further by carrying an amulet or picture of a horse, or hang around those who are born in the year or month of the Horse (which is in June). Why? For the Rooster, the Horse is in their peach blossom sector. This applies to relationships in general. So, if youre seeking more popularity this year, stick around those whore born in the year or month of the Horse. The noble people (people who can help you in times of need) this year, are those born in the year or month of the Tiger and the Horse.What about the unluckiest zodiac then? WL: That would be those born in the Year of the Goat, or in July, which is the month of the Goat. This is because the Goat, according to the principles of the zodiac, clashes with the Ox. Those born under the sign of the Goat will experience a lot of changes this year. Not all may be negative, as it really depends on your chart, but changes are certain. There will be big changes in terms of family affairs as well.How can they mitigate this?WL: They can carry a symbol or picture of a rooster, horse or tiger, who are the luckier animals this year. Alternatively, you can also go to places that represent these animals. For instance, the Tiger represents forests and trees, or nature reserves in Singapore. The Horse is represented by open area or vast lands, while both the Tiger and Horse represent documents, books and white-collar jobs, according to the ancient texts.What are the lucky colours and directions in 2021?WL: This year in general, white is a good colour, because that is the colour of the Rooster. This could mean white clothes, accessories, even white food. The West is also a lucky spot because it represents the Rooster.To make the most out of it, you can consider keeping fish, or putting a lamp or lantern in the area to activate the number eight star, which represents good luck. You may also put a picture, amulet, or figurine of a deer you have kept since Christmas in that location. Thus, you may want to use your creativity to put a nice arrangement of deer, water and for some, also a crane in this location. They could be lucky mascots or paintings or pictures.All the good elements are in the sign of the Rooster, so anything related to the zodiac will bring you luck. Should you want to take it a step further, put a picture or ornament of the rooster at home where you can see it the minute you open your front door. Alternatively, carry an image of the rooster with you, including one on the windscreen of the car if you drive, to avoid accidents.To prevent stale luck, you can consider putting a picture of an Ox on your front door. Its important that you put it facing out, as the Ox is the Grand Duke this year. Avoid much movement in the Southeast sector too. This means dont have any renovations or knock walls without consulting an expert on the right date to do so. You could also hang four Qing dynasty coins from the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (or Qianlong coins) tied with a black or blue string in that general direction. The coins, which represent money and status, help mitigate any back luck, especially if there is a door or window in that sector, where you can see a menacing building or object from there. Otherwise, simply keep that sector quiet and have less activities in that area.What about people who prefer not to carry anything extra with them?WL: Now that were entering the Lunar New Year, there are opportunities for you to obtain new notes. What you can do, is to put new notes, with serial numbers containing auspicious numbers such as one, six and eight in a red packet, for luck. Boost it further by putting in a good amount such as $168 or $1,688 in the red packet.Look closely at the number on the note, and you'll find auspicious symbols, according to Leu. Photo: ShutterstockIn fact, Singapores dollar notes contain symbols that are considered lucky in Chinese culture or fengshui. Look closer with a magnifying glass and you will find bats, which represent luck on the $2 note; old Chinese coins on the $10 note; peaches on the $50 note; peonies on the $100 note and deer (which represents wealth and prosperity) on the $1,000 note. If youre not a fan of putting symbols around the house, simply put the red packet in the centre of the house, as well as in the directions of the West and South.SEE:It was a doggone yearAny tips for spring cleaning?WL: It is important to clean out your house before the new year sets in. Chinese culture is about symbols and it is believed that this could be because you have a poor living or working environment, which would be a reflection and extension of your life. In ancient times, people believed that if your luck isnt good during the previous year, cleaning out everything represents a fresh start, a reprogramming, if you will. Hence, we will notice we will clean out everything not working, messy and unworthy before the lunar new year, and then one gets downloaded with all the auspiciousness symbols of decorations, words, sounds and even food from the first day of the lunar new year to the fifteenth day!Do that properly, and keep up with that, and you should have a fairly decent year. You should also look out for and clean dark areas such as the spots under your bed. Id suggest using aromatherapy to reach areas where light usually cannot reach. If you can, use the ones that require you to burn candles with essential oils as fire is a cleansing element but you have to be careful not to start a fire in the house. Clear out any items under your bed too, for better sleep. In particular, dont put anything thats considered metallic under your bed such as electric iron, pots and pans, and even luggage.Sidebar: How to use fengshui to understand the year ahead betterYap: Fate and destiny co-exists to produce the outcomes of our lives. Photo: Albert Chua/The Edge SingaporeAccording to another fengshui consultant Joey Yap people should use fengshui, Chinese astrology and Chinese metaphysics as a tool for them to better understand the opportunities or fate that may come about during the year.At the 2021 Feng Shui & Astrology Virtual Seminar held last month, the best-selling author says these opportunities refer to fate and are factors that are beyond your control. This includes the place of your birth and the era you were born into.The seminar, which was held online, was viewed by over 24,000 people from 38 countries.Yap also says destiny is what we know as preparation. He also stresses that every individual is equipped with free-will, courage and the ability to make their own choices in life.Fate and destiny co-exists to produce the outcomes of our lives, he says.Yap is the founder of the Mastery Academy of Chinese Metaphysics, the worlds biggest institution for subjects that include fengshui, bazi (destiny study) and qi men dun jia (destiny analysis). The school boasts thousands of learners from more than 40 countries. Yaps group of companies, which includes the Joey Yap Consulting Group, employs more than 150 people in Malaysia and Singapore. He has also given lectures at companies like Citibank, Microsoft and Intel.

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Boost your health and love this Lunar New Year - The Edge Singapore

Logic1000 debuted in 2018 with an undoubtedly excellent self-titled EP, packed with tracks that tip between techno, IDM, and garage. The record put her firmly on the map as a producer to watch, and dance heavyweightsmost notably Four Tetchampioned Logic1000 consistently. But while the EP was a strong introduction to Logic1000 as an artist, she herself has admitted that the production was scattered.

Recently, Logic1000 has been curating her own musical identity through remixes; her work for Lpsley, Christine and the Queens, and Caribou has allowed her to find a throughline in her own sound through the additions of her signature clean garage beats and hook-bolstering harmonies. These act as a strong introduction to her latest EP Youve Got the Whole Night to Go and give a taste of Logic1000 as a producer with a keen ear for melding the underground with pop-worthy hooks. Though just four songs, it shows Logic1000 flexing her stamina and spinning ideas more consistently across the EP.

Central to the feel of Youve Got the Whole Night to Go is a sense of expansiveness throughout, from the wafting trance drones and the vocal samples fed back and forth through a tape machine on Like My Way to the airy, echoing melody and bouncing bassline of Medium that sound as though theyre reverberating around an empty dance floor. This spaciousness unites each track in spite of the EPs varying genre aspirationsI Wont Forget gives lighthearted house; and Medium is eclectic and glitchy, whereas Her ends the EP on a downright dirty, sweaty, techno note. It all grants Logic1000s productions a touch of something bigger that stretches outward and upward, hinting at her ability to reach beyond the underground to break into a wider consciousness.

Youve Got the Whole Night to Go also works as a concept album, tracing the almost forgotten flutters and rushes of a good night out. Like My Way functions as a pregame track, the light trance paired with sharp hi-hats and a cheeky ascending bassline echoing the heady mixture of vague excitement and nerves. The way the muffled melody of I Wont Forget gradually becomes clearer is reminiscent of the sudden clarity of music that hits when the club doors fling open. A strained vocal sample cuts through with I wont forget, but the rest of the sentence is lost in the first muffled voice, as though the remembering is more important than the thing remembered. The immersive hard techno of closing track Her recalls that exact moment halfway through the night when you feel you could continue full-throttle forever. It seems cruel that a release that speaks so potently to the club experience probably wont be played in its proper setting for a while, but for the moment, its a necessary simulation of it.

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Logic1000: You've Got the Whole Night to Go EP | Review - Pitchfork

Southern California Gas Co. Friday offered energy savings tips and tools to help customers save money on their utility bills during cold weather.

According to the utility, it's possible to use three to seven times more natural gas than in summer months as home heaters respond to thermostat settings and water heaters work harder to keep water hot.

"As the weather changes, so does our consumption of natural gas. In order to keep our homes warm, our heating systems are running more frequently resulting in an increased usage of natural gas. A few simple changes can help reduce energy bills,'' said Brian Prusnek, SoCalGas' director of customer programs and assistance.

"This is also the time to make sure all customers who are eligible for bill assistance and no-cost energy savings programs are aware of these resources which can further reduce natural gas bills,'' he said.

The utility recommends taking the following steps to reduce natural gas use and manage energy costs:

SoCalGas also encourages customers who are having trouble paying for their monthly natural gas bill to apply for the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program. Eligible customers receive a 20% discount on their monthly natural gas bill.

The Energy Savings Assistance program provides eligible SoCalGas customers with home improvements, at no cost to the renter or homeowner, that help conserve energy, reduce natural gas use and enhance the safety, health and comfort of the renter or homeowner.

Dozens of cars, including two Iowa State Patrol cars, got stuck in a pileup on an icy interstate outside of Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday.

To learn more about the utility's customer assistance programs, visit socalgas.com/assistance.

As part of its COVID-19 response, SoCalGas suspended service disconnections for residential and small business customers. That means customers will not have their natural gas service turned off if they are unable to pay.

For more information on SoCalGas's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit http://www.socalgas.com/coronavirus.

Originally posted here:
SoCalGas Offers Tips on Saving Money on Utility Bills - NBC Southern California

During cold weather like weve experienced over the last several weeks, it is possible to use three to seven times more natural gas than in summer months as your home heater responds to your thermostat settings and your water heater works harder to keep water hot.

As the weather changes, so does our consumption of natural gas. In order to keep our homes warm, our heating systems are running more frequently resulting in an increased usage of natural gas. A few simple changes can help reduce energy bills, said Brian Prusnek, SoCalGas director of customer programs and assistance.

This is also the time to make sure all customers who are eligible for bill assistance and no-cost energy savings programs are aware of these resources which can further reduce natural gas bills.

Customers can take these steps to reduce their natural gas use and manage energy costs:

Lowering your thermostat three to five degrees can save up to 10 percent on heating costs.

Install proper caulking and weather-stripping; this can save roughly 10 to 15 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Wash clothes in cold water to save up to 10 percent on water heating costs.

Clean or replace your furnace filters according to manufacturer recommendations.

Have your air ducts tested for leaks. Leaky ducts can increase heating costs by 10 to 30 percent.

Turn down the temperature on your water heater.

Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use.

Fix leaky faucets and pipes. Hot water leaks cause increased demand on the water heater, which increases natural gas use. One drop of water per second can waste 500 gallons of hot water per year.

SoCalGas says it works to secure the best prices for the natural gas it supplies to customers. The company said the cost customers pay for natural gas is what the utility pays. The utility also offers customer assistance programs that help people with bill discounts and provide free home improvements that help conserve energy and save money.

To learn more about SoCalGas energy-saving programs and services or for more information on how to more efficiently manage natural gas usage and possibly reduce monthly natural gas bills, click here. Customers with questions about their winter bill can go to My Account at socalgas.com or call 800-427-2200.

SoCalGas also encourages customers who are having trouble paying for their monthly natural gas bill to apply for one of their customer assistances programs. The utilitys customer assistance programs include:

California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, offers eligible customers a 20 percent discount on their monthly natural gas bill. The discount is applied to the monthly natural gas bill following the date that the application is approved by SoCalGas.

Energy Savings Assistance (ESA) provides eligible customers with home improvements, at no cost to the renter or homeowner, that help conserve energy, reduce natural gas use and enhance the safety, health, and comfort of the renter or homeowner. SoCalGas provides this service to approximately 100,000 customers each year. Over 1.5 million homes have received upgrades through the ESA program.

To learn more about SoCalGas customer assistance programs, please visit socalgas.com/assistance.

As part of its COVID-19 response, SoCalGas suspended service disconnections for residential and small business customers. That means customers will not have their natural gas service turned off if they are unable to pay.

For more information on SoCalGass response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit http://www.socalgas.com/coronavirus.

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It's Gotten Chillier. Here' Are Tips and Tools From SoCalGas to Help You Save Money on Utility Bills Pasadena Weekendr - Pasadena Now

We may be entering the coldest part of winter, but you and your energy bill dont have to suffer. Instead of cranking up the thermostat when it is cold outside, take some free or low-cost steps to make your home more energy efficient. This will help save money on your power bill while also keeping you comfortable.

With many customers still working or taking on other activities from home due to the pandemic, managing and conserving your energy usage is more important than ever.

Remember, heating and air conditioning can account for more than 50 percent of a homes energy use. Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees during the winter months is an easy way to reduce your energy usage. Every degree above 68 degrees can increase your bill by about three percent. So, if you crank it up to 78 degrees, for example, you could add 30 percent to your bill.

Adjusting the thermostat is but one way to keep your heater or other appliances from going into overdrive. You can also:

Seal air leaks. Install weather stripping around your doors, windows and any location where there is a path between the inside and outside of your home or business.

Conserve hot water. Wrap your electric water heater with a water heater blanket from a home improvement store and set the thermostat to 120 degrees or medium.

Keep all doors and windows closed. Constant opening will let out warm air, forcing your heater to work harder to keep the room at the set temperature.

Ensure fans are turning the right way. Run fans at a low speed clockwise during the winter. Since heat rises, this setting will help push the air back down toward you.

Keep the air circulating. Do not block heat registers or air returns with curtains or furniture.

Leverage the sun. During the day, open your curtains and blinds to let in the warm sunlight. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.

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Save money and stay comfy with simple energy-saving tips - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

ST. LOUIS Theres a new warning about fire dangers with prolonged extreme cold in the forecast for St. Louis.

An overturned space heater likely sparked a deadly garage fire in south St. Louis, according to firefighters.

It was not the kind of call you would necessarily think would end in tragedy. Firefighters responded to a garage fire on South Spring near Osceola just after 10 p.m. Saturday.

Investigators werent sure if the man who died fell asleep in the garage before the fire broke out but said there were signs he was trying to make things warm for his pets.

The individual, according to initial reports, was using an electric space heater in the garage trying to keep his dogs warm, said St. Louis Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson.

In December, space heaters sparked a fire that chased a family of sevenincluding five children ages 6 and underfrom their south St. Louis home, according to firefighters. All survived but they lost everything.

With extreme cold, even below zero temperatures expected over the next week, Jenkerson advised people to simply avoid using known fire hazards like space heaters or electric blankets.

If you must, make sure they are tagged with a UL listing; do not plug them into power strips or extension cords; keep them at least three feet away from everything on all sides.

If you have to use one, keep it in the middle of the room. Only use it if youre in the room with it. When you leave the room, turn it off, Jenkerson said.

Jeff Holmes, an electrician with the IBEW training center in St. Louis, advised people to check all cords and outlets for discoloration or fraying, use GFCI outlets if possible, and do not use an overloaded circuit.

The longer the cords, the more heat escapes from the wires, he said.

Any time you have current flow you have heat. So, you want to make sure you eliminate as much heat as you possibly can. Let all the heat come out of the appliance youre trying to use for heating the area not the cords and other (things) that go with that, Holmes said. The closer you can plug into the outlet itself, the less amount of heat youre going to draw because of that distance you have a voltage drop then you cause more current to flow, so you want to keep that distance as short as possible.

Heres a link for more tips, which include:

Space Heaters/Electric Blankets Never use an extension cord for an electrical heating appliance, such as a space heater or an electric blanket. The cord provided with the heating device is properly rated and should be connected directly to the electrical outlet. Inspect your space heater and discard it if it shows deterioration, particularly around the plug-in cord, or it lacks a functioning automatic shut off if tipped over. Watch where you place the space heaters to keep it away from combustible materials. Keep children away from space heaters. Closely inspect electric blankets and heating pads and discard them if you note any potential fire hazard, such as discoloration due to overheating or exposed wiring. Extension Cords Never use an extension cord for an extended time as a permanent or temporary wiring solution. Extension cords arent made to be used for long periods of time and can result in electrical fires. When you are using an extension cord, always ensure that the plug has all three prongs. This ensures that your cord will stay properly grounded, which could prevent the cord from overloading. Any extension cords without the third prong should be discarded immediately. Outlets Dont overload sockets with plugs that could start a fire. Any electrical outlets in your home that are near a water sourcesinks, bathtubs, washing machinesrequire a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) according to the National Electrical Code. A GFCI is a fast-acting circuit breaker that shuts down your electricity as quickly as 1/40 of a second after a fault occurs. If youre missing a GFCI an electrical professional can easily install one for you. Wiring Visually inspect your homes service panel and note any potential concerns. Contact a licensed professional if the panel is not firmly attached to the wall or wires are not neatly enclosed within their protective box or if the deterioration is noted. Also, contact a licensed professional if you note wiring connection points are not capped with a wire connector and enclosed within an appropriate UL approved junction box.

If youre worried about a heater being safe, call the fire department, Jenkerson said.

Firefighters will check them out for you and remember theyll install free smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, too.

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With frigid temperatures in the days ahead, firefighters caution against unsupervised use of space heaters - KTVI Fox 2 St. Louis

As temperatures drop, things can get dangerous.

It's important to be prepared, take precautions and know your resources.

Here's a look at some things you should know as brutal cold descends on the Chicago area.

How Do I Know If I Have Hypothermia?

Hypothermia is caused by a drop in body temperature to 95 degrees or less, which can become deadly, officials said.

Signs of hypothermia include:

According to a release, infants and the elderly are more at risk of hypothermia, which should not be treated at home. Individuals suspected to have the condition should be treated at a hospital.

How Should I Avoid Frostbite?

Frostbite could set in on exposed skin in as little as 15 minutes, officials said. The face, ears, hands and feet tend to be the most commonly impacted.

According to a release, frostbite skin is whitish and stiff, and tends to feel numb rather than painful.

In order to treat frostbite, officials advised to warm the affected part of the body gradually before seeking medical attention.

"Wrap the frostbitten area in blankets, sweaters, coats, etc. and seek medical attention immediately," a release said.

Officials warned to not rub frostbitten areas of the skin because the friction can damage the tissue.

Though officials advised people in the Chicago area stay indoors during the cold, these are some ways to keep warm should residents need to go outside, according to a release:

Driving Tips

If travel is necessary in subzero temperatures, officials urge commuters to watch for scattered slick spots likely forming on ramps, overpasses, bridges and shaded areas overnight.

The team at IDOT will be monitoring the roads, treating them as necessary, and assisting motorists as needed, Acting Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Omer Osman said. Please make sure to have the necessary supplies and equipment in your vehicle should you encounter problems, and do not leave your vehicle in the event of a breakdown. Call for help and wait for assistance to arrive.

Drivers should share the roadways, officials advised, as Illinois law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching police, first responders and broken-down vehicles.

In addition, a release said drivers should slow down when approaching snow plows and maintenance vehicles, giving workers more room to operate.

Things to Keep in Your Car

All vehicles should have an emergency kit equipped with the following items in case an individual becomes stranded, according to Illinois Emergency Management Agency Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau:

The Illinois Tollway also recommends keeping gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and aflashlight with fresh batteries in your car.

Other travel advice from the Illinois Tollway includes:

For up to date road conditions, clickhere.

Ways to Save Money During the Colder Months

Little changes can add up to big savings with these weatherization tips, Nicor Gas recommends:

How Can I Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning When Heating My Home?

Properly heating the home during excessively cold temperatures is necessary during winter months, officials warned.

According to a release, more than 400 people die every year in the U.S. from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, which is found in fuels from cars, small engines, stoves, lanterns, grills, fireplaces, gas ranges or furnaces.

Here are some tips to avoid CO buildup:

According to Nicor Gas, checking that outdoor vent openings and air intakes are not obstructed by snow and ice can help "ensure the safe, proper operation of natural gas appliances, such as a furnace or water heater," which can prevent the potentially hazardous buildup of carbon monoxide within a home or business.

Signs of CO poisoning include: headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain and confusion, a release said.

Things to Remember When Removing Snow or Ice

Nicor Gas urged customers to "exercise caution removing snow or ice from your natural gas meter assembly."

Tips include:

Space Heater Safety

Peoples Gas recommends those who must use a space heed the following advice:

Preparing Your Home in Case of a Power Outage

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes recommends taking the following steps to prepare for a power outage during cold weather:

What Should I Do If the Power Goes Out?

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes also recommends:

Things to Know About Generators

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes says:

What to Do After a Power Outage

According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, you should follow the below tips once your power is restored:

Cook County Animal and Rabies Control offered the following tips for pet owners:

What about feral or wild animals?

What if you see mistreatment?

While laws in some municipalities may require only that pet owners provide food, water and a shelter, an outside dog house may not be suitable during severe cold weather. All residents are urged to be alert to pets being left outside for extended periods and to call authorities if they see an animal that could be in danger.

According to data from the state, 46% of individuals rely on people in their neighborhood for assistance within the first 72 hours of an emergency.

State officials advised people to check in with neighbors over the weekend either asking for or offering help.

There are dangerous health conditions that can occur specifically in severe winter weather, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said. Its important to watch for signs of extreme cold. Knowing the warning signs of dangerously cold weather and the health conditions they can cause can help you stay safe and healthy.

Here's a list of warming centers across Chicago.

To find a warming center near you in Illinois, click here.

Calling 311:

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Dangerous Cold in the Chicago Area: The Advice and Tips You Should Know About - NBC Chicago

Published 02-08-21

Submitted by Tetra Tech

High Performance Buildings

Brian Goldcrump has more than 10 years of experience in building design and energy modeling and leads the Tetra Tech High Performance Building Groups building energy modeling teams in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington. Brian works with clients in the early design phases to understand and advise on energy system options and the best paths for each project. He is particularly interested in post-occupancy building performance, helping owners understand that performance, and ensuring the building is performing as expected. He has helped the Tetra Tech building energy group evolve over time to support Tetra Tech as a leader in the industry.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University,San Luis Obispo. He is a certified LEED Accredited Professional, a member of the International Living Future Institute, and is a sustainability mentor at Portland State University in Oregon.

What is the impact of electrification on decarbonizing a building?

Building electrification is removing natural gas from our building designs, which contributes to decarbonizing a building. In a typical building, we have gas as the heating source, so either a gas boiler, a gas-powered HVAC unit with a furnace in it, or we have gas as the domestic water heater. Electrification is switching those gas heating sources to electric sources. We can make this change because the electrical grid that is powering our buildings is becoming cleaner. Many statesincluding all three states on the U.S. West Coastnow require utilities to improve their renewable portfolio of sources that produce their power. Washington and California are requiring utilities to use 100 percent renewable power by 2045. Since the power grid is decarbonizing by removing our natural gas emissions, our buildings will eventually be zero emission buildings once they are electrified.

Does decarbonizing buildings depend on state regulations, or is it feasible in other jurisdictions or states?

The key driver behind this movement is the decarbonization of the electric power grid at the state policy level. There are 31 U.S. states that have similar requirementssimilar policy shifts are happening globally, such as the recentchanges of approachin the Australian provinces of New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland. At the same time, renewables are becoming cheaper. For example, the last remaining coal power plant in Oregon was recently shut down, 20 years ahead of schedule. Thats because it's currently cheaper to install renewable plants than to run an old coal plant.

There was an inflection point in 2019 in which wind power was cheaper than natural gas in California. So, the economics in the policy are playing off each other in a very symbiotic way, creating a market where renewables are becoming cheaper on the utility scale. So, to answer the question, a whole host of factors contribute to it in addition to state policy, including governments significant financial contribution to research in this area.

Is decarbonization a process that's only limited to new buildings, or is it something that we can use to lower operational carbon in existing buildings?

It is not limited to new builds. There is a ton of discussion, particularly at the university level, about decarbonizing campuses by changing the central plant. Most universities have centralized steam systems that run on natural gas that distribute steam throughout the campus. Manycampuses, including almost all the major ones on the West Coast, are looking at what they can do about their existing steam systems or their existing natural gas systems. We just did a study with the California State University system to provide a roadmap for decarbonizing all their existing buildings.

It is possible for existing buildings as well. It requires a thorough feasibility study upfront, however, to determine the best way towards electrification.

Why is there so much interest at the university level?

Many universities have some form of climate action plan. Most of those climate action plans have a carbon neutrality pledge, such as being carbon neutral by 2030. When they look at where most of their emissions come from as a campus, they find that a lot comes from gas burning on-site.

They're also looking at lower lifecycle costs for these systemsparticularly with steam. A lot of the steam systems are old and have a lot of maintenance issues. Switching to an electrified hot water system makes more sense in the long term from a lifecycle perspective.

We are seeing it discussed more at the primary and secondary education level as well. Beyond the education market, many private commercial companies, including all the large tech companies, have a similar carbon neutrality pledge. Most of them are looking at electrification to reduce or eliminate their carbon emissions.

Does this represent a paradigm shift in how the building industry defines sustainability?

I think that's right. The design industry has been thinking about it from a more holistic emission standpoint for a long time, but these state laws and utility changes are driving broader action.

For example, in Portland, Oregon, the power source is relatively dirty and has a lot of coal. Until recently, from an emission standpoint, natural gas heating made more sense. With Portland General Electric closing their last coal plant, and Pacific Power in Oregon getting a lot more renewables installed, it's now starting to make more sense to remove gas and just look at electric as these grids evolve.

Seattle, on the other hand, is almost entirely driven by hydroelectric power, which has zero emissions. Seattle has electrification in its city code, and they provide a slight incentive for electrified systems. Electrification makes sense for our clients thereand as other grids evolve, it will start spreading to other cities as well.

What is the impact of electrification on decarbonization?

It depends, but its generally a very positive impact. We create interactive dashboards using energy modeling and predictive analytics to look at how different building systems function within different power grids and show emissions impacts under various conditions. This helps inform our clients decision-making, guiding them towards more sustainable and cost-effective options.

Looking at this tool, you can see if you are on Oregons Pacific Power, which is 63 percent coal, your emissions are lower for an electrified four-pipe system than a variable air volume system, which would use gas.

But if you're on Seattle City Light, your emissions are already almost zero, because of their reliance on hydroelectric power.

So, for this example building on Pacific Power, electrification is a massive, immediate impact because the power grid is so dirty right now, especially when compared to Seattle. But over the long term, you're saving 2,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year. It is a big impact.

Does electrification make sense for private owners, such as those looking to build a mixed-use development or a stadium?

None of this is newits just a different way of thinking about the building. Heat pump technology has been around forever. We've been using it in our homes for a long time. And as grids become cleaner and there's a larger push towards electrification, the prices are coming down and the technology is improving.

So, it's similar to when variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems were introduced to the country more than 20 years ago: It was expensive and was not understood very well. But 10 years later, we essentially consider VRF to be our entry level into electrification. It's a simple and cost-effective method, and our primary task is communicating to building owners about what it means.

Building owners are becoming more aware of the risks inherent in having gas on-site. Combustion on-site damages your air quality. In the wake of a global pandemic that has major impacts on our lungs, having better air quality on-site is a huge deal. I think owners are becoming much more aware of those issues, and it's becoming more of a selling point for electrification.

What international developments can we expect to see having impacts in the United States in the next 5 to 15 years?

I think the big one is heat pump and heat pump chiller and heat recovery chiller technology, which are already here and just starting off slowly. It's our preferred system for electrification and is starting to see some deeper penetration into the market as the technology improves and prices come down. It's the next wave of systems that we think will be a big driver towards electrification for the right application. It's really on us as engineers to educate owners, clients, facilities, and partners.

The other one that we would love to see more of is ground source technology. That's also not new, but it's currently expensive to drill. We've been working on ground source projects for years, most recently at theBroadway Office Development in San Antonio, and they have a ton of benefits besides just emissions. Building owners love ground source systemsbecause they're very low maintenance, super durable, and very resilient. It's the drilling cost that really killed a lot of those projects upfront. As demand grows, cost should come down as well.

See the article here:
Tetra Tech's Brian Goldcrump Discusses the Impact of Building System Electrification on Lowering the Carbon Footprint of New and Existing Buildings -...

Rooftop or on-site solar can often generate enough power for homes, businesses, and industry, helping customers become resilient and self-sufficient, and giving them a stable price for clean electricity for decades to come. If youre in the market for solar, though, one thing needs to be top of mind: the price you pay for your solar is based on your consumption, so if you can reduce your consumption first, you can get an even better financial investment out of your solar.

There are a ton of variables, of course, but suffice it to say, the savings are real. Ill use my house as a case study. I set the baseline for energy consumption for several months before doing an energy efficiency retrofit. Turns out our home was using 1600 kWh per month. I called a local solar company and got a bid:

The solar company matched our existing bill to what would be needed to zero out said bill. This price is the out the door price, and the sticker shock usually cripples people, so solar companies usually offer $0 down financing, and just do a monthly payment slightly less than the original electric bill, to make it easy for customers.

I started with the easy stuff switching to LEDs, high efficiency faucets and showers, and a couple of advanced power strips and timers. I hung a couple of clotheslines and showed my housemates how to use them. This cost approximately $600.

Then I looked at two of the three refrigerators we had (its a triplex), and determined that they could be serious energy hogs, so I found one Energy Star fridge at a secondhand store and one from Lowes, with rebates from our local utility, and this came out to a grand total of a $700 investment to upgrade two fridges.

We then watched what happened to our bill, and the results were immediate, dropping down to 1000 kWh per month for a couple of months, a 35% reduction. This is not what I would expect to be normal. First, our house really committed to the clotheslines, and we eventually got rid of our dryer to make space in our cramped, shared laundry room. Next, we do not have central AC or heat, so the efficiency work described above made a larger percentage improvement than it would in many homes with central HVAC. HVAC, dryer, and refrigerators tend to be some of the biggest energy users in the house. Regardless, a drop of 15-20% for the above improvements would be pretty typical, I would imagine.

Now I went back and got a bid based on the new usage. The hardware dramatically changed, reducing the need for panels and batteries in order to get me to a zeroed out electric bill. From 35 panels to 23, and from 3 Tesla Powerwalls to 1.

This dramatically cut the proposed cost:

After installation, it became clear that I should have still opted for at least a second Powerwall, as my battery died most nights at about 4 AM, and then we paid full price per kWh from 4 til 9 AM, so we didnt zero out the bill entirely in the winter months. But for the year after solar install, we had zero bill for 8-9 months, and after upgrading to a solar water heater, the bill went to zero for the whole year on just the one battery.

A lot of caveats, a sample size of one, and variables galore I get it. But the results speak pretty loudly. With a thousand or so bucks worth of investment in home efficiency, it cut the net (after incentives) cost of my solar by more than $20,000, and more than 50%.

The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy posted an article about efficiency being the jelly to solars peanut butter. They both work on their own, but together theyre magic. ACEEEs analysis found that energy efficiency combined with solar changed the equation dramatically. Without doing the efficiency, solar was able to generate 50% of the residential energy load in only 9 of 24 states they analyzed. With efficiency, that number jumped to 23 of 24, and six of the states surpassed 75% with the combo.

The authors concluded,Energy efficiency will generally be less expensive per kWh than solar. And by lowering consumption, energy efficiency will stretch the available rooftop solar resource farther, allowing solar to serve a higher percent of residential consumption while also allowing a smaller and less expensive solar system.

That, and it will save the building owners some serious bank on their solar systems. The difference for me was roughly 2/3 the cost of a new Tesla Model 3.

More here:
Energy Efficiency Before Going Solar: How Much Difference In The Cost Does It Make? - CleanTechnica

Marion County Sheriff's Office. (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

A Salem father, his daughter and two pets were found dead at home on Feb. 1 from what Marion County Sheriffs Office detectives believe was monoxide poisoning.

A 911 caller reported finding Richard Yaple, 50, and Hannah Yaple, 17, of Keizer, not breathing inside the fifth wheel trailer in the 5700 block of State Street on Monday morning after not hearing from them since Saturday, the Marion County Sheriffs Office said in a news release.

Due to the suspicious nature of the deaths, detectives from the Marion County Sheriffs Office Criminal Investigations Unit were called to the scene.Detectives believe the two deaths were the result of carbon monoxide poisoning from a propane heater being used inside the trailer, the release said.

Sheriffs deputies and Marion County Fire District No. 1 firefighters pronounced them dead at the scene. A dog and cat were also found dead inside, according to the release.

The sheriffs office advises people to carefully read manufacturers instructions before using an indoor space heater and to install carbon monoxide detectors inside homes.

Each year about 430 people die accidentally from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

-Saphara Harrell

Read more:
UPDATES: Extended unemployment benefits will be cut, but the state will extend another lifeline to those out of work - Salem Reporter