Loveland Magazine

LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Tag: Duke

  • Duke Energy offers flexibility to avoid spikes in what you owe

    Duke Energy offers flexibility to avoid spikes in what you owe

    In this video Marion Byndon, General Manager of Regional Operations at Duke Energy, discusses Budget Billing.

    High energy bill? 10 ways to avoid billing surprises

    How to understand your bill, track energy use and reduce costs

    Paige Layne

    Paige Layne illumination ContributorFebruary 27, 2018

    A frigid January meant heating systems were working extra hard to keep homes at comfortable temperatures. In Indiana, Florida and the Carolinas, Duke Energy customers set records for energy use. That translates into higher bills.

    If you haven’t signed up for an equal payment plan to get a predictable monthly bill, there are some things you can do to keep tabs on your energy use.

    3 tips for understanding your bill

    2018-0213-high-bill-tips-collage2-400
    • Check the number of days in your billing cycle. Most bills are for 30 days, but there are times when the billing cycle is shorter or longer. If there are more days in the bill, it could be higher.
    • Look at “average kilowatt-hour” (kWh) use per day. At first glance your bill may look higher, but if your average use is similar to the same time last year or in a month with similar extreme temps, it’s a normal bill.
    • If you have a smart meter, check online to see if a daily usage analysis tool is available. Smart meters collect usage information by the hour, so checking spikes throughout the month – by day and even hour – can show what appliances and behaviors are increasing your bill.

    7 ways to avoid billing surprises

    • The best way to avoid billing surprises is to track your use. Duke Energy customers who have a smart meter can sign up for a Usage Alert. Similar to data alerts you get from your cellphone company, you can set a budget amount for your monthly energy bill and receive notices when you are approaching your limit.
    • Have the heating and air conditioning system checked regularly to maintain performance. Duke Energy offers qualified customers rebates to help offset the cost of replacing older HVAC units with more energy-efficient ones.
    • Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun to warm the house. Close them at night to help insulate your home.
    • Replace standard bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LED). LEDs are more efficient than regular bulbs, while giving off the same amount of light.
    • Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting when at home and down a degree or two when leaving home. If you have a heat pump, set the thermostat and leave it. Lowering it may cause the auxiliary heat to turn on, which is inefficient and expensive.
    • Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
    • Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
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    How much is that electric space heater costing you?

    If you use electric space heaters, look at the wattage. Many are rated at 1,500 watts, so if you use them as a main heating source, your costs could be significant. Using the example below and 10 cents as the average rate per kilowatt-hour, your cost is $3.60 per day if you ran the device 24 hours, or $108 per month per device.

    1. Multiply 1,500 watts (or the wattage of your heater) by X hours of use = A.
    2. Multiply A by your electricity rate per kilowatt-hour (national average is about 10 cents) = B.
    3. Divide B by 1,000.
  • Gas leak fixed at West Loveland Avenue and Loveland Madeira Road intersection – roads now open

    Gas leak fixed at West Loveland Avenue and Loveland Madeira Road intersection – roads now open

    Loveland, Ohio – A natural gas leak at the intersection of West Loveland Avenue and Loveland Madeira Road that caused residents and business owners to evacuate around 10 AM this morning has been repaired.

    A member of the Loveland/Symmes Fire Department and a Duke employee were checking for the presence of natural gas in the sewer lines this morning.

    The intersection was opened for traffic at 8:20 PM.

    Some residents were told to “shelter in place” and some were not allowed to enter their homes and businesses. Gas was detected inside some structures and Duke was monitoring sanitary and storm sewers, and basements for gas. One firefighter said that when they arrived at the scene this morning and lifted a manhole cover he could tell it was quite an extensive amount of gas. Gas was detected in some basements.

    Crews spent the better part of the morning and afternoon trying to pinpoint the exact spot of the leak. When it was found, a sleeve was placed around the pipe and welded closed. A compression fitting connecting the 2″ gas line failed. A Duke supervisor said it was a small leak, however because of the subsurface in the area being sand and gravel in this river valley, the gas traveled quite far from the leak before it was smelled on the surface.

  • Exact source of natural gas leak still not pinpointed – evacuation still in place

    Exact source of natural gas leak still not pinpointed – evacuation still in place

    Loveland, Ohio – Duke crews told Loveland Magazine at noon that they have not yet located the exact location of a natural gas leak that caused residents and business owners to evacuate around 10 AM this morning.

    At this time some are still being told to “shelter in place” and some are still not allowed back inside structures. Gas was detected inside some structures and Duke is currently monitoring sanitary and storm sewers, and basements for gas.

    Crews are currently digging and using jackhammers at the West Loveland Avenue and Loveland Madeira Road intersection.

    West Loveland Avenue is closed at Wall Street and further west up the hill past the Loveland Dairy Mart.

    Loveland Madeira Road is closed at Main and at Elm.

    No injuries have been reported.

     

  • Traffic signal improvements at Loveland’s busiest intersection

    Traffic signal improvements at Loveland’s busiest intersection

    Loveland, Ohio – The City of Loveland has budgeted $205,000 for construction improvements to the traffic signal at West Loveland Avenue, Loveland-Madeira Road, and Elm Street. The intersection will receive replacements of the controller, wiring, and other features, as well as an upgrade to radar vehicular detection capability and decorative poles. The City hired TEC Engineering began the traffic study and timing plan in 2017 in anticipation of this project.

    The project has been awarded to Elex, Inc., with construction planned to begin in late July and be complete by December 2018.

    Duke is also planning a gas service upgrade within the intersection.

    City Manager Dave Kennedy said, “The City’s project should be complete in 45 days. The traffic interruption portion of the project should be complete this week, weather dependent.”

    Two Podcasts by Loveland Author and Counselor, Fran Hendrick, PCC

    Empowering Your Daughter to Make New Friends

    Back-to-School topic is empowering girls to develop new friendships. I’ll be showing you things you can do to help your daughter gain confidence as she starts school.

    Separation anxiety really hurts – Moms can help

    Starting school can be hard on kids — and moms, too. This post is for you if your child is struggling with separation anxiety. Make sure to download the free planning tool!

  • Air quality remains dirty for Friday

    Air quality remains dirty for Friday

    Reduce prolonged or heavy outdoor exertion. Take more breaks, do less intense activities. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath. Schedule outdoor activities in the morning when ozone is lower.

    People with asthma should follow their asthma action plans and keep quick relief medicine handy.


    Air Quality Forecast for Friday, May 25

    (Click the Real-Time Air Quality link and watch in real-time as the pollution rolls across our region.)

    Air Quality Index (AQI)
    115
    		Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
    Health Message: Active children and adults, and people with lung disease, such as asthma, should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors.
    ACTION DAY

     

    Do Your Share!

    • Carpool, bike or walk instead of driving.
    • Use your most fuel efficient vehicle and drive gently.
    • Keep your motorcycle in the garage. They don’t have the pollution controls modern passenger vehicles do.
    • Refuel your vehicle after 8 PM; do not top off when refueling and tighten the gas cap.
    • Avoid idling your vehicle. (Avoid drive-thru windows.)
    • Combine trips and eliminate unnecessary vehicle trips
    • Do not use of gasoline-powered lawn equipment
    • Do not use of oil-based paints and stains
    • Never burn leaves or other yard trimmings.
    • Do not use fire pits.
    • Conserve electricity by turning off unnecessary lights.
    • Turn your air conditioner thermostat up and use room fans for cooling.
    • Save the power boating for another day.
    • Initiate an Air Pollution Alert Day policy where you work; whether that be a company you own, an employee, a local government agency you work for, or a school district.

    Sign up  for Enviroflash and Start Receiving Your Air Quality Forecast

    Children and Air Pollution

    Children face special risks from air pollution because their lungs are growing and because they are so active and breathe in a great deal of air.

    Just like the arms and legs, the largest portion of a child’s lungs will grow long after he or she is born. Eighty percent of their tiny air sacs develop after birth. Those sacs, called the alveoli, are where the life-sustaining transfer of oxygen to the blood takes place. The lungs and their alveoli aren’t fully grown until children become adults. In addition, the body’s defenses that help adults fight off infections are still developing in young bodies. Children have more respiratory infections than adults, which also seems to increase their susceptibility to air pollution.

    Furthermore, children don’t behave like adults, and their behavior also affects their vulnerability. They are outside for longer periods and are usually more active when outdoors. Consequently, they inhale more polluted outdoor air than adults typically do.

    Read on at The American Lung Association…

    Take advantage of special savings on energy efficient lighting and other products offered by Duke Energy

    LEDs use up to 90% less energy than traditional bulbs

    LEDs last at least 15 times longer than traditional bulbs

    Pottery Affaire in Loveland on Saturday, June 9th

    Whistle Stop Clay Works (WSCW) is hosting its first annual Pottery Affaire on Saturday, June 9th from 11am to 4pm. The show features unique,…

  • Loveland High School seniors Emily Kiehl and Radu Vasilescu receive $3,000 grant

    Loveland High School seniors Emily Kiehl and Radu Vasilescu receive $3,000 grant

    The CEI Foundation awards grant to teens’ project using virtual reality to treat eye disorder

    Blue Ash, Ohio – The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation, the charitable foundation of Cincinnati Eye Institute, has awarded two seniors at Loveland High School a grant of $3,000. The Foundation’s Research Committee, chaired by Robert Sisk, M.D., made this IGNITE grant to fund an innovative treatment for children with amblyopia, also known as lazy eye. This grant will fund additional computer equipment that will allow children to use virtual reality glasses to play games while strengthening eye muscles.

    Emily Kiehl and Radu Vasilescu came up with the idea to use Oculus Rift virtual reality technology to simulate patching one’s eye and playing games filled with perspective and optical depth perspective on the eye needing therapy.

    Kiehl, who was born with amblyopia and was successfully treated for the condition, sees this as a potential treatment method. “Using the VR headset, we believe that children can force their brain to start using both eyes evenly,” Kiehl said.

    “By surpassing 40 plus college-level teams with our high school prototype, we proved our project is worthwhile and has recognized potential.” – Radu Vasilescu

    Kiehl and Vasilescu built a prototype of this design at the University of Cincinnati event “Revolution UC,” a 24-hour, team-based project development competition and won the first place prize awarded by a panel of IT professionals. They invested the winnings from this prize into development of the project.

    “By surpassing 40 plus college-level teams with our high school prototype, we proved our project is worthwhile and has recognized potential,” added Vasilescu.

    Kiehl and Vasilescu previously built a computer from scrap parts and a loaned graphics card. The computers will enable them to expand their research into the effectiveness of this approach.

    Kiehl and Vasilescu presented the idea to The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation and were awarded a $3,000 grant which they will use to purchase two high-powered computers needed to run the program. The students previously built a computer from scrap parts and a loaned graphics card. The computers will enable them to expand their research into the effectiveness of this approach.

    “We are happy to award Emily and Radu an IGNITE grant for their forward-thinking and entrepreneurial approach to help children born with amblyopia.” – Patrick Ward

    “We are happy to award Emily and Radu an IGNITE grant for their forward-thinking and entrepreneurial approach to help children born with amblyopia,” said Patrick Ward, president of The Cincinnati Eye Institute Foundation. “We support efforts for new treatments to help eye disorders, and know that this project has the ability to help many young children.”

    The team is hoping to involve students in the Loveland School District, as well as Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in their project to help them test out the technology.

    Both Kiehl and Vasilescu will graduate from Loveland High School this spring and will pursue computer science degrees; Kiehl will attend the University of Cincinnati and Vasilescu will attend Duke University.

    Watch this video where Emily and Radu explain their invention and talk about what it does.

    Also read this story about Emily Kiehl and Radu Vasilescu:

    Loveland High School seniors Emily Kiehl and Radu Vasilescu receive $3,000 grant

    Wildflower House — where women & girls bloom!