Citizen Connection July 2020Protect Your Home
Against Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes transmit malaria, the Zika Virus, the
West Nile Virus, and pass on heartworm disease
in dogs. According to the Texas Department of
State Health Services, there were 958 cases of the
West Nile Virus in Texas over the last 5 years. With
the Summer approaching and outdoor activities
on the rise protecting ourselves from mosquito-
borne illnesses is more important than ever.
Below are some ways you can protect yourself
and your family this mosquito season:
• Eliminate standing and stagnant water
from your property. Mosquitoes breed in
standing water.
• Drain or treat pools that haven’t been
maintained.
• Don’t store objects outside that can collect
water like empty buckets, tires, kiddie pools,
empty flowerpots, and wheelbarrows. Move
these items into a garage or shed when they
aren’t being used.
• Drill holes in yard decorations where water
might collect.
• Keep mosquitoes out of your home by:
• Replacing damaged window and
door screens.
• Using fans and air conditioning systems.
Most mosquitoes are weak fliers and hate
the cold.
Good property maintenance requires that we all
do our part to prevent mosquito breeding around
our homes. Let’s all do what we can to keep
ourselves and each other safe this summer.
Ask an Expert: Denton
Municipal Electric
In this Ask an Expert column, Denton Municipal
Electric (DME) is answering some of your most
common questions. If you have more questions
for them, reach out to Customer Service at
(940) 349-8700.
Why have I lost power, but my neighbor hasn’t?
• Different circuits (e.g., power lines, poles, or
transformers) may power different homes,
allowing for complete or partial isolation or
energy loss of sections within a neighborhood.
• Malfunction of customer-owned equipment
may be the cause. If only one address is facing
an outage, hiring a licensed electrician to
troubleshoot and repair is recommended.
• If customer-owned equipment is not the issue,
DME field crews will check all DME equipment
and make repairs once the outage is reported
to DME’s outage line, (940) 349-7000.
Why is power out only in my apartment or in
half of my house?
• Power outages in single apartment units or in
individual sections of a house may be caused
by a tripped breaker.
• If an entire apartment complex is out of power
or the lights are dim or flickering, there is likely
a partial power issue, which should be reported
to DME’s outage line, (940) 349-7000.
What should I do if a storm damaged my
meter box?
• Meter base and piping are considered
customer property. If this equipment is
damaged, customers should contact a licensed
electrician to complete the necessary repairs.
After repairs have been made, your electrician
must schedule an inspection with the City of
Denton Building Safety Division. Contact them
at (940) 349-8360.
Do I get a discount for my power being out?
• Customers are charged only for the electricity
they use. If there is an outage, then no
electricity is recorded through the meter and
no charges occur.
A publication of the City of Denton Department of Public Affairs
ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com
As the summer temperatures go up, so can your
utility bill. The following tips can help you save
energy, water, and money, while still being
comfortable this summer:
• Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy
efficient bulbs such as Light Emitting Diode
(LEDs), especially in “high use” fixtures
or lamps.
• Avoid leaving the faucet running while brushing
your teeth or doing dishes.
• Only run the dishwasher with full loads and
“heated dry” turned off. Let dishes air dry.
• Wash full laundry loads and use cold water.
Heating hot water accounts for about 90
percent of the energy your machine uses to
wash clothes.
• Ensure that your sprinkler system is
programmed to deliver the correct amount
of water at the right time. 1 inch per week is
sufficient for your lawn and watering in the
early morning or late evening is best to ensure
the water does not evaporate before plants are
able to use it.
• Set your water heater temperature to 120
degrees Fahrenheit, if you have an in-unit
water heater.
• Set your thermostat to 78 degrees or higher
in the summer, and 68 degrees or lower
in the winter. Ceiling fans also help keep you
comfortable at higher thermostat settings.
Install a programmable thermostat to
automatically adjust your home’s temperature
when you’re away or sleeping.
• Reduce “phantom” electric loads with power
strips. Some electronics and appliances
continue to use energy when plugged in.
“Smart” power strips are available for
electronics, to separate devices that can be
shut off when not in use from those that need
to stay on.
For more information on how to conserve, visit
www.sustainabledenton.com.
Summer Conservation Tips
4 Tips to Conserve
Water Outdoors