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Citizen Connection Dec 2020Winter Energy Saving Tips With cooler temperatures here, energy usage will increase. To help you save energy and money, Denton Municipal Electric has prepared the following Winter energy-saving tips: 1. Take advantage of heat from the sun Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows. 2. Cover drafty windows If you can’t replace a drafty window, then stop air leaks by adding caulking, weatherstripping, or sealing a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet onto the window frame during the cold winter months. 3. Adjust the temperature Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when you are home and awake. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat down 5°-10° from your usual setting. This could save you 10% a year on your electric bill. A programmable thermostat can make this change easy. 4. Maintain your heating systems Schedule service for your heating system and replace your filter as recommended by the manufacturer, usually every 2-3 months, or as needed. 5. Reduce heat loss from the fireplace Unless a fire is burning, keep your fireplace damper closed. Keeping the damper open is like having a window wide open. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided), closing doors leading into the room, and lowering the thermostat. 6. Lower your water heating costs Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy and money, you’ll avoid scalding your hands. 7. Use efficient holiday lighting options Reduce the cost of decorating your home for the winter holidays by using LED light strings. 8. Learn about energy efficiency & apply for rebates Contact the City’s Sustainability Department to discuss energy usage habits and apply for energy efficiency rebates. Email rebates@cityofdenton.com or call (940) 349-7733 for more information. As the holidays are approaching Denton residents may arrange for their non-artificial, non-flocked trees to be collected curbside, at no additional charge. All trees need to be free of lights, ornaments, tinsel, ribbon and tree stand. Place the tree at the curb four feet from your trash and recycling carts. The trees will be diverted from the landfill and will be used by the Beneficial Reuse Division to make Dyno Dirt. Artificial, flocked or decorated trees cannot be composted. Call customer service at (940) 349-8700 to schedule your tree collection. If you have opted into the yard waste program no need to call and schedule. You may also bring your non-artificial, non-flocked trees tree out to the City of Denton Landfill at 1527 S. Mayhill Rd.— no fees apply. If you are looking for other sustainable options, try getting a tree to plant after the holidays. Visit www.dentonrecycles.com for more information. Holiday Waste Tip Holiday Solid Waste and Recycling Schedule • Dec. 24, 2020 – No effect to collections, Landfill open 7 a.m. to noon. • Dec. 25, 2020 – No effect to collections, Landfill closed. • Jan. 1, 2021 – No effect to collections, Landfill closed. • Jan. 21, 2021 - There will be no curbside collection on Monday, Jan. 21. See the holiday pickup schedule below. - Monday’s pickup will move to Tuesday; - Tuesday’s pickup will move to Wednesday; - Wednesday’s pickup will move to Thursday; - and Thursday’s pickup will move to Friday. - Landfill open 7 a.m. to noon. A publication of the City of Denton Department of Public Affairs ADA/EOE/ADEA • TDD (800) 735-2989 • www.cityofdenton.com Batteries come in all different shapes and sizes, but when they don’t work or are expired it’s important that you do not put them in your trash or recycling cart. This is because batteries are composed of different chemical compounds and there are a multitude of types. It’s important that batteries are disposed of properly because the chemicals inside can cause dangerous contamination issues, explosions or fires when they are compressed or exposed to water. City of Denton residents can schedule a pickup for batteries to be collected curbside free of charge by calling Customer Service at (940) 349-8700. Residents may schedule a collection and place batteries in a plastic bag outside by the curb for pickup. The Home Chemical Collection (HCC) Department will then collect and properly dispose of your items. Residents may also schedule collections for items such as used motor oil, cooking oil (screw top lid), paint (of all kinds), light bulbs (of all kinds), household cleaners, aerosol cans, automotive fluids/fuels, lawn/garden items (including fertilizer, pesticides and weed killers), pool chemicals, varnishes, strippers, turpentine, stains, glues, and epoxies. For info, visit www.dentonrecycles.com. How to Dispose of Expired Batteries With the holidays here, you may have excess waste from holiday gifts or family meals. We encourage all residents to use the three R’s to minimize waste: reduce, reuse, recycle. However, if you are unable to donate or have a bulky item that is broken, the City offers curbside collection for bulky waste. Bulky waste service allows residents to schedule up to 2 large bulky household items for collection each week at no additional charge. Fees will apply for more than 2 items scheduled in a week. These items are household items such as sofas, bedroom furniture, chairs, tables, and more. Extra trash bags can be scheduled for collection as bulky waste as well. Each trash bag would count as one bulky item. Each additional item can be collected at a rate of $5 per item. Construction and demolition waste such as lumber, brick, fencing, drywall, fixtures, and carpet is not included in this service. Bulky item pick-up must be scheduled at least one day before collection by calling Customer Service at (940) 349-8700. Large items can also be taken to the City of Denton Landfill; fees apply. If you have a question about an item, check out the waste wizard application at www.dentonrecycles.com. Scheduling Pickup for Bulky Waste Know Your Point of Contact for Utility Emergencies The City of Denton plans for every possibility, but sometimes this little thing called life can happen. In the event that you experience power or water outages, we want to provide you with the tools to contact us and get life back on track. To report a utilities-related incident or outage that requires immediate attention, such as downed electrical poles or wires, a water main break, a clogged or overflowing sewer main, or a leaking water meter or hydrant, call our Emergency Utility Dispatch line at (940) 349-7000. You can also notify the City of non-immediate issues through Engage Denton. Download the mobile app on your smartphone or submit a request online at www.engagedenton.com. The City also provides up to date information on outages, street closures due to repair crews being on site, and timelines of when service will return on our Twitter (@cityofdentontx and @dmepower) Schedule bulky waste pickup at least one day in advance. Utility Dispatch has received724 home water meter calls received DME’s average outage response has decreased to minutes 26 Combined, there have been 360 Water Distribution & Waste Water calls received *Based on 2020 call data from the City of Denton Utility Dispatch Department and Denton Municipal Electric.