
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 13, 1994                   TAG: 9402140346
SECTION: HOMES                    PAGE: E1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Knight-Ridder Newspapers
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PUTTING IN A PLUG FOR SAVING ELECTRICITY

If you're tired of paying huge electrical bills, here's a product that might help.

It's called a GreenPlug. You plug this device into an electrical outlet and plug into it your refrigerator, freezer, unit air conditioner, electric washer or gas dryer. There's a GreenPlug for each appliance.

Inside the GreenPlug is kind of a minicomputer. It helps the appliance motor draw and use electricity more efficiently. Electric motors often waste up to 25 percent of the electricity they draw. GreenPlug's manufacturers estimate that it can save up to $35 a year if used with a refrigerator.

Southern California Edison lists its price per kilowatt hour at 12.01 cents, the savings would be approximately $30 per year for the GreenPlug servicing a refrigerator or freezer.

In addition, GreenPlug acts as a surge protector.

Most home centers sell GreenPlugs for about $30 each. They're usually a bit higher in other types of stores. Each GreenPlug comes with a 10-year warranty.

\ Many people consider remodeling at this time of year. Here are a few guidelines on which to build your remodel foundation:

Be specific in the contract. Don't let the contractor say: "We don't have to write it in, I'll just do it for you." This will protect you as well as the contractor. Any changes also should be put in writing as amendments to the contract.

Try to make any changes before actual construction takes place. They'll cost a lot less in the blueprint stage.

\ It calls itself "The magazine of remodeling and decorating." It's February issue has a sizable spread on "6 Homes to Fit Today's Family," but tucked away in the back of the issue is a little gem of a story.

It's called "Cold Facts About Hot-Water Heaters." Beside explaining in words and graphics how a water heater works, it offers the reader some alternatives such as tankless gas-fired water heaters and whole-house tankless heaters.

The average water heater might be the most overlooked, most misunderstood but most important appliance in a home.

by CNB