TIPS FOR BOTTOM-LINE SAVINGS

For a limited time, Pasadena restaurant owners and othersin the food service industry can receive a free low-flowpre-rinse kitchen spray unit that can save up to 75,000gallons of water each year. Free installation is available forany PWP commercial customer whose water supply is gas-heated.

Pre-rinse spray units make washing utensils, pots, pans anddishes quick and efficient. Typical spray heads are notlow-flow, and this program offers a painless way toconvert to a water-saving unit. The new generation oflow-flow spray units are equipped with automatic shut-offvalves and are designed to produce a powerful fan jet that

sprays away soap and debris with much less water. Notonly will the device help you achieve lower water bills, itwill help you join PWP’s community effort to protect ournatural resources. Conservation is especially importantnow, as Southern California has been struck with anextended dry spell.

To receive a free spray head, call PWP’s AnswerLine at(626) 744-6970. A representative will be scheduled toinstall your sprayer and complete a small water audit ofyour facilities to help you find even more ways to savewater every month.

Keeping Pasadena’s Business Community Connected

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PAIDPasadena, CAPERMIT # 740

PASADENA WATER & POWER150 S LOS ROBLES AVE STE 350PASADENA CA 91101

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Keeping Pasadena’s Business Community Connected

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NEWS

Southern California is experiencing its driest yearon record. But as concern grows over a statewidedrought, PWP Engineering Manager Brad Bomanreports Pasadenans have little to fear. “We willcontinue to have a steady supply of water,” Bomanreports, “because PWP has secured a variety ofwater sources. We have also been very proactive instoring groundwater for future needs.”

The water pumped daily to customers is a mix ofgroundwater, local surface water and water fromNorthern California and the Colorado River,purchased from the Metropolitan Water District.“When any one of these sources is low,” Bomansaid, “PWP relies more heavily on other options.”For instance, because of dry conditions, streamwater from the San Gabriel Mountains that

PWP normally captures is just 10 percent of itsnormal flow, while the Colorado River is athistorical lows. While these sources are limited,PWP is maximizing its use of water from NorthernCalifornia, where rainfall is at 95 percent of average.MWD’s new Diamond Valley reservoir in Hemet isalso nearly full, helping to minimize shortages.

“Water conservation will always be extremelyimportant,” Boman said, “and we encourage ourcustomers to do their part. But PWP has plannedcarefully to avoid problems.”

November 2002

Hundreds of Pasadena business owners have shown their commitment to conserving energy by cutting undueelectric use, outfitting their facilities with energy-efficient equipment and taking advantage of PWP’s manyincentive programs. Business owners who have shown exceptional leadership may now be eligible to displaythe Energy Star® label at their facilities.

Sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Energy Star program honors office buildings,grocery stores, hotels, K-12 schools and hospitals that receive a benchmark score of 75 or higher on an on-lineenergy survey. Called the “portfolio manager,” the survey compares the energy performance of a wide range ofcommercial buildings against similar buildings across the country. Once a business has achieved a score of 75or higher, the owner or facility manager must then have a licensed, professional engineer certify that thebuilding meets industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality.

Finally, the business owner must submit an application letter and verified Statement of Energy Performance tothe EPA. If accepted, the building will be added to the EPA’s registry and the facility manager will havepermission to display the Energy Star® logo. Four Pasadena buildings have made the list so far. For completedetails, visit www.energystar.gov and click on “Benchmark your building’s energy performance.”

LIVE WIREDIALOGUE

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IMPORTANT NUMBERS

AnswerLine Customer Service Water Emergencies Power Emergencies

626.744.6970 626.744.4005 626.744.4138 626.744.4673

www.PWPweb.com

Don Pappe, PWP Directorof Customer Care, is a 30-plus-year veteran of theelectric and water utilityindustry.

Dear Don:

I’m interested in details on the new LEEDbuilding mentioned in last month’s issue.

Pasadena’s first “green” LEED building is underconstruction at 2812 E. Walnut St. A project ofYorkshire Development, the $2.6 million structure ispoised to receive certification from the Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design (LEED) programof the U.S. Green Building Council, emphasizingstate-of-the-art strategies for water and energyefficiency and environmental stewardship. Just a fewof the features include a wall of windows andskylights that will cut the building’s energy load,recycled carpet and insulation, double-pane windows,faucet aerators, a CFC-free air conditioning system, aroof-top solar energy system, an electric vehiclecharger and flooring made from quick-growingbamboo. The developer has also installed water-saving xeriscape landscaping. Watch for an openhouse next spring. For details on LEED, visitwww.usgbc.org.

Dear Don:

I have a tree growing close to a power line; what should I do?

When tree branches tangle with power lines, they canstart fires and damage utility lines and equipment.Lines running through trees can carry high voltage,which can cause severe injury or even death. Nevertry to trim a problem tree yourself; instead, call (626)744-4673 to report it. PWP’s crews have been certifiedin trimming trees the safe way, using techniques fromthe International Society of Arboriculture.

Dear Don:

Are rebates still available for coin-operatedwashing machines?

Yes. PWP commercial customers may receive a $250rebate for each coin or card-operated high-efficiency(HE) clothes washer installed. These models use up to40 percent less energy and 50 percent less water,saving more than 25,000 gallons per year. The rebateapplies to HE washers whose water factor (gallons percycle) is less than 11.0. Some models may also qualifyfor an additional EnergyStar® and/or Light Washrebate. Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit PWPweb.com for a list of qualifyingwashers, or call PWP’s AnswerLine for more details.

CUSTOMERSPOTLIGHT

When you own your own home, trimming your monthlyutility bill may be as simple as a trip to the hardware store.Renters can also trim their bills with good conservation

habits, but their monthlycosts also depend on thetypes of appliances they haveon hand. PWP is pleased tooffer many incentives tolandlords that may help.

“We are often asked toperform energy audits forcustomers who live in apart-ments,” said PWP AccountManager Ray Barefield. “Inmany cases, we offer conser-vation tips to help themreduce their electric costs.We also try to leave informa-tion on our energy rebateswith Pasadena landlords thatare interested in replacingoutdated, less efficient equip-

ment with more modern, energy-efficient equipment.”

One example of a landlord who teamed up with PWP isLambert M. Giessinger, owner of the 24-unit WinstonApartments at 405 S. Los Robles Ave. Constructed in1966, his building includes seven two-bedroom units, 13 one-bedroom units and four studio flats. Offered on a one-year lease, all of the units are now occupied bysatisfied tenants.

It’s easy to see why. Giessinger’s efforts have dramaticallylowered his – and his tenants’ – bills. He has replaced thebuilding’s vintage refrigerators with energy-saving models,installed compact fluorescent light bulbs to illuminate

hallways, replaced a “dying” washing machine with a newwater-saving appliance and switched to natural gas heatersfor the building’s clothes dryers. Most importantly, herecently replaced his units’ original heaters with high-efficiency heat pumps. “My tenants have been very happyto see their electric bills go down considerably,” he said.“The new heaters work much better and more efficiently.”

Installling new, energy-saving equipment is almost alwaysa good investment, as Giessinger found. “Some of therepairmen who were coming out were even younger thanmy units,” he laughed. “Instead of paying $85 an hour tohave someone tell me anappliance was dead, itmade more sense to installmodern equipment.”

While he made theimprovements primarily for his tenants’ benefit,Giessinger has also enjoyedlower maintenance costs,fewer repair bills, rebatesfrom PWP and no moremiddle-of-the-night phonecalls from tenants.

“PWP is always encourag-ing energy efficiency andwater conservation,” Bare-field said. “and the WinstonApartments is a great suc-cess story. Mr. Giessinger’sefforts created a winningsituation for his tenants,himself and for the localPasadena community.” Call PWP today for rebate details.

The 24-unit Winston Apartmentsat 405 S. Los Robles Ave.

Mr. Giessinger shows off hisWinston Apartments high-efficiency rooftop package unit.