Reading Skills for Today's Adults

It comes every month. Look inside the mailbox. There it is…the dreaded utility bill. Is it scary to open? Does the “amount due” seem to grow larger and larger? How can you shrink the size of your bill? How can you save money on utilities?

Cooling and Heating

• Set the thermostat at the highest comfortable level in the summer and the lowest in the winter. It is best to set it no lower than 78 degrees in the summer. Each extra degree can raise cooling costs by 6%. Set it no higher than 68 degrees in the winter. Each extra degree can raise heating costs by 3% (or more). 

• Use fans to move the air. Fans use about one-tenth as much electricity as an air conditioner. They make it feel about ten degrees cooler.

• Look for areas where air is leaking out. Check around doors, windows, and other areas that may feel drafty. Use caulk, weather stripping, or plastic to close the gaps. A one-eighth inch opening around two doorframes will let in as much warm/cold air as a small window open six inches.

• Close doors or heating vents in rooms that do not get much use.

• In the summer, keep sunlight out by closing blinds or curtains. In the winter, let the warmth of the sunlight in.

Electricity

• Use your microwave instead of your stove. It can save you 50% in energy costs for cooking. 

• Use LED bulbs. They last much longer than regular bulbs and use less energy. They also provide more light.

Use these simple tips, and you’ll be doing two great things. You will save money and save energy. It’s good for your wallet and good for our earth!