| The cost for energy takes up a big portion of the | | | | utility service to check if there is a low rate offered |
| family budget. For this reason, many are looking for | | | | during any specific time of the day. |
| energy solutions and different alternative energy | | | | 4. You may also save money by lowering your |
| types. It is hoped that alternative energies will help | | | | heating bills. You may set your thermostat down 3 |
| lower the cost of energy and help prevent an energy | | | | degrees to make you save 3 percent on your bills. |
| crisis. In the meantime, there are several ways that | | | | You may even save more by not using it while you |
| you can cut back on your heating bill: | | | | are at work or you can even turn it lower during |
| 1. Identify which appliances consume much electricity | | | | nighttime when you are asleep. This can help you |
| and contribute the most in making the electric bill | | | | conserve electricity and save more money. |
| cost that much. You can save hundreds of dollars | | | | 5. You may want to lessen your long distance |
| annually by enrolling in a home management load | | | | telephone calls to lower your telephone bills. If you |
| program that offers a $100 savings in a year on | | | | need to call a very important person, you may call |
| electric utility hour rate programs. This will help you | | | | during weekends and night hours. Telephone |
| lower your electric payments and will teach you on | | | | companies offer a lower rate for long distance calls |
| home energy conservation. | | | | during those times of the day. The best alternative |
| 2. It is recommended that you have improved | | | | to save money is by using the Internet to |
| appliance efficiency. The heating system appliances | | | | communicate with your friends and relatives instead |
| are the ones that consume too much electricity. The | | | | of the telephone. |
| refrigerator and the water heater consume that | | | | 6. You may want to consider lowering your water |
| much energy as well. Make sure to check these | | | | bills in order to save money. Check if there are leaks. |
| items regularly to ensure their efficiency. A | | | | Leaks cause the overusage of water and raise your |
| well-maintained appliance will sustain its performance | | | | water bills. |
| and will give you its accurate use of electricity. | | | | The use of alternative energies as a main heating |
| 3. Always remember to give your furnace a tune up | | | | source is far fetched for many homeowners, but |
| at least twice a year. You have to cover the water | | | | alternative energy research may make it more |
| heater to insulate it and give your refrigerator coils a | | | | affordable for the average Joe to implement some |
| cleaning at least twice a year as well. You may also | | | | of these alternate heating measures. Until then, follow |
| set a timer for the heater to have regular flow of | | | | the above tips. |
| electricity whenever it is in use. You may call your | | | | |