Reduce Your Energy Bills

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO REDUCE YOUR ENERGY BILLS
The average U.S. family spends close to $1,300 a year on their home’s utility bills. A large portion of that energy is wasted through poorly insulated windows and doors. By using a few inexpensive energy-efficient measures you can reduce your energy bills by 10% to 50%. Here is a simple checklist to give you an idea of the things you can do to help conserve energy in your home.

• Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120^oF). You’ll not only save energy, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.

• Check if your water heater has an insulating blanket.

• Put on a sweater and turn down the thermostat. For every degree you lower your thermostat below 73^o you will save approximately 4% on your heating bill.

• Turn down the thermostat to 62^o at night or if you’re at work all day.

• If you have an unused room, close the register or turn off the radiator.
• Vacuum vents, radiators and registers. Make sure they are not blocked by furniture.
• Wash your laundry in cold or warm water rather than hot.
• Clean or replace furnace and heat-pump filters.
• Install a programmable thermostat to control the temperature automatically at night and when you are at work.
• Seal the largest air leaks in your house. The worst culprits are usually not windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes.
• Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.
• Open drapes and blinds during sunny days, close them at night.

Energy-efficient improvements not only make your home more comfortable, they can yield long-term financial rewards.

You can stabilize monthly bills by participating in the yearly budget plan which helps alleviate the effects of higher prices by spreading the costs evenly throughout the year. Sign-up for the program at City Hall or call 346-4455 for more information.

In addition, both Federal and State energy assistance programs are available to natural gas customers who have a limited budget. Contact Otter Tail County Human Services Energy Assistance at 1-800-450-2310 to see if you qualify.

Perham Natural Gas is working to manage natural gas costs and continue to provide you with the reliable service to which you are accustomed. If you have any questions or comments regarding this letter or the gas pricing issue, contact us at (218) 346-4455 or toll free at (877) 864-7963.

Thank you for your continued support.

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