SLASH WINTER UTILITIES

10 Ways to Slash Winter Utility Bills

By Barbara Pronin

Cold weather is great for winter sports, but
on the home front it brings higher utility bills as we try to stay snug and
warm. Apart from making best use of the fireplace, it’s a natural and necessary
expense. But there are steps we can take to save on gas and electricity even in
the coldest days of winter.

Small steps can add up to worthwhile savings,
according to consumer consultants at Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), who
offer 10 tips for lowering utility bills:

• Laundry – Washing your clothes at a lower temperature than
  usual saves energy and money.
• Lights off – Train yourself (and the kids) to switch off
  the lights whenever you leave a room.
• Light bulbs – Changing regular light bulbs for energy
  saving models can save up to 75 percent of electricity usage for each bulb.
• Reducing drafts – Check for drafts around windows and
  doors. Filling them in won’t cost much but will help save big on utility bills.
• Refrigerator – Every time you open the door, you make the
  fridge work harder. Be more efficient about how often you open it and how long
  you keep it open. Also, if you have hot food leftovers, cool them before
  refrigerating.
• Cooking – Cooking larger portions and freezing leftovers
  for future use will reduce your total cooking time.
• Tea time – When you put the kettle on, boil only as much
  water as you will need for a one-time use.
• Showers – Showering for just a few minutes less will save a
  lot of energy – especially if the whole family does it.
• Air filters- Make sure they fit properly and that you clean
  or replace them regularly.
• Shut the door – Don’t heat the rooms you don’t use. Keep
  their doors closed and turn off the heating vents.

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