Electricity
- To save as much as hundreds of dollars a year on electricity, make certain that any new appliances you purchase, especially air conditioners and furnaces, are energy-efficient. Information on the energy efficiency of major appliances is found on Energy Guide Labels required by federal law.
- Enrolling in load management programs and off-hour rate programs offered by your electric utility may save you up to $100 a year in electricity costs. Call your electric utility for information about these cost-saving programs.
Home Heating
- A home energy audit can identify ways to save up to hundreds of dollars a year on home heating (and air conditioning). Ask your electric or gas utility if they can do this audit for free or for a reasonable charge. If they cannot, ask them to refer you to a qualified professional.
Local Telephone Service
- Check with your phone company to see whether a flat rate or measured service plan will save you the most money.
- You will usually save money by buying your phones instead of leasing them.
- Check your local phone bill to see if you have optional services that you don't really need or use. Each option you drop could save you $40 or more each year.
Long Distance Telephone Service
- Long distance calls made during evenings, at night, or on weekends can cost significantly less than weekday calls.
- If you make more than a few long distance calls each month, consider subscribing to a calling plan. Call several long distance companies to see which one has the least expensive plan for the calls you make.
- Whenever possible, dial your long distance calls directly. Using the operator to complete a call can cost you an extra $6.
(Information provided by Consumer Literacy Consortium)
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