Easton Utilities will recognize Public Power and Gas Week, October 3-9, along with more than 2,700 other community-powered electric and gas utilities. “This year, we focus on the people behind public power and gas who take pride in helping customers receive the most optimal services, at a low cost,” said Jim Crowley, Natural Gas Department Manager for Easton Utilities.
- To mark Public Power and Gas Week, Easton Utilities offers a few tips on how to save energy and money in your home, while caring for the environment and the community we live in:
- Plug energy leaks with weather stripping and caulking, and be sure your house is properly insulated — you can save up to 20 percent on heating/cooling bills, and make your home more comfortable.
- Clean or change filters regularly. A dirty furnace or air conditioning filter will slow airflow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool.
- Install a programmable thermostat to save up to 10 percent on cooling and heating costs.
- Wash clothes in cold water. Heating the water in a washer uses 90 percent of the energy used to wash clothes. According to Energy Star, by switching to cold water, you can save $30-$40 every year.
- Use energy-efficient light bulbs including halogen incandescent, CFLs, and LEDs to reduce energy use by as much as 80 percent.
- Turn off all lights, appliances and electronics not in use. Better still, use a power strip and turn off devices and lights that are not in use to cut standby power, to save $100 a year on your electricity bill.
- To save energy at home, replace incandescent bulbs with energy saving lights. LED lights use up to 90% less energy than incandescent bulbs while lasting up to 25 times longer
- Conserve energy by turning off and unplugging all electrical devices that aren’t in use.
“We know that using energy wisely to lower monthly electric bills is important to Easton’s residents,” said Easton Utilities Electric Department Manager John E. Hines. “While we are sharing these tips during Public Power Week, we hope our community will keep an eye on energy efficiency all year round.”
Easton Utilities is a member of the American Public Power Association and the American Public Gas Association. These associations advocate and advise on various policy, trends, training and operations. They provide benchmarks and standards for all member utilities to use for measurement and accountability.