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Do This To Pay Less For Utilities

Avatar photo Roxanne
3 min read

Are the costs of your utilities spiraling out of control? We’ll show you several ways to pay less.

Tips To Use Less Electricity

Before we jump into assistance programs that can help lower your utility costs, let’s discuss some ways to use less electricity, which can keep more cash in your wallet.

  1. Invest in a programmable thermostat that can change the temperature when you’re not home to cut cooling and heating costs.
  2. If a device is not in use, unplug it, as phantom energy is one of the biggest portions of your bill.
  3. Turn off devices when you’re not using them, so you don’t have to charge them as often.
  4. Use your car to charge devices like your phone and tablet instead of doing it at home.
  5. Use the washer and dryer for full loads only.
  6. Purchase wool dryer balls to dry your clothes quicker, so you use less electricity.
  7. Use a drying rack to dry your clothes using the sun’s rays if possible.
  8. Open your blinds when you’re home to enjoy natural light and close them when you leave to avoid triggering your AC.
  9. Purchase motion sensors for your lights so they only stay on if someone’s in the room.
  10. Cut your lighting costs by 90 percent by switching to LED lights.

How To Get Assistance With Your Utility Bills

The tips above can lower your electricity bill. The following tips can yield a similar result by using utility assistance programs and other methods to reduce those expenses.

Talk To Your Provider

If you’re behind on a utility bill, don’t think the problem will disappear on its own. Instead, tackle it head-on by contacting your provider and letting them know why you cannot pay on time. Then, ask what repayment options are available. They may give you a discount to make the bill more manageable, or they can put you on a payment plan that fits your budget. Either is better than getting your service disconnected, so don’t hesitate to call as soon as possible.

When speaking to the provider, ask if they know of any financial assistance programs that can help pay your bill. Some utility companies work with nonprofit organizations to offer this service to those in need.

Call 211

If you haven’t paid your utility bills for a while and fear that you’ll lose service, a quick call to 211 can help. When a local operator answers, tell them that you cannot pay your bills. They should be able to connect you to a local organization or assistance program that can help before it’s too late.

Let LIHEAP Cover Your Cooling And Heating Costs

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can pay your cooling and heating costs to lower your electricity bill significantly. They can also make your home more energy-efficient to lower your future bills and, if needed, replace or repair cooling or heating equipment.

To see if you qualify for this program, go here.

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