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Community Corner

Cut the Cord to Decrease Electric Bill

Products and programs to increase energy efficiency help consumers save.

With electric rates projected to increase, finding ways to cut the bill — and curb energy consumption — can present a challenge.

“You can turn off your lights when you leave a room to save money, but you also need to unplug any appliances you aren’t using,” said Robert Blocks, assistant store manager of . “Otherwise, you risk losing power through phantom power loss, which refers to appliances like coffeemakers and toasters that continue to use a small amount of power, even when they’re switched off.”

To fight phantom power loss, Blocks suggested unplugging any appliances not in use. “It’s not always possible to turn off some appliances, like refrigerators, but there’s always something you can turn off.”

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To cut lighting costs, Blocks advised switching bulbs to energy-efficient CFLs (compact fluorescent lamps) and LEDs (light-emitting diodes). For outdoor lighting, he suggested using solar-powered lights when possible.

“It’s also important to make your home energy-efficient,” Blocks said. “Install a new furnace filter to maximize your airflow. If your filter is dirty, then your furnace’s motor will need to work harder.”

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Window insulation kits and door sweeps also help keep the cold air out of the home. In addition, ceiling fans should be rotated clockwise to circulate the warm air from the ceiling to the floor.

Ron Cacioppo, owner of , recommended using occupancy sensors, especially in homes with young children.

“Kids tend to leave the lights on when they leave a room. Sensors will be able to turn off the lights in case someone forgot,” he said.

“You can also save money by using dimmers for your lights,” Cacioppo said. “However, you’ll need to use a lot of dimmers for your lights to see a difference in savings.”

Turning off personal computers when not in use is another way consumers can save money on their electric bill.

According to Jason Sauer, a technician at , the age of the personal computer also affects how much energy is used. “The new computers are much more energy-efficient and can draw less power when they are in ‘sleep’ mode,” he explained. “If your computer is more than five or six years old, then you should consider buying a new one because they’re much more energy-efficient. It’s a double-dip for the consumer, because the new computers use less energy and also work much faster.”

The village of Buffalo Grove’s website also has information on ways residents can save money on their electric bills.

“Residents can take part in the CUB Energy Saver program, which is a free, online program available through the village’s website,” Deputy Village Manager Ghida Neukirch said. “Through the program, residents can receive recommendations on how they can lower their electric bill.”

In addition, the CUB Energy Saver program allows residents to earn two rewards points for every kilowatt-hour saved. The points then can be redeemed for discounts at various retailers, including Footlocker, Omaha Steaks, FTD and Sears.

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