Utility Bills Increase

As you may be aware, UI is raising electrical rates by 50%. This will mean higher bills.
Click here for information on the UI Helps Program, a service that can save you money on your electric bill every month

Conserving energy is easy and it pays off. Below, BHA has compiled some everyday tips to help you conserve energy and save money. Visit uinet.com for more energy saving tips. The sooner you begin, the more you can save.

Heating Tips

• Weatherize: Plug leaks around windows, doors, ducts, pipes and electrical outlets with caulking and weather-stripping. Insulating window films are also an inexpensive way to help seal drafty old windows
• Free heat: In the winter, keep blinds or drapes open on sun-exposed windows during the day and closed at night to conserve heat
• Close off all unoccupied areas of the house.
• Vent check: Be sure furniture and drapes don’t block the air flow from the floor vent
• Set thermostat 68 degrees, 2-3 degrees lower if you'll be away from the house for several hours
• Use warm clothes, blankets, etc. to feel warmer
• Use ceiling fans ("backwards") to circulate warm air down from the ceiling
• Cooking helps heat your home - but don't use the oven as a primary heat source

Cooling Tips

• Set thermostat at 78-80 degrees, 2-3 degrees higher if you'll be away from the house for several hours
• Turn off your air conditioner when no one is home
• Close your drapes and shades to keep the sun out
• Use room fans or ceiling fans instead of air-conditioning
• Turn off fans when room is unoccupied
• Replace filter in air conditioning unit at least once a month
• Turn off all unnecessary lights and appliances - they add heat to your home
• Do cooking and other heat producing chores during cooler parts of the day (morning or evening)
• Turn off exhaust fans after use

Lights

• Light for less: Replace your incandescent light bulbs with new compact fluorescent (CFLs), which use 75 percent less energy
• Use the lowest wattage bulbs, except for reading
• Keep bulbs and fixtures clean
• Turn off lights when rooms are empty
• Turn off lights during the day

Appliances

• Turn off computers, monitors, stereos, radios and all other electronics when not in use (Even when turned off, CD players in the U.S. consume enough energy in one year to power the Las Vegas Strip for six months.)  
• Surf the Internet later at night or during early morning hours when the demand for electricity is lower
• Unplug chargers when not in use
• Try to keep the refrigerator door open no longer than necessary. Be sure to close the door when you're through
• Let food cool before putting it in the refrigerator so the refrigerator does not use energy unnecessarily

UI Helps Program

If you are a residential customer with low to moderate income, the UI Helps Program can provide energy-saving products for your home, absolutely FREE. All eligible customers can have energy-efficient compact fluorescent lighting installed in their homes, and may qualify for other services, such as water heater blankets, low-flow shower heads, and weatherization. UI helps also provides evaluations for possible FREE replacement of old, customer-owned refrigerators and window room air conditioners (wall sleeve units not eligible) with ENERGY STAR qualified models.

This program can really make a difference on your energy bill, so call the number below, or to save time, click here to fill out a confidential sign-up form.

Contact Information: Terri Lane (203) 499-2737 email terri.lan@uinet.com