skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Simple Steps to Avoid High Summer Cooling Costs

play audio
Play

Tuesday, June 23, 2015   

INDIANAPOLIS – Summer is officially here, and warmer weather typically translates into higher energy bills. But experts say some simple measures can go a long way toward reducing energy costs.

Anthony Swinger, director of external affairs with the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, says summer is typically the most expensive time of year for electricity customers. To lower energy costs, Swinger says keeping the thermostat at the warmest comfortable temperature.

"It's a good idea to raise the thermostat a few degrees when you go to bed at night, or if no one is going to be home for five hours or longer," he says. "Programmable thermostats are not expensive and you can set it up to do the job for you without you even having to think about it."

Swinger advises against using exhaust fans because they can quickly pull cool air out of a home, and says mobile phones can "eat up" electricity when they are plugged in but not in use. He recommends using a power strip and turning it off when the phone is charged.

According to Swinger, keeping blinds and shades closed can prevent the sun from heating the inside of a home, and while ceiling fans are helpful in keeping cool, there are a couple of things to consider before turning them on.

"Make sure the ceiling fan is set to turn counter-clockwise, and use the ceiling fan only when you're in the room," he says. "If nobody's in the room it doesn't make sense to have the ceiling fan on."

Swinger says making the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs is another seemingly small thing that can add up to energy savings.

"If you're using an LED Bulb or a CFL bulb you're using a bulb that's using a lot less energy than a traditional incandescent bulb," he says. "The other thing is that LEDs and CFLs give off very, very small amounts of heat."

He also suggests regular maintenance for heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and maintaining a clean air conditioner filter.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …

Many factors affect a customer's bill amount, including energy usage, weather, and the number of days in a billing period, according to Arizona Public Service. (Jason Yoder/Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021