PIERRE, S.D. – Nobody wants to get a chill when they look at their energy bill this winter. The cold season officially started Thursday, but South Dakotans already are feeling the brisk temperatures.
While it may be too late to do any major overhauls to the home, Ian Andrew, editor of the environmental news outlet Greener Ideal, has a few tips for folks to keep their homes warm and energy costs down, with the added bonus of helping the environment. He says the most useful tip is watching the thermostat. Turning the temperature down even a degree or two can reduce costs greatly.
Andrew also suggests sealing any leaks with weather-stripping or caulking, which are available at home-improvement stores.
"That's something that basically anyone can do themselves, just by feeling where cold air is coming from and sealing it off," he explains. "And by blocking that cold air from getting in and not warming out, your furnace is going to run less and ultimately, you'll use less energy and save some money on those winter heating bills."
Andrew says smart thermostats are the best way to reduce costs and keep warm. He adds that keeping air filters clean and using sunshine to warm the house also take pressure off a household's heating unit. And the less a unit runs, the better off the environment is.
Proper insulation is a friend to those looking to save on energy bills as well. A full remodeling probably is out of the question this time of year, but Andrew says insulating blankets in the attic or basement ceiling and walls can trap more heat in the house. Another trick: wrapping the water heater in insulating blankets.
"That helps keep the heat within the water heater so it doesn't have to run as often, especially if maybe it's in a cold basement, if it's in a room that doesn't get as much heat as the rest of the house, that definitely helps keep the level of heat up in your water heater," he adds.
Andrew says once the cold months have passed, folks can start on the big projects if they want more energy-efficient homes and are willing to make the big investment. One of the best ways is to install underfloor heating. This can help keep entire rooms warm during the winter and is more efficient than ducts near the ceiling because heat travels upward.
get more stories like this via email
Lawmakers in Olympia this session moved to add more protections for consumers against predatory loans.
Washington state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 6025 unanimously in both chambers, closing a loophole companies were using to evade caps on the amount of interest charged on loans.
Sam Leonard, an attorney in Seattle, said tech companies providing financial services such as loans would charter out of state banks, especially in Utah, where lenders can charge unlimited interest rates.
"These fintech lenders a lot of times will charge 150, 200% interest on relatively small dollar loans, $3,000, $5,000 and the like," Leonard explained.
Washington state has a set of protections called the Consumer Loan Act to shield people from predatory loans. Leonard said capping interest rates at the federal level would help people across the country.
However, he emphasized the bill goes a long way to increase protections for Washingtonians.
"Not a lot of states at this time have passed similar legislation," Leonard pointed out. "Washington is out in front of the curve with regard to protecting low-income Washingtonians or other Washingtonians that might enter into these predatory loan products."
Leonard added the issue with predatory loans is they keep people in continuous debt cycles.
"Loan products like these essentially strip low-income individuals' ability to improve their economic situation," Leonard noted.
get more stories like this via email
While there's snow in the immediate forecast, the spring storm season has arrived in Minnesota and state officials said with complaints related to homeowner insurance claims on the rise, it is important to monitor changes in policies.
The Minnesota Commerce Department said complaints from policyholders, largely stemming from their claims being denied, have more than doubled since 2020.
Julia Dreier, deputy commissioner of insurance for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, said under a changing climate, the nation is seeing plenty of extreme weather events resulting in wind and hail damage, and insurance companies are adjusting to what's happening.
"Insurance costs are going to increase," Dreier pointed out. "We do want to make sure that Minnesotans are prepared."
As some carriers narrow what is covered or require higher deductibles, Dreier urged consumers to carefully review their policy when it is up for renewal, to avoid surprises when they have to file a claim. The department acknowledged changes can slip under the radar when consumers rely on paperless statements sent via email, or with busy schedules preventing them from reading all the fine print in documents they receive.
The department emphasized it is a complicated process in getting complaints resolved, noting some can be partially reversed in favor of the homeowner. Dreier noted they work closely with the industry to make sure a company's actions are within the letter of the law.
"One of our jobs is to make sure that insurance companies aren't doing something unethical when they're submitting their policy forms to us and their rates to us for review," Dreier added.
The department does have a new video on its YouTube channel, which offers more details on how to better prepare yourself ahead of any future claims, including knowing whether your policy offers flood protection and assessing the value of items in your home.
get more stories like this via email
Wisconsin has announced a big development in trying to establish more digital equity around the state.
Gov. Tony Evers and the Public Service Commission say Wisconsin's blueprint for digital equity has been accepted by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
That means the state is eligible for up to $30 million to implement its approach over the next five years.
Martha Cranley - state director for AARP Wisconsin - called it a robust plan, noting that older populations continue to face challenges in being connected to the digital world.
"We know that at least 15% of people 50-plus in Wisconsin are not connected," said Cranley, "either because the wires simply don't come to their house, or they don't have a device, or they don't know how to use it."
Cranley said the lack of connection is especially concerning in rural areas across northern Wisconsin, where aging communities have limited resources.
Stakeholders also note an infusion of new aid is helpful with the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program - which provides discounts on monthly internet bills for eligible households - in danger of running out of money.
Cranley said the state's plan came together following extensive public outreach, in which her organization helped convey the need for improved internet access for those 50 and older.
"They certainly heard from older people about how important this is to connect to their doctor," said Cranley, "and to connect to government services, and frankly, find employment."
Overall, Evers says the plan's federal approval means more than 410,000 homes and businesses will be better positioned to be connected to new or improved high-speed internet service.
Disclosure: AARP Wisconsin contributes to our fund for reporting on Budget Policy & Priorities, Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest,
click here.
get more stories like this via email