file photo by Boyd Loving
10 Easy and Inexpensive Ways for Village Residents to Save on Electric Bills
Ridgewood NJ, On the first official day of summer, Public Service Electric & Gas (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, reminds customers that higher temperatures can also lead to more usage and higher electric bills. Customers can save energy and money this summer by following a few easy and inexpensive tips.
Seal holes and cracks around doors and windows with insulation or weather-stripping.
Don’t cool an empty house. Set your thermostat higher when you are away.
Don’t cool unused rooms. Close the vents and shut the door.
Ceiling fans cool fast and cost less than air conditioning.
Operate appliances in the morning or evening when it is cooler outside.
When washing dishes or clothes, run full loads.
Wash laundry in cold water.
Close blinds and draperies facing the sun to keep out the sun’s heat.
Replace air filters monthly. Dirty filters make your air conditioner work harder.
Use a microwave or crockpot instead of the oven. They won’t heat the house.
Prepared for Additional Power Demand
PSE&G expects to have no problem delivering the additional power required during the hot-weather months, but utility crews will be ready to respond to service interruptions should they occur. PSE&G’s rigorous, year-round preparedness program for summer includes conducting employee training; developing emergency summer operating plans; performing summer peak reliability analysis; helicopter and climbing inspections of transmission circuits; infrared inspections for “hot-spots” on transmission lines; and system reinforcements and transmission line work.
Payment Assistance Available
If your energy bills become unmanageable, a number of payment assistance programs are available for low and moderate income customers, as well as senior citizens and people with disabilities. Also, PSE&G offers customers the option of setting up a no-cost, equal payment plan. More information on these programs can be found atwww.pseg.com/help.
How to Report an Outage and Stay Informed
To report downed wires or power outages, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line at 1-800-436-PSEG. Also, customers can report outages online by logging into My Account at pseg.com or by texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734). The utility’s mobile-friendly website includes an “Outage Map” that is updated every 15 minutes and displays the location and status of power outages in PSE&G’s service area.
