OK, please settle down and take your seats. I know you’ve all had a great summer and want to catch up with your friends, but school is back in session. 

I’m Dr. Bill Lowers, and welcome to Liberty’s Utility Savings 101! In this class, we focus on smart habits you can practice at home to help your family save energy, conserve water, and keep your utility bills low. 

Now, let’s put our books away and grab a pencil because we’re starting with a brief pop quiz.  

(Class groans) 

Don’t worry, this will not count toward your final grade.  

 

1. Hal and Lois would like to save energy and lower their family’s monthly electric bill. Which of the following tips could help them? 

A) Turn off the lights when they leave a room. 

B) Plug computers, gaming systems, and TVs into a power strip that can be switched off to prevent them from using power even though they’re not in use. 

C) If their house is going to be empty, adjust their thermostat to help manage heating and cooling while no one is at home. 

D) All the above. 

2. With summer winding down, Jaime and Cersei know that cooler days are not far ahead. What is a good way for them to prepare? 

A) Check around windows and doors for air leaks; add weatherstripping or caulk to keep warm air where it belongs when temperatures begin to drop. 

B) Have the heating system inspected. 

C) Install a smart or programmable thermostat .

D) All the above. 

3. Hank and Peggy are hoping to conserve water and save some money. Which suggestion would you give them? 

A) Keep an eye out for leaks, as a dripping faucet or running toilet can waste a lot of water over time. 

B) Wait to run their dishwasher or washing machine until they’re full. 

C) Shorten showers by a few minutes and encourage their family members to do so as well. 

D) All the above. 

 

That wasn’t so bad, was it? Let’s quickly review the answers. 

If you chose “D) All the above” for every question, you’ve passed with flying colors! If you chose any other answer, you’re also correct, but you’ll be happy to learn there are more opportunities to conserve than you first thought. These lessons are easy to remember and even easier to put into practice.  

Now, here’s your homework assignment. Pick one or more of these savings tips and put them into action immediately to earn an A+ in savings.  

Class dismissed!