• 1. 更改恒温器设置. Did you know that you can save as much as 10% annually on energy bills simply by setting your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees during the daytime hours? Just program your thermostat to 68 degrees at night and when you leave the house each morning. You won’t even notice, and you’ll be saving money. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, 看看我们的澳门金沙登录效率计划 to see if you’re eligible for a rebate when you purchase one. One disclaimer: The savings will be greater in milder climates.
   
• 2. Choose reusable food storage for your children’s school lunches. We understand - single serve foods are convenient and easy. 你可以拿杯酸奶, 一个水果杯或一袋薯条, toss it into your child’s lunch bag and you’re all set. But it’s important to remember that each single-serving container will end up in a landfill or recycling center. 相反，选择可重复使用的容器. 可能需要更长的时间, but you’ll be saving on waste and making your routine more environmentally sound. +, you’ll be teaching your children the importance of reducing waste. 深入了解我们的 可持续发展报告 for more on how Black Hills Energy is focusing on energy efficiency and sustainability.
   
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• 3. Choose energy efficient cooking tools such as slow cookers. Slow cookers still require electricity, but much less than an oven. 例如, a modern slow cooker uses as little as 150 watts per hour if set on low. 另外，慢炖锅非常方便. Just chop up all the ingredients, throw them into the slow cooker and head out the door. 试试这个美味的 Slow Cooker Green Chili Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe from our Black Hills Energy Service Guard cookbook. (19页)
   
• 4. 拔掉.  Some devices use electricity when left plugged in, including videogame consoles and laptops. 拔掉 devices once they are charged or when you’re done using them.
   
• 5. 关掉发动机. 对很多家庭来说, picking up the children from school at the end of the day is part of the school-year routine. It can be hard to avoid the dreaded after-school pickup line, with vehicles lining the curb outside schools. Instead of sitting with your vehicle idling during this time, turn it off. An idling vehicle uses gas and can be hard on engines during hot temperatures.
   
• 6. 使用LED灯泡. Heading into fall and winter is also a great time to switch out those incandescent light bulbs for LED bulbs. Customers in some states can even take advantage of our LED照明退税 完成工作.

This is also a great time to consider switching over to 澳门金沙登录公司的自助服务选项. 如果你和大多数人一样, you have plenty to think about without trying to remember when bills are due. 让我们帮你减轻负担吧. You can sign up for paperless bills, notifications and alerts, online payments and more. 它既简单又方便. +, paperless bills are just one more way to reduce waste.

Check out our energy savings page for more tips to save energy and money and get details about our energy efficiency rebate programs. 现在正是最佳时机. Get started today and begin thinking about ways to spend your savings.