| To make sure your utility bills are as low as possible, | | | | on the customer's highest usage during the day. That |
| spend more time auditing them. Read your meters, | | | | is, if you tend to space out usage, you may save. |
| check your bills, analyze your use patterns, and | | | | The reading from the demand dial, if you have one, |
| inquire about changes in rates and meters. | | | | should give you a clue, or call and ask the utility |
| Read Your Meters - Read your gas, electric, and | | | | company to analyze a computerized record of your |
| water meters at the beginning and end of billing | | | | use and then give you the best rate. |
| periods to check utility companies' accuracy. Gas and | | | | Many water companies bill for usage plus a monthly |
| water meters are easy: just read the numerals from | | | | service charge based on the size of your water |
| left to right, as you read a word. Electric meters are | | | | heater. You may be able to save money by replacing |
| usually read backwards, from right to left. Some | | | | your present meter with a smaller one. Sewer bills |
| electric meters have a separate demand dial showing | | | | often are based on water-meter readings. That is, |
| maximum use during peak periods. If yours does, | | | | you are billed on the amount of water you use |
| take down the reading. | | | | whether or not it ends up in the sewer line. If you |
| Obtain the Best Rate - Make sure that the rates you | | | | use lots of water to fill pools, wash cars, water |
| have been charged are for the right season. | | | | lawns and trees, you might consider installing a meter |
| Sometimes utility personnel forget to change from | | | | to measure water that does not end in the sewer |
| summer rates to winter rates when seasons change. | | | | line. Make sure it's worth it, though. The installation is |
| Most electricity companies offer more than one rate | | | | costly. |
| on which you may be billed. Usually, unless you say | | | | Many gas companies offer rebates for consumers |
| otherwise, the company charges you at the standard | | | | who switch to gas appliances, which are generally |
| rate-straight billing for kilowatt hours used. If you | | | | more energy-efficient. And gas is usually cheaper |
| don't use much electricity during peak hours, you are | | | | than electricity. |
| better off going to "demand rates", which are based | | | | |