Area November 30, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 7 PSE&G lowers gas bills; offers energy-saving tips PSE&G announced last week that it will be lowering residential gas bills by an additional 4.6 percent, or nearly $8.53 per winter month, for the typical residential customer. This latest action by the utility represents the eighth decrease in a row for residential customers, for a total of more than $614, or 35 percent, in savings since January 2009. The price reduction will take effect Dec. 1. Lower market prices for gas, which are partially due to the availability of abundant and lower cost shale gas, are making it possible for PSE&G to pass these cost savings along to customers, company officials said. Under the new supply gas rates, a typical residential gas heating customer who uses 160 therms in a winter month, or 1,050 therms annually, will see a decrease in his or her annual bill of $56, or approximately 4.6 percent. This customer’s annual bill will be reduced to $1,151 from $1,207. A residential gas heating customer who uses 100 therms in a winter month, or 660 therms annually, will see a decrease in his or her annual bill of $35, or about 4.5 percent. This customer’s annual bill will be reduced to $750 from $785. “The eight decreases over three years, including the additional 4.6 percent now, will provide a much needed positive impact for our customers in these challenging times,” said Joseph A. Forline, PSE&G vice president for customer operations. The latest reduction comes as temperatures are dropping and customers try to keep their winter heating bills affordable. In addition to the price decrease, the utility offers suggestions for steps customers can take to reduce their costs even further. Check for sufficient water levels in the sight glass for hot water and steam heating systems to ensure maximum efficiency. Clean or replace the furnace filter on hot air heating systems. Lower your thermostat by just one degree, which may reduce your heating bill by up to three percent. Save even more by lowering your thermostat two degrees during the day and five to 10 degrees at bedtime if health conditions permit. Close dampers in fireplaces you don’t use. Purchase and wrap an insulation blanket around the tank of your water heater. Wrap the outlet pipe with inexpensive flexible insulating tubing to reduce the time it takes for hot water to reach your shower. Set your hot water heater to no more than 120 degrees. Move furniture and drapes away from heating registers, radiators, and baseboard element covers. Open any register or baseboard dampers. Cover window air conditioners to reduce drafts. Install insulated or lined drapes on windows. Use weather stripping or one-sided sticky tape to seal cracks and prevent drafts in windows and doorframes. Caulk smaller (continued on page 9)