Beat the Heat During These Dog Days of Summer!

Visit Your Local Cooling Site If you dont want to run your air conditioner on extremely hot days, you can always visit a participating cooling site to get some relief and save money. Call Senator Turners Office at (609) 530-3277 to find out the location nearest you.

Help is Available
MERCER MEDI-COOL PROGRAM
The Mercer County Medi-Cool Program has a limited number of air conditioners available to individuals over age 60 who have a prescription for an air conditioner and less than $2,000 in assets. Proof of assets, income and residency are required. Call Catholic Charities at (609) 394-8847 or Rise, Inc at (609) 443-4464.

Keeping Cool And Conserving Energy Tips for Staying Cool and Saving on Your Summer Energy Bill

LIFELINE THROUGH PAAD

Provides a $225 credit on electric and gas utility bills to eligible beneficiaries. Call 1-800-792-9745 for more info.

NJ COMFORT PARTNERS
Provides free energy saving and energy education to qualified low-income customers. Eligible participants receive installation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures which can include: efficient lighting products; hot water conservation measures; replacement of inefficient refrigerators; thermostats; insulation upgrades, blower-door guided air sealing; duct sealing and repair; heating/cooling equipment maintenance and other measures. The program is available to households with incomes at or below 225% of the federal poverty guidelines. (Families of 2 with income less than $34,898; Families of 4 with income less than $52,988.) Visit www.njcleanenergy.com or call Senator Turners Office at (609) 530-3277 for more information.

Mercer County Cooling Sites: Mercer County Library Branches: Ewing, Hickory Corner, Hightstown, Hopewell, Hollowbrook, Lawrence, Twin Rivers, Washington, and West Windsor Senior Centers: Hamilton, Ewing Township, Hopewell Valley, Jennye Stubblefield, Lawrence Township, Monsignor Lipinski, Princeton Senior Resource Center, Reading, Sam Naples, and Washington Township

Hunterdon County Cooling Sites: County Facilities: Library Headquarters, North and South County Branch Libraries Senior Center: Hunterdon County Senior Center Municipal Sites: Lambertville Free & Public Library, West Amwell Township Municipal Building

Weatherization Program
Offers energy efficient measures to qualified applicants. Measures include: free hot water replacement; insulation/air sealing; weather stripping and caulking; light bulbs. Call Senator Turners Office at (609) 5303277 for more information. Office of Senator Shirley K. Turner www.senatorturner.com Monday - Friday; 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Courtesy of : Senator Shirley K. Turner 15th Legislative District 1440 Pennington Road Ewing, NJ 08638
Phone: (609) 530-3277 Fax: (609) 530-3292 Email: senturner@njleg.org

Summer Conservation Tips

Other Ways to Save

A programmable

Now more than ever, it seems that the cost of gas and electric is taking up a greater percentage of our household budgets. Paying the monthly energy bill is often unaffordable and a difficult burden. Yet, this utility service is also a necessity. Many consumers feel they have little control over the costs of energy. While you are always likely to have an energy bill, a few simple changes can help you use energy wisely and efficiently to help you save money. I hope the information in this brochure will help you to stay cool while also save on your summer energy bill. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Senator Shirley K. Turner

thermostat can help you to automatically set the temperature to your preference during the day or evening.

The higher the

setting, the more you save. Raising the thermostat from 73 to 78 degrees can save you up to 15 percent; 78 degrees is the recommended setting while you are at home.

Watch Out for Energy Suckers Many small appliances continue to use power even when they are switched off. Nearly 20 percent of the electricity used by appliances is lost while they are sitting waiting to be used. The TV, DVD player, cable box or satellite dish can leak 35 percent of your homes electricity just waiting to be used. Whats the solution? Unplug small appliances when not in use. Plug your television and other equipment into a power strip to turn off when not in use to help you avoid leaking electricity. Use EnergyStar products that run more efficiently. Use energy efficient lightbulbs. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), and light emitting diodes (LEDs), use 25-80% less energy and last 3-25 times longer. A typical homeowner that switches from standard incandescent light bulbs to CFLs can cut his bill by 3/4 from $265 per year for lighting to $66 per year. Consider a Home Energy Audit to find out additional ways to save. Find out which energy efficient appliances qualify you for special rebates. Go to www.njcleanenergy.com for more information and ideas on how

Setting the temperature really low at first does not help to cool your home faster. Open the windows and turn off your air conditioner when the weather is mild. Using fans can save 60 percent or more in energy costs. Ceiling fans make the room feel four degrees cooler or more.

Lights, televisions, and computers give off heat; turn them off when not in use. Close cooling vents in unused rooms and shut the door. Clean and replace air condition filters when needed. A clean unit can help save 5 percent of the energy used.

Turn off or turn up the temperature on your central air condition before you leave your home.

Use slow cookers or microwaves that do not heat up the room. Blinds, shades, and curtains help to keep the heat out during daylight hours.