Each year, the typical American family spends more than $1,600 on home utility bills.* If it's been a while since you've made energy-efficient improvements to your home, you could be throwing money out leaky windows or unsealed air ducts. But making some simple changes can help you lower your energy costs.

Seal leaks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), sealing leaks and improving insulation can help many homeowners save up to 20% on heating and cooling costs. A qualified professional can perform a home energy audit to locate drafts and help improve your home's energy efficiency and comfort.

Use a programmable thermostat. Set it to be comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer.

Wait to wash dishes and clothing. Don't run the dishwasher unless it's full, and air dry dishes instead of using the drying cycle. The same rules can apply to your washer
and dryer.

Choose energy-efficient appliances. Products with the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. EPA and Department of Energy. They can help you use less energy, save money, and protect the environment.

* Source: U.S. Department of Energy, www.doe.gov.

Energy-efficient Checking Staying on top of your DCU Checking Account can help you save time, money, and energy. How? When you balance your account using PC Branch at dcu.org on a regular basis, you help ensure that you are not in danger of having an overdraft. And quick daily or weekly checks on the computer can save time and energy by not having to balance a month's worth of transactions in one sitting. What's more, you can use DCU eStatements to reduce the energy involved to make paper statements and send them in the mail. To learn more, visit dcu.org or call 508.263.6700 or 800.328.8797.

Visit dcu.org or call us about our new Energy Efficiency and Fuel Assistance Loans.

Energy Bills or Other Expenses Affecting Your Budget?

If you're having difficulty making ends meet, it's best to seek help before financial problems get out of control. DCU members can get free, unbiased financial advice through BALANCE and its experts in debt and budget management. A professional representative can help you:

• Review your credit report.
• Negotiate with creditors to develop a debt management plan.
• Prevent bankruptcy.
• Create a bill payment schedule and set goals.

To learn more,
call 888.456.2227.

Counselors are available:
Monday through Thursday,
8 a.m. to 11 p.m. (ET)
Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.