"Do what you always do, get what you always got." This favorite
expression of former Governor Ann Richards is certainly true about many
things, not the least of which is spending money.
If the heat is taking its toll on your home air conditioning system or
you need preventive maintenance on your heating system, consider doing
things differently this time. Call Houston Lighting & Power (888-339-7378)
or your electricity provider and ask them for a "Savings Tips" brochure and free in-home energy
audit. Disabled customers or those living on low, fixed incomes may
qualify for HL&P's free 13-point Weatherization Assistance Program. After
your free energy audit, you'll be prepared to select the right heating
and air conditioning contractor. Most give 10 to 15 percent senior or
military discounts if you ask.
Programs offered by HL&P and most utility companies include Balanced
Billing, Double Notification Protection Plan, Senior Citizens Payment Plan,
SHARE, and Critical Need Customers.
Balanced Billing lets customers pay a fixed amount every month to avoid
high summer bills. Double Notification provides duplicate notification of
bills or disconnection notices sent to a third party of your choosing for
the elderly, home bound, or frequent travelers.
Schedule your electric billing cycle to coincide with the arrival of
Social Security, pension, or disability payments with the Senior Citizens
Payment Plan.
SHARE and Critical Need programs provide funding to help defray
electric bills of eligible seniors and provide priority to those on
life-support systems in power outage situations. HL&P reports that more
than 50,000 eligible recipients of Federal emergency assistance dollars and air conditioners haven't contacted them yet and need to before
September 30, 1998.
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