Oklahoma summers are very hot and humid because the city is situated right in the heart of the humid sub-tropical zone where heat tends to be unbearable. Because of this, people are most likely to turn to their air conditioners on to keep cool and comfortable at home. But as we use our A/Cs more often, our electric bills are definitely going to soar up as well.
Fortunately, the state government is now accepting new applications for LIHEA, an energy assistance program, which help low income households lighten their burdens on energy costs as kfor.com reports:
Oklahomans may get sticker shock when they open up those electric bills during the summer months, but there is help available for those in need.
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services will begin taking applications for its LIHEAP program beginning Tuesday, July 8th.
The agency has around $17 million in federal funding for this year’s summer cooling program in Oklahoma.
This program is for low-income households only.
DHS is giving out $200 or more, depending on the size of the family.
Residents who are interested in finding out if they qualify can apply at their local DHS county office.
Though LIHEAP will certainly be a huge help for a lot of Oklahomans, this program is only intended to support those who are financially challenged. Therefore, those who are economically stable have to find other ways to save electricity without sacrificing their families’ comfort at home.
In light of these, here are a few energy saving tips for this summer:
- Replace or repair outdated air conditioning units and keep the filters clean
- Do not overuse your cooling units
- Install energy efficient lighting fixtures and other appliances; look for the Energy Star seal when buying new appliances
- Keep the sun out of your home by using blinds and thicker curtains
- Make sure that your home is sealed when you use your A/C by keeping the doors and windows closed
- Invest in energy-efficient roofing for your Oklahoma City home
You see, there are a lot of ways you can cope with the summer heat at home without having to crank up your A/C. Replacing your old roof with metal, for instance, can help lower your utility costs as its reflective properties reduce indoor temperatures. This is also the perfect choice for the sporadic Oklahoma climate – from the coldest winters to the most intense summer heat. Furthermore, metal roofs are tough, durable, and are known to last for about 50 years. With the numerous benefits you can get from it, this long-term investment will certainly be worth it.
If you are interested in investing in a metal roofing system, the best way is to contact the expert roofers in OKC, Skyline Roofing. We have all the expertise and quality materials you want with your roofing project to ensure that it is installed properly. Just give us a call and we’ll schedule a free estimate with your next OKC, Edmond, Yukon, Newcastle, or Norman roofing project.
(Article Excerpt from: Help is on the way to handle high utility bills this summer, kfor.com)
