Natural gas prices are expected to be 25 percent to 35 percent higher than last year. Focus on Energy can help you lower your energy usage. Read on to learn how.

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The Little Things That Make a Big Heating Bill Difference

Wisconsinites may still be experiencing mild weather, but as we all know, winter is just around the corner - and with it a drop in temperatures, snow, and of course, heating bills. In fact, you may have seen some of the recent headlines predicting high heating costs as a result of high natural gas prices. While Focus on Energy recommends using energy efficient heating equipment as a means of controlling energy costs, there are steps Wisconsin residents and businesses can take to make sure all heating equipment works as efficiently as possible - saving you money.

Focus on Energy recommends the following for maintaining a comfortable living/working environment without breaking the bank on energy bills this winter: ....

What You've Always Wanted to Know About CFLs

Compact fluorescent light bulbs, or CFLs - you've probably heard of them. Although they are no longer considered a new technology, and it is widely accepted that using them saves energy and money, many consumers still have questions about them regarding their light quality, mercury content and how to properly dispose of them. You've asked, we've answered. Focus on Energy, Wisconsin's energy efficiency and renewable energy initiative, has all the information you need to become an informed consumer.....

The Sunny Side of Renewable Energy

For many Wisconsin residents the sun signifies a nice summer day and a great suntan, but for a growing number of residents and businesses it means something more - energy. Today more and more people are turning to solar energy to provide hot water and electricity for homes and businesses and in doing so, are making a positive impact on the environment. In addition, benefits of solar energy are felt on the local, national and global levels, as new jobs are created, energy imports are decreased and the economic impacts caused by sudden increases in the cost of fossil fuels are reduced....

Tips to Save Energy at School

With school back in session, now is a great time to talk to your kids about ways they can help protect the environment in and around the classroom. Here are some simple actions students and faculty can take to reduce their carbon footprint:

• Encourage students to carry lunches in reusable lunch boxes/bags rather than disposable bags to cut down on the amount of trash that ends up in landfills.
• When possible, bike or walk to school to cut down on the carbon emissions of cars and busses.
• Print and write on both sides of paper to reduce the amount of paper that is used.
• Turn off lights when exiting a room for more than five minutes, and control hallway lighting during class and after school hours when hallway traffic is at a minimum.
• Utilize natural daylight by turning off classroom lights to save electricity. On cloudy days, turn off the row of lights closest to the window to still make use of the limited natural daylight.
• Turn off all computers at the end of the day. Computers and personal laptops should also be on sleep mode so the computer goes to sleep after 10 minutes of non-activity.
• Turn off printers, scanners and photocopiers at the end of the day.
• If a recycling program does not exist, ask teachers or school administrators to start one.