The power to save

A man in an apron stands in a kitchen with a pair of grill tongs and a spatula.

[Narrator] If you have a grill, you have a way to save energy because grilling outdoors lets you skip the energy costs of running your stove and oven, plus, it doesn't heat up the house in these warm summer months. What about a rainy day, you ask? Well, you can save water by letting mother nature take care of the plants and the lawn, then zap that dinner in the microwave. It takes less electricity than the oven, and it doesn't heat up the house, either. Bon appétit. Find more great money and energy saving tips at bpu.com.

A woman is standing in a laundry room. The dryer has been pushed away from the wall. There’s a laundry basket with sheets in it.

[Narrator] Sometimes it’s the simple things in life…like clean sheets fresh out of the dryer that pretty much guarantees a great night’s sleep.

The woman picks up the laundry basket and places it on the counter next to the dryer.

[Narrator] But did you know your dryer hose may be giving you an electric bill that keeps you up at night? It’s true. Pull your dryer away from the wall far enough to give you a little work room. If the hose is pretty short with little slack, shove that dryer back and go about your business. You’re done. But…if your hose is like this one, well, you’ve got a little work to do.

The woman kneels down and points to the dryer hose.

[Narrator] Luckily, it’s very little work. Just measure the distance between where your dryer will sit and the wall.

The woman measures the existing dryer vent from the wall using a tape measure.

[Narrator] Now, measure and mark your vent hose.

The woman measures the new dryer vent that’s on top of the dryer.

[Narrator] Now grab some gloves and tin snips – not the good scissors! – and cut around your tape line.

The woman affixes tape at the measured spot and cuts the new dryer vent using tin snips.

[Narrator] All I do now is reattach the hose, and push the dryer back in place.

The screen shows the dryer has been pushed back to the wall.

[Narrator] There. I’ve got a better working dryer and a yearly savings of about 25 bucks. All in under 10 minutes. For more simple energy, water and money saving tips like this, make sure you check out our other videos at bpu.com.

A woman is standing in a laundry room next to the dryer.

[Narrator] Laundry is a necessary part of life. But one thing you can avoid is an inefficient and potentially dangerous dryer. No matter how often you clean out your lint trap, over time your dryer can still become clogged with lint. This impacts performance and becomes a fire hazard.

Today, I’m going to show you how to give your dryer a deeper clean so it runs safely and more efficiently. The first step is to shut off your gas if you have a gas line. Then, fully unplug your dryer and pull the unit a few feet away from the wall.

The screen shows the woman unplugging the dryer cord from the wall outlet.

[Narrator] Pull out your lint trap, whether that’s near the bottom of the dryer or on top.

The woman opens the dryer door and pulls out the lint trap and removes some lint.

[Narrator] Using a dryer vent brush you can purchase from your local hardware store, clean out the interior of the lint trap area, like this.

The woman cleans the lint trap using a long, narrow dryer vent brush. The brush is covered with lint.

[Narrator] Next, reach underneath your dryer and try to get as much of the stuck lint as possible.

The woman uses the same brush to clean under the dryer.

[Narrator] Finally, use your vacuum hose to clean the back of your dryer and surrounding areas to pick up loose lint and dust.

The woman is holding the wand from a vacuum cleaner.

[Narrator] Don’t forget to check out our many other safety and efficiency tips at bpu.com.

A man sits in a living room chair beside a lit end table lamp.

[Narrator] When it's hot outside, the last thing you want to do is add heat to the inside of your home. So, here's a cool tip. Wait until bedtime to start your dishwasher, and make sure to turn off the dryer cycle. That way, you'll wake up to clean dishes without using electricity for drying, and you won't put more heat in your kitchen. You can do the same for your washer/dryer. Let them work for you while you sleep. You can learn more about saving money, energy, and water at bpu.com.

The BPU logo plays but then the man reappears on screen and yawns before he turns off the lamp.

[Narrator] Goodnight.

A man in an apron stands in a kitchen with a pair of grill tongs and a spatula.

[Narrator] If you have a grill, you have a way to save energy because grilling outdoors lets you skip the energy costs of running your stove and oven, plus, it doesn't heat up the house in these warm summer months. What about a rainy day, you ask? Well, you can save water by letting mother nature take care of the plants and the lawn, then zap that dinner in the microwave. It takes less electricity than the oven, and it doesn't heat up the house, either. Bon appétit. Find more great money and energy saving tips at bpu.com.

A man stands in front of a refrigerator holding a plastic jug of water.

[Narrator] Here's a great way to save energy this summer. Fill old milk jugs with tap water, and use them to fill up the empty space in your freezer. Just be sure to leave an inch or two from the top so the jugs won't crack when they freeze. You see, not only does your freezer have to work harder when it's not full, but the ice jugs actually help it keep cool in there.

He places a full gallon jug into the freezer.

[Narrator] Plus, when you need more room, just move the jugs to the fridge for easy access to ice cold water. Or let the jugs melt, then use that water to give your house plants a nice drink. That's a cool way to save some cold hard cash. For more great tips watch our other videos at bpu.com.

A man stands in front of a refrigerator.

[Narrator] Is your fridge running? Better catch it. Okay old joke but if your fridge is running up your electric bill that's not funny. Here's two quick things you can do to save. First make sure your fridge and freezer are set to cool instead of very cold.

He opens the door and adjusts a switch.

[Narrator] On average that saves 5% and still keeps food safe and fresh, then once a month make sure you run your vacuum over the coils and air vents on your fridge. You'll find the coils on the back of your fridge and the air vents down under the door.

He gestures behind the fridge and below it.

[Narrator] It's quick, it's easy, and it keeps your fridge from overworking and costing you too much to run. For more energy saving tips make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

A man stands in the kitchen cooking soup. He wipes his hands on a towel.

[Narrator] Hey, you're just in time. I'm going to share with you my recipe for energy saving soup. It's easy; just cook whatever soup you like best on cold days, so the heat from your stove and oven helps warm the house. Then, freeze that soup and microwave it on hotter days so the house doesn't get so warm.

He wafts the scent of the soup toward his nose and sniffs.

[Narrator] Mmm, smells like savings. For more energy saving tips, watch all of our videos on bpu.com.

A man is standing in front of a TV in a living room.

[Narrator] I've got a scary one for you. A true life ghost story about a phantom in your house that's stealing electricity. You see every piece of electronic equipment in your home uses electricity even if you've got it turned off. It's called phantom power usage and it can really add up, but there's a quick and easy fix. Just unplug things like TV's, computers, stereos, DVD players, and washers and dryers when you're leaving your house for an extended period or

The man kneels beside the TV and points to a power strip, flipping the switch to show the simplicity.

[Narrator] even easier plug multiple devices into a power strip like this one. When leaving the house for more than a day just switch the power strip to off. No garlic, no wooden stakes, no more phantoms. For more energy saving tips make sure to watch all of our videos on bpu.com.

A woman is standing in a bathroom next to the shower.

[Narrator] Did you know that those nice, relaxing few extra minutes you spend in the shower can make or break your monthly water bill?

Let’s put it this way: The average person takes a 12-minute shower. With a standard shower head, you’re using around three gallons of water per minute. That’s up to 36 gallons of water for every shower.

Now, there are two things you can do to save both water and money. First, buy a water-efficient, low-flow shower head.

The woman picks up a new water-efficient shower head that’s still in the packaging.

[Narrator] This particular type of shower head only costs around $20 at your local hardware store and uses half the amount of water – without sacrificing water pressure.

There’s a close-up shot of the showerhead along with an EPA Water Sense logo on the screen.

[Narrator] Second, take a shorter shower. Create a playlist on your phone to six minutes – or just set a timer. For a truly efficient shower, shut off the water when you are shampooing and lathering.

The screen shows the woman reaching for the shower handle to turn off the water. There’s a close-up shot of the showerhead that shows the water has been turned off.

[Narrator] Just a few small changes in your showering habits can add up to a lot of savings – up to 50% savings on your hot water and around 30% on your total water bill.

Check out more tips from BPU online at bpu.com.

A woman is in the basement standing next to the HVAC system.

[Narrator] The Midwest is notorious for its temperature ups and downs. It’s important that as the seasons change, you make sure your furnace is up to the task of heating your house at a moment’s notice.

By scheduling your fall furnace maintenance visit each year, you’ll ensure your furnace is running efficiently and effectively, saving you from expensive, sudden repairs or, even worse, a complete system replacement. But a little DIY troubleshooting doesn’t hurt.

The woman is now upstairs in a hallway standing next to the thermostat.

[Narrator] This one’s simple. Set your thermostat to “heat” and turn up the temperature.

There’s a close-up shot of the thermostat screen and the woman is turning up the heat.

[Narrator] Did you hear that? That’s your furnace kicking on, so you know it’s working.

The woman gestures that she hears the heat turning on.

[Narrator] But. Does it shut off again in under three minutes? If so, something is wrong, and it’s time to call your HVAC maintenance professional for a diagnostic. The more things they check, the better off you’ll be in the end.

But what if your furnace is still running after three minutes? Well, if it’s been over a year since your last inspection, it’s a good idea to have another one before it gets too cold outside. Remember, regular upkeep keeps your furnace up and running year after year after year.

Be sure to check out more energy saving tips – at bpu.com.

A woman is standing in a bedroom under a ceiling fan.

[Narrator] Want to keep your energy bill down? Try looking up.

The woman looks up and points to the ceiling fan.

[Narrator] Yep. Your ceiling fan. The U.S. Department of Energy says using a ceiling fan with your air conditioner running lets you raise your thermostat four degrees without any change in comfort. That more than offsets the mere penny or so per hour it costs to run your fan. So, sure, you can use a fan to keep you cool. But what about when it’s cold outside? Once again…look up.

The woman looks up and points to the ceiling fan.

[Narrator] On your ceiling fan, you’ll find a button or pull chain.

The screen shows a close-up shot of the fan base and the button is being switched to the reverse direction.

[Narrator] Use whichever you have to reverse the direction of spin to push warmer air downward.

The woman gestures with her hands that air is being pushed downward.

[Narrator] Now, set the fan to its slowest rotation, and you’re pushing your heating costs down, too!

The woman pulls the fan chain to change the fan speed to low.

[Narrator] Sometimes, saving money is a breeze. For more simple tips like this, check out the rest of our videos at bpu.com.

A woman is standing in a living room next to a couch.

[Narrator] There’s a reason your A/C unit and furnace are called cooling and heating “systems.” They work as a team with the thermostat and air vents. Now, air vents may not look like they’re doing much, but they’re hard at work circulating air throughout your house.

So what happens if those air vents are blocked from doing their job of circulating air? Well, the rest of your heating and cooling system has to pick up the slack, which often results in a higher utility bill. Plus, working overtime takes its toll on your A/C and furnace. So what can you do to avoid this?

The advice sounds easy: just don’t block the air vents. But sometimes that’s not an option. Here’s what you can do instead. Purchase and install deflectors on vents that have to be blocked.

The woman picks up a flat air deflector.

[Narrator] Flat air deflectors can be placed under low furniture, such as couches or curtains, to ensure air is pushed out from underneath.

The screen shows the deflector placed over a floor vent under a chair.

[Narrator] Taller air deflectors like these can go under beds or next to wood furniture to protect it from warping.

The women holds up a taller air deflector. The screen shows the deflector placed on a floor vent.

[Narrator] Now, you can kick back on the couch and enjoy the comforts of your fully operational air vents. And while you’re at it, grab your laptop and check out more energy and water saving tips at bpu.com.

The woman sits down on the couch and reaches for her laptop from the side table.

A woman is standing in the backyard of a house in front of the air conditioner unit.

[Narrator] In hot months, your AC unit is, well, central to the comfort of your home. So, you’ll want to keep it running smoothly and efficiently with regular maintenance.

The woman is now in the basement next to the HVAC system.

[Narrator] We strongly suggest you leave annual inspection and tuneup to the professionals, but you can help your AC and yourself by simply changing your air filter every couple of months. It’s an easy way to save 5 to 15 percent on your AC and heating costs. Just pull out the old filter and write the size down, and then find the perfect replacement at your local hardware store.

The woman pulls out the old dirty filter, she points to the filter size and then reaches for a new filter.

[Narrator] Beyond that, leave it to the pros.

The woman is now back outside next to the air conditioner unit.

[Narrator] Call a qualified HVAC technician and schedule a full inspection every spring before the hot weather hits. Scheduling annual maintenance does more than lower your utility bill. It means fewer big repairs and a system that lasts longer and is safer to run. And while you’re at it, you should have your HVAC maintenance professional check out your furnace, too.

You can learn about furnace maintenance, as well as other important energy and water saving tips, by visiting bpu.com.

A man stands beside a bag of mulch.

[Narrator] It's gonna be a rainy one today. But how do you conserve water on those hot, sunny Kansas days? Here's a few simple tips. First, use mulch around your flower and plant beds.

A clip of hands spreading cedar mulch plays then switches back to the narrator.

[Narrator] It retains water, saving time and money. Plus, it looks great.

Cuts back to man standing beside a bag of mulch.

[Narrator] Next, water your lawn in the morning. It's not only cooler, so you lose less water to evaporation, but it's usually when you'll get less Kansas wind blowing your water bill up, up, and away.

Another pair of hands drops ice cubes in potted plants before returning to the narrator.

[Narrator] Finally, try dropping ice cubes in your hanging baskets, seriously. That way your plants get a nice, cool drink without losing a lot of water from overflow. Keep your cool this summer. Save water, time, and money. For more tips, check out all our videos at bpu.com.

A man pushes a hand-powered lawn-mower over a patch of grass.

[Narrator] You know there are a lot of ways to save water and energy besides one of these Armstrong powered mowers. Watering the right way for instance. You see it's much better to water deeply once a week than it is to water a little every day. An inch should do it.

The scene shifts to a view of a yard with a sprinkler in it. Under the sprinkler are tuna cans almost full of water.

[Narrator] And here's a neat trick to find out just how long to water. Take an empty tuna can or two and put them in the path of your sprinkler. Time how long it takes for 'em to fill up and that's an inch.

The man comes back on screen, standing with his hand-powered lawn-mower.

[Narrator] Now just water that long once a week. Also when you do mow, leave your grass at least three inches high and leave the clippings on the lawn. That helps with water usage. And to save money on your cooling bills, try planting shade trees or bushes near west-facing windows. You'll keep the sun at bay during the hottest times of the day. For more energy, water, and money saving tips, be sure to watch our other videos on bpu.com.

A man stands outside a shower holding up a gallon bucket.

[Narrator] Here's a bucket, and here's a challenge that doesn't involve pouring ice water on your head. It's the "is your showerhead costing you money challenge," and it's as easy as filling a bucket. Just grab a one-gallon bucket or pot and see how long it takes to fill it from your showerhead.

The man puts the bucket in the shower.

[Narrator] Less than 20 seconds and you're wasting water and money. If you are, ask your hardware store for a flow-control head and some plumber's tape.

The man holds up a flow-control showerhead and a spool of plumber's tape.

[Narrator] It's easy to install, just unscrew your old head and remove any old tape, then wrap the threads on the pipe clockwise with fresh tape, and simply screw on the new showerhead. Lather, rinse, and repeat, saving money and water every time you shower. Looking for more ways to save water, time and money? Find them in our other videos at bpu.com .

A man stands in front of a toilet in a bathroom.

[Narrator] Nothing lasts forever, including the flapper in your toilet. It's the mechanism that controls flow, and over time it can crack, causing leaks that waste water and money. But, they're a pretty simple repair and I'll walk you through it. First, shut the water off. The valve is right behind the toilet.

The man picks up the packaged toilet flapper.

[Narrator] Then, take the lid off your toilet and hold the handle down until the water drains as much as possible. Then remove this chain

The angle of the camera shifts to show the inside of a toilet tank. The man points to the chain that hangs from the bar of the toilet flushing handle.

[Narrator] and lift on these ears

He points to the two tabs on the rear side of the flapper.

[Narrator] to remove the faulty flapper. Now, hop in the car to your hardware store and find the flapper that matches. This is the one I like to use.

He holds up a packaged toilet flapper.

[Narrator] Now, all you have to do is attach the new flapper to the overflow pipe. And reconnect the chain to the flapper. Turn the water back on and presto. No more leaky toilet. It's easy to save water and money. Find more ways to save when you watch all our videos at bpu.com.

A man sits against a sink in a bathroom, holding a toilet float.

[Narrator] If you stand quietly in your bathroom, do you hear a trickling sound? If you do, that's the sound of money running away from you. Okay, it's actually the sound of a poorly configured toilet float, but it's really the same thing, bad news. The good news is it's easy as pie to fix, and all you need is a screwdriver and a couple of minutes. Just pop the lid off your toilet tank and inspect.

The camera changes to show the inside of a toilet tank. It is focused on the larger overflow tube in the center.

[Narrator] You see this tube? That's your overflow tube, and the water should only be about an inch from the top. To control the water level, you'll either have a float cup, like this, or a float ball, like this.

The man holds up a black float cup then a copper float ball.

[Narrator] Either way, you'll have a float adjustment screw like this one.

He points to a screw at the top of the float cup.

[Narrator] Just turn it clockwise to lower the water level to that one inch from the top height. Check by flushing. Once you've got it, put the lid back on and reflect on a job well done. Then go to bpu.com and watch some more great videos.

A man sits backwards on a toilet, his chest facing the tank.

[Narrator] I know, I know. Not the way you usually sit here, unless you're checking for a leak. See, even a toilet leak the size of a pinprick can add up. And the average leaky toilet? Well, that means you could be putting over $100 dollars a month right down the drain. So, how do you know if your toilet is costing you money? Easy. All it takes is a few drops of food coloring, and about a half an hour of your time. Just take the lid off the back of your toilet, and add a few drops of food coloring to color the water,

He takes the lid off the tank and squirts in some blue food dye.

[Narrator] and then go do something else for about 30 minutes.

He replaces the toilet tank lid and walks out.

[Narrator] I recommend an old episode of I Love Lucy.

The man stands up and exits the bathroom. Cuts to a door opening and the man re-entering the room.

[Narrator] When time's up, just look in the bowl.

The man lift the toilet seat.

[Narrator] If you see any color in the water, like this, well, you've got yourself a leak.

He looks in the toilet to see blue tinged water.

[Narrator] Fix it yourself or call a plumber. Either way, you'll lose the leak and save cash. To learn how to replace the flapper in your toilet, and fix the leak, look for that video and plenty of others at bpu.com.

A man stands beside a sink holding a aerator.

[Narrator] They say little things make a big difference. Well, that's certainly true when it comes to your home faucets. These little aerators can end up saving you big on water bills. And installing them is as easy as one, two, three. One: unscrew your current aerator.

The man unscrews a piece of the bottom of the faucet head.

[Narrator] Remember, lefty loosey. If you need a wrench, put tape or a rag around the faucet so it doesn't scratch. Two: take the old aerator to your hardware store and find a match with a low-gallon per minute rating. One to 1.5 gallons is great for bathrooms, but try to find a two-gallon model for your kitchen or laundry. Three: put the new aerator on, and this time righty tighty.

The man screws the small piece back on the faucet.

[Narrator] See, it's as easy as one, two, three. For more simple ways to save water watch our other videos at bpu.com.

A man stands in a kitchen holding a mop.

[Narrator] Hey, want to know the best way to get acquainted with the business end of a mop? Let your pipes freeze in the winter. That frozen water expands and when it thaws it can leave a big expensive mess behind.

He sets the mop to the side.

[Narrator] Luckily, there's a lot you can do to prevent this from happening. First, leave cabinet doors open wherever water pipes are present,

He opens the doors beneath the sink.

[Narrator] especially if you're going to be away from home. You can also leave the faucet running, just a bit, to prevent freezes.

He turns the faucet on briefly.

[Narrator] You can also have some do-it-yourself insurance with insulation wraps or even this electric heat tape.

He holds up examples of electric heat tape.

[Narrator] You can find it at your hardware store. Just wrap your pipes and plug it in. Now if you don't take the precautions and you do get a frozen pipe, never thaw it with an open flame. You can do more harm than good. Instead try a hairdryer or wrap the frozen section in warm wet towels, just swap them out as they cool. And if you're not sure where the freeze is at, just feel around. For more helpful videos, go to bpu.com.

A man stands in the bathroom.

[Narrator] From bathrooms...

The scene flips to him standing in the kitchen.

[Narrator] To kitchens...

The scene flips again to him standing in front of the stairs to the basement.

[Narrator] To basements.

[Narrator] There's water flowing virtually everywhere in your home.

He appears in the bathroom again.

[Narrator] And that means there could be costly leaks virtually everywhere too. That's why it's so important to make a routine inspection from time to time. Start here,

He gestures to the toilet.

[Narrator] because toilets are the most common source of leaks. Look for movement in the water, or listen for those ghost flushes. See or hear that, call the plumber. Or you can always fix it yourself with the help from tons of online tutorials, including the How to Replace a Flapper Valve video you'll find at bpu.com. Next, check all your faucets, inside and out. It usually requires no more than installing new washers to stop these leaks. Your hardware store can help you out there. Then, spend a little time in the kitchen. Check the lines to your dishwasher, and to your ice maker if you have one. No drips, no problem. But if you see water, better see when the plumber can come over. And don't forget to check the washing machine, too. And of course, any time you see water in places it shouldn't be, that's a sure bet you've got a problem. Call a plumber you trust to locate and repair any line leaks. Best way to keep your home sweet home is to make sure it's home dry home. So take the time to check for leaks. You'll be glad you did. And you'll be glad you watched our other helpful videos at bpu.com.

A man is sitting on a window sill next to a window sealing kit.

[Narrator] If your house has windows, chances are your house leaks air, and that's costing you money every month. But you can stop the leak, and it's as easy as buying a kit from your hardware store. The kit comes with instructions, and all you need is a good pair of scissors, measuring tape, a hair dryer,

He picks up a hair dryer as an example.

[Narrator] and the desire to save a little cash. For other energy saving tips, watch all of our videos at bpu.com. BPU: The Power of Community.

The video opens to a faucet dripping water into the sink, then shifts to a man standing beside the leaking faucet.

[Narrator] Little drip. No big deal, right? Well, when a faucet drips just 10 drops a minute, that adds up to almost 350 gallons a year and that's just money down the drain. Fixing a leaky faucet is actually pretty easy.

He reaches toward the counter and picks up a package of faucet parts.

[Narrator] Usually, it's just a matter of replacing some washers or springs inside the faucet handles. You can get a kit with all the parts that you need for a few bucks at your hardware store and you can get advice on how to do the work there too. Plus, there are dozens of handy example videos online. It's a pretty simple do-it-yourself way to save money, and save water. It's good for your pocketbook and it's good for Kansas City, Kansas. That's the power of community. For other energy saving tips, make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

A man closes the front door of a home.

[Narrator] We probably open and close a hundred doors a day. But we really don't spend too much time thinking about 'em. I mean, they're just doors right? But if they're leaking air in and out of your house, your doors are costing you money and wasting power. So what do you do? Well first, you check for leaks.

He wipes his hand with a rag and waves it in front of the door.

[Narrator] Wipe the back of your hand with a wet rag then move your hand around the door frame. If you feel a cool breeze, you have a leak. There are several options for fixing leaks. Like this adhesive back felt. It's pretty inexpensive and easy to install. You just remove the old section, cut a new piece to fit,

The man peels off a section of felt tape.

[Narrator] peel off the backing, and place your new weather stripping. Perfect. No more leaks, no more wasted energy. For more energy saving tips, make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

A man standing behind of a lamp with a CFL bulb in one hand and a standard bulb in the other.

[Narrator] Did you know that you can save almost 100 bucks a year just by switching from old fashioned light bulbs to CFL bulbs? It's true. When you use CFL bulbs, you're helping your family budget. When we all use CFL bulbs, we're helping Wyandotte County.

He screws in the CFL bulb and turns on the lamp before replacing the shade.

[Narrator] And that's the power of community. For more energy saving tips, make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

A man kneeling by the foundation of a house. He sprays some expanding foam from the can.

[Narrator] See this? It expands. But what's really cool is how it keeps your monthly energy costs from expanding. This sealant foam, that you can find at your hardware store, helps you seal off air leaks in your house. The less leaks, the more you save heating and cooling. Using it is as easy as walking around and looking. If you see a gap, spray the foam around it. Bam. No more leak. Walk around your home. See the leaks, fill the leaks.

The camera zooms in on window wells and the spaces between pipes and bricks outside the house.

[Narrator] Places to look include baseboards, window frames, your outdoor faucets, dryer vents, and voids in your garage. So seal it up and save. For other energy saving tips, make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com. BPU: The Power of Community.

A man stands in a basement.

[Narrator] My basement isn't all that scary. But do you know what is? How much money and power we waste because we're not sure what kind of furnace filters to use and how often to change them. Lots of choices like cheap filters like this one

The man holds up a brown filter.

[Narrator] to the more expensive ones like this one.

He holds up a different filter.

[Narrator] Bottom line: they all work. But only if you change them regularly, at least once every three months. If they get clogged, then your heating and air conditioning have to work too hard to get the air through the house. Changing them out is easy.

He pulls a filter from the diagonal slot in the furnace and replaces it with a fresh one.

[Narrator] Just pull out the old one and pop in the new one. Done. Almost. Don't forget to make a note on your calendar three months from today to change it out next time. Save money and energy. That's good for Wyandotte County and that's the power of community. For more energy saving tips make sure to watch all of our videos on bpu.com.

A man shuts a door as he leaves a room and walks down the hall toward two open doors.

[Narrator] One of the easiest ways to save on your monthly heating and cooling bills is to practice what's called zone heating and cooling. All that means is only heat or cool the rooms you're using. Close the vents and doors in empty rooms.

He shuts the two open doors.

[Narrator] Or as my dad used to say, "only heat or cool the furniture you're sitting in." Another easy way to save money and protect the environment. That's the power of community. For other energy saving tips, please make sure to watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

[Narrator] Need two easy ways to save electricity? Right here.

A man standing in the hallway of a home points to a light switch.

[Narrator] Light switches and power outlets. First leave the lights off when you're not in the room. Second seal air leaks to keep hot or cold air from seeping in and out of your home. Gaskets, canned foam, and caulk can be used.

He holds up a gasket, a can of foam, and a tube of caulk in turn.

[Narrator] Just pick the one you like best. It only takes a few minutes to make your home more energy efficient. For more energy efficient tips make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

A man stands up from his water heater in the basement.

[Narrator] There. I just saved around 10% on my water heating costs and it took me about three seconds and that's all it'll take you, too. Let me show you.

He kneels down to the base of the water heater and turns the dial to 120 degrees.

[Narrator] Just find the thermostat on your hot water heater and turn it to 120 degrees. That's hot enough for you to do anything that you need and it's easier on your hot water heater. That's why it saves money. Changing mine from 150 to 120 degrees saved me 10%. See, you have the power to save right in your own hand. For other energy saving tips, make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com. BPU: The Power of Community.

A man standing in the bathroom holding a cellphone to his ear.

[Narrator] Okay I'll see you on Thursday, thanks.

He puts the cellphone back in his pocket after finishing the call.

[Narrator] That was my plumber. He's coming over to fix this leaky toilet. Gonna cost me almost 200 bucks. Ouch. Still no where near as painful as that leak. Did you know a single leaky toilet can cost you about $2000 a year? $2000. Now you can fix most leaky toilets without a plumber's help. You'll save at least $100 on labor, but this time, I'm leaving it to the pros. Besides, even after I pay the plumber, I'm still saving over $1800. Pretty good day in my book. Bottom line: if your toilet's leaking, you're the one getting soaked for $2000 every year. So stop that leak and start saving that money every month. For other energy saving tips make sure you watch all of our videos at bpu.com.

A man carrying a posthole digger stands in front of a house.

[Narrator] Here's a tip from BPU you're really gonna dig. Sorry, couldn't help myself. But it really is a helpful tip.

Man walks over to a tree in a temporary pot.

[Narrator] If you need to dig a hole, even just to plant a little tree, you need to make sure you're not going to hit any utility lines. You can cause an outage or much worse cause yourself or others serious harm. Not to mention potential fines and repair costs. Luckily there's a free way to know what's below. Kansas One Call. Just dial 811 a few days before you wanna dig and they'll come out and mark all your lines. You can call anytime, twenty-four seven. Or just go to kansasonecall.com. It's simple, it's free and it's the law. You dig? Sorry, I just can't help myself. Find more informative videos and less bad puns at bpu.com.