A Quiz for Everyone
- At what temperature range should you set your water heater?
Correct!
1. C. 115-120 degrees should be hot enough to meet household needs. For additional energy-saving tips, please see the OUCC's "Reduce Your Summer Electric Bill" and "Reduce Your Winter Energy Bills" brochures. - A faucet that drips once per second and goes un-repaired for a year will waste:
Correct!
2. D. If a faucet drips once per second and is not repaired, it will waste nearly 260 gallons in a month and more than 3,100 gallons in a year. The OUCC's "Reduce Your Water Bill" brochure offers advice on testing for leaks and additional helpful tips. - How can you prevent voice mail fraud?
Correct!
3. E. All of the above. Changing your password frequently and using ones that are not easily guessed (like your phone number, birth date or "1234") is very important. The OpenLines Telephone Fraud, Slamming/Cramming and Modem Hijacking fact sheets offer many helpful tips for protecting yourself. - You should stay at least 15 feet away from a downed power line.
True!
4. You should stay at least 15 feet away from downed power lines and always assume that every power line is live! The OUCC urges all consumers to review the "Energy Safety Tips" brochure on our Website, which offers 60 important tips. - Where should you plant deciduous trees in order to receive the greatest energy saving benefit?
Correct!
5. E. By planting trees on the south and west sides of your home, you can shade your home from sunlight during the hottest parts of the day during the summer. Because these trees lose their leaves in the fall, winter sunlight will reach the building and help keep it warm. Also, planting evergreen trees to the north of a building will help protect it from wind year-round. For more energy efficiency tips, please see the OUCC's "Reduce Your Winter Energy Bills" and "Reduce Your Summer Electric Bill" brochures. - What insulation rating is recommended for household walls in Indiana?
Correct!
6. B. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends insulation ratings between R-18 and R-22 for walls and between R-38 and R-49 for ceilings in Indiana homes. The OUCC Website offers a link to the DOE's Insulation Fact Sheet, which will allow you to look up recommended ratings for your community. - Direct load control (DLC) programs which can save consumers money on summer electric bills while helping the utility control its power load on peak demand days. Which Indiana electric utilities offer them?
Correct!
7. E. The OUCC's "A Small Switch" fact sheet offers specific information on each DLC program, along with contact numbers you can call to sign up. - What are disadvantages of VoIP (Voice over IP)?
Correct!
8. E. A and B are disadvantages, but VoIP may actually save you a substantial amount of money on long distance. Please see the OpenLines VoIP brochure for an overview of the pros and cons. - Utilities are not required to notify customers if their service is going to be disconnected.
True and False!
9. In most cases, regulated electric and natural gas utilities must provide the customer with written notice 14 days before the disconnection date (water, sewer and landline telephone providers must provide at least 7 days notice). However, utilities may disconnect without notice under certain circumstances (including a life-threatening situation or if service is being used in a fraudulent manner). The OUCC's "Utility Service Disconnection" brochure offers important information on consumer rights and responsibilities. - How can a consumer qualify for local telephone service discounts through the Lifeline/Link-Up programs?
Correct!
10. F. All of the above. In addition, families receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits qualify for Lifeline/Link-Up. Program applications are available on the OUCC's Website or by calling the agency toll-free at 1-888-441-2494. - How often do natural gas utilities submit Gas Cost Adjustment (GCA) filings, which allow them to recover wholesale gas costs through rates on a dollar-for-dollar basis?
Correct!
11. E. Most natural gas utilities submit GCA filings every 3 months, while others have IURC permission to do them monthly. The OUCC's "Gas Cost Adjustments" fact sheet offers more information on the process. - 12. If you qualify for the insulation deduction on Indiana state income taxes, you may be able to deduct up to:
Correct!
12. C. The state insulation deduction is available for up to $1000 for qualifying consumers. Federal tax credits are also available for specific energy efficiency improvements made in 2006 and 2007. The OUCC Website offers links to more specific information on both state and federal energy efficiency tax incentives. - Consumers can provide input on any case pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
Correct!
13. True. The OUCC accepts written consumer comments on any pending IURC case. Comments are accepted by mail, fax and online. - The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) offers speakers to organizations throughout the state at no charge.
Correct!
14. True. The OUCC offers free presentations to groups of 20 or more on topics including energy conservation, reducing utility bills, preventing telephone fraud, and more. To schedule a speaker, please call us toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.
Top FAQsI Want To...
Top FAQs I Want To...
- Reduce my winter heating bills
- Receive tax incentives for energy efficiency
- Understand natural gas prices
- Understand electric rates
- Reduce my water bill
- Understand sewer rates
- Understand my phone bill
- Protect myself from telephone fraud
- Find a broadband service provider
- Know the pros and cons of going all-wireless
- Know the pros and cons of Internet telephony (VoIP)
- Comment on a pending case
