April 2025
Clean Up Energy Waste for Lower Bills
Include wasted energy in your spring cleaning and dust off monthly savings without sacrificing comfort or convenience. The changing seasons can signal transitions in home heating and cooling needs, household routines and serve as a reminder that reducing energy use can be easy, inexpensive and provide immediate savings. Here are some simple ways to get started:
- Use motion and daylight sensors on outdoor fixtures to limit when porch and garage lights activate.
- Replace cracked or peeling weatherstripping and caulking around doors, windows, plumbing and other openings on the outside of the home.
- Install low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators to reduce water heating costs and water use.
- Run full loads in the dishwasher or clothes washer and adjust to energy efficient settings.
- Set refrigerators no colder than 37 degrees Fahrenheit and freezers to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep their coils dust-free.
- Adjust air conditioning settings to a few degrees higher than prior years to save on cooling costs and consider ceiling fans or a cool cross breeze in the mornings and evenings if it’s safe to open windows.
- On warm, sunny days, hang clothes to dry instead of using the dryer.
- Don’t leave electronics powered on. Even in “rest” or “sleep” modes, electronics consume energy and generate heat. A household full of appliances and devices on standby can add up to significant energy waste.
For more tips on tidying up household energy use, visit clarkpublicutilities.com/reducewaste
Time to Test Backflow Prevention Devices
Spring is the season for required annual backflow testing of irrigation, lawn sprinkler, and fire suppression systems. These systems must include a functioning backflow prevention device, and testing is required by law.
Clark Public Utilities water customers can choose to contact a tester directly from a courtesy list on our website or participate in the utility’s annual backflow testing program. To enroll, contact 360-992-3000 or [email protected].
Home and Garden Idea Fair is a Gardening Tradition
Get your garden beds and shovel ready ahead of one of the region’s largest plant sales, an annual tradition at the Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 26 & 27.
This year’s sale features three dozen specialty and generalist nurseries, with many offering plant varieties you might not find anywhere else. Whether you’re a seasoned horticulturalist looking for a particular start, a homeowner with landscaping dreams, or new plant parent wanting to add some color and boost your curb-appeal, this kick-off to the spring planting season will have you set.
Come ready to shop! Wagon rentals and shopping boxes are available, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own gear to tow and stow purchases. Thank you to our presenting partner, Shovel & Thumb Landscape and Garden Center for supporting this year’s plant sale.
For more than 30 years, the Clark Public Utilities Home & Garden Idea Fair has helped homeowners and renters at all stages of life enhance living spaces with services, products and guidance from local experts. Clark Public Utilities curates the event each year to showcase a unique mix of more than 180 local home and garden businesses, artisans and experts who can bring your indoor and outdoor inspiration to life.
Visit clarkpublicutilities.com/hgif to learn more.
Did You Know…
Clark Public Utilities offers a variety of rebate and incentive programs to help customers reduce energy costs and make their homes more comfortable and energy efficient year-round?
Before you make home improvements or replace appliances, explore current offers and see if your home qualifies, with a visit to clarkpublicutilities.com/rebates.