Keeping bills low during winter season

LITTLE ROCK, AR -- Centerpoint Energy managers say the largest portion of your energy bill will come from your heating system. So they say there are a lot of things you can do to keep your home warm, while keeping your bills low at the same time.

1. Keep your thermostat as low as possible. Managers advise you to keep it somewhere around 68 degrees.

2. If you get cold, add blankets. Managers say by grabbing a extra covering is a good option if you don't want to turn your heater up.

3.When you leave home, turn your thermostat down about ten degrees. Managers say you save money, but you also prevent your pipes from freezing.

If you are having problems paying your utility bills, there are agencies out there to help. But many of those have suffered deep cuts because of the economy.

Centerpoint manager Keith Cragg says the money available is given on a first come first - serve basis. So if you need help, pick up the phone.

"If for instance, (customers) are not going to be able to make their monthly bill, just give us a call at our 1800 number, we might provide them with a 30 day extension or we might set them up on a payment program . Anything we can do to make our product affordable to them, that's what we are going to do, we are going to work with them in any way we can," said Cragg.

It is also recommended customers have a carbon monoxide detector. Exposure to the gas can kill because it doesn't have a color or odor.