Posted on: May 9, 2023
If you are looking to save money on your utility bills, evaluating the practices in your laundry room is a great place to start. Here are some tips to help you cut back on water usage and reduce your monthly spend.
Use a High-Efficiency Washing Machine
Upgrading to a high-efficiency washing machine can help reduce water usage by up to 50%. These machines use less water and energy to wash your clothes, which can save you money in the long run.
Wash Full Loads Only
Only run your washing machine when you have a full load of laundry. Washing smaller loads wastes water and energy, which can add up on your bill.
Adjust Water Levels
Most washing machines have adjustable water levels, so make sure you’re using the appropriate level for the size of your load. Don’t use more water than necessary.
Use Cold Water
Using cold water for your laundry can save you money on your energy bill, as it doesn’t require heating. Plus, cold water is gentler on your clothes and can help them last longer.
Fix Leaks
Check for leaks in your washing machine, hoses, and faucets. Even a small leak can waste a lot of water over time and increase your bill.
Skip the Pre-Rinse
Most washing machines today are designed to handle dirty clothes without the need for a pre-rinse. Skipping this step will also save you time on your washing cycle.
Insulate Your Pipes
Insulating your water pipes can help prevent heat loss and reduce the amount of time it takes for hot water to reach your machine. This will save money on your energy bill and reduce water waste.
Wash Clothes Less Often
Consider washing some of your clothes less often. Many items, such as jeans and jackets, can be worn multiple times before needing to be washed.
By implementing these simple tips in the laundry room, you can reduce your water usage and save money on your monthly bill. Remember, every little bit helps, and small changes can make a big difference over time. Click here to check out more energy-saving tips from Dollar Energy Fund.
Posted on: April 24, 2023
Dollar Energy Fund set out to create the ultimate fan experience through our Fan Appreciation Night Raffle! Five finalists were selected from a pool of 1,312 entries for this one-of-a-kind opportunity. Each finalist received two tickets to the Jim Beam© Make History™ Party Suite to watch the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks game on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at PPG Paints Arena.
Before the puck dropped, each of the finalists had the opportunity to reach into their gift bag and pull out a hockey puck. The finalist who received a yellow puck was granted participation in the Shirts Off Our Backs selection process and received an autographed, game-worn jersey from Jason Zucker (#16). Congratulations to our grand prize winner! The remaining finalists received black autographed pucks and prize packs.
Thank you to all of the Penguins fans who purchased raffle tickets. Each ticket resulted in a $10 donation to Dollar Energy Fund, with a dollar-for-dollar match from our utility partners. In total, the Fan Appreciation Night Raffle raised over $13,000 in utility assistance. All proceeds will be used to help our neighbors in need restore or maintain basic utility service.
Posted on: April 17, 2023
Dollar Energy Fund is halfway through its 2022-2023 program year. Let’s look back at what we have accomplished during the past six months, with the help of our staff, utility partners and supporters.
November
- Dollar Energy Fund announced a new partnership with Aqua to administer their Customer Assistance Program. The Aqua Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is a discount program designed to provide monthly financial assistance for residential water and/or wastewater customers.
- Dollar Energy Fund began administering the National Fuel Gas Low-Income Residential Assistance Program (LIRA) in November. The LIRA program is a discount program designed to provide utility assistance for residential gas customers.
- The Citizen’s Bank Foundation awarded Dollar Energy Fund with a $53,000 donation towards the Hardship Program and Cool Down for Warmth campaign.
Dollar Energy Fund hosted its annual Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon in partnership with iHeartMedia and 3WS Pittsburgh. The event raised $161,580 to provide utility assistance to approximately 449 Pittsburgh households (1,347 neighbors) who were struggling to stay warm.- Dollar Energy Fund was a sponsor and benefiting charity of Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland in Butler, PA and Johnson City, TN. Coupons were distributed to customers to receive $2 off admission and Dollar Energy Fund received a $1 donation for every coupon redeemed.
- Dollar Energy Fund participated in #GiveBigPittsburgh and #ShareOmaha on Giving Tuesday.
December
- Jason Furda Photography donated all proceeds from his 2023 calendar sales to Dollar Energy Fund to help Pittsburgh families in need.
January
- In January, Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $147,000 during its 9th annual Cool Down for Warmth event on Pittsburgh Today Live (KDKA-TV). The amount raised gave assistance to approximately 410 families in Western Pennsylvania who were struggling to afford safe utility service.
February
- In February, Dollar Energy Fund’s 15th annual Warmathon on KDKA Radio raised $162,416, which provided utility assistance grants to 450 additional Pittsburgh-area households.
March
The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics partnered with Dollar Energy Fund once again this season to assist families in the Pittsburgh region struggling to afford heat. Through the “Points For Power” program, First Commonwealth Bank donated $1.00 for every point scored by RMU men’s and women’s basketball teams during the 2022-23 season. Each dollar donated was matched by Dollar Energy Fund’s utility partners. The total amount raised was $8,000.- This year’s Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth in Nebraska raised $138,000 to provide utility assistance to Omaha Public Power and Metropolitan Utilities District customers in need.
- Dollar Energy Fund partnered with the Pittsburgh Penguins to host two fundraising campaigns in March – the Fan Appreciation Night Raffle and Jerseys for Warmth Charitable Auction. With your help and a generous match from our utility partners, these campaigns raised a total of $74,620 to benefit an estimated 207 households in our community.
Most importantly, Dollar Energy Fund has already distributed 16,852 grants, totaling $5.3 across the country since October 1, 2022. Since 1983, we have assisted more than 811,500 households by distributing over $245 million in utility assistance nationwide.
With your help, we can continue to provide immediate and direct assistance during our 2022-2023 program year. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make an extraordinary impact by ensuring local, limited-income families maintain or restore safe utility service and get on a path to self-sufficiency. If you would like to get involved during this program year, subscribe to our email newsletters to stay up to date on our latest fundraising campaigns.
On behalf of the many individuals, seniors, and families we have helped, we thank you for your continued support!
Posted on: March 23, 2023
The Jerseys for Warmth Charitable Action raised $61,500 to support Dollar Energy Fund and benefit local families in need of utility assistance. Our utility partners generously matched all donations dollar-for-dollar, enabling us to provide utility assistance to an estimated 170 families in our community.
Over two dozen Pittsburgh Penguins game-worn jerseys from the February 23 game, versus the Edmonton Oilers, were auctioned off online. Each jersey was a special piece of memorabilia, autographed and authenticated with a commemorative patch.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Jerseys for Warmth auction. Stay tuned for more opportunities to help your neighbors in need this year. Don’t miss out on the chance to participate in our Pittsburgh Penguins Fan Appreciation Night Raffle – happening right now! Click here to learn more and get your raffle tickets today.
Posted on: March 8, 2023
Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Public Power District hosted their annual Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth on Saturday, March 4, in Aksarben Village. The event raised more than $138,000 and all proceeds will be used to support local utility assistance programs and help those in the greater Omaha communities with their utility bills. Each year, Heat the Streets is hosted in the cold winter months to bring attention to those who struggle to keep the lights on and heat their homes. However, utility assistance is a year-round need.
The success of this event would not have been possible without the generous support from sponsors and the community participation. This year’s event was attended by more than 900 runners and walkers–the highest turnout in Heat the Streets’ 16-year history.
Donations are still being accepted to support this cause! Visit the Heat the Streets donation page to make a contribution today. Funds are administered by Dollar Energy Fund. All money stays local and supports Metropolitan Utilities District’s Home Fund and Omaha Public Power District’s Energy Assistance Program.
Posted on: February 22, 2023
(L-R) Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn, RMU Vice-President & Director of Athletics, First Commonwealth Bank Sr. Vice-President T.J. Reisdorf, and his son, Evan.
The Robert Morris University Department of Athletics has once again partnered with Dollar Energy Fund to host its “Points For Power” promotion, presented by First Commonwealth Bank, to assist families in the Pittsburgh region struggling to make ends meet and keep their homes warm this winter. Through the “Points For Power” program, First Commonwealth Bank donates $1.00 for every point scored by the RMU men’s and women’s basketball teams during the 2022-23 season. Each dollar donated will be matched dollar for dollar by Dollar Energy Fund’s utility partners, with 100 percent of all donations used to help local families. .
On Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn was presented with a gameball and check during the men’s basketball team’s matchup with Youngstown State University. Joining Chad were Chris King, Robert Morris University Vice-President & Director of Athletics, and T.J. Reisdorf, Sr. Vice-President, First Commonwealth Bank (and his son, Evan).
So far this season, more than $7,000 has been generated through the “Points for Power” promotion. With at least a combined six more games remaining in the 2022-2023 season for the men’s and women’s teams, this promotion will continue raise funds for Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program.
TOTAL UPDATE! The Points for Power promotion has generated a total of $8,000 in utility assistance during the 2022-2023 season. We extend our gratitude to First Commonwealth Bank, Robert Morris University Department of Athletics, and our utility partners, for their generosity. Thank you for your efforts in making a difference in people’s lives.
Posted on: February 21, 2023
Dollar Energy’s Fund’s 15th annual Warmathon on February 16, raised $162,416 during the radio-based fundraiser hosted on KDKA Radio (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA). The effort will provide heat-related utility assistance to 450 additional households (approximately 1,362 neighbors) through Dollar Energy Fund’s Hardship Program.
All donations were matched dollar for dollar by Dollar Energy Fund’s utility partners, which includes Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy and Peoples. Marty Griffin, KDKA Radio host, led the on-air efforts and appealed to listeners, asking them to make a donation in support of the cause. The Warmathon was sponsored by First National Bank (Presenting sponsor), Bill Few Associates and Aetna Medicare Solutions (Brought to You By sponsors), TriState Office Furniture (Call Center Sponsor), Levin Furniture (Tote Board Sponsor), Aquaguard, Cedarbrook Golf Club, CentiMark, Citizens, COIT Cleaning and Restoration, LeMont Restaurant, Nest Expressions, Seneca Resources, and True Value.
Those donating $180 or more became Neighborhood Heroes and were entered into a drawing to win free utilities for a year and other prize packages. A donation at this level, when combined with the utility matching funds, provides utility assistance for a household in need.
Warmathon donors at various support levels were also eligible to receive a variety of incentives throughout the day, including gift certificates and services from event sponsors and entrance into raffles for prizes. Dozens of incentives were offered from Candelore’s Barking Beauties, Cuccaro Plumbing, Cucina Bella, Carmi Express, COIT Cleaning and Restoration, Greater Pittsburgh Tree Service, IronRock Taphouse, Levin Furniture, Matt Mertz Plumbing, Napa Prime Chophouse, Nasco Roofing Oakmont Bakery, Off the Hook, Prime Gourmet, Sarris Candies, Smallman Street Deli, Swimming Pool Discounters, Tambellini Restaurant, Treats & Beans, Tudi Mechanical, and more!
The Warmathon has raised more than $3.7 million for local, limited-income families since 2009.
Donations to support the Warmathon are still be accepted. Those wishing to contribute can do so by mailing a check to Dollar Energy Fund at Box 42329, Pittsburgh, PA 15203; or by visiting www.warmathon.com.
KDKA Radio’s Marty Griffin speaks with Dollar Energy Fund CEO Chad Quinn during the live broadcast of the 2023 Warmathon to benefit Dollar Energy Fund.
Posted on: January 27, 2023
Dollar Energy Fund raised more than $147,000 during its 9th annual Cool Down for Warmth campaign on January 26, all with the help of local business leaders, sponsors, utility partners and many generous community individuals. The amount raised will provide assistance for approximately 410 families in Western Pennsylvania who are struggling to stay warm in their homes this winter. Though the event is over, donations are still coming in! Those who wish to help local families in need may continue to donate online at www.dollarenergy.org/donate.
Dollar Energy Fund’s Cool Down for Warmth, powered by Dynegy, took place in partnership with KDKA-TV’s Pittsburgh Today Live (PTL), and provided an opportunity for the community to make a donation in support of local families. This year, Mastro Gourmet Quality Ice built an ice news desk in Gateway Center that were showcased during PTL’s live broadcast and during KDKA-TV weather segments.
Donors made contributions through Dollar Energy Fund’s website or on Givebutter, where groups like Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Public Utility Law Section utilized the crowd funding platform to raise funds towards the cause.
All donations from this event were matched dollar-for-dollar by our local utility partners and 100% will go directly to support local Western Pennsylvania families who are struggling to restore or maintain basic utility service.
Dollar Energy Fund is grateful for the overwhelming support of our generous utility partners and sponsors, including Dynegy, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, FirstEnergy, Peoples, Citizens Bank, EQT, First Commonwealth Bank, and UPMC.
On behalf of the limited-income households we will continue to assist this year, thank you to everyone who supported our event! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more updates on future fundraisers, like our Warmathon taking place on February 16.
Posted on: November 17, 2022
After Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s time to kick off the charitable season by making a donation on Giving Tuesday. A donation to Dollar Energy Fund is a great way to maximize your charitable dollars. There are many ways to support your neighbors in need on Giving Tuesday, including supporting a local campaign or making a general donation. Here are some suggestions on how you can help local families maintain or restore basic utility service this holiday season:
Give Big Pittsburgh (PA)
Dollar Energy Fund will be participating in #GiveBigPittsburgh on November 29, 2022. #GiveBigPittsburgh is an online fundraising effort, hosted by Pittsburgh Magazine, and offers nonprofits the chance to raise funds to support their critical missions. Please visit our Give Big Pittsburgh profile page and make your contribution. Every donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by our partnering Pennsylvania utility companies and 100% of all funds will be used to provide utility assistance grants to local neighbors in need.
SHARE Omaha (NE)
Be a part of hearts and hands giving to hundreds of local nonprofits across Nebraska. In partnership with Metropolitan Utilities District and Omaha Public Power District, Dollar Energy Fund is participating in SHARE Omaha for Giving Tuesday. Visit our SHARE Omaha profile page and make a contribution to help Nebraska neighbors in need. 100% of funds raised will be used to provide utility assistance to MUD and OPPD customers in need.
Make a General Giving Tuesday Donation Online
Make your contribution to Dollar Energy Fund through our secure, web-based donation portal via credit card.
Check the Box
Check the Box on your monthly utility bill. Simply check the box on your utility bill to add a donation of $1 or more. The donation is automatically added and allows you to continue to make a difference throughout the year as you make your payments. As more and more people are opting out of paper bills, we’ve made it easy for you to sign up online via our virtual Check the Box website below.
Posted on: November 14, 2022
The Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon raised $161,580 to benefit Dollar Energy Fund and our neighbors in need, thanks to the combined effort of 3WS Pittsburgh and our supporters across the region. The amount raised will provide utility assistance to more than 449 Pittsburgh families (approx. 1,347 neighbors) during this winter.
Our sixth Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon took place on November 9 and 10, 2022. 94.5 3WS and Dollar Energy Fund teamed up to bring the community a fun way to help families in our region stay warm. Over the course of the two-day event, 3WS listeners took over the station with their song requests. In exchange for a donation, listeners could request any song with the on-air talent Jonny Hartwell, Bonny Diver, Tall Cathy, and Mike Frazer. A variety of donation incentives were also available during the event, such as concert and game tickets, a spa package, and a new furnace!
The success of our Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon event would not have been possible without our generous sponsors, including Citizens Bank, Ganley Toyota, 84 Lumber, North Shore Tavern, First National Bank, Metropolitan Window Company, EZ Home Exteriors, Flynn’s Tire & Auto Service, GBU Life, GetGo, and Michelob Ultra. All donations were generously matched dollar-for-dollar by our utility partners: Peoples, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Company, and West Penn Power, a FirstEnergy Company. In addition, our Neighborhood Hero donation incentives were provided by Air Pro Heating & Cooling, Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland, and Re-Mixxd by Steel City Galleries. Lunch and refreshments were provided to staff and phone bank volunteers by North Shore Tavern and Walnut Grill. All of these businesses share Dollar Energy Fund’s mission for assisting the limited-income community. Many of them return to support this campaign year after year, and we thank them so much for their unwavering support.
Dollar Energy Fund also wants to extend a big THANK YOU to the staff at 3WS and iHeart Pittsburgh for rallying their listeners to support our cause.
If you missed our Winter Warm Up Request-A-Thon, you can always help a neighbor in need by visiting our website. All donations are matched dollar-for-dollar and 100% of funds go directly to assist families in need.
