As the days get shorter and the temperatures begin to drop it is time to start thinking about if we are being energy efficient in our homes

Ashley Belle is the Environmental and Energy Stewardship Educator with the U of I Extension Program. She says it would be smart to weatherize your home it will pay dividends not only in the winter months but also in July as well.

Belle warns residents about vampire power or phantom loads which is leaving phone charges and lamps plugged in when they are not being used but still draw a small amount of power.

Belle appeared as a guest on the Newstalk WTIM Morning Show.