You get a call or a visit from someone claiming to be from your energy company. They explain that your bill is past due and threaten to shut off your service if you don't make a payment. However, you know your monthly bill was paid. Do you need to worry?

The answer is yes, but not for the reason you might think. Energy bill scams are becoming increasingly common. Scammers will use aggressive tactics, such as insisting your account is delinquent and threatening to shut off service immediately. As a customer, it can be difficult to ignore these convincing phone calls, emails and even home visits.

To protect yourself from scams, be on the lookout for these red flags:

• Demand for payment in unconventional ways, such as cash, bank transfer or a check in their name
• Requests for personal information such as your social security number and bank account numbers
• The scammer has no proof of employment with your energy company and isn't wearing branded clothing or materials

In some cases, scammers will use seasonal bill spikes as an opportunity to swindle energy customers. For example, they might show up at your door with a fake promotion to help you save money. This type of fraud is most common in the summer and winter months when increased energy demand leads to higher bills, and customers may be more receptive to savings opportunities.

Follow these steps if you encounter an energy bill scam:

1. If a suspected scammer shows up at your home, lock the doors.
2. Report the suspicious activity to your local law enforcement.
3. Contact your energy company and explain the situation.
4. Spread the word to family, friends and neighbors so that they don't become victims of the scam.
5. Report the scam to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Keep in mind that if your bill is in fact unpaid, your energy company will not immediately disconnect service. First, you'll receive a bill highlighting the overdue amount. If this payment is still not received, the next step is a disconnection notice.

Your energy company will give you ample time to make payments and will never use threatening tactics. With this knowledge, you can empower yourself against scammers.

Water heating can be a real drain on your energy budget. In fact, it's the second-largest energy user for the typical household. Electric heat pump water heaters are your energy-efficient alternative to conventional units. They can save you energy and money and reduce your impact on the environment.

Lower operating costs

Heat pump water heaters are more efficient than conventional units. How? While most water heaters rely on fuel to generate the heat used to warm your household's water, heat pump models pull heat directly from the air. That means you'll save energy and money on what was previously used to create that heat.

This feature makes heat pump water heaters much more efficient than their conventional counterparts. That efficiency can save you up to hundreds of dollars on energy bills each year. Also heat pumps tend to require less maintenance than conventional water heaters and they last longer, saving you even more.

Increased safety

Gas-fueled water heaters emit carbon monoxide, which can be deadly. Plus, there is the potential for gas leaks. With electric heat pump water heaters, onsite emissions and worries about gas leaks will be a thing of the past. Plus, the unit doesn't get too hot, making it safer for curious kids or pets at home.

Smaller environmental footprint

Heat pump water heaters are also better for the environment. Because heat pumps move heat rather than create it, there's no burning fossil fuels on site, and no greenhouse gas emissions. Heat pumps do use electricity, which creates emissions. However, the high efficiency of heat pump units combined with the fact that more renewable energy is being used on the grid, means that electric heat pump water heaters can reduce your overall environmental footprint.

Reach for the ENERGY STAR®

When you have a new heat pump water installed, make sure it's ENERGY STAR®-certified. ENERGY STAR is a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that tests and certifies products for energy efficiency and performance. ENERGY STAR heat pump water heaters can save an average household of four about $550 each year and more than $5,600 over the unit's lifetime.

Heat pump water heaters are the more efficient, safer and environmentally friendly choice for your household.

Are you burnt out on that old lighting system in your business? Why not brighten things up with a lighting upgrade? Any project involves crucial steps to success, as well as fundamental mistakes to avoid. Here are things you should and shouldn't do to optimize your lighting upgrade.

You should:

Switch to LEDs. LEDs are up to 75% more efficient than conventional lights and come with other features that can benefit your business. LEDs last much longer, reducing maintenance issues and costs. LEDs also provide superior light quality and are adjustable for brightness and warmth, allowing you to create a more productive and visually appealing workplace. Finally, LEDs are dimmable and start instantly, making a perfect fit for energy-saving controls.

Add controls. Even the most efficient lights waste energy lighting empty spaces. Automated controls optimize savings and add convenience. Controls — such as timers, occupancy sensors and photosensors — dim lights or switch them on and off based on time, occupancy, light level or a combination of strategies. Wireless light controls add flexibility and are cheaper to install.

Make the right match. Your new lighting system may not live up to expectations unless it's properly configured to match the needs of the application and the space. The quantity of light needed depends largely on the application or the tasks being performed. The Illuminating Engineering Society provides recommended light levels for a variety of applications and tasks.

You shouldn't:

Operate in the dark. Information is vital in making good investment decisions. Gather records about the lighting system installation and maintenance: age, type, fixture wattage and so on. A lighting audit can help measure the financial worth of an upgrade. Your lighting contractor should provide a detailed installation checklist spelling out exactly what will be done. ANSI/IES LP-9-20: Upgrading Lighting Systems in Commercial and Industrial Facilities gives valuable guidance on upgrades.

Get too off color. The color temperature output of light fixtures — measured in Kelvin (K) — can affect employee productivity. Studies show that employees prefer warm light (3,000 K) in breakrooms, a color in the mid-range (4,000 K) for conference rooms, and cool light (5,000 K) in offices or work areas to improve alertness and mood.

Lose your focus. Although LEDs are durable and have a long-rated life, proper maintenance is critical to optimizing performance over time. Light output decreases over time and dirt accumulation on lamps and fixtures reduces their effectiveness. Implement a regular maintenance and cleaning schedule that includes group relamping, which saves on labor costs and ensures more uniform lighting.

Planning is important for a successful lighting upgrade. Work with a qualified contractor or lighting designer to ensure you have the right system to fit your needs.

It's not surprising that more than 80% of electric vehicle drivers charge their cars at home: residential charging is convenient and inexpensive. There are a variety of options available for setting up a charging station in your garage or driveway. If you're considering buying an electric vehicle (EV), this is what you need to know about charging your car at home.

1. Charging up is affordable

Charging your EV at home allows you to take advantage of low residential electric rates. It's like always finding the cheapest gas station in town — in your own garage! Fully charging an electric vehicle costs about the same as running a central air conditioner for six hours, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

2. You don't need a charging station

If you're considering buying an electric car, you're probably making plans to charge it in your garage. But you don't need to install a special outlet or elaborate equipment. Most EVs come with a Level 1 charging cord that plugs into a standard, 120-volt household outlet. For maximum safety, use or install an outlet on a dedicated circuit that doesn't supply other appliances or lights.

3. A variety of charging options are available

If you decide to install a charger, you've got options. As EV use increases in popularity, the number of products and services available to support such vehicles is also growing. There's a wide variety of Level 2 charging equipment on the market, including models with display screens and smartphone apps. Although EV charging stations are usually installed in garages, there are also outdoor-rated charging stations that can be installed in driveways.

4. Home charging is safe

Charging your EV is just as safe as using other large appliances. EV connectors contain a communications port, allowing your vehicle to communicate with the charging station and cut off the power flow when it's not needed. Otherwise, just keep the charging cord in a safe place so it doesn't get damaged. Make sure your charging station is installed according to the latest safety codes by a qualified electrician.

5. Financial incentives are available for installing charging stations

A federal tax credit is available that cover up to 30% of the total installed cost of a residential EV charging station, subject to a maximum of $1,000. State and local incentives may also be available. Search the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency for incentives that may be available in your area.

Electric vehicles offer a number of benefits, including lower cost of ownership and reduced carbon emissions. Add to that the convenience of "fueling up" at home. EV drivers can take advantage of low residential electric rates and charge their cars from the comfort of their own garages.

Conventional heating and cooling systems work hard conditioning air to keep your home comfortable. All of that hard work shows up on your energy bills. Geothermal heat pumps can provide some welcome relief, maintaining your-round comfort while using far less energy.

How geothermal systems work

Geothermal systems take advantage of the relatively constant temperature underneath the ground to provide highly efficient heating and cooling.

A system consists of the heat pump unit and a series of pipes buried underground. To provide cooling, a fluid absorbs heat from indoor air through a heat exchanger. The heat pump moves the heated fluid through the pipes where the heat is discharged underground. The fluid — now at a lower temperature — returns to the heat pump, where it absorbs more heat. In winter, this process is reversed, as heat from the ground is transferred into the home.

Geothermal heat pumps may cost more to install than conventional heating and cooling systems. However, their lower maintenance and operational costs, as well as system durability, can make it well worth the investment.

The benefits of geothermal systems

In use since the 1940s, this proven technology offers a number of advantages over conventional units:

• Energy savings. Geothermal heat pumps use 25% to 50% less energy than conventional heating and cooling systems.
• Humidity control. Geothermal systems provide excellent humidity control, maintaining about 50% relative humidity indoors, making them effective in humid climates.
• Less maintenance. These systems have few moving parts; this reduces maintenance needs and increases system durability. Geothermal units typically last 20 years or more.
• Quiet operation. Geothermal systems have no outdoor condenser or fan, so there's no worry about outside noise. The unit in the living space runs very quietly.
• Flexibility. These heat pumps are a good fit for both system upgrades and for new construction. Geothermal system components require less space than conventional heating and cooling units.
• Lower emissions. Since heat pumps don't burn fossil fuels to produce heat, they generate far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a conventional furnace.

Make sure your heat pump is ENERGY STAR®-certified. ENERGY STAR geothermal heat pumps are independently tested to ensure that they provide high-efficiency performance.

Are energy costs eating up your household budget? If so, here are some simple ways that you can start saving energy today without spending money on upgrades or equipment maintenance.

Turn things off. Just turn lights off when you're that last to leave a room and turn off devices when you're not using them. This is the simplest and most effective way to reduce energy waste.

Run full loads. Only run your dishwasher and clothes washer when they are full. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can to save on water heating costs.

Unplug unused electronics. Many electronic devices still use standby power even when you are not using them. Unplug power-draining devices that see little use, such as a TV in the guest room or extra battery chargers.

Adjust the thermostat. Adjust temperatures at night or when you're not at home to give your HVAC system a break. It may seem trivial, but changing the temperature by just a few degrees can save money and energy.

Take shorter showers. Long showers may feel great, but they can use thousands of gallons of water a year, as well as the energy to heat that water. Keep showers to 10 minutes or less. Also, turn off the tap while shaving or brushing your teeth.

Cook up energy savings. Cover pots and pans; food will cook more efficiently. Match pots and pans to the size of the burner, and make sure the burners are clean. Heat foods in the microwave if possible; it's more energy efficient than using the stovetop or range.

Get some help

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills, you may be eligible for payment assistance. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) offers financial assistance to income qualified households to help with paying energy bills.

Contact your state office for information about eligibility and how to apply.