Lower an electricity bill with ChatGPT's energy-saving tips
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- by Elton Jones (Tom's Guide)
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Evidence: Article or interviewA newsletter, journalist or interview account of what happened.
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Outcome
Tom's Guide's Elton Jones told ChatGPT he paid a $230+ monthly energy bill and asked for tips to lower it. It pointed to repeated heater and air-conditioning use as a big driver; after changing habits such as fully turning off his consoles and installing LED bulbs, he says his Con Edison bill came to $130+ instead of $230+.
Agent
Prompt Original prompt
Exact prompt as published in the source.
I pay a $230+ monthly energy bill. What energy-saving tips can lower my bill and help me save money?
Optional stronger version
Our rewrite with extra checks. The poster didn't test it.
Let's work this out together. I'll tell you what I know, you suggest options and ask what you need, and we'll narrow it down step by step. Nothing gets booked, bought or sent until I say so. Goal: Work out what's driving my electricity bill and which changes will cut it most. What I'll share as we go: - My average monthly bill and supplier - Heating and cooling I use (space heater, AC, electric water heater) - Main electronics and how they're left (standby, always on) - Lighting type - Whether I rent or own Rules: - Rank likely causes by how much they usually cost. - Give tips that cost nothing first, then cheap upgrades like LED bulbs. - Estimate savings per tip and label them as estimates. - Point me to my utility's own savings programs or rate plans. - If a site asks for a login, a CAPTCHA or payment details, stop and hand control back to me. - Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything. - Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify. - Remind me to compare bills for the same season, since heating and cooling swing the total. Output: A ranked list of changes with estimated monthly savings. You'll know it worked when: I know the three changes most likely to cut my next bill, and I can compare it month to month. Before you finish: re-read my goal and constraints, check your answer against each one, and list anything you assumed or couldn't confirm.
Source
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