Energy Efficiency Program Consultation
A utility customer is speaking with an energy efficiency advisor about programs and incentives available to reduce their energy consumption and lower their bills.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
cut down
This phrasal verb means to reduce the amount of something, like expenses or usage. In this dialogue, it's used as 'cut down on my energy bills' to talk about saving money on utilities.
insulation
This noun refers to materials used to prevent heat or cold from escaping a building, helping to save energy. It's important in older homes to reduce energy loss.
appliances
This word means household machines or devices like refrigerators or washing machines that use electricity. In energy contexts, it refers to items that can be upgraded for efficiency.
energy audit
A professional check of a home's energy use to find ways to save. It's a first step in efficiency programs, helping identify problems like poor insulation.
rebates
Money returned to customers after buying certain products, like efficient appliances. It's an incentive to encourage energy-saving purchases.
incentives
Rewards or benefits offered to encourage actions, such as discounts or rebates for using less energy. Useful in discussions about programs or promotions.
energy hog
An informal term for a device or appliance that uses a lot of energy inefficiently. It's like calling something a 'pig' for consuming too much.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
I'm really looking to cut down on my energy bills, especially with summer coming up.
This sentence expresses a desire to reduce costs due to a specific reason. It's useful for starting conversations about saving money. Note the use of 'looking to' for future intentions and 'especially' to highlight a key factor.
Could you tell me a bit about your home and your current energy usage habits?
A polite question to gather information. 'A bit about' means some details, and 'habits' refers to regular behaviors. This pattern is common in consultations to understand a customer's situation.
An energy audit is often the first step. It helps identify specific areas where you're losing energy.
This explains a process and its benefits. 'Often the first step' shows commonality, and 'helps identify' uses the structure for purpose. Useful for advising on practical steps in service talks.
Based on the results, you might qualify for rebates on insulation upgrades or high-efficiency appliance replacements.
This conditional sentence shows possible outcomes. 'Based on' means depending on, and 'might qualify for' indicates eligibility. It's practical for discussing incentives in programs.
Replacing an old refrigerator alone can often lead to a noticeable drop in your monthly bill.
This highlights a benefit of an action. 'Alone' emphasizes one change's impact, and 'lead to' means result in. Great for explaining how small changes save money over time.
Would you like me to walk you through the audit scheduling process?
An offer of help using 'walk you through' idiom, meaning to guide step-by-step. Polite and useful in customer service to offer assistance without pressure.