12 • THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 2003
Can't get into the classes you need this semester?
FINANCE
Students sweating costs can easily downsize bills
By Richard Gintowt
rgintowt@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Students moving out of the residence halls and into apartments this summer can be grateful they didn't pay gas bills last winter, which were the second highest since 1973.
But renters might want to take a few simple steps to avoid their summer electric bill starving them, before they invest their savings in futons and Ramen noodles.
High air conditioning usage caused electric bills to be at their highest in the hottest months of the year, said Karla Olsen, senior manager of media relations for Westar Energy.
One of easiest ways to keep electric bills low was to replace filters for air conditioners every two or three months, said Loren Dolezal, director of plumbing at Westlake Ace Hardware, 711 W.23rd St.
"Most people forget about the filters and let the air conditioner run all summer and wonder why there's not as much air coming out as when it was new." Dolezal said.
Washable foam air filters for window
units cost $1.49 at Westlake Ace Hardware. Filters for central air systems cost between $5 and 10, and reusable models are available for $25.
Another technique to improve the efficiency of window units is to wash out the grill with a garden hose, said Dave Cobler, president of Ace Plumbing, Heating, Air and Appliance. This gets rid of leaves and cottonwood that force the unit to work harder, use more electricity and to cool less efficiently.
Students often forgot that the simple things turning off air conditioning and appliances when not in use and using fans instead of air conditioning could save the most money, said Margaret Perkins-McGuinness, director of the Off-Campus Living Resource Center.
McGuinness said students could also ask their utility companies if they offer payment plans to spread out the costs more evenly.
Other techniques that can help keep a house cool include shading sunny windows and stuffing door cracks.
- Edited by Saju Ng'alla
Drowning in debt?
BUSINESS
Eddie Bauer store to close; parent company reorganizes
jwellington@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Low revenues and store under-performance has led to the liquidation and future closing of Eddie Bauer, 643 Massachusetts St. The store, along with 59 other U.S.Eddie Bauers is part of a multiphase reorganization process by its owner, The Spiegel Group.
By Jennifer Wellington
The store started its liquidation process May 23 and is expected to close within the next few months, Lisa Erickson, Eddie Bauer representative, said.
As part of the liquidation process, Eddie Bauer is currently offering 30 to 50 percent off all its merchandise.
KU graduate Mary Lawhon said she was taking advantage of the store's liquidation sale.
"I usually can't afford a lot of things in the store, but the discount's good so I thought I would take a look," she said.
The Spiegel Group announced its plans to file for Chapter 11 and close its underperforming Eddie Bauer stores April 28.
In addition to Eddie Bauer, Spiegel's businesses include Newport News and Spiegel Catalog.
Chapter 11 gives U.S. companies an opportunity to negotiate with creditors, reorganize the company and emerge from bankruptcy.
Erickson said the company had no plans to add any additional stores to the Chapter 11 proceedings at this time.
Bill Kosturos, Spiegel's interim chief executive officer and chief restructuring officer, said in a press release, "The decision to close stores is never easy, yet we are confident that this move will result in a healthier, more productive store base for Eddie Bauer."
Eddie Bauer's headquarters in Redmond, Wash., also reduced its work force by approximately 180 associates May 9.
Lawrence's Eddie Bauer, which opened in 2000, is the only store in Kansas and Missouri going though liquidation proceedings.
— Edited by Maggie Newcomer