Here are some tips to keep your electric bills down and stay cozy:
February is a great time to focus on energy savings, especially after a brutally cold January! Here are some tips to keep your electric bills down and stay cozy:
Heating:
- Layer Up: Wear warm clothes and use blankets to stay comfortable, allowing you to keep the thermostat a bit lower.
- Conserve Your Heating: If you have rooms you don't use often, close the vents and doors to those rooms.
- Sunlight Savvy: Open curtains during the day to let the sun warm your home naturally. Close them at night to keep the heat in.
- Thermostat Control: Lower your thermostat a few degrees, especially when you're sleeping or away from home. A programmable thermostat can automate this.
- Fan Assist: Reverse your ceiling fan direction to (2591200) clockwise. This pushes warm air down from the ceiling.
- Maintain Your System: Make sure your furnace filter is clean and that your heating system is properly maintained.
Water Heating:
- Shorter Showers: Reduce your shower time to save hot water.
- Wash in Cold: Use cold water for laundry whenever possible.
- Lower the Temp: Set your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Appliances and Electronics:
- Unplug "Energy Vampires": Unplug electronics and appliances when not in use, or use a power strip to easily turn them all off at once.
- Cook Smart: Use smaller appliances like slow cookers and air fryers, which use less energy than ovens.
- Full Loads Only: Run full loads of laundry and dishes to maximize efficiency.
- Air Dry: When possible, air dry dishes and clothes instead of using the dishwasher's heated dry cycle or the clothes dryer.
General:
- Seal Up Leaks: Caulk and weatherstrip around windows and doors to prevent drafts.
- Insulation Check: Make sure your home is properly insulated, especially in the attic and crawl spaces.
