10 tips for winter weather savings
Stop falling temperatures from driving up your electric bill
Central Texas is known for its hot summers, but did you know the average Hill Country household actually uses more energy in the winter? Nighttime lows may drop well below freezing. These tips can help you stay warm and save you on your electric bill.
As the temperature starts to fall, here are some ways to keep your bill from climbing too high.
- Heating your home can cost 2–3 times as much as cooling it. Set thermostats to 68 degrees.
- Lower the thermostat 7–10 degrees when you’re sleeping or away from home for long periods of time.
- Check your HVAC air filters monthly, and replace them when needed.
- Keep the fireplace damper closed when the fireplace is not in use.
- Keep your garage door closed.
- Open drapes and shades on sunny days.
- Caulk around all gaps, holes, and stationary components inside and out, including telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water spigots, and more.
- With heat pumps, increase temperatures only 2 degrees at a time to avoid shifting into a more expensive heating mode.
- Turn off or unplug unused electronic devices.
- Set your water heater temperature to 115-120 degrees.