How To Save On Rising Winter Energy Bills

In the dead of winter, most people tend to crank up the heat and bundle up inside most of the time. More time spent at home means more energy consumption from computers, televisions, and appliances. Furthermore, it gets dark earlier in the winter, so we tend to consume more electricity from light fixtures and lamps. According to Kotzebue, the average electricity bill for U.S. homes in the Winter is 25% more expensive than in the Summertime.

Lowering heating costs is possible by keeping the thermostat at a reasonable, consistent temperature. Florida Power and Light (FPL) mentions that every two degree rise in temperature will cause heating costs to go up by about 9%. Turning down the temperature on water heaters will also help you save. I’m sure we can all agree that a warm shower on a cold morning is a perfect way to warm up and start the day. However, cranking down the water heater a few degrees will probably go unnoticed, and you can begin to save big! The majority of water heaters are set to 140°F, so we recommend turning it down to 115°F -120°F in order to save money without making much of a noticeable change in temperature. We also recommend taking advantage of south-facing windows to allow you to capture more natural heat from the sun and use less light during the day. Keep your windows clean to allow heat in during the day, and close your curtains at night to trap heat in.

Consider Alternate Power Sources

EDF Energy states that electric heating can run at 100% efficiency because no energy is lost to the conversion of heat. Propane generally runs at up to 90% efficiency because energy is lost when it moves from the liquid form in its storage tank to a gas. Purchasing a propane tank can be expensive and propane refills need to be regularly purchased as well. Those who use propane need to have safety measures in place because it can be highly combustible. Propane can also be an inhalation hazard if it’s released in a small space. Carbon monoxide detectors need to be set in place to make sure that residents will be alerted if fumes reach dangerous levels.

Propane and natural gas heating is a great choice for those who live in areas that might experience power outages caused by winter storms. Electricity can be generated with the help of propane or natural gas for a limited period of time. Extreme winter conditions might make it hard to receive refills when needed. For example, many homes experienced power outages and were damaged by frozen pipes exploding during the winter storm that hit Texas in February of 2021. Over 200 people passed away because of prolonged exposure to the cold.

Portable power is an excellent way to protect your family from power outages and extreme weather conditions. We offer a wide range of products including Generators, Feeder Cables, and Automatic Transfer Switches to keep you warm during emergencies. Automatic Transfer Switches can sense a power failure and automatically send a signal to your generator to turn on if the power goes out, never leaving you in the cold.

Insulation Is Key

Proper insulation retains heat, keeping temperatures consistent. Maintaining good insulation in your home’s walls and attic can help save you money on your electric bills because your heating system doesn’t need to work as hard to maintain a consistent temperature. Blanket insulation is made from fiberglass, plastic fibers, or natural fibers. This insulation is great for do-it-yourselfers and can be used to insulate floors, ceilings, unfinished walls, and foundational walls. Rigid foam is generally made of polystyrene or phenolic and is very good for adding a lot of insulating value without the bulk. It can be used to insulate unvented slow-sloping roofs, floors, and ceilings. Spray foam is another popular type of insulation. Spray foam is made out of polyurethane and is great for insulating irregularly shaped areas.

We hope you’ve enjoyed all of our tips and techniques listed throughout this article to help you save money through this winter season. If you find yourself needing to stock up on new equipment this season for any upcoming projects, don’t wait till the last minute! Our portable power experts are available on both coasts of the United States. You can call or text us directly at (800)-597-9311 with any questions or email our Portable Power Group at PPG@ATIelectrical.com. As always, we look forward to assisting you with your next project!