Most homeowners start to worry and fret when the temperatures outside begin to drop and the cold weather begins to set in. Heating bills, as we all know, increase during the cold weather months, which can add to homeowners’ concerns and costs. With that said, there are a variety of very easy ways to help minimize your electric usage and reduce your electric bills this winter season. When you take advantage of the useful insight and tips we have listed below, you will find your challenges less when it comes time to keep your home and family comfortable and warm during the cold weather months ahead.
Tips For Reducing Electric Usage This Winter
There are a number of simple but practical ways to minimize electric usage during the cold weather months. Some of those insightful tips include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Take advantage of natural light whenever the opportunity presents itself – With shorter days in the winter season, the number of daylight hours is reduced. This means during the day time be more efficient and make use of the natural sunlight in your home. Open your blinds, shutters and curtains and benefit from the outside light as well as the sun’s solar heat, which can certainly warm your indoor living space. In addition, closing the doors in those rooms you are not using during the day, will help to effectively trap the natural heat you are letting in and allow it to warm the rooms you are using actively.
- Be sure you have proper insulation – As most of us know, a great deal of cool air in the summer and heat in the winter time is lost through your home’s improperly insulated attic. Further the same necessary air can be easily lost through windows and doors that do not have proper weather stripping and sealing. While we strongly suggest you rely upon the professionals to insulate the attic space in your home, we have some easy options to help you seal up all those drafty doors and windows. For starters, self-sticking weather stripping is an ideal fix when it comes to keeping warm air in. Window insulator kits will also seal the edges of windows perfectly. In addition, you can purchase fabric cold draft stoppers that you can place in front of exterior doors to block the draft and keep warm air in.
- Unplug appliances and other devices when not in use – Even if you are disciplined enough to always turn off the devices and appliances you are done using, this is not enough to significantly minimize the electric usage in your home. Rather, you should be aware and always unplug electronics and electrical devices that are not in use because they still pull energy when plugged in. This continuous use of electricity over time can cost a good deal of money. If you take the time to unplug electronics, appliances and devices not in use you will not only see a difference in your electric bill but a positive difference in your pocketbook as well.
- Lower your thermostat – Lowering your thermostat a few degrees when you are not at home or while you are sleeping, will greatly contribute to lower heating costs. When you are away at work during the day there is no reason to keep the heat running. Simply lower the thermostat until you arrive home in the evening. You may even want to consider purchasing a programmable thermostat. This would be an ideal solution to the problem since you can program the thermostat to turn on and off at specific times during the day and night.
- Be practical with your holiday decorating – The holidays usually mean decorating the home with delightful, attractive decorations. If you are planning to use holiday lights this season, consider switching over to LED bulbs and using a timer to turn the festive lights on and off at appropriate times.
The Pros You Can Trust
Gervais Electric, Inc. takes tremendous pride in providing all our valued clients in Franklin and the surrounding towns with the highest quality products and services available. We are steadfast in our commitment to meet the individual needs of all our clients and look forward to our every opportunity to serve you. For more information and tips on how to reduce electric usage this winter or to schedule a service appointment, be sure to reach out to one of our highly skilled and experienced team members today!
