Setting back your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save you up to 10% a year on home heating and cooling costs.
Photo by Consumers Energy
Q: My energy bills always seem to go out of control in winter. What can I do to stay warm and reduce my energy use?
A: There are many steps you can take today to make sure your home stays comfortable this winter without draining your wallet.
Adjust that thermostat. The first place to start is your home thermostat. In most homes, the largest portion of the energy bill goes toward heating and cooling. Setting back your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save you up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. In the winter, you could aim for 56 F at night and when no one is at home, and 68 F when you’re up and around. If you’re used to a warmer house, it may mean throwing on a sweater or pair of slippers. It should be noted this tactic is not as effective for some homes with radiant heat systems. If you have a manual thermostat and don’t always remember to adjust it, consider purchasing a smart thermostat, or at least one that’s programmable.
Set refrigerator and freezer temps for efficiency. Make sure your refrigerator and freezer aren’t set to a colder temperature than needed. The fridge should be at 38 F to 40 F and the freezer compartment should be 5 F. If you have a separate chest freezer, set it to 0 F. Also check your water heater setting. You should aim for a setting of 120 F.
Old refrigerators and freezers can use a lot of electricity. If yours was made before 1993, you can save upward of $65 a year with a new Energy Star model. If you eliminate a second refrigerator or freezer, you can save even more, especially if they are stored in your garage.
Maximize the heat you’ve got. Look around each room and make sure the vents and radiators aren’t blocked by furniture or other objects. If the floors feel cold even when the room is warm, put down area rugs for additional warmth. Open curtains and blinds to let the sunshine in, and close them at night. Enlist the help of an energy auditor or HVAC specialist to test for duct leakage and ensure your whole system is balanced and running efficiently.
Make bright moves with your lights. The obvious first step is to make sure lights are turned off when they’re not in use. You can do this manually or employ one of many automated strategies. If you’re still using incandescent bulbs, you could switch the five most-used bulbs to LEDs and save about $75 per year. LEDs last much longer and use about one-fourth as much energy. Prices on LED bulbs have decreased in the past few years, and you can save more if you buy them in packs.
Over time, plan to replace all your old incandescent bulbs, and consider smart lighting options that can be programmed to turn off when a room is not in use.
Eliminate drafts. Look carefully around your home for signs of air leaks. If you have a gap under an exterior door, you can block it with a towel, or better yet, install some weather stripping. Make sure windows are sealed with caulk, and you can also seal areas around plumbing and wiring penetrations.
Taking some of these easy steps now should provide quick energy savings. To save even more, ask your local electric cooperative for advice on how to conduct an energy audit.
Send questions to Energy Q&A, South Carolina Living, 808 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033, or email energyqa@scliving.coop.