How To Save On Your Electric Bill This Winter?

You can save up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10° for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. A programmable thermostat makes it easy to set back your temperature since it can be programmed to do it automatically at times that would work best, for example, if nobody is home throughout the day.

Some of our favorite programmable thermostats include:

1. Nest Thermostat E
2. Honeywell Lyric T5+ Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat
3. ecobee4 Smart Thermostat with Built-In Amazon Alexa

During the daytime, open up your curtains and blinds to let in the sunshine. The sun will help warm up your home naturally. And in the winter, the sun is lower in the sky, so it can help heat up your home even when it's not that sunny outside. Just be sure to close your curtains at night to keep the heat in.

Space heaters can be a great way to heat up a small space quickly. But it's important to use them safely. First, make sure the space heater is on a level surface and away from any flammable materials, like curtains or furniture. Second, don't leave the space heater on when you leave the room or go to bed. And third, always unplug the space heater when you're done using it.

Instead of cranking up the heat, put on a sweater or blanket. Wearing layers is a great way to stay warm without using too much energy. And when you're not home, simply turn down the thermostat so you're not heating an empty house.

Adding moisture to the air can make you feel warmer without raising the temperature. And it's good for your skin and respiratory system. Just be sure to clean your humidifier regularly to prevent mold and bacteria growth.

Most ceiling fans have a switch that allows you to change the direction of the blades. In the winter, you want the blades to rotate clockwise. This will push the warm air that's risen to the ceiling back down into the room.

One way to keep the heat in and the cold out is to seal up any air leaks around your doors and windows. You can do this yourself with weather-stripping or caulk. But if you have a lot of leaks, it might be worth calling in a professional to help you out.

Appliances like your oven, dishwasher, and clothes dryer give off heat as they work. So, if you're trying to stay warm, make use of them. But be careful not to overdo it. Running your oven for long periods of time can increase your risk of a house fire. And running your dishwasher or clothes dryer when they're not full can waste a lot of energy.

Adding insulation to your attic, walls, and floors is one of the best ways to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. It's also a great way to reduce noise pollution. And it can even help improve your home's resale value.

A home energy audit is an assessment of your home to identify ways to improve your energy efficiency. The auditor will look at your insulation, windows, doors, heating and cooling systems, and more. They'll also take into account your home's size, age, and climate. After the audit, you'll receive a report with recommendations on how to improve your home's energy efficiency. And in some cases, you may be eligible for rebates or tax credits.

You can further increase your savings by using a technique called zone heating. This involves heating only the rooms that are being used and keeping the doors to unoccupied rooms closed. You can do this by using a space heater in the room you're in and turning down the thermostat in the rest of the house. Or, you can install a zone heating system, which is a series of connected thermostats that allow you to control the temperature in each room individually.

A smart thermostat is a thermostat that can be controlled remotely, typically via a smartphone app. They can also learn your heating and cooling habits and adjust the temperature accordingly. Some smart thermostats will even take into account the weather forecast when making adjustments. Many offer features like energy usage reports and vacation mode, which can save you even more money.

Before the cold weather hits, it's a good idea to have your heating system checked by a professional. They can clean and tune up your furnace or heat pump to make sure it's running efficiently. And they can also identify any potential problems so they can be fixed before they cause major issues.

If you need help making sure everything is working efficiently, call Mid-State. We are able to assess all of your equipment and make sure everything is working together to keep you warm and cozy while also saving you money!