MONCKS CORNER, S.C. – Winter is here, and that means cold temperatures can drive up electric bills. Heating and cooling typically accounts for a high percentage of a home’s electric use, and the colder it is outside, the harder your heat pump has to work to warm your home. Cold and freezing temperatures also may cause your emergency heat, or heat strips, to activate, which uses more electricity and causes bills to rise.
There are steps customers can take to control usage:
Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during winter weather.
Use a smart thermostat to automatically adjust your temperature when you’re not home.
Increase your temperature one or two degrees at a time to help avoid unnecessarily activating your heat pump’s heat strips. (Read more details on heat strip use in Santee Cooper’s blog .)
Install a timer on your water heater to run during off-peak hours and set it at 120° or lower.
Avoid running large appliances like dishwashers and clothes dryers during peak hours of 6 -9 a.m.
Stay warm by bundling up in sweatshirts, sweaters, socks, slippers and/or blankets.
Seal air leaks around your home to prevent cold air from coming into your home and warm air from escaping.
Open curtains or blinds to let in the sun’s heat during daylight hours and close your window coverings at night to help keep out any drafts.
Set usage alerts in your MEL app , so you know how much electricity you’re using.
Change your air filters regularly. Dirty air filters cause your heat pump to work harder.
For more winter tips and ways to save, visit Empower Home today.