Energy-Saving Tips for Winter

An El Niño weather pattern is expected this winter, which could bring severe weather to many parts of the country. But cranking up the heat can be a fast-track to high energy bills. After all, heating and cooling account for nearly half of annual energy bills for the average American household, according to Energy Star. So, before you set that thermostat too high, check out these winter energy-saving tips to help keep your home toasty without breaking the bank. Many of these tips can help you save money and use less energy all year long.

1. Lower the Temperature on Your Thermostat

Steps to take:

• Set your thermostat to a low setting that’s still comfortable for everyone in your home.
• Keep your thermostat a few degrees lower than normal when you’re asleep or out of the house.
• Ensure your thermostat is in a high-traffic area inside your home and away from areas with temperature extremes, such as near exterior doors, so it can accurately read the temperature. Depending on your thermostat, you can move it yourself or call an HVAC professional for help if needed.
• Consider investing in a smart thermostat to set a schedule and more easily monitor your home’s energy usage.
• Consider using small space heaters when you only need to heat a small part of your home.

2. Take Advantage of Natural Heat

Steps to take:

• Open your curtains or blinds during the day to let in the natural heat from the sun.
• Close curtains or blinds at night to help insulate heat.
• Invest in thermal-insulated curtains to help keep warm air from escaping through windows.
• Have ceiling fans rotate clockwise at low speed to redistribute heat and prevent drafts. This pulls cool air up moving warmer air throughout the room.
• Avoid planting evergreen trees south of your home, where they can block out the sun during the winter.

3. Monitor Energy Usage for Electronics

Steps to take:

• Set electronics and appliances to low-power or power-saving mode to reduce energy consumption.
• Turn electronics off when not in use. If electronics need to be on constantly, set to low-power mode when you’re not using.
• Unplug devices when you’re away from home, especially when leaving for multiple days.
• Plug small electronics into surge protectors or smart plugs to easily turn them off and on.

4. Upgrade Lighting and Lightbulbs

Steps to take:

• Turn off lights when you’re not using them.
• Replace lightbulbs with energy-efficient LED or CFL light bulbs.
• Invest in smart bulbs to put lights on a schedule, monitor usage and easily adjust brightness.
• Use energy-efficient holiday lights and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when stringing multiple strands together.

5. Prioritize Energy-Efficient Choices for Large Appliances

Steps to take:

• Wash laundry in cold water and reduce the electricity needed to warm the water when possible.
• Load washing machines and dishwashers with full loads—but don’t overfill—to maximize energy usage.
• Keep the oven door closed while food is cooking. The heat loss can result in more energy needed to heat the oven.
• Use smaller appliances when possible. For example, a slow cooker instead of oven, or air-dry clothes instead of using the dryer.
• When it’s time to replace your appliance, shop for energy-efficient products.

6. Seal Up Air Leaks

Steps to take:

• Do a visual air leak inspection for signs of leaks.
  • gaps or cracks in existing caulking and weatherstripping
  • light shining through door and window frames.
• Schedule a professional to do a full inspection around the house if you suspect leaks in multiple areas of your home.
• Weatherstrip doors and windows with noticeable drafts and replace old weatherstripping as needed.
• Research DIY window insulation kits. These can help insulate your windows while still letting in the sunshine.
• Check the attic and basement.
  • You can use foam or caulk for small heat leaks, but you may need to call a professional for larger leaks.
• Investigate other common spots such as light fixtures, outlets, air conditioning units, utility cupboards for cracks or gaps.
• Insulate pipes to lessen heat loss, help your water heat up faster and prevent burst pipes.
• Keep fireplace dampers closed when not in use to avoid inviting in cold air. If you don’t use your chimney, seal the chimney flue.
• Lay down rugs on bare floors to help insulate them.
• Schedule a professional inspection if you notice cold air coming through your exhaust fans.

7. Inspect Home Heating Systems

Steps to take:

• Replace furnace and heat pump filters. This will keep them running efficiently and ensure they’re clean from pollutants.
• Ensure furniture and curtains are not blocking vents and obstructing airflow.
• Schedule a tune-up for your HVAC system if you haven’t had one this year or have issues.
  • Common signs can include loud banging or clanking noises, a strong smell or airflow that feels different than normal.
• Arrange for a chimney cleaning if you haven’t already scheduled one this year or if you’ve noticed significant build-up.
• Flush your hot water heater if you haven’t already this year to minimize sediment buildup and help it run more efficiently.
• Consider lowering your water heater temperature to 120* F if it’s suitable for your household.
  • Water heaters maintain a set temperature all day and continuously cycle on and off
• Investigate if your water heater is a good candidate for insulation. If your water heater’s R-value is at least 24 (found on its label) or it feels hot when you touch it, it may benefit from insulation. Check with your utility company and local codes first to see if this is permitted and if your utility company can help with installation.

8. Do a Home Energy Assessment

Steps to take:

• Download an electricity app to monitor your household’s energy consumption.
• Make a list of potential issues in your home to keep top of mind during the assessment.
  • rooms with drastically different temperatures or drafty windows and doors.
• Review your energy bills to help identify relevant information.
  • This can include peak usage time in your home, changes in usage between bills and potential causes for spikes or dips (like if you’re housing relatives during the holidays or recently replaced old appliances).
• Schedule an inspection as early in the season as possible (if needed) to avoid potential construction or renovation during the winter.
  • You can find qualified auditors through the Residential Energy Services Network, your energy company or the Department of Energy’s Home Energy Score Program.

Be prepared for a hard FREEZE

With Arctic air forecasted to arrive, here are some tips to prepare ahead of time.

Stay up to date with alerts from local government agencies, news outlets and power companies. Make sure phones are charged!

Build a kit

An emergency kit should include food and water to last for several days, along with tools in case your power goes out. Here are some items that should be included:

• Food and water for several days
• Pet food and supplies
• First aid kit including Prescription medication and glasses
• Flashlight and phone chargers in case power goes out

Get your home ready

• Leave your heat and water on to ensure it continues operating when you need it
• Keep your faucets dripping to avoid your pipes freezing and bursting
• Keep cabinet doors open so the warm air can keep the pipes warm

If you are one of the hundreds, not thousands, of Texans who recently purchased a home generator, make sure it is placed safely outside and away from your home. Placing it inside, or too close to an air vent can cause fumes and exhaust to enter your home.

Cover your plants:

You can use blankets, drop cloths and even bed sheets to go over them, but the key is to create some space between the cover and the plant itself. In empty space, the air will stay warmer, thus helping to protect your plant.

Make a plan

It is good to discuss with your family how to respond, stay informed and contact one another during emergency situations where electricity, water or first responders may not be available, according to the readycentraltexas.org website.

A family plan should include:

• A designated place to meet if separated outside your home or nearby
• A plan to contact one another if you are unable to meet or get separated during a crisis
• Public safety phone numbers (i.e., police, fire and hospital) for your area
• An out-of-area contact to communicate you’re safe and learn the status of other family members

Bring in your pets

Younger pets, like puppies and kittens, as well as older pets can develop mild hypothermia symptoms with temperatures in the 50s, according to Dr. Samuel Morehead, owner of the Leander Vet Clinic explains. Even healthy pets, if they spend most of their lives inside, can be susceptible to hypothermia.

Texas law requires animal owners to provide necessary food, water, care or shelter. When the temperature drops, the Austin Animal Services Office said outdoor pets should be brought inside if possible. If they can’t come inside, they should have shelter like a doghouse or shed with blankets or straw inside.

Other tips

• The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) said working smoke alarms are essential in every household. It is also important to make sure all batteries are changed ahead of time.
• If you have one, have a professional look at your fireplace and clean it every year. Keep flammable materials away from the fire, and do not burn trash or cardboard boxes in it.
• Never use your oven or stove as a heating source.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater, NFPA said.

Know your homeowners insurance coverages: (make sure you have your policy # and company info)

• Burst pipes. Ask your agent if your home or renters policy covers sudden and accidental water damage. This coverage pays for damage from burst pipes. Flood insurance doesn’t pay for damage caused by burst pipes.
• Home and renters policies might not pay for damages caused by frozen pipes if you didn’t take steps to protect your pipes, such as keeping the heater on in your house.
• Food spoilage. If the food in your refrigerator spoiled because of a power failure caused by something your policy covers, your policy should pay up to $500 to replace your food. And often there’s no deductible. Take pictures and keep a list of spoiled food.