3 minute read
Warm Up To Savings With Winter Energy Use Tips
Andrea Zani
Andrea Zani is managing editor of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
As temperatures drop, energy bills often go in the opposite direction — heating and utility use can be costly. Creating a more energy-efficient home will boost your bottom line, conserve resources and help reduce emissions that can adversely affect air quality, even in winter.
Here are a few tips from the DNR to help you cut down on energy use, keeping those winter bills in check and benefiting the environment, too.
Keep the shades on all south-facing windows open during the day so sunlight will help naturally heat your home. Close blinds at night to block the chill from cold windows.
If you have a fireplace, close the damper when not in use to keep heat from escaping and cold air out. You could also try a chimney pillow, balloon or plug — an inflatable device that blocks the flue space — available at hardware stores and online vendors.
Minimize the use of gas fireplaces and space heaters, which are less efficient and more expensive than furnaces to heat your home overall.
Turn off the lights when you leave a room and shut down computers and TVs when not in use. Unplug phone chargers, coffee pots and other electronics when you don’t need them — they draw electricity even when turned off.
Have your furnace inspected and serviced every year, and replace the filter regularly. A dirty filter slows airflow and makes the system work harder, which uses more energy and can lead to expensive repairs.
Save more — money and energy — by lowering the thermostat. For every one degree the thermostat is lowered, your heating bill will drop by 1% to 3%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Check the thermostat on your water heater, too. If it’s set above 120 degrees, the water could cause third-degree burns in less than 10 minutes. Turn it down for safety and savings.
Check your basement for ways to increase energy efficiency. Seal holes and cracks with expandable foam or silicone caulking and insulate hot water pipes and heating ducts.
Use LED lights for your holiday decorations. LEDs use up to 93% less energy and last 10 times longer than standard incandescent holiday lights.
Focus On Energy
For more energy use tips, visit the DNR's Winter Tips webpage. Wisconsin utilities partner on a statewide program, Focus on Energy, to promote energy efficiency and offer resources and financial incentives to individuals and businesses. For example, rebates and instant discounts can help save up to $700 off new and more efficient residential heating equipment such as furnaces, water heaters and smart thermostats.
Eliminating energy waste can save money and help the environment by reducing power plant needs and conserving natural resources. Focus on Energy also supports renewable energy projects that otherwise might not be completed. For details, check focusonenergy.com.
