It’s cold outside. Because 40-60 percent of your electric bill comes from heating your home, here are tips from Santee Electric Cooperative you can do to keep your bill as low as possible.
• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower.
• Only run ceiling paddle fans on low, blowing up in winter when someone is in the room.
• Change HVAC filters monthly. When installing new air filters, make sure they are facing in the correct direction. (Look for arrow on side of filter.)
• When heating or cooling, keep windows locked. And storm windows completely closed.
• Insulate electric wall plugs and wall switches with foam pads.
• Caulk along baseboards with a clear sealant.
• Close fireplace dampers when not burning a fire.
• Caulk around plumbing penetrations that come through walls beneath bathroom and kitchen sinks and where electrical wires penetrate the top of the interior walls.
• Open drapes and shades during the day to catch free solar heat but close them at night to keep heat in.
• Ensure attic access door closes tightly and are insulated properly.
• Ensure return air grills and floor registers are not blocked by furniture, rugs, drapes or bookcases.
• Ensure windows and doors are properly weather-stripped and caulk around storm windows.
• Do not use roof-top power ventilators for attic exhaust as they may evacuate conditioned air from your home.
• Have your HVAC system serviced one per year by a certified technician.
• Minimize use of electric space heaters.
• Ensure your outdoor heat pump/air conditioning unit is kept clean and free of debris.
• Outside your home, caulk around all penetrations including telephone, electrical, cable, gas, water faucets, dryer vents, etc.
• Use heavy duty, clear sheets of plastic on the inside of windows to reduce the amount of cold air entering your home.
• Verify your supply air duct "boots" (behind supply air registers) are caulked to your ceiling or wall sheetrock or flooring.
• Verify all outdoor doors (including storm doors) close and seal tightly.
