4 Tips for Lowering Your Winter Energy Bills

We’re in the middle of the winter months, and keeping warm in the household is one of the top priorities. It can also tend to be the most costly. The holidays is a time when spending increases, from buying gifts to traveling for festivities and heating the home to hosting gatherings. Taking careful consideration for the ways you heat can greatly impact the outcome of your monthly energy bills, even by implementing simple changes in the way you utilize it. Here are 4 helpful tips to help you save this winter.

Lower the thermostat & break out the sweater

The California Energy Commission’s Consumer Energy Center recommends keeping your thermostat between 60- 70 degrees. While this bit of information might instantly set your teeth a chattering, this temperature range can make it possible to save up to five percent on heating bills per degree dropped. To ramp up the warmth, cover up more than usual within your home. Sure, this may not seem convenient, but if you’re really trying to be money conscious this winter, these little sacrifices can go a long way.

Invest in new appliances

If your home appliances are old and outdated, investing in new (especially Energy Star certified) appliances can drastically reduce energy consumption and lower monthly bills. Water heaters are worthwhile to consider. Traditional water heaters use constant energy to keep a tank full of warm water. By switching to a gas powered water heater, you save on the energy being used to heat even when hot water is not being used, because tankless water heaters heat water on demand instead.

Re-seal to keep out drafts

A common way that cold air enters a home is through drafty windows and doors. That’s why it’s a good idea to re-seal any air leaks in the home to keep the chills outside. It’s a small project that can take a handful of hours, but can pay off big time when it comes to energy savings. Snoop out air leaks around chimneys, closets and cabinets and apply weather stripping and caulk- materials that aren’t too expensive of an investment.

It’s all about the little things

Establishing little energy saving habits such as shutting off lights and appliances when not in use can go a long way when trying to save money. The same goes for unplugging unused electronics. Make it easier by utilizing a single power strip to plug them all in one place. That way, you can shut them all off at one time when you leave the house instead going from outlet to outlet.

Lower power bills are just one click away. Contact Griffis Gas today to find out how we can save you money and keep your house warm all winter long.