Frigid Temps Drive Higher Bills

As the winter temps plummet, our reliance on heating skyrockets, which can mean a significant increase in energy usage. These extreme temperatures can impact our wallets when the monthly electric bill shows up, especially when you have electric heat.

Extreme cold temperatures have a few major impacts on your bill.

Below are the five most common we see:

• Overworked Heating Systems: extreme cold forces heating systems to work double time. This means the kWh tally increases significantly as the system works to maintain a comfortable temperature inside. The harder the system works, the higher the bills can be. Whether you are electric or gas, it needs to work twice as hard to keep temperatures comfortable.
• Heat Loss: If your home has poor insulation and drafts can be felt, that means keeping a comfortable temperature is harder to accomplish. This means the heat system works harder and consumes more energy.
• Plumbing: Keeping pipes from freezing may require keeping your thermostat higher or using space heaters strategically. As a reminder, when you plug anything in you are using energy.
• Watering Animals: Frozen water tanks can be a big problem when it comes to keeping water flowing for animals. Using tank heaters or other forms of electric heat to keep water from freezing could impact your energy use and your bill.  
• Block Heaters: Plugging in tractors or diesel engines to keep vehicles running will also increase energy use.

How can you conserve energy during extreme cold temperatures or during the winter in general? There are short and long-term solutions.

Things you can do now are:

• DIY Solutions: There are DIY ways to insulate your home that are also inexpensive. You can pick up kits that can help you cover windows with plastic, or kits to help seal any gaps or cracks around doors and windows. You can always use door sweeps or towels to keep under door drafts to a minimum. Rugs on floors also can help retain heat. These are all ways to winterize even if you rent.
• Doors and Windows: Make certain windows are locked and storm windows are securely shut. Locked windows make certain gaps are sealed. Drapes are also a way to keep cold air out. It’s also important to keep garage doors closed to keep heat in.
• Dress Warm: Layering up at home can help you maintain comfort without having to turn up the thermostat. Explore other heating sources like electric blankets or heating pads for personal warmth. These can be energy-efficient options for targeted comfort.
• Strategic Space Heating: Space heaters are a great supplement in the winter but remember that if it plugs in – it uses energy. Keep safety a priority and be mindful of when and where you utilize a space heater. Heat only rooms you’re utilizing and turn them off when not in use.

There are also long-term solutions to energy efficiency.

• Home Improvement Investments: Proper home insulation is the first line of defense. Attics and rim joists are a common place heat is lost. Adding insulation can help maintain heat or minimize heat loss.
• Programmable Thermostats: A long-term solution is utilizing technology. Programmable thermostats allow setting temperatures lower when you’re away or sleeping and raise the temperatures when you are home. It’s a simple strategy to conserve energy.
• Energy-Efficient Heating Systems: Consider and upgrade to your heating system like a high-efficiency furnaces or heat pumps. An initial investment can pay off in the long run through reduced energy bills.

Winter temperatures can be a battle regarding energy conservation, but with a few saving strategies, you can weather the storm. Always prioritize safety, and follow safety protocols when utilizing alternative heating sources and generators.

If you need assistance with winter bills, you may be able to utilize FreeState’s budget billing program or call our office to determine what options can help keep winter bills manageable.