The cold weather has arrived along the Gulf Coast and Gulf Power wants to make sure you stay warm and save money and energy during the winter season.
Tips to save money and energy
• A fireplace is not always an efficient heat source. If not used properly it can actually make the rest of the house cooler because airflow up the chimney can remove the heated air.
• An electric blanket is more economical than heating the entire house all night long.
• Use a portable electric heater to heat only a small area. Purchase models that are thermostatically controlled. Keep it at least 3 feet from items that could catch fire such as curtains or furniture. Make sure you have working smoke detectors on every floor and in every sleeping room of your house.
• Make sure vents and return air registers are not blocked by furniture, draperies, doors or other obstacles.
• Don’t use your oven to heat your home — it’s not efficient and most importantly, it’s dangerous.
Prepare your home for the entire winter season
Temperature settings
• Heating a house makes up about half of your electricity bill so set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter.
• Programmable thermostats are a good investment, or you can take advantage of Gulf Power’s Energy Select. Energy Select is Gulf Power’s free advanced energy management program that offers a lower price for electricity 87 percent of the time. Energy Select features a programmable thermostat and a special rate of four price periods based upon time of day, day of week and season. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 to learn more.
Heating and cooling equipment
• The system heating your home is extremely important. If it's an older, less-efficient unit, upgrading to a high efficiency air-source heat pump might be a wise choice. Contact Gulf Power at 1-877-655-4001 to learn more.
• Routine maintenance — A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently. A complete tune-up of the home heating system can cost anywhere from $50 to $100 or more, but this is a worthwhile investment and can reduce your heating bill from 3 to 10 percent. Some companies offer regular service contracts, which are convenient if you tend to forget system maintenance. Remember to replace the filter every month.
• Ductwork — Duct leakage can account for 20 percent of the heating and cooling cost. Getting ducts sealed should be at the top of the list for making your home energy efficient.
Insulation
Adding insulation to your attic is one of the most cost-effective energy saving measures.
Weather-stripping and caulking
Weather-strip door jambs and caulk any cracks around windows to prevent cool air from entering your home.
Window units
If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove it for the winter months to prevent heat from escaping through and around the unit. If it can't be moved, put a cover over it to prevent drafts.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: 13 tips to save money, energy during cold weather