February is a time of warmheartedness. When it comes to the weather in our region, though, temperatures are typically anything but warm. In fact, February tend to be our coldest month, which also make it among the priciest for AC/heating costs.
Keep an Eye on Outdoor Temperatures
The colder it is outside, the colder your home’s walls and roof become. That cold attracts heat like a magnet, drawing it out from your home’s interior and casting a chill into your living space. Your AC/heating system compensates by working harder. The bigger the difference between the outside temp and your thermostat setting, the longer and more often your system will run to reach and maintain the set point. If it’s 32 degrees outside, for instance, and the thermostat is set to 74, that’s a 42 degree difference your system must maintain!
Avoid the Broken Heart of Higher Electric Bills
Simply stated, weather matters! To avoid an after-Valentine’s broken heart when your March electric bill arrives (which covers February usage), we suggest starting with a lower thermostat setting. GVEC recommends 68 degrees during wintertime, but if this sounds too cool, start at just one degree lower than your normal setting. A single degree may not sound significant, but every degree you lower in winter (or raise in summer), can save 4-6% on AC/heating costs. After adapting to a one-degree drop, consider lowering another degree. Try this a few times until you’re as close to 68 as you can comfortably get.
Tips for Helping Adapt to Lower Thermostat Settings
1) Wear Thick Socks, Slippers, Long Pants and Sweaters
The more you insulate yourself, the warmer you’ll be.
2) Pile on the Covers
Using more covers at night may allow you to keep the thermostat a bit lower. Wearing socks and warm pajamas to bed can also help.
3) Lay Area Rugs on Bare Floors
Rugs can serve as additional insulation between you and a cold floor.
4) Open Curtains and Blinds During the Day
Allow sunlight to heat your home naturally. Close blinds and drapes at night, though, which can help block warm air from escaping to the outside only to be replaced by cold.
5) Take Shorter, Cooler Showers
The cost of heating water can make up 20% of the average bill, so go easier on the heat and the time spent showering. Consider a shower timer.
6) Upgrade Your Thermostat
An internet connected thermostat can save up to 26% on yearly AC/heating costs.
7) Run Ceiling Fans in Reverse
Reversing ceiling fans pulls warm air into the fan where it’s thrown out and dispersed more evenly throughout your home.
8) Seal Leaky Crevices and Cracks
Weatherstripping and caulk are relatively inexpensive and easy to apply, but sealing leaks around doors and windows can significantly impact indoor comfort and AC/heating costs.
