It’s been a cold January in North Texas. Here’s how to save on your energy bill
People often think their power bills are especially high during the summer due to the heat, but really, it’s worse in the winter.
Daylight savings forces residents to use more lighting for longer while freezing temperatures call for the heater to be on. And on top of that, people tend to spend more time in their home during the winter months due to the weather. It’s safe to say, your winter power bill can come back more expensive than expected.
According to Energy Texas, residents pay around $179 a month on power. North Texas weather graces its residents with both extreme heat and the freezing cold. So, it makes sense Texas’ average electricity bill is higher than the national average of $136.
Of course, it varies by the size of home. However, the average single-family house in Texas is 2,170 square feet, which is a lot of space to heat up. Luckily, there are budget-friendly ways you can save on using power.
When do you have to use the most heat in North Texas?
According to the Farmer’s Almanac, North Texas will experience the coldest weather in late January through early February, so that may be when you use your heater the most.
The almanac predicts the end of January to be cold with few showers. The beginning of February will bring even colder temperatures with a rainy mix, which gives a slight chance of snow. By Feb. 12, the almanac predicts milder temperatures with more sun.
How to save money on your electricity bill in the winter
North Texas has experienced a cold January thus far with temperatures in the 30s and even 20s. If you haven’t already implemented any measures to save money, here’s what you should do.
Set the thermostat to heat on at least 68 or lower.
Set ceiling fans to reverse so they mix up heat trapped by the ceiling.
Open curtains or blind during the day to let natural light in to heat up.
Ensure that all your windows and doors are properly sealed and caulked, so no outside air is breezing in.
Ensure your air condition filters are clean and replace them if necessary. Dirty filters make your HVAC work harder than it needs to.
Only use your heater when you are home.
Installing LED lights helps energy bulls because they use 90 percent less electricity than normal bulbs.
Make sure your fireplace damper is closed to ensure no cold air is seeping into your home.
Layer up with blankets and sweaters during night instead of cranking up the heat.