What can I do about my Houston electric bill this winter?
When September comes, Texans rejoice because football is back, and summer electricity bills are gone. Fall and spring bring the lowest electricity prices of the year, but winter has its own price spike. Winter electricity bills aren’t as high as summer bills. However, the cost increase causes Texas customers to wonder how they can cut electricity consumption.
Here are four reasons your Houston electricity bill is high in winter and how to chip away at the cost. A few small habit changes and home repairs can reward you for years to come.
Ratchet down your thermostat
When you come home on a cold day, the last thing you want is to shiver while you prepare dinner. You like to walk into a warm, toasty house. But you don’t live in a ski resort! That hot air is jacking up your Houston electric bill!
If you can’t pass up this luxury, get a programmable thermostat. The device will begin heating your home at the precise moment necessary for your home to be ready for you. Better yet, set your thermostat to 68 degrees while you’re home. Throw an extra blanket on the bed, and don your favorite old hoodie. Just a few degrees difference can make a noticeable change in your monthly power cost.
Keep your warm air warm
Once the air in your home is warm, you want it to stay that way. Make sure your home is well insulated to keep the outdoor air from cooling your home. Adding insulation to your windows and attic are relatively easy projects and can save you money in the long run. You spend money up front for materials, but you save a little money every month.
Run your appliances less
One of the things that drives moms crazy is when kids and husbands stare into the refrigerator. The cool air escapes, and in turn, the condenser kicks on. The refrigerator uses more electricity than it would if the kids knew what they wanted before they opened the door.
With some forethought, electricity customers can run appliances for shorter periods or fewer times per day. Refrigerators, clothes dryers, water heaters, and more appliances don’t need to be used as much as many people use them. Here are a few tips:
- Replace your HVAC filter according to your system’s specifications. Inspect the filter once a month to see whether it needs changing earlier.
- Set your refrigerator and freezer for optimal food storage temperatures and no lower (40 degrees and zero degrees, respectively). You will store your food safely while minimizing cost.
- Don’t overload your dryer with laundry. You need air to circulate around your clothes to get the water out.
- Set your water heater thermostat to a lower setting. If your shower can scald you, your water heater thermostat is set too warm. Between 120 and 130 degrees is hot enough.
Seal up your home
Perhaps you can see a sliver of light under your front door. You think, “Meh, it’s just a little gap.” However, that little gap lets cold winter air in and warm air out. You paid to heat that air, so don’t let it escape so easily! Use weather stripping to seal air leaks around doors. Use caulk to seal leaky windows.
Find a new power plan to lower your Houston electric bill
Saving money on your Houston electric bill is good year-round. Shop power plans at http://www.texaselectricityratings.com to make sure you have the best price for your home and normal usage. Sign up for fixed rate Texas electricity today, and save all year.
