Company offers tips on keeping bills down in winter
As temperatures drop in the winter, it takes a lot of energy to make a home feel comfortable.
Heating and cooling costs account for about 55% of an average customer’s monthly bill, according to Energy Arkansas. Usage is even higher if there are consecutive days of cold temperatures, causing bills to increase as well.
To keep the comfortable air in and the colder air out, energy efficiency is especially important in the winter. Steps you can take to help save money on winter energy usage include:
■ Seal air leaks. Install weatherstripping around your doors, windows, and any location where there may be a path between the inside and outside of your home or business.
■ Adjust the thermostat. Set the thermostat to 68 degrees and wrap up in layers if necessary. Each degree higher can add 3% to your bill.
■ Conserve hot water. Set the thermostat to 120 degrees or medium and wrap your electric water heater with a water heater blanket, which can be found at home improvement stores.
■ Keep doors and windows closed. Constant traffic will let out the warm air, forcing your heater to work harder to keep the room at the set temperature.
■ Ensure fans are turning the right way. Fans should be run at a low speed clockwise during the winter to prevent the cold air from blowing down on you.
■ Keep the air circulating. Don’t block heat registers or air returns with curtains or furniture.
■ Leverage the sun. During the day, open your curtains and blinds to let in the warm sunlight. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.
There are also programs that can help going forward to better manage payment of your energy bill, including:
LIHEAP, The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, provides money to help customers with energy bills and other energy-related expenses. LIHEAP is funded through the federal government and works with local community action agencies to help customers pay for and keep electric service in their homes. For information on how to apply for assistance, call 1-800-421-0762 or visit the Arkansas Community Action Agencies Association, Inc. website athttp://www.acaaa.org/local-community-action-agencies/.
Customers are also encouraged to take advantage of entergy solutions programs, including a comprehensive residential energy audit and some on-the-spot upgrades, like LED lights and weather stripping.