Freezing temperatures continue. How will it affect your comfort and your monthly electric bill?
Due to the multiple weeks of freezing temperatures seen in January and forecast for early February, customers with electric heating and/or electric water heating can expect their kilowatt hour (kWh) usage to have increased significantly on their February bills. This increase in usage means the bill amount will have increased significantly as well.
During stretches of cold or freezing temperatures, heating appliances such as heat pumps, furnaces, and water heaters use more energy to heat the air or water to the same level of comfort. Even if you leave your thermostat set to 70 degrees all year, your electric heating system works longer and harder during cold winter months to keep the temperature consistent.
If you're worried about a high electric bill or keeping warm with an older heating system, here are a few tips to help:
- Heat your home efficiently. While there are smaller actions you can take to lessen winter's effect on your bill, the biggest savings come from upgrading to an efficient heating system and/or water heater. And EPUD has incentives to help you make the upgrade!
- Set up your space. Snuggle up to interior walls as they are warmer. Close off unused rooms and stay away from big windows.
- Dress in layers. Consider wearing thermal underwear under your clothing, a sweater, socks and hat while at home.
- Take advantage of the heat from the sun. Keep curtains open on south-facing windows during the day when the sun is out.
- Keep warm air in and cold air out. Caulk or weatherstrip to seal leaks around doors and windows. Seal air leaks around pipes, outlets, recessed lights and unfinished spaces behind closets and cupboards.
- Cover drafty windows. Put up insulating drapes or shades on windows after weatherizing them.
- Maintain your heating system. Replace furnace filters at least monthly. Clean the chimney flue vent regularly. Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning.
- Stay warm and safe. Never leave a space heater unattended. Space heaters are meant to heat the space you're in, not your whole house. Did you know? Leaving a 1,500 watt space heater running can cost you about $90 a month!
- Use SmartHub to track your usage! Our online account management system, SmartHub, lets you monitor your electricity usage and history, from a pc, tablet, or mobile device. View easy-to-read usage graphs with monthly or daily information, and see the difference small changes can make!
We're here to help.
We understand that unusually high bills can be a hardship for some families and we want to assist you in any way we can.
Energy-saving programs are available to help you conserve energy and save money. Our Energy Experts can explain which programs will work best for you and your home, from upgrading your heating system or water heater to replacing windows and doors. We have rebates and incentives to help. Our Energy Services team can also help you find additional ways to save money on your monthly bills. Contact them today at 541-744-7482 or EnergyServices@epud.org.
Low-income payment assistance programs are available to qualifying households. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) can assist with up to $300, and EPUD’s Helping Hands program can provide up to $600. For more information, contact our Customer Service team at 541-746-1583.