Are you avoiding the winter weather and enjoying a cozy night in instead? It is very likely your energy usage is going up while staying warm inside and bingeing the new season of your favorite TV show. And you’re not alone – the winter months can cause increases in your electric usage, which can impact your energy costs. Seasonal items like space heaters, dehumidifiers and holiday lighting can increase your energy use, as can the holidays, which often involve entertaining guests and kids returning from college.
While it might feel like there’s no end in sight for those dark days and chilly temps, ComEd can help you cut back on your energy usage without curbing your binge-watching habits with these easy-to-follow tips:
1. Clean or replace air filters– Heating and cooling consumes up to 50% of total home energy use in an average household. Dirty air filters make your furnace work harder to circulate air. By cleaning or replacing your filters, you can lower your heating and cooling system energy use by up to 15%.
2. Insulate outlets and light switches– Outlets and light switches on the walls that separate your home from the outdoors are often overlooked sources of heating or cooling loss. Insulating these areas can reduce drafts and keep your home more comfortable.
3. Clear areas around heating and cooling vents– Furniture, carpets and other objects can block vents and prevent heated or cooled air from traveling. This blockage makes your heating system work harder and prevents rooms from warming up quickly.
4. Open your shades on winter days for natural light and warmth– Taking advantage of winter sunlight can help make a dent in your heating costs. Open blinds during the day to provide natural lighting and capture free heat.
5. Unplug electronics when they’re not in use– Many gadgets, including televisions, DVR boxes, game consoles and computers, continue to use power even when they are off, so unplug electronics when you don’t need them. For convenience, plug devices into a power strip and turn it off.
ComEd also encourages its customers to check out ComEd.com/HomeSavings for more tips, and to learn more about the energy efficiency program, which is funded in compliance with the state law. Since the program’s inception in 2008, it has helped customers reduce their climate impact and save more than $6 billion on their energy bills.
