Winter Saving Tips
How to understand your bill, track energy use and reduce costs. 10 ways to manage energy use.
No matter what the weather forecasters say, winter is going to be cold.
Some forecasts may call for a warmer winter in the western and southern states and average or below average temperatures in the north and east. And the Farmers' Almanac can predict a "polar coaster" of a winter, with temperatures rising and dropping.
So to avoid a high bill surprise, you can monitor and manage your energy use, even when temperatures drop for extended periods. If you haven’t signed up for an equal payment plan to get a predictable monthly bill, there are some things you can do to keep tabs on your energy use.
Tips for Understanding your Bill
- Check the number of days in your billing cycle. Most bills are for 30 days, but there are times when the billing cycle is shorter or longer. If there are more days in the bill, it could be higher.
- Look at “average kilowatt-hour” (kWh) use per day. At first glance your bill may look higher, but if your average use is similar to the same time last year or in a month with similar extreme temps, it’s a normal bill.
- See our Sample Bill for more detail on how to read a BVU utility statement.
7 Ways to Avoid Billing Surprises
- The best way to avoid billing surprises is to track your use through self awareness. Keeping your family and guests aware of lighting, heat and even hot water usage will go a long way. Share your goals and your success.
- Reduce your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting when at home and down a degree or two when leaving home. If you have a heat pump, set the thermostat and leave it. Lowering it may cause the auxiliary heat to turn on, which is inefficient and expensive.
- Change air filters regularly. A dirty air filter makes a heating system work harder, which uses more energy.
- Have the heating and air conditioning system checked regularly to maintain performance.
- Replace standard bulbs with light-emitting diodes (LED). LEDs are more efficient while giving off the same amount of light.
- Operate ceiling fans in a clockwise direction, which pushes warm air back down into the room.
- Leave drapes or blinds open during sunny winter days to allow the sun to warm the house. Close them at night to help insulate your home. You might be surprised what a little fabric can do!
