With the cooler (and sometimes cold!) temperatures that pop up in our North Texas weather this time of year, your home's energy usage will increase. To help you save both energy and money, Denton Municipal Electric has prepared the following energy-saving tips to help get you through the winter:
- Take advantage of heat from the sun. Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Cover drafty windows. If you can’t replace a drafty window, then stop air leaks by adding caulking, weatherstripping, or sealing a heavy-duty, clear plastic sheet onto the window frame during the cold winter months.
- Adjust the temperature. Set your thermostat as low as is comfortable when you are home and awake. When you are asleep or out of the house, turn your thermostat down 5°-10° from your usual setting. This could save you 10% a year on your electric bill. A programmable thermostat can make this change easy.
- Maintain your heating systems. Schedule service for your heating system and replace your filter as recommended by the manufacturer, usually every 2-3 months, or as needed.
- Reduce heat loss from the fireplace. Unless a fire is burning, keep your fireplace damper closed. Keeping the damper open is like having a window wide open. When you use the fireplace, reduce heat loss by opening dampers in the bottom of the firebox (if provided), closing doors leading into the room, and lowering the thermostat.
- Lower your water heating costs. Turn down the temperature of your water heater to the warm setting (120°F). You’ll not only save energy and money, you’ll avoid scalding your hands.
- Learn about energy efficiency & apply for rebates. Contact the City’s Sustainability Department to discuss energy usage habits and apply for energy efficiency rebates. Email [email protected] or call (940) 349-7733 for more information.