Winterize Your Home and Electric Bill | Living Well in the Panhandle

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower in the winter to reduce heating costs. Photo credit: Judy Corbus

We have recently gotten a taste of what our neighbors to the north typically experience this time of year – frigid temperatures! As the mercury plummets, utility bills move in the opposite direction. Winter is not over yet so follow these easy steps to save money on your electric bill during the next cold snap:

Set your thermostat to 68 degrees F or lower in the winter. Dress in layers for added warmth.
Grab a throw or blanket to stay warm while reading or watching television.
Check air filters monthly and clean or change when they become dirty. This will help your unit to operate more efficiently and last longer. A clogged filter can cause your heating system to shut down to prevent the compressor from overheating – this requires a service call to reset it.
Use a ceiling fan, moving in a clockwise direction on low speed, to move heated air down from the ceiling into the living space. Turn fans off when leaving the room.
Open curtains and blinds on south-facing windows to let the sun naturally warm your house. Close them at night to reduce heat loss.
Caulk or weather-strip around windows and exterior doors to seal air leaks.
Insulate water heater supply pipes with foam pipe wrap to reduce heat loss.

For more energy-saving tips, visit My Florida Home Energy.

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Judy Corbus

Judy Corbus is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent with UF/IFAS Extension Washington and Holmes Counties and Associate State Program Leader for Economic Empowerment Extension. Her programs focus on homebuyer education, financial management, nutrition, and food safety/food preservation.