Tips To Beat The Cold Snap, Lower Energy Costs And Stay Warm

November 13, 2019

With our early season cold snap, Gulf Power is offered tips to save money on your energy bill and stay warm:

  • Set your thermostat at a constant temperature. Almost half of the energy in your home goes to heating and cooling. In the winter, set it at 68 degrees and leave it. For every degree above 68 that you set your thermostat, you’ll pay 10 percent more in heating costs.
  • Find and seal leaks so cold air can’t sneak in through doors, walls or a poorly insulated attic. Make sure there are no tiny holes in your ducts that could cause your heater to work harder. Install weather stripping or caulking around doors and windows. Increase attic insulation to save 30 percent on cooling and heating costs.
  • Reverse the setting on your ceiling fan to push warmer air down to the floor level.
  • Maintain your heating system so it runs more efficiently. Change or clean your air filter monthly since dirty filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency. Check out available incentives from Gulf Power’s Heating and Cooling page.
  • Use an electric blanket or heated mattress cover. These are more economical than heating the entire house. To prevent a fire hazard, avoid using ones that are older than 10 years. Don’t run cords under your mattress. More safety tips.
  • Use the sun to heat your home by opening draperies and blinds on the sunny side of your house. Close them on the shaded side of your house and at night.
  • Get a free Energy Checkup, one of the easiest ways you can identify measures to conserve energy. You can access a free online checkup from anywhere at any time on a laptop, tablet or mobile device, or you can schedule an in-home energy checkup. The checkup provides a report that’s personalized for you, based on your home’s actual energy use and can be accessed whenever you want to look for ways to save money and energy.
  • Use portable electric heaters only in small areas. Buy newer models that are thermostatically controlled and carry the UL label.

Need help paying your power bill? These agencies can help:

Pensacola

  • United Way referral line, call 2-1-1 from any phone.
  • United Ministries (only provides assistance to families w/children) 257 E Lee St., Pensacola, (850) 433-2333
  • Catholic Social Services, 222 E Government St., Pensacola, (850) 436-6425
  • Community Action Program (Tuesdays 8:15-9:15 am), 1308 W Garden St., Pensacola, (850) 607-2088
  • Salvation Army, 1501 North Q St., Pensacola, (850) 432-1501
  • First Baptist Church, (850) 438-8907
  • Olive Baptist Church, (850) 473-4466

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive