As our area prepares for a cold stretch of weather throughout the week, CHELCO is monitoring and preparing for the cold weather and encourages members to be prepared, too. Heating homes can actually cost more than cooling them, driving bills higher if members don’t manage their energy use during cold weather.

Here’s a clearer version of your bullet points:

• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees and maintain it. For every degree below 68, you can save about 5% on heating costs.
• Avoid adjusting your thermostat by more than 2 degrees at a time. This prevents the backup heating elements from activating, which can increase energy use.
• Keep your water heater set to 115 degrees to ensure plenty of hot water while saving on energy costs.
• Use electric blankets or heated mattress pads, which are more energy-efficient than heating your whole home. Be sure to use them safely and avoid placing cords under your mattress.
• Open south-facing window coverings during the day to let in natural sunlight and heat your home.
• If your home is older, consider inspecting your insulation and crawl space. Proper insulation in the attic and floor, along with tightly sealed windows and doors, is essential for retaining heat.

Be safe when using space heaters:

• Use space heaters only for short periods, not as your main heat source. Focus them on warming people, not entire rooms.
• Keep flammable materials and furniture at least three feet away from the heater.
• Always turn off and unplug the heater when leaving the room for a long time.
• For safety reasons, avoid using extension cords with space heaters.

Interested in learning more about your energy usage? Check out our free Energy Calculator to see when, where, and how your home uses energy so you can take full control of it.