By MILITARY PRESS on December 16, 2011 at 3:26 pm
Winter’s officially here and with it comes longer nights and an added chill to the balmy San Diego air. SDG&E wants to help you prepare for the cold weather so you can save energy, keep winter energy bills under control and keep toasty warm when temperatures drop.
Dial down: Home heating is the No. 1 energy expense for most customers and can account for as much as 16 percent of your total energy bill. The average customer can save about $13 (or up to 20 percent) on monthly winter energy bills simply by lowering the furnace thermostat 3 to 5 degrees (health permitting). Turn the thermostat off when you’re not at home to save even more. Ideal settings are 68°F during the day and 55°F or lower at night. Keep heat sources, such as lamps, away from the thermostat for accurate readings.
Servicing pays: Check your heating system filters, pilot lights, and burners. Have the system serviced by a qualified professional to keep it operating safely and at peak efficiency. Have home air ducts tested for leaks and sealed, if needed. This will help save up to 20 percent on winter heating costs.
Squeaky-clean: Clean and vacuum dust from vents, baseboard heaters and cold-air returns. Dust build-up in ducts is a major cause of indoor pollutants and can increase incidences of cold-weather illnesses. Consider hiring a pro to clean hard-to-reach ductwork. Cleaning or replacing furnace filters before and during the heating season saves up to 2 percent on heating costs.
Get your winter “check up”:If you would like SDG&E to light your pilot, check the operation of your furnace, or turn on your gas meter, it’s best to make your appointment now.
Insulate, insulate, insulate: It’s especially important that your ceilings, walls and floors should be adequately insulated. Consider the condition of your roof too; find out about common trouble spots and how to locate a leak from inside.
Caulking is key: It’s not expensive to caulk exterior joints around windows and doors. Caulking helps keep your house weather-tight and lowers heating-up to 5 percent of costs, with the bonus of saving on cooling bills in the summer. It can also help keep insects and other “critters” out of your house.
Give your water heater a break:Your water heater also works overtime in the winter accounting for about 20 percent of your natural gas costs. Take shorter, cooler showers, and use cold water when washing clothes to save up to 10 percent on hot water costs. Only run the dishwasher and clothes washer when full and fix those leaky faucets.
Help, please! Contact SDG&E if you need help paying your bill this winter. The company has assistance programs for qualifying customers that offer rate discounts of up to 35 percent through the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program depending on number of people living in your household and your income.
Free energy-saving products or services: Are energy-efficient lighting, showerheads, caulking and weather stripping, clothes washers or other products and services on your holiday wish list but outside of your budget? If so, you may qualify for these and other free products and services this holiday season from SDG&E’s Energy Savings Assistance Program. To see if you qualify, visit sdge.com/energyassistance or call 1-800-597-0597.
Quick, easy and free: There are also no-cost improvements you can make that help save energy. Close window coverings at night to help keep heat indoors and open them during the day so the sun can warm your house. Bake during the chilliest part of the day, but never use your oven alone as a heater. Humid air feels warmer so turn on your humidifier or bring plants indoors. Wear loose, layered clothing—the air trapped between layers provides extra warmth.
