Here’s help for fighting the winter chills

• Wrap exposed pipes and water heaters that are in unconditioned spaces.
• Change your air filter once a month.
• Keep drapes closed at night and keep those that don’t get direct sunlight closed during the day, too.
• Keep the fireplace damper closed when it is not in use. Keeping it open can bring cold air into the room.
• Caulk around the fireplace hearth, and caulk or weather strip around doors and windows.
• Call your electric cooperative to ask what kinds of options might be right for you.  Speak to an energy efficiency expert who can help you understand how weather and your use patterns affect your bill.

But your bill may still be higher than normal in winter months. Why?

• The weather makes a big impact on electric bills, accounting for nearly half of your bill.  
• Even those with the most efficient HVAC systems will see more use in extreme weather.
• When extreme cold temperatures hit, our heaters work overtime. Even if you set your thermostat to our recommended 68 degrees in the winter, when it is 19 degrees outside, your system has to work hard to make up that 49-degree difference.