Nothing affects your energy use and your bill like extremely low or extremely high temperatures. Especially when those temperatures stay low (or high) for an extended period.
Heating and cooling are the major factors in your energy use, so when the temperature drastically drops or rises, usage and bills go up. Your home’s age, how many people live there and what you use to heat with all play a part.
So what can you do? Union Power Cooperative offers a variety of tools and programs to help you become more energy efficient.
Energy Usage Alerts
You can set up alert notifications to make you aware of high usage on your account and avoid unwanted “surprises” on your next bill. Our Energy Usage Alert could alert you to a bigger issue like a heat pump or well pump malfunction that could drastically increase your monthly electric bill.
Energy Calculators
You can use one of our many energy calculators located on our website to help you see where your power is being used and where you might be able to save. Depending on the season, raising (or lowering) your thermostat just a few degrees can save you lots of money! Our Weather Insights app allows you to adjust a virtual thermostat to see just how much you can save.
Energy-Saving Tips
Check out these energy-saving tips to help lower your bill:
- Keep your thermostat setting as low as you can. Every degree above 68 can increase your bill three percent or more.
- Avoid adjusting your thermostat setting more than two degrees at a time to ensure your emergency or auxiliary heat strips do not turn on.
- Check your fireplace. If you are not using it, make sure the damper is closed.
- Have your heating system serviced regularly and don’t forget to change the filters. Dirty filters reduce air flow and causes your system to work harder, which can increase your heating costs.
- Plug those leaks! Use weather stripping, caulk or foam insulation to fill in the leaks around windows, doors or under your sinks where the pipes go into the wall.
- Use the sun! During the day, leave your blinds or curtains open, especially on windows that face the sun. Close them at night to retain heat.
Visit our Energy Center at union-power.com to learn more. To sign up for energy usage alerts go to union-power.com/energyusagealerts or call 704-289-3145. Remember, when it’s cold outside, you can stay warm and control your energy use at the same time.
Enroll today
