Christmas Day gifted Northeast Georgia with snow and the coldest day of the year so far – a chilling reminder of just how cold this region can get. Home heating costs can eat away at your wallet when temps dive, but small changes around the house can save you money.
Georgia Power offers these energy efficiency tips:
- Let the Sun Shine In – Keeping the blinds and shades open during the day is a no-cost way to naturally heat your home. Close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Let it Flow – Heating and cooling accounts for as much as 50 percent of a home’s typical winter energy usage. Maximize the efficiency of your units ahead of cold weather by changing the filters once a month, or every three months for pleated filters.
- Thinking Thermostats – Install a smart programmable thermostat that automatically adjusts the home’s temperature settings when you are away from the house and save up to $100 a year in energy costs.
- Caulk & Strip – Replace cracked or peeling caulk or weather stripping around doors and windows to save up to 10 percent on energy use
- It’s Great to Insulate – Keep heat where it belongs with proper insulation in attics and walls to help save energy 24/7.
